How to Get Pee Out of a Mattress

Small caucasian baby lying down on the belly on the bed with wet urine stain on the sheet and clothes looking to the side Bedwetting child pee on the bed

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Finding yourself swamped in pee is definitely not a sight to behold upon waking up. The worst thing about eliminating pee smell or stubborn urine stains is that it needs immediate, decisive action. Acting fast prevents pee stains from solidifying on the mattress cover and excess urine from seeping deep into the mattress layers.

Generally, human and animal urine contains uric acid crystals, which are responsible for urine odor. In fact, compared to human urine, cat or dog pee requires a more thorough cleaning due to the potential health risks it may pose. If the urine has soaked for weeks to a point of no return, you can opt to throw away the mattress. But that should be a last resort.

The good news about removing urine from a mattress is that you don't have to go for late-night store runs if the accident occurs at night. You can use baking soda, laundry detergent, and other readily available supplies. With the help of these few handy pieces of equipment, you'll be back to sleeping on a fresh, clean mattress in no time. So, not only will this systematic guide help you get pee out of a mattress, but it will also leave it looking as good as new.

Requirements

White vinegar
Laundry detergent
Baking soda
Cold water
Vacuum cleaner
Spray bottle
Paper towels
Hydrogen Peroxide

The Process of Removing Urine from a Mattress

Immediately after discovering fresh urine on the mattress, you should jump right into action by following these steps;

Strip other Bedding on the Mattress

Remove bedding such as bed sheets, pillows, and blankets from the bed to prevent them from soaking up excess pee. Remember to wash them as soon as possible to prevent pee stains and smells from solidly settling in. If you notice any lingering smells after the washing cycle, rewash them. But this time, add a cup of white vinegar to the washing machine. Cleaning the pillow will be a bit different depending on whether the whole pillow was stained or just the cover.

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Blotting the Affected Area on the Mattress Surface

Using a clean, dry towel or a paper towel, gently blot the affected area to soak up the pee. Do not scrub this area since it may make the urine seep deeper into the mattress layers. Instead, gently blot the spot. Removing urine from a memory foam mattress will be difficult if you let it seep deep into the layers.

Alternatively, after removing other bedding, you can spray the affected area with pee-busting spray. Lay clean, dry towels on top of this area, followed by a layer of newspapers, then stack a heap of books on top of the newspapers. While the spray help neutralizes the urine smell, the towel helps wick away as much liquid as possible. On the other hand, the newspaper helps shield the books from urine.

Also, remember to turn on the fan or open the room's windows to allow for efficient airflow. Continue bloating the affected spot until they dry or paper towels aren't picking up any liquid. Alternatively, you can sprinkle baking soda on the affected area to absorb the remaining moisture.

When dealing with dog or cat pee, leave the baking soda layer on the affected spot until its white hue darkens. This shows that the baking soda is absorbing the urine. Vacuum-clean the baking soda, then repeat the process with fresh baking soda until it stays white to ensure it has absorbed all the urine.

How to Remove Urine Stains from the Mattress

Mix equal parts of white vinegar and cold water in the spray bottle. Find a large spray bottle if your mattress or the stained area is larger. If you want a stronger cleaning solution, reduce the water content. Notably, you can add some liquid detergent to the solution to help effectively break down the urine stain. Using pure vinegar solution is also okay, as it won't damage your mattress.

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Spray the Stained Spot

Spray the solution on the stained area until it begins soaking up. Though the white vinegar smell may be strong, it'll dissipate quickly. After spraying, let it sit for approximately 5 minutes, then blot with paper towels or a dry towel to soak up excess liquid. Use distilled white vinegar to lift urine odor and stains efficiently.

Cover the Affected Spot With Baking Soda

Coat the entire area with baking soda. Allow it to sit for a couple of hours, preferably 8-10 hours. Remember to keep the room closed to prevent your kids or pets from messing with the baking soda.

Vacuum the Dry Baking Soda off the Mattress Surface

With the help of a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment, suck up the dry baking soda. Before you start the vacuuming exercise, ensure the baking soda is completely dry; otherwise, you risk damaging your vacuum machine.

