How to Get Pee Out of a Mattress

How to Get Pee Out of a Mattress

Written by Mehran Uzair

Last Updated on Jan 05, 2023

In this article:

    Sleeping with kids or pets can be quite relaxing and peaceful until the parents need to deal with the problem of bedwetting. No matter how cautious parents are, it is almost impossible for them to safeguard their mattresses from the pee of their human or furry kids. What makes things worse are the stubborn smells and stains left behind long after the pee has dried.

    Unlike other bed linen, mattresses cannot be thrown into the washer to remove the stains and smells of urine. So, the big question that needs answering is how to get pee out of a mattress? Read on to know the answer to this question, along with information about the dangers of not doing and tips to prevent such accidents.

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    Dangers Of Urine in Mattress

    It does not matter if a pet or a child urinated on the mattress; not cleaning it immediately can have highly damaging outcomes. The most common dangers of not cleaning urine from a mattress include the following. 

    Causes Mold Build-Up

    The presence of urine in the mattress can result in the buildup of mold and mildew, which is disgusting and poses health risks.

    Risk Of Allergies

    The warmth and moisture resulting from the presence of urine create a conducive environment for allergy-causing dust mites and germs.

    Creates Bad Odor

    Urine exits the intense and lingering smell of ammonia, and this creates a foul odor which can, in turn, trigger respiratory problems.  

    Breeds Bed Bugs

    Failure to clean your mattress creates the perfect environment for bed bugs to breed and grow.

    How to Get Pee Out of a Mattress

    Illustration Of Steps To Get Pee Out Of Mattress

    People often struggle to find the best ways to clean urine from a mattress to minimize the damage. The following method can prove quite beneficial in this context and can help to remove both fresh and old urine. To start with, the following supplements would be required. 

    • Baking soda
    • White vinegar
    • A few towels
    • Water
    • Spray bottle
    • Vacuum

    Next, use the below-given steps for removing fresh urine from a mattress effectively.

    Step 1

    Strip the mattress of all bed linen and put it into the wash immediately.

    Step 2

    Add white vinegar and water to the spray bottle in a 50:50 ratio to dilute the vinegar.

    Step 3

    Blot the pee from the mattress using a towel without rubbing or scrubbing, as this can cause the urine to seep further deep into the mattress.

    Step 4

    After having blotted as much urine as possible, spray a generous amount of diluted white vinegar on the affected area.

    Step 5

    Let the mattress soak in the spayed liquid for at least 10 to 15 minutes, and blot out any excess liquid at the end of this time.

    Step 6

    Cover the sprayed area with a good amount of baking soda and leave it on for at least 8 to 10 hours or until the powder dries completely.

    Step 7

    Use the vacuum with a hose attachment to remove the dried baking soda before inspecting the soiled area.

    Step 8

    In case some staining is still left, repeat steps 4 -7 to get rid of the same.

    How to Get Pee Stains Out of a Mattress

    Learning how to remove urine stains from a mattress is as important as removing the urine itself. It helps restore the fresh look of the mattress besides minimizing various health risks for users. Given below is the list of supplements required to get urine stain out of a mattress.   

    • White vinegar
    • Laundry detergent
    • Water
    • Plastic wrap
    • Towels

    Follow the steps given below for removing pee stains from a mattress simply and harmlessly.

    Step 1

    Make a diluted vinegar solution by adding 50% white vinegar to 50% water in a spray bottle. Then, add a small amount of laundry detergent to remove old stubborn stains. 

    Step 2

    Spray a generous amount of diluted vinegar mixture over the stain to cover it entirely and until the mattress is soaked to the depth of the original stain.

    Step 3

    Cover the sprayed area with a plastic wrap to prevent the solution from evaporating and allow it to sit for a day or two.

    Step 4

    After the said period, remove the plastic wrap and allow the mattress to dry on its own, preferably leaving it in the open air overnight to ensure that it dries to its depth.

    Step 5

    Once the mattress is completely dry, check it for any residual stains. If there are any repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 to make the stains disappear entirely.

    Step 6

    Once all the stains have been removed, check the treated area for any vinegar solution residue. If the residue is found, spot-clean the area with water and blot the excess moisture with a towel.

    How to Get Pee Smell Out of a Mattress

    Cleaning the mattress of pee and pee stains is not enough to restore its hygiene. It is also important to remove urine smell from a mattress before it is considered safe to use. Contrary to popular belief, getting rid of pee smell is not as difficult as it seems. It would require the following supplements.

    • Baking Soda
    • Vacuum

    Many people wonder about how can you get urine smell out of a mattress using just these two supplements. The answer to this question lies in the fact that baking soda has a basic pH. This enables it to absorb and remove the stinky smell of pee instead of masking it. Follow the steps given to eliminate the bad odor of pee from the mattress.

    Step 1

    Cover the soiled area with a layer of baking soda, adding a generous amount in places that stink the most.

    Step 2

    Leave on the layer of baking soda for at least 5 to 10 hours to give enough time for the supplement to absorb the smell.

    Step 3

    Use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment to remove the baking soda from the mattress.

    Step 4

    Check the mattress for urine smell, and if it is still present, repeat steps 1, 2, and 3 to get rid of the same.

    How to Get Dog or Cat Pee Out of a Mattress

    Pet urine poses a greater danger than human urine as it is stinkier and more concentrated. Moreover, removing pet pee from a mattress is also important as otherwise, the pets may use it as their marked territory for repeated urination. The supplements required for getting pee out of a mattress include the following.

