Whether midnight mishaps, toddler potty-training endeavours, or furry friend mishaps, urine stains to mattresses are quite common. Swift action is the key – reacting promptly minimises concerns over a little pee and prevents pee stains.

Confronting the pungent odour and vivid stains associated with urine is straightforward when armed with the right knowledge and acting as quickly as possible. In the face of a pee emergency, understanding the necessary steps for effective clean-up is essential to overcoming a nasty human urine stain.

Table of contents:

  1. How serious is the accident?
  2. Are you ready to clean?
  3. How to remove the initial mess?
  4. Are homemade options available?
  5. How do I get rid of the urine smell?
  6. What about dog and cat pee?
  7. How do I dry my mattress?
  8. How can I prevent future accidents?
  9. Should I use professional mattress cleaning for urine removal?
child wet the bed, question mark
wiping a mattress, cleaning products
How to clean a mattress that has been peed on banner

How serious is the accident?

Before unleashing the full fleet of cleaning supplies, it is important to take a moment to gauge the situation. Assess the extent of the accident, from surface wetness to potential deep infiltration. Recognize the consequences of procrastination – it's not just about preventing a urine-stained mattress; it's about preventing odours and the unwelcome growth of mould. Nearly any cleaning strategy to remove urine stains will be more effective on fresh urine than at removing pee stains. Immediate action is your mattress's best friend!

Minor accidents may only require some light blotting and a layer of baking soda to remove the urine odour, whereas more severe stains may need more advanced methods. Fortunately, there are many options to help your mattress look and smell fresh again.

dirty mattress and a time clock

Are you ready to clean?

Now that you're mentally prepared, let's gear up for the clean-up operation. Grab gloves, shield your bedding, and ensure the room is well-ventilated. We're about to turn this pee-mergency into a squeaky-clean success story.

How to remove the initial mess?

Prepare for the clean-up mission by removing all bedding – it’s best to assess the damage head-on. Grab clean towels or paper towels to delicately blot and absorb the urine to get pee out of the mattress and prevent mattress stains. This can be especially important with materials like memory foam, where urine accidents might be able to soak in. Exercise caution, as the objective is to prevent any further penetration into the mattress and get excess urine out as much as possible. Approach this task with a gentle touch, refraining from applying excessive pressure that might exacerbate the issue by driving the liquid deeper.

This initial step is critical to mitigating the immediate impact of the urine on the mattress. By swiftly and delicately removing as much excess moisture as possible, you lay the foundation for subsequent cleaning efforts. Remember, patience and a measured approach during this phase will lead to a more effective clean-up overall.

Are homemade options available?

Craft a do-it-yourself elixir by combining white vinegar, water, and a modest addition of dish soap in a spray bottle – a miraculous remedy to remove urine from a mattress. This homemade concoction serves as a potent solution to combat stains, remove the pee smell, and revitalise your mattress's integrity. This can be a preferred first step for beds of small children, especially, because it does not contain any toxic chemicals that will need to air out.

The mixing process is straightforward: combine equal parts white vinegar and water with a dash of dish soap. Once the concoction is prepared, generously apply it to the affected area. Scrub and blot, letting this super solution penetrate the mattress's fibres to tackle stains effectively.

stain removal cleaning supplies

How do I get rid of the urine smell?

Urine has a distinctive, unpleasant, and unforgettable odour. Wage war against this vile scent with the potent combination of baking soda with cold water and white vinegar. Any lingering scent is no match for this trio, ensuring your mattress is freed from unwanted odours.

Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the affected area, allowing it to absorb and neutralise odours effectively. Follow this by spraying the cold-water and white vinegar concoction, ensuring comprehensive coverage. Allow your mattress to breathe, expelling any residual scent. Once it all has dried, use a vacuum cleaner or hand broom to remove any residual baking soda from the bed.

Some people may want to repeat this process with baking soda mixed with citrus scented essential oil. While this won’t do any additional cleaning, it can add a fresh fragrance to a newly cleaned mattress.

mattress odour removal

What about dog and cat pee?

