How to wash a urine mattress at home: methods for cleaning spring, foam, cotton and other products

Urine stains on a mattress are difficult to remove. It’s not enough to just get rid of stains; you also need to remove the persistent smell.

You won’t be able to solve the problem with water alone, and some products cannot be wetted at all.

Read the article about how to quickly and effectively wash a mattress from urine at home without ruining it.

How to remove a fresh stain?

Fresh urine stains are easier to remove from a mattress than old ones. Therefore, you need to start the procedure immediately.

Procedure:

If the product has a cover, remove it and put it in the washing machine.
Use a dry cloth that absorbs moisture well to collect the puddle. Blot the fabric with paper napkins. Do not rub or press on the stain so that the liquid does not seep deeper into the fabric.
You can neutralize uric acid using table vinegar. It helps get rid of persistent odors. Vinegar is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:3, poured into a spray bottle and distributed evenly over the stain. Excess moisture is removed with napkins.
Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on top of the stain. It is left on the surface of the product for 15 minutes. By reacting with vinegar, baking soda will effectively clean the mattress and absorb odors.
After 2 hours, the mattress is vacuumed.

It is not recommended to make the bed immediately; it needs to be ventilated. If possible, take the mattress out into the fresh air for 10-12 hours. This will get rid of all foreign odors.

If animal urine gets on the mattress, then additionally use hydrogen peroxide.
Urine from cats and dogs has a pungent odor and the ability to be absorbed into fabric fibers .
Use a diluted antiseptic (100 ml of peroxide is required for 200 ml of water). It is applied to the stain after vinegar and soda, the solution is sprayed with a spray bottle or distributed with a soft sponge.

This will result in thick foam. After 2 hours, remove any remaining product with paper napkins and a vacuum cleaner. This method is effective only when the stain is fresh and has not had time to dry.

Cleaning a mattress from animal urine

Pet urine puddles differ in chemical composition, since the urine of different animals contains different percentages of urea.

Initially, use odor eliminators. Such sprays can be purchased at a pet store. Their chemical formula is also designed to discourage the animal from reusing the site.

Alcohol or vodka will help remove odor from the mattress. Dampen a cotton swab with it and wipe away the dirt.

An effective remedy would be vinegar or lemon juice. They need to be sprayed over the stain and left for a while. Then remove with napkins and dry completely.

If the stain is old and cannot be cleaned, you should still contact a dry cleaner or cleaning company.

How to clean?

When starting to clean urine from a mattress, you need to study the information on caring for a specific product . Depending on the type of bed, the methods for processing it differ. For example, products made from coconut coir cannot be wetted, but mattresses made from holofiber are not afraid of water.

In order not to spoil the bedding or cause pilling and holes to appear, you need to read the manufacturer’s recommendations, which are indicated on the product label. If there is no tag, then use the general instructions.

Foam rubber

A foam mattress is not afraid of water, but it needs to be wetted moderately. To remove urine, perform the following algorithm of actions:

Remove bed linen and mattress cover. They are washed separately.
Wet the stain with plain water. It is applied with a sponge so that the product does not become too saturated.
Borax is spread over the entire area of the spots. This is a mineral detergent that has an antibacterial and antifungal effect. Borax is an excellent odor remover and can be used to clean a child's mattress. Boric acid is sold in pharmacies or gardening stores. The cost of 1 kg of powder is about 60 rubles.
After 10-15 minutes, the borax is swept away with a brush. The remaining product is collected with a vacuum cleaner.

After such cleaning, the mattress should be ventilated for 12-24 hours and thoroughly beaten. You can’t cover it right away.

Cotton, bamboo, silk

Cotton mattresses are afraid of moisture. The more they get wet, the more they become deformed. The fiber will roll up, and sleeping on such a product will be uncomfortable. Therefore, you need to clean it correctly.

Procedure:

Lay the cotton mattress on the floor or other flat surface.
Dissolve laundry soap or liquid powder in warm water.
Using a sponge, treat urine stains and clean them with a soft brush.
Remove foam with a damp, clean cloth.
Rinse the brush and scrub the mattress again. If foam forms, remove it again with a soft, clean cloth. Processing is continued until the remaining detergent is washed out of the product.

After washing, the product is taken out into fresh air and left to dry completely. It needs to be shaken periodically so that the cotton wool is evenly distributed.

Bamboo and silk mattresses can be machine washed if they are the right size. When the product is large, it is processed manually.

Basic recommendations:

the water temperature should not exceed 40 degrees;
washing is carried out in a gentle mode, setting the minimum permissible number of revolutions;
rinse the product 3-4 times;
spin is turned off.

If the mattress has been washed by hand, do not twist it. To make water faster than glass, it is lightly crushed. When it stops dripping, the product is laid out to dry on a flat surface.

If there is a smell left after washing, then treat the cotton, silk or bamboo mattress with vinegar and soda, and after 2 hours it is vacuumed.

Spring

Spring products should not be filled with water, washed with a hose or shower . Moisture that gets inside will not evaporate, it will rot and spoil the base. The springs will rust, and mold fungi will multiply in the depths of the product.

