Easy Tips To Remove Urine Smell And Stains From Mattress

Gaurav Zatakia
Person removing urine stains from mattress
Quick Answer

Blot fresh urine with a dry towel, then treat the spot with a vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 2 parts water) or a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mix for older stains. To remove the smell, sprinkle baking soda over the area and vacuum it once dry, or use a pet enzyme cleaner for pet urine. A waterproof mattress protector is the easiest way to stop it from happening again.

A urine stain on your mattress does not have to mean a ruined mattress. Whether it is from a child's bedwetting accident, a pet, or a one-off spill, most stains and smells can be treated at home with things you already have in your kitchen, like vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. This guide walks you through step-by-step methods to remove both the stain and the odour, plus how to stop it from happening again.

How to Remove Urine From Mattress

It is best to clean the mattress as soon as possible after an incident. These are the steps to remove fresh urine from a mattress. The process is slightly different for old stains, which we cover in the next section.

Step 1: Remove all The Bedding and Wash Immediately: The first thing to do is to immediately remove all the sheets, covers, and blankets and load them in the washer.
Step 2: Blot (Don't Scrub!) the Area: Put on a pair of rubber gloves and grab a dry towel to blot or dab the soiled area and soak up as much liquid as possible. Do not scrub the affected area, as doing so will spread the urine further and make it difficult to absorb fully.
Step 3: Cleaning Options: There are a few options for cleaning the mattress. You can use the one that best suits you or the one with all the materials readily available.
  • Vinegar Solution on the Stain: In a spray bottle, mix one part vinegar and two parts cold water, adding a little laundry detergent. Shake the mixture and spray it liberally on the stain.
  • Use a Baking Soda Paste: Cover the soiled area with baking soda paste and let it sit for around 8 to 10 hours.
  • Use Hydrogen Peroxide: Put some hydrogen peroxide (a mild disinfectant and bleach) in a spray bottle and generously spray it on the stained area.
  • Use Borax Paste: Borax is an alkaline mineral salt easily available in any supermarket. It helps neutralise acid stains, such as urine stains. Mix borax with water to form a thin paste and spread it on the stain.
Step 4: Steam the Mattress: After cleaning the mattress, a slight smell might linger. To get rid of the smell, completely steam clean the mattress.

How to Get Rid of Urine Stains From the Mattress

If you did not clean the stain immediately, do not worry. These two methods will help you remove urine stains from your mattress using everyday household items.

Method 1: Vinegar Solution

Vinegar is a natural acid that neutralises the alkaline salts in dried urine, making it one of the simplest ways to lift a stain. It works best when the solution is left to sit undisturbed under plastic wrap.

Step 1: Use Vinegar Solution to Soak Stain Completely: Make the vinegar solution mentioned above (Vinegar:Water in a 1:2 ratio with a little laundry detergent). Use it to cover the stain entirely.
Step 2: Cover Area in Plastic Wrap: Cover the area in plastic wrap without trying to blot or scrub it. Let it sit for a day or two so the plastic wrap allows the vinegar solution to work without evaporating.
Step 3: Allow Mattress to Air Dry: Once you remove the plastic wrap, let the mattress dry for at least one night.
Step 4: Repeat the Process if You Still See Stains: If the stain is deep or old, it might take a few attempts before it is completely removed. Do not worry; repeat the process again.
Step 5: Spot Clean with Water: If there are any vinegar solution spots, you can spot clean them with water and then blot them with dry towels. Do this once you are sure your mattress is cleaned.

Method 2: Hydrogen Peroxide Solution

Hydrogen peroxide works as a mild bleaching agent, so it is especially effective on old, set-in urine marks that vinegar alone cannot lift. Paired with baking soda, it also helps draw out lingering odour as the mixture dries.

Step 1: Mix the solution. Combine 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide with 3 tablespoons of baking soda and a small squirt of dish soap or liquid detergent in a spray bottle, then shake well.
Step 2: Dampen the stained area. Spray a light, even coat directly onto the stain. Go easy on the amount so the mattress does not get oversaturated.
Step 3: Leave it to dry naturally. Skip fans or hairdryers here. As the mixture dries on its own, the baking soda will settle into a fine powdery residue over the spot.
Step 4: Vacuum it off. Once the area is bone dry, run a vacuum over it to lift away the dried residue along with whatever staining it pulled out.
Step 5: Repeat if needed. Older, deeper stains rarely lift in one pass, so run through steps 1 to 4 again until the mark is gone.

Stop stains before they start. The Flo Aloe Vera Waterproof Mattress Protector keeps spills, sweat, and accidents away from your mattress.

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How to Get Urine Smell Out of a Mattress

Removing urine stains from a mattress is relatively easy, but the smell lingers for a while. You will have to neutralise the urine smell to remove the odour from your mattress and bedroom. These two methods will help.

Method 1: Baking Soda Paste

Baking soda is a natural odour absorber, which makes it the easiest first line of defence against lingering urine smell. It works gradually, so it is best left on overnight for full effect.

Step 1: Apply Baking Soda: The best way to remove the unpleasant odour of urine is to apply a layer of baking soda on your mattress, especially on the stained area.
Step 2: Let the Baking Soda Sit for a While: Baking soda takes some time to absorb the odour, so it is best to leave it overnight.
Step 3: Use a Vacuum to Remove Baking Soda: The vacuum will not remove the urine stains but will remove the baking soda. After vacuuming, check for odour and, if necessary, repeat the process until all the odour is gone.

