2 Ways to Clean Urine Out of a Foam Mattress

How to clean urine out of a foam mattress

A urine-stained mattress is something almost every parent knows about. It’s perfectly normal for kids to have accidents, and it can happen later in life, too. 

Such a stain is highly problematic because you want your mattress to be as clean as possible – for a variety of reasons, the chief of them being your comfort and health. But how do you clean urine out of a foam mattress? Fortunately, there are ways to achieve this. Read on so that your bed can be restored back to normal.

Before you begin

Prior to cleaning, take a look at our tips and tricks to ensure success and safety.

1. When using any type of detergent, please do not clean around children and pets.
2. Foam mattresses don’t like moisture. When applying liquids, make sure you don’t overdo it.
3. Before using any type of detergent or solution, please perform a safety test. Apply a small amount of the substance to a small, hidden part of your mattress. Give it a few minutes to allow it to dry. If there is no stain or discoloration, you can proceed.
4. We do not recommend using any type of heavy detergents on a mattress. The reason is that there is a risk of inhaling fumes while you sleep. If you do use detergent, let the mattress fully dry, and air out the room.
5. If you are using detergent, make sure that you wear rubber gloves for protection.
6. It’s recommended that you let your mattress air dry for up to 18 hours. If possible, make other sleeping arrangements for the night, such as pulling out an air mattress.

Simple ways to remove pee out of your foam mattress

The key to removing this type of stain is acting fast. Luckily, in most cases, you will be alerted of the issue not long after it happens. 

Resist the temptation of not being thorough and going back to bed. If you act quickly and are persistent, you will have a stain-free mattress in no time. However, if you catch the stain late, don’t worry. It’s still possible to clean it.

Below you will find our easy methods of cleaning urine out of your foam mattress.

Method #1: Using white vinegar

Time: 30 minutes-several hours

Required items: white paper towels or a clean cloth, baking soda, white vinegar, rubber gloves, spray bottle, a vacuum cleaner. Optional: a blow dryer or a standing fan

White vinegar is successful at removing urine stains. However, it has a quite potent smell.

1. Start by removing all of the affected sheets and bedding. Throw them in the washing machine.
2. Using a paper towel or a white cloth, blot away all the extra liquid on the mattress. Don’t rub, because you might end up pushing it deeper into the fibers.
3. Pour some white vinegar into a spray bottle. It can be diluted, but it doesn’t have to be. Pure white vinegar will have the best effects, but it also has the strongest smell.
4. Spray down the affected area. Don’t allow the moisture to set in too much.
5. Leave it to soak in for about 10 minutes.
6. Soak up the vinegar with clean paper towels or a cloth.
7. Sprinkle a large amount of baking soda all over the stained area. Baking soda will do an excellent job at removing any lingering odors.
8. Ideally, sleep somewhere else and leave the mattress to dry for several hours. 
9. If you need to get back to sleep, you can put clean sheets over the baking soda and deal with it in the morning.
10. Using a vacuum cleaner, get rid of the baking soda. We recommend using the hose attachment. Let your mattress air dry in a well-ventilated room.

Method #2: Using biological washing powder

Time: >30 minutes-24 hours

Required items: paper towels or a cloth, baking soda, biological washing powder, spray bottle, a vacuum cleaner.

This method is very effective, but it does require the use of washing detergent.

1. Strip the bed. Lightly blot up excess urine using a cloth or a paper towel. 
2. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the stain. It will soak up the remaining moisture.
3. Put on cleaning gloves, and open up the windows to air out the room.
4. Make a solution of biological washing powder and lukewarm water.
5. Using a spray bottle, spray the solution onto the stain and leave it to sit for up to 5 minutes. 
6. Blot up all the moisture using your towel or cloth. You want the mattress to be as dry as possible.
7. If the stain persists, repeat the steps.
8. Once again, sprinkle baking soda all over the stain and the surrounding area. 
9. Your mattress now needs time to dry out thoroughly. If possible, make other sleeping arrangements and leave it to dry for at least 18 hours.
10. Vacuum up the entirety of the baking soda.
11. Prop up your mattress in a well-ventilated room, preferably by the window. This will help remove the last of the odor.

If you have nowhere else to sleep, you can do what we suggested in method #1 – cover up the baking soda with fresh sheets and vacuum it up the next day. However, it’s recommended that you let it air dry.

What’s next?

Urine stains can be tricky, but the good thing about them is that they do eventually come off. If your first try is not successful, repeat all the steps after the mattress has dried. It may take time, but it’s entirely possible.

The last resort option should be using a commercial stain remover. Those can have a chemical smell,  so make sure you keep all the windows open. You will need to let your mattress air dry for at least 24 hours if you’ve used a strong detergent.

Before using the detergent, read the label carefully and follow the instructions. You can replace the biological washing powder in method #2 with your commercial stain remover and follow all the other steps. If despite your best efforts, the stain doesn’t come off, we recommend consulting a dry cleaner.

Bed-wetting accidents are difficult to prevent but easy to prepare for. Consider picking up an air mattress for the next time an unfortunate bedwetting accident occurs. Have a plan in place and the materials ready to tackle the problem and move on to the solution with ease.

Lastly, urine stains, while stubborn, can definitely be cleaned. Repeat the methods if needed, and don’t give up – you’re not far from getting your foam mattress back to normal.