How should I clean a peed on mattress? July 7, 2010 Subscribe What is the best way to clean a mattress after bedwetting?Edit ArticleHow to Remove Urine Stains from a Mattress Three Methods:For a Dry StainFor a Wet StainFor All StainsCommunity Q&A So, you spent a lot of time and money choosing the right mattress for you or a loved one only to find that someone (or thing) has wet the bed. There are several methods you can choose from -- see what's underneath your sink and get started. Dampen the affected area, but do not saturate it. Sprinkle heavily with borax. Borax will neutralize the urine odor. Be sure to cover the whole area. The jury is out on whether or not Borax is toxic.[1] Just don't eat it or leave it on your skin. It will irritate your skin, just like baking soda. Rub borax into the mattress. Allow to dry completely. Vacuum up the powder. Return the mattress to the bed. Blot up as much of the urine as possible.You'll need a spray bottle, measuring cup, funnel, and tablespoon.
Grab your ingredients, get the kids to the living room, and start mixing. 8 ounces (237 ml) hydrogen peroxide, 3% This can be found in a brown bottle in the first aid aisle of most pharmacies or stores. 3 tablespoons (45 g) of baking soda 1 drop of liquid hand dish washing soap Mix your ingredients into a spray bottle. Do this when you want to actually spray the mattress -- the concoction is most potent when used immediately. Do not attempt to store the leftover solution; it will leak out of the bottle. Add the drop of dish soap last. Let the baking soda dissolve entirely and then add the soap to make it bubbly. Shake it up and spray the area. Right after you've gotten your mixture all shaken together, spray it generously over the area. You should see the stain lift and disappear within 5-10 minutes. If you leave it to dry with a fan on, your work should be done! If a baking soda film does remain, then simply wipe or vacuum it off. It won't leave a ring.
Use a liquid proof mattress cover to prevent future stains and protect occupant from possible mildew formation or fungal blooms. If you happen to have a Tempurpedic™ mattress with the Tempurpedic™ liquid-proof mattress cover, be advised that although this mattress cover is of very high quality (and very comfortable to sleep on), it is not highly durable and should not be washed in a machine with the sheets. Such treatment will eventually lead to tiny rips and tears resulting in leaks and a dramatic loss in effectiveness. Instead, this mattress cover should be spot cleaned by hand or carefully inspected for leaks. It can lose effectiveness in as little as two years if not cared for properly. There are store-bought solutions designed just for this purpose that are available in most pet supply stores. Use remaining borax to boost laundry. Normal urine is sterile and does not contain any bacteria or other organisms, so there is no need to sterilize, unless you suspect a urinary tract infection is present.
You may still wish to use a sterilizing agent, such as alcohol, to neutralize any organisms that are present in the mattress itself, the surrounding air, or the water used for cleaning. Borax is anhydrous and toxic so wash your hands with lots of soap and water and do not rub your eyes or touch your face. Keep children away while you are working. Abandon all hope if you have a latex foam mattress; they act like giant sponges and are almost impossible to remove stains from as the liquid that would remove the stain simply seeps deeper into the foam. With a problem like urine stains on a mattress, it’s important to act fast! Soak up as much liquid as possible with clean cloths or paper towels as soon as you become aware of the situation. With kids in the house, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll end up having to deal with a bed-wetting incident at some point – it’s a perfectly natural part of growing up, and occasionally happens in later life as well. Dealing with it is hardly fun, but removing urine from a mattress is something that can actually be pretty simple if you act fast, and treat the situation sensitively and sensibly.
Stains and odours set in fast, so the quicker you can treat a stained mattress, the better. All urine (animal and human) is made up of crystals of uric acid, so to permanently remove the acid, odour, and bacteria and properly clean urine from mattress fabric and bedding, it is best to use an enzyme-based cleaning solution (like a biological laundry detergent). There is also a wide selection of products specifically developed for treating urine stains caused by pets, which are often perfectly suitable for use on human accidents too. Check the label on your chosen product and follow the instructions to ensure you use it safely and effectively. Always test any cleaning product in a small area first before continuing. How to Clean a Mattress: Urine Stains Use a dry towel, cloth, or paper towels to lightly blot up the excess urine, then strip the bed. Avoid rubbing the stain, as this will only spread the urine deeper into the mattress. Sprinkle baking soda onto the affected area to absorb the remaining moisture.
Make a solution of biological washing powder – we like Persil Bio – and water. Alternatively, if you don’t mind the smell (which can be somewhat potent at first) you can try a solution of one part white vinegar to one part warm water. Spray your chosen solution onto the stain and leave to sit for 3-5 minutes. If using a commercial stain remover, always carefully follow the instructions on the product packaging, be sure to wear protective gloves, and open the windows for ventilation. You should use enough of the stain remover to counterbalance the amount of urine that has soaked into the mattress before leaving to air-dry. Repeat step one, blotting up any moisture with a towel or dry cloth. This is to get rid of any residual urine and prevent mould, so try to get the mattress as dry as possible. Bring back the baking soda and sprinkle over the entire mattress. The mattress needs to be given time to dry out thoroughly, so you will need to make other sleeping arrangements for the night.
Leaving the stained mattress for at least 18 hours to dry overnight. Vacuum up the baking soda and prop the mattress up outside or in a well-ventilated area to allow air to circulate and shift the last of the odour. The above guide explains how to clean urine from mattress fabric and stuffing – check out our article on cleaning mattresses and bedding for tips on doing a regular clean. Now that you know how to clean urine from a mattress, you can be prepared for future incidents. Sealed protectors are available for pillows, duvets, and mattresses that will not only shield your family’s beds from urine, but also help protect you from dust mites, bacteria and all number of other allergens. Don’t be put off by uncomfortable childhood memories of crackly waterproof covers and cases – the latest products are far subtler, and won’t leave you slipping and sliding with every movement. Choose from zippered or fitted styles, with breathable fibres that will keep you and your children protected and relaxed.