Alternatively, use a dry/wet vacuum machine to suck up that layer of baking soda In case it's still damp. More importantly, inspect the mattress thoroughly. Repeat this cleaning method if you notice any lingering odors by spraying the affected spot.

Removing Dry Urine Stains

Dealing with wet urine stains, as shown above, isn't similar to dry urine stains. For this exercise, you'll use hydrogen peroxide. As a rule of thumb, you should mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water. But if you prefer a dilute solution, you can add more water to he mixture.

Spray the stained area with the hydrogen peroxide cleaning solution. Ensure you're thorough to avoid missing any spots. Also, blot and dab the sprayed area with hydrogen peroxide. Lastly, leave the mattress to air dry.

Alternative Method for Removing the Dry Urine Stains

Alternatively, mix 240ml hydrogen peroxide and 43.2g of baking soda in a small bowl. Add a few drops of dish soap into the mixture, then stir thoroughly using a tablespoon. It's advisable to use this mixture on a white mattress since hydrogen peroxide can bleach colored fabrics.

If discoloration is a significant concern for you, you can use distilled white vinegar on the affected spot. Also, remember to use this mixture within an hour or two because hydrogen peroxide breaks down faster. Otherwise, you'll need to prepare a new mixture.

Dip a clean, dry cloth in the mixture and dab the affected spot thoroughly, then air dry the mattress before using it again. Use this mixture generously, or else it'll take time for the excess liquid to dry out completely.

Getting Rid of Human Urine Smell

It's pretty clear that removing urine and eliminating urine stains from a mattress is relatively easy. However, the unwelcomed pee smell can linger on your bed for several days. Below are solutions for getting rid of different kinds of urine smells.

Human Urine Smell

All you'll need for the task is a vacuum machine and baking soda. Lightly coat the entire mattress surface with a thin layer of baking soda. Baking soda excellently neutralizes the urine smell from the mattress. This is thanks to its neutral PH, making it efficient for breaking down the strong, pungent smell instead of masking it.

The same way you use baking soda to remove stains is the same way it's a perfect deodorizer for pee odor. Remember to add more baking soda to the affected spots, especially the strong-smelling ones.

Let that layer of baking soda sit for 5 to 10 hours before vacuuming it off. If necessary, you can repeat the process and vacuum the mattress to remove any remaining residue.

Pet Urine Smell

Compared to human urine, tackling pet urine smell is a bit challenging. So, using baking soda alone may not do the trick. The best way to deal with strong pet pee stains and the strong, pungent smell is by using an enzyme cleaner.

As a precaution, you should pick an enzyme cleaner that lacks toxic chemicals. More importantly, you should follow these enzyme cleaners' instructions when pouring or spraying it on the affected spots. Let it sit on the area for the recommended period, then clean it off.

Afterward, apply baking soda and let it sit for a couple of hours before vacuuming it. Advisably, you should place the mattress under direct sunlight for a few hours to ensure it dries completely. This helps eliminate any lingering odors. Not to forget, this whole process also helps remove dry pee stains.

Pets often pee on the same spot when marking their territory by tracing pee cent footprint. This encourages pet accident reoccurrence—so it's crucial to eliminate the pee smell to avoid cleaning your mattress frequently.

Luckily, you can use store-available pet-friendly repellant to minimize such accidental risks. Alternatively, you can prepare a homemade repellant by mixing a few drops of citrus-scented essential oil, 1½ cups of cold water, and two tablespoons of white vinegar.

Closing Thoughts

Though removing the pee and stains from a mattress seems effortless, as highlighted above, frequent cleaning can be annoying and exhausting. So it's crucial to take the necessary precautions to prevent frequent urine accidents.

Using a water-resistant mattress protector can help protect your mattress against urine accidents and accidental food spills. Also, remember to wash your bedding weekly to keep your mattress free of germs and parasites like dust mites and bed bugs for a night of quality sleep. More importantly, it would be best to bed and potty train your pets to avoid pet-related stains. Also, consider getting expert help if your kid has a bed-wetting problem.

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