Method 2: Enzyme Cleaner

Pet urine is more concentrated than human urine, which is why it smells stronger and lingers longer, often prompting pets to mark the same spot again. Enzyme cleaners solve this by breaking down the odour-causing proteins at the source instead of just masking them.

Most formulas are non-toxic and biodegradable, and some are blended with essential oils that make pets less likely to return to the same spot. Pick up one made for your specific pet from a pet store, supermarket, or online, and follow the label instructions for best results.

Best Cleaning Methods for Urine Removal

Method Best For Time Needed Notes
Vinegar Solution Fresh urine 10 to 15 mins Neutralises odour
Baking Soda Smell removal 8 to 10 hrs Absorbs moisture
Hydrogen Peroxide Old stains 4 to 8 hrs Strong stain remover
Borax Deep cleaning 6 to 8 hrs Neutralises acids
Enzyme Cleaner Pet urine 24 to 48 hrs Breaks down odour proteins

Tips for Preventing Future Stains and Smells

Cleaning up is only half the job. A few small habits go a long way in keeping fresh stains and smells from coming back.

  • Cut back on liquids before bed. If bedwetting keeps happening, ease off fluids in the hour before sleep. Water in small sips is fine, but skip caffeinated drinks like tea or soda.
  • Build in a bathroom trip. Get kids into the habit of using the bathroom right before lights out, and if needed, wake them for one more trip later in the night.
  • Keep pets on a routine. Regular walks or outdoor breaks reduce the chances of an indoor accident.
  • Wash your sheets weekly. Bedding that already smells strongly is more likely to attract a pet looking to mark it again, so a regular wash cycle helps.
  • Rethink pets on the bed. If a pet keeps marking the same spot, it may be worth keeping them off the bed or swapping out bedding tied to that habit. A dedicated pet mat can also help redirect the behaviour.
  • Add a layer of protection. When accidents are hard to avoid altogether, a waterproof mattress protector stops liquid from ever reaching the mattress, which makes cleanup far easier.

Skip the cleanup altogether with a mattress protector that keeps every spill on the surface.

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How to Avoid Such Situations?

No one likes a soiled and dirty mattress, and it is not hygienic to have urine stains and smells coming from the mattress. While accidents occur and cleaning up is not a big task, it is always better to be prepared and avoid such situations. Mattress protectors are a great way to protect your mattress, not only from urine smell and stains but also from dust, hair, oil, etc. The Flo mattress protector is a great product that forms a protective layer above your mattress. It is waterproof, so it is best for spillages or urine stains. It is machine-washable, and the surface is made from cotton, which makes it more breathable.

A mattress protector not only protects the mattress, but it also protects your peace of mind and health by ensuring it is not soiled or spoilt and keeps it fresh always.

FAQs

Yes, you can save a mattress that has been peed on, but you need to act fast. Start by blotting up as much urine as possible using paper towels. Don't rub it in. Spray a 1:1 mix of white vinegar and water, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and blot again. Then, sprinkle baking soda over the area and leave it for 8 to 18 hours before vacuuming it off. For older stains, you may need hydrogen peroxide or an enzyme-based cleaner. Always make sure to dry the mattress completely using fans or sunlight.

No, air fresheners only cover up the smell temporarily. They don't actually remove the bacteria or the uric acid crystals that cause the odour. To truly eliminate the smell, use natural cleaners like vinegar and baking soda, or go for enzyme cleaners that break down the proteins in urine.

Urine in a mattress can lead to serious hygiene and health problems. It creates a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, which may cause breathing issues, skin irritation, or worsen conditions like asthma. Ammonia in urine can also trigger allergies, and over time, the moisture attracts dust mites and even bed bugs.

Pet urine is harder to remove because it is more acidic (pH 6 vs. human pH 7), penetrates fibers faster, and bacteria multiply quicker. Enzyme cleaners target pet proteins best; human urine responds to vinegar and baking soda. Both need 48-hour dwell time and vacuuming.

The smell stays because urine contains urea, which bacteria break down into ammonia. This ammonia gets trapped deep in the fibres. Plus, salts in the urine can absorb moisture from the air, reactivating the smell each time the mattress gets even slightly damp.

No, the smell itself doesn't cause permanent damage if you clean it quickly and thoroughly. Using enzyme-based cleaners and proper drying methods can fully remove the smell and restore the mattress.

Steam cleaning can kill most bacteria, but it's not always the best solution for fresh urine stains. High heat can set the proteins and odours into the fabric if the area hasn't been pre-treated. It works better after you've extracted most of the urine and used an enzyme cleaner.

Yes, it can. Urine invites mold, dust mites, and bacteria, all of which can trigger allergies, asthma attacks, or skin reactions. Ammonia vapours from dried urine may also irritate your eyes and lungs if left untreated.

If you've cleaned it multiple times and the smell or stains still won't go away, or if the mattress is sagging or over 7 to 10 years old, it might be time to replace it. Deep-set stains and odours affect the hygiene and support of the mattress, which can lead to poor sleep and health issues over time.

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