If you have ever potty trained a child, you know that urine stains are a certainty.
Not only does urine end up on the floor and in underwear, but it can also end up on just about any surface in the house, including on a mattress.
Bedtimes and naps are bound to end up in an accident once in a while, even as children get older.
Though it is not fun or pleasant to deal with, urine stains should be cleaned up as soon as they happen.
If not, you run the risk of a permanent stain and permanent odor, which no one wants in their bed.
Keep reading to find out how to remove urine stains from a mattress so you will be prepared for the next mess that may come your way.
What You’ll Need
Spray Bottle
The easiest way to apply an even coat of cleaning mixture is to spray it onto the stain with a spray bottle.
If you don’t have a spray bottle around, use a bowl and a rag to blot it on instead.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a great tool for cleaning many different types of stains, including urine, so it’s a good idea to keep some on hand.
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Dish Soap
A good degreasing dish soap will work wonders to clean up urine from a mattress.
Plus, it works well on many other types of stains, too.
I recommend using Dawn, or something with similar grease-cutting properties.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great way to soak up a stain, and it will not leave any residue on your mattress.
Baking soda is as good as gold when removing almost any type of stain so you want to make sure that you have plenty on hand at all times.
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Cold Water
Cold water will be used to rinse the stain once it has been cleaned.
Make sure to only use cold water as warm water can actually make the stain worse.
Clean Rags
You will need a few rags to dab the stain once it has been removed.
I have found that these microfiber cleaning cloths work wonders when soaking and even scrubbing urine stains.
Protective Gloves
Make sure to always wear gloves when dealing with urine or any other bodily fluids.
I found these Cleanbear Synthetic Rubber Gloves, on Amazon and they work really well.
Step By Step Instructions For How To Remove Urine Stains From A Mattress
This section will give you the detailed instructions that you’ll need to remove urine stains from a mattress.
#1. Spray The Hydrogen Peroxide Mixture
In the spray bottle, combine 8oz of hydrogen peroxide with three tablespoons of baking soda and mix well.
Then add a few drops of dish soap and mix the solution again.
Spray a generous amount evenly across the urine stain and let it sit for several hours.
As the solution works on the stain, you should see the liquid disappear, and a layer of baking soda remains.
Pro Tip: Hydrogen peroxide can discolor some surfaces, so test it on an inconspicuous area first to ensure that it will not damage the surface of the mattress.
Likewise, hydrogen peroxide can damage memory foam mattresses, so use as little of the cleaning solution as possible if you have a memory foam mattress.
Do not soak the mattress.
#2. Brush Away The Baking Soda
The baking soda works to pull the urine out of the mattress, and it also helps eliminate any odor that may remain.
The liquid will soak into the fibers of the mattress and eventually evaporate, taking the stain along with it.
After the cleaning solution has had time to sit on the stain and soak up the excess urine, the baking soda can easily be brushed or vacuumed away.
#3. Rinse and Repeat
Using a rag dampened with cold water, gently blot the stain to ensure all of the urine has been removed.
Let the water air dry and reassess the stain.
If any urine or any odor remains, repeat the above steps as many times as necessary until the stain and the odor has been completely removed.
For large stains or stains that have dried over time, you may need to scrub the stain in order to remove it completely.
Do not scrub the stain until you have let the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mixture work on it several times.
As you are scrubbing, try not to be too vigorous, as you do not want to push the stain further into the fabric of the mattress.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can an old urine stain be removed using these methods?
Yes, an old urine stain can be removed using the steps outlined above.
You may need to repeat the process several times, but eventually, the stain should be completely gone.
Additionally, you may need to gently scrub the stain, but it shouldn’t take too much effort to remove it completely.
Can I use something besides baking soda to remove the stain?
Baking soda is definitely the best choice to remove a urine stain.
There really isn’t anything that would compare with the cleaning qualities of baking soda, so it cannot be replaced with anything else.
Baking soda is very inexpensive, and it can be used for cleaning many types of stains, so it is a great thing to keep on hand at all times.
Will liquid laundry detergent work instead of dish soap?
Yes, you can use liquid laundry detergent instead of dish soap.
Dish soap is generally stronger and tougher on stains, so that is why it is recommended for this process.
You may need to use more drops of liquid laundry detergent than dish soap, but it will work just as well.
Conclusion
Urine stains on a mattress are a pain to deal with, that is for sure, but don’t throw your mattress out just yet.
There are ways to remove even the toughest urine stains from any mattress, and it will keep your mattress looking as good as new.
Now that you are equipped with the knowledge and know-how about how to remove urine stains from a mattress, you can conquer your next stain with confidence and remove it with ease.
Don’t let a potty training toddler or an ill-behaved dog give you headaches with their messes ever again.
