Dealing with urine stains and odors in a mattress can be an unpleasant and challenging task. However, with the right techniques and products, it is possible to fully restore your mattress to a clean, fresh state. This article will provide a complete guide on effectively removing both new and old urine from mattresses.
What You’ll Need
Before getting started, gather the following supplies:
- White distilled vinegar
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Dish soap
- Clean towels or paper towels
- An enzyme-based cleaner (for pet urine)
- A vacuum cleaner
- Spray bottles
Act Quickly for Fresh Stains
If you discover a new accident, it’s crucial to act as soon as possible before the urine dries and sets into the mattress. Take these steps:
- Blot excess urine immediately with towels. Avoid scrubbing or rubbing the surface.
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and cool water in a spray bottle. Liberally spray the solution onto the affected area.
- Let sit for 10 minutes before blotting again with fresh towels. The acetic acid in vinegar helps break down uric acid in urine.
- Apply a generous layer of baking soda over the area and let sit for a minimum of 8 hours. The baking soda will draw out remaining moisture and neutralize odors.
- Vacuum up the baking soda once finished. Repeat steps if stains or odors linger.
Tackling Dried or Stubborn Stains
For challenging dried stains, use an oxygen-based cleaner:
- Mix a solution of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap.
- Thoroughly spray the stain and allow to fully dry so residue forms.
- Vacuum the residue and repeat if needed.
Eliminating Urine Odors
To specifically target lingering urine odors:
- Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the mattress, focusing on smelly spots.
- Let sit for 8+ hours before vacuuming. Baking soda absorbs and neutralizes odors.
- Can also lightly spray white vinegar or essential oils onto the mattress to help mask odors.
Tips for Pet Urine
Pet urine stains require some special considerations:
- Use an enzyme-based cleaner formulated to fully eliminate pet urine odors and prevent remarking.
- Act instantly to soak up as much urine as possible before it dries.
- You may need to use a more concentrated vinegar or peroxide solution due to higher waste chemical content in pet urine.
Preventing Future Accidents
Take proactive steps to avoid future urine stains by:
- Using a waterproof mattress protector to shield your mattress
- Washing sheets at least once per week
- Addressing any underlying medical issues or re-training pets
When to Call a Professional
If you’ve attempted every cleaning method to no avail, consider hiring a professional mattress cleaning service. Professionals have commercial-grade equipment to deep clean urine from mattresses.
Conclusion
While frustrating, urine stains don’t have to ruin your mattress. With some simple homemade solutions and the right techniques, even old, set-in stains can be fully removed. The key is to act fast when discovering new accidents. With patience and perseverance, you can get pee out of a mattress and restore it to a fresh, clean state.