Therefore, citric acid is used to remove stubborn urine stains from a spring mattress. The acid will discolor the stain and neutralize the odor, but will not harm the fabric or internal mechanism.

Use it as follows:

dissolve 2 tsp in 0.5 liters of water. citric acid;
the composition is applied to the stain;
after 2 hours, the area is blotted with napkins and vacuumed.

Woolen

Wool mattresses are not afraid of water, but do not tolerate high temperatures. Boiling water will damage it. You can get rid of urine stains using one of the following recipes:

Aspirin. Dissolve 1 tablet in 1 liter of water. Treat the area with this product and leave it for 1-2 hours.
Vinegar and ammonia . The components are mixed in equal proportions, applied to the stain and left for 2 hours.
Combined composition . Mix 1 tbsp. l. toothpaste, 100 ml of hydrogen peroxide and 4 tbsp. l. starch. The composition is applied to the stain and left to act for 3 hours.

You can use any composition of your choice. When it takes effect, the mattress must be washed by hand or in a machine. The water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees. The spin is turned off. You cannot twist the product by hand. The water should drain on its own.

Liquid concentrates are used as detergents. They effectively remove stains even in cool water and wash out well. Repeated rinsing is mandatory.

Coconut

A mattress filled with coconut coir cannot be washed. Water reduces the functionality of the product, causing it to quickly deteriorate.

You can deal with urine stains using the dry cleaning method. To do this, the product is slightly moistened with water and sprinkled with soda . After 2 hours, the mattress is vacuumed and ventilated throughout the day.

If you cannot get rid of the stains and odor, you need to contact a dry cleaner. Since washing a mattress with coconut shavings is prohibited, you need to take care of its additional protection. The best option is to use a waterproof mattress pad.

Holofiber

It is not difficult to wash urine from a holofiber mattress. If the size allows, it can be loaded into the machine.

Basic conditions:

Water temperature up to 60 degrees.
RPM speed 600-800.
Additional rinse 1-2 cycles.
Detergent: liquid powder or gel capsules.

Before washing the mattress, it is treated with hydrogen peroxide. Large mattresses are washed by hand in the bathroom.

Universal mattress cleaning products

There are also store-bought cleaners for cleaning mattresses from all types of dirt and stains, including urine.

Universal products will help remove both new and old stains and restore the original appearance of the fabric. At the same time, they do not require the use of rough brushes or effort, which means that excess friction will not damage the upholstery.

They can be purchased at any hardware store. Remember: before, during and after cleaning, the room must be ventilated. When cleaning, wear gloves to prevent contact of chemicals with skin. The mattress must be dried thoroughly after treatment.

To remove the smell of urine from a mattress and urine stains that cannot be removed by traditional methods, it is best to use foam stain removers. Such compositions do not penetrate inside and are removed from the surface without leaving a residue.

Delicate textiles should not be subjected to strong mechanical stress. And before cleaning the entire surface or a large stain, you need to test the product on a small area of the fabric.

How to dry after washing?

You cannot use a mattress that is not dry. If you cover a wet product with sheets, mold microorganisms will multiply in it and an unpleasant odor will appear.

Helpful information:

The product should be dried on a flat surface so that there are no creases or dents on the mattress;
the product must be turned over regularly;
It is not recommended to dry the item in direct sunlight or near a switched-on battery;
While the mattress is wet, you need to evenly distribute the filler in it;
Do not iron the product or blow it with a hairdryer.

Drying time depends on the thickness of the product and the type of filler. Cotton wool and foam rubber take the longest to dry. From holofiber and latex, water evaporates faster.

Differences in materials

Before you begin removing stains and odors, you should find out the characteristics of the mattresses.

Depending on the materials used, the cleaning method is also selected.

Spring blocks. It is strictly forbidden to wet such mattresses excessively. Excessive moisture can lead to spring deformation and rust. Coconut fillers. They can be slightly moistened, cleaned with a medium-soft brush and wiped with a damp sponge.
Polyurethane foam fillers. It is also not recommended to heavily moisten such mattresses. Optimally - dry cleaning. Cotton mattresses. These mattresses are not afraid of water, but it is quite difficult to dry it.

Important Tips

Never use chlorine to remove urine stains . This is a powerful chemical, but it is not suitable for treating a mattress. Sleeping in a bed soaked in bleach is not the best option, especially for children.

Such cleaning is harmful not only to health, but also to the upholstery of the product. At the very least, it will become tough. In the worst case, the fibers will simply dissolve, exposing the filler.

Heavy or rigid products with orthopedic construction cannot be washed in a machine or by hand . They are processed only by dry cleaning. Alternatively, you can call specialists to your home.

Before you start treating your sleeping area with a new detergent, you need to test it on a small area and monitor the reaction of the fabric.

You can learn how to properly wash bedding here.

Borax

Borax is an excellent and versatile disinfectant widely used in the detergent industry. Sodium tetraborate is sold in powder form and is excellent for solving the problem than removing urine. It is especially good for removing urine stains from mattresses, because it allows you to do without using various solutions that can affect the fabric, its color and padding.