    • Baking soda
    • Vacuum
    • Enzyme cleaner
    • White vinegar
    • Essential oil (optional)

    Follow the steps below to remove the pet pee on a mattress most effectively. 

    Step 1

    Start by applying a layer of baking soda directly to the area where the pet has peed on the mattress. As the baking soda absorbs the moisture, it becomes darker, indicating that it is successfully sucking the pee up and out of the mattress. 

    Step 2

    Use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment to remove the urine-soaked baking powder from the mattress. Now apply a fresh layer of baking soda to the soiled area to soak up the remaining urine and remove it again after some time with the vacuum cleaner. Repeat the process until the layer of baking soda applied to the mattress no longer changes color.  

    Step 3

    Once the second step has been completed successfully, clean urine stains that might still be present on the mattress in the same way used for cleaning human pee, repeat the process if necessary to rid the mattress of any stains completely.   

    Step 4

    Pet pee has a different chemical composition than human pee. Since pet pee is more concentrated, removing its odor is rather difficult. The best way to get rid of the bad smell from mattress stains caused by pet pee is by using enzyme cleaners. The enzymes act as biological catalysts for speeding up the chemical reactions and breaking down pet urine's more stubborn components. Therefore, it is essential to choose non-toxic enzyme cleaners specifically designed to remove stains of pet urine. 

    Step 5

    An important thing to keep in mind while removing dried urine of pets from mattresses is to avoid using harmful chemicals such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or other standard household cleaners, which may not necessarily be non-hazardous for animals.   

    Step 6

    Many times pets return to the place where they have urinated before due to their ability to smell traces of the chemical footprint of their urine, which human noses cannot perceive. Hence, it is important to use pet-friendly repellants to avoid any unfortunate accidents with pets.

    How to Avoid Urine Accidents

    Knowing how to get urine out of a mattress when dry or fresh is not enough. Taking the necessary precautions to avoid urine accidents in the future is the best way to prevent another major clean-up routine. Some tips to ensure the same include the following.

    Train Pets

    Pets, Just like kids, need to be trained in urinating in the right place, which can go a long way in preventing peeing accidents on the mattress. 

    Use Good Quality Diapers

    Parents should use good quality diapers for their kids that are leakproof and can absorb a good amount of liquid, keeping both the child and the mattress dry. 

    Change Diapers Frequently

    Another effective way to prevent urine accidents and mattress cleaning is to change the diapers of your little ones after every 4-6 hours. 

    Invest In Mattress Protectors

    Investing in a good quality mattress protector is the most effective way to avoid urine accidents and the effort involved in removing dried urine from the bed.

    Why Use a Mattress Protector

    Mattress Protector

    Investing in a good-quality mattress protector is the best way to eliminate the need to get dry pee out of the mattress. As the name suggests, a mattress protector is a protective fitted sheet covering the mattress to safeguard it from accidents, spills, and damage. 

    These durable sheets are generally made from water-proof materials and cover the top and sides of the mattress. It acts as a barrier that prevents any spilled liquids, including urine, from penetrating onto the surface or the depth of the mattress. Depending on the type of mattress protector they choose, it can offer water-resistance and anti-allergic properties besides enhancing the life and hygiene of the bed. 

    Using mattress protectors also helps to reduce the cleaning costs significantly besides improving the comfort and quality of sleep for the users.

    Conclusion

    Learning how to remove pee from a mattress can enhance its life and keep it more healthy and hygienic. In most cases, the supplements required to complete the task are easily found in the house. So, next time your kid or pet wets the bed, make haste and clean your mattress using the above methods to keep your bed free from unwanted stains, smells, and health risks.

    Disclaimer: This website does not offer medical advice nor professional medical services; rather, it is provided solely for educational, informational, and/or entertainment purposes. Individuals seeking medical advice should consult a licensed physician. The information provided should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any condition, disease, or injury. When you have a medical condition, you should always talk to licensed doctor or other certified medical professional. You should never delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment based on the contents of this website. Call 911 or immediately go to the nearest emergency room if you think you may have a medical emergency. The contents of this website are provided "as-is", Dreamcloud Sleep and its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, contributors disclaim any warranty of the information contained herein. Please contact support@dreamcloud.com to report any errors, omissions, misinformation, or abuse.
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Allow the mattress to dry completely before using it again.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},{"_id":"bfec967","title":"How long does it take for pee to dry on a mattress?","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003EPee on a mattress might dry in as little as two to four hours, so it's critical to address it right away.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},{"_id":"f4e3f39","title":"Can urine on a mattress make you sick?","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003EUrine in a mattress can be hazardous and cause health problems ranging from bug bites to respiratory problems caused by fungus spores.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},{"_id":"f9df4b6","title":"Does human urine smell go away?","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003EAn unpleasant odor in the urine usually goes away on its own, especially if it is caused by dehydration or something in the diet. If a person can identify a harmless cause of their foul pee, such as asparagus, they do not need to consult a doctor. Other factors necessitate medical attention.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},{"_id":"22e0bc5","title":"How do you get urine stains out of a mattress without baking soda?","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ECombine two parts cold water, one part white vinegar, and a small bit of laundry detergent in a spray bottle (a few tablespoons for a standard spray bottle; more if your bottle is larger). 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