When your furry friends leave an unexpected mark on your mattress, act swiftly. Pet urine presents unique challenges, and specific actions must be taken for removal.

Start by absorbing as much liquid as possible using paper towels or clean towels, minimising penetration just as you would for a human’s accident. Recognize the distinctive nature of pet urine and opt for an enzyme cleaner – a powerful ally in breaking down and neutralising the components of pet pee. When using enzyme cleaners on the stained area, consider wearing rubber gloves to keep it off of your skin.

Combine the enzyme cleaner with additional solutions like baking soda and white vinegar for a multi-faceted attack on stains and odours. The enzyme cleaner targets the biological compounds, ensuring thorough elimination. Sprinkle baking soda liberally on the affected area, allowing it to absorb any residual odour. Follow this with a mixture of cold water and distilled white vinegar, applying it to the spot. Allow the mattress to air out, facilitating the dissipation of any remaining scent. When the vinegar smell is gone, the urine smell should be too.

dog and cat in bed

How do I dry my mattress?

Finalise the mattress recovery process by ensuring thorough drying to prevent mould and mildew. Employ fans, open windows, or a heater for an expedited and effective way to remove any remaining moisture or lingering odours. The key is to eliminate residual moisture, safeguarding your mattress against potential growth of mould or mildew.

open window and a fan

How can I prevent future accidents?

Elevate your mattress's defence with the unsung heroes of bedding – waterproof mattress protectors. These guardians shield against unforeseen accidents, making them indispensable for maintaining hygiene in both children and adults. Embrace these protectors as part of a comprehensive strategy to prevent late-night surprises and ensure peaceful slumber. While mattress protectors of years past may have added an uncomfortable plastic layer to the mattress, there are many modern options that are more comfortable.

Beyond protectors, instil good hygiene practices in children and adults alike. Encourage regular bathroom routines, especially before bedtime, to minimise the likelihood of accidents. Consider implementing consistent bedtime rituals, such as reducing fluid intake before sleep, adds an extra layer of precaution. If that all fails, you may want to consider getting overnight diapers or similar products for the affected children and adults in your home to simplify clean-up and get everyone back to bed quicker when accidents happen.

Educate children about the importance of alerting adults when nature calls during the night. Establish a comforting environment that fosters communication about their needs, reducing the probability of accidental bedwetting. You may also want to discuss limiting liquid consumption late in the evening to reduce the urge to go overnight. Usually, reducing water intake an hour or two before bedtime can make a big difference.

Incorporate these preventative measures into your routine safeguards you and your family against unexpected incidents.

mattress protector, child and his mom

Should I use professional mattress cleaning for urine removal?

When all else fails, call in the pros. Professional cleaning is guaranteed to tackle pesky urine stains that you can’t defeat alone. Be sure to let them know what methods you have already tried so they don’t repeat methods you’ve already tested on this particular pee stain.

Professional cleaning services for mattresses offer various specialised treatments to address different issues and ensure a thorough and effective cleaning process. Here are a few methods you might see:

Steam Cleaning: Utilises hot water extraction to deep clean the mattress. Steam cleaning helps eliminate allergens, dust mites, and stains. The high temperatures involved in this process also contribute to disinfection.

Dry Cleaning: Employs low-moisture cleaning methods to clean the mattress without saturating it. Dry cleaning is suitable for mattresses that shouldn't get too wet.

Professional mattress cleaning services often combine these methods based on the specific needs of the mattress and the desired outcome. The choice of cleaning method depends on factors such as the type of stains, the level of contamination, and the material of the mattress. Professional cleaners assess the condition of the mattress before recommending the most appropriate cleaning approach.

Remember – accidents happen, but so does redemption. Act promptly, maintain a hygienic sleep sanctuary, and say goodbye to unwanted odours and stains. Your mattress will thank you, and you'll rest easy in your newfound knowledge of mattress cleaning mastery.