First of all, use napkins to get rid of the bulk of the dirt, without rubbing, so that the urine does not penetrate deeper and to the sides. After this, go over the stain with a damp sponge, but do not wet the surface too much.

Next comes borax. Sprinkle it on top and rub it into the fabric so that it ends up inside it. Be sure to carry out this operation wearing rubber gloves; although borax is recognized as a non-toxic and relatively safe product, it still has an effect on the skin, so it is better to avoid direct, prolonged contact.

After the treated area is completely dry, all that remains is to clean it well with a vacuum cleaner. It is best to use a narrow crevice nozzle for furniture. To make everything dry faster, you can put the mattress or carpet in a sunny place in the yard or on the balcony or put a fan.

The methods listed are ideal for cleaning any places where urine has ended up for some reason. This could be a mattress or carpet, furniture upholstered with fabric or chipboard, which easily absorbs any liquids, etc. Simple ways to wash urine will help in any situation where regular washing is not available.

Getting rid of various types of stains at home

You can use certain solutions from the products available at hand.

The following home options are used:

Hydrogen peroxide – actively works against urine and blood stains. It is applied to the product area and then collected. The procedure is repeated several times;
Laundry soap - lather the brush well and rub it into the problem area, the main thing is not to overdo it, so as not to spoil the material. Then all this is thoroughly washed off with cold water.
One aspirin tablet is dissolved in water and applied to the area, then the product is subjected to long-term drying;
Salt and soda solutions are applied using a spray bottle, then the mattress is wiped and dried.

Every housewife can use these simple methods, since she will always have the necessary components in her house.

Let's look at the most common types of mattresses:

Polyurethane foam filler;

Suitable for wet and dry cleaning. It is strictly forbidden to wet it excessively; it is important to dry the product well after the process.

Coconut flakes as a filling component;

Such a product can only be knocked out. To do this, it is covered with a damp cloth and knocked out by patting. The procedure can be repeated and then dry the mattress well.

Can only be processed dry.

To clean it you will need detergent and a brush.

If the process is difficult, it is better to contact a specialist to avoid buying a new mattress.

The fact that pets can stain bedding, in particular the mattress, is often the fault of the owners themselves. Untimely cleaning after the animal or insufficient attention leads to pollution in the apartment, and things such as upholstered furniture, mattresses, clothes, which also have significant absorption of both moisture and odors, contribute to increased unpleasant odors and unsanitary conditions.

First of all, it is recommended to use special products to neutralize animal odors, which are sold in pet stores.
A universal remedy used to eliminate odors from various animals, especially cats and dogs, is vinegar. Use a swab soaked in vinegar to wipe the stained areas and then rinse with water. If the stain is small, you can dry it with a hairdryer, otherwise, take it out into the sun or use a fan. Instead of vinegar, you can use lemon juice.
Hydrogen peroxide solution removes urine odor well. You need to mix half a glass of peroxide with a glass of water and, always wearing rubber gloves, rub the stain, then rinse thoroughly with water.
Alcohol and vodka are also good at eliminating urine odors from both cats and dogs. In addition, the “marked” place treated with these means no longer attracts the animal.
The smell of urine can be removed with laundry soap. Dirt is rubbed off with a well-soaped brush and then rinsed.
Soda is used to remove stains by rubbing it into a pre-moistened area or diluting it in water to a paste-like state, and then applying it to the dirty surface and waiting until it dries. After this, the dried soda is removed with a clean cloth and vacuumed.
The most common method against animal litter is bleach. You need to work with rubber gloves and very carefully so as not to damage the material of the mattress.

Baking soda and your favorite essential oils can be used to create a natural dry cleanser.

For all types of mattresses: cotton, children's, coconut, orthopedic, spring, dry cleaning is suitable. Before you start cleaning, you need to thoroughly vacuum the mattress. A simple and effective way to keep the mattress clean is to add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oils to 1-2 packs of soda, mix, cover the entire sleeping surface with a thin layer of aroma soda composition through a sieve for at least 6-8 hours, then vacuum. The soda will absorb excess moisture from the surface, disinfect, and essential oils will give a light aroma.

We dry-clean a mattress at home

What to do for prevention

Removing urine odor is a very difficult task. Therefore, we must try with all our might to prevent it or at least reduce it to a minimum. There are special pads and diapers for those suffering from enuresis. And if a person is embarrassed to use them or does not admit the existence of a problem, you can cover sofas and beds with oilcloth and lay down urological diapers.

Waterproof mattress covers are sold for mattresses. Of course, sheets, bedspreads and blankets will get dirty, but washing them is not difficult. Moreover, there are household chemicals that remove stains and odors on sale.

A persistent smell of urine can appear in anyone's home. There are many reasons. These include small children, animals, and sick relatives. Now you know how to get rid of this problem and try to prevent it. Just remember that you cannot use aggressive products such as bleach. They can cause harm not only to furniture, carpets and other surfaces, but also to your health.