Everyone has encountered in their life such a problem as stains on the mattress. The nature of their appearance can be different: coffee, lipstick, felt-tip pens, fat. It is especially unpleasant if the source of contamination is urine.
After all, being firmly absorbed into the fabric, it not only complicates the process of its removal, but also begins to smell bad. Young parents raising little toddlers, people caring for elderly relatives, or pet lovers are familiar with this situation. In any case, you can’t just leave it like that. Don't rush to throw away your mattress and buy a new one. Simple folk methods can help you.
On a note! Most often, when we notice such a stain on a mattress, we rush to wipe it away as quickly as possible with a rag soaked in water. This is far from correct. This way, the stain penetrates even deeper into the structure of the product, and then it will be very difficult to remove it. |
Basic ways to clean a mattress
Not everyone dares to sleep on a dirty mattress, even if it is carefully made. Especially if the nature of the pollution is so specific. You can do the following.
- Dry cleaning services. One of the simplest methods, but at the same time, expensive. Modern chemicals in the hands of professionals remove stains of any complexity: oil, tar, not to mention urine stains.
- Dry cleaning at home. A vacuum cleaner with good power can help with this.
- Do-it-yourself wet cleaning. Several options are acceptable here: either you use a washing vacuum cleaner, or you use a solution of washing powder to get rid of stains on the mattress. Here you need to remember about thorough drying, otherwise unwanted mold may settle on the product.
Cleaning features depending on the type of mattress and age of contamination
Urine stains are persistent and difficult to remove stains. Sometimes housewives try to wash off urine with water, which only worsens the situation and damages the upholstery. The smell does not go away, which means the contamination remains.
You can clean your mattress and remove the smell without expensive dry cleaning at home. You just need to follow the recommendations and stick to simple techniques, which vary depending on the types of mattresses and stains.
Coconut
Products made from coconut coir are durable and strong, but also have the ability to allow moisture and air to pass through well. As a result, the filler will quickly absorb urine. Use a product with such a filler with caution.
Polyurethane foam
This is one of the most common artificial fillers. There are different types of polyurethane foam material in terms of rigidity, and their ability to withstand moisture depends on this. The tougher the product, the better it prevents uric acid from penetrating deeper.
Spring blocks
Products with spring blocks have many springs in the middle. If they are firmly connected to each other, we are talking about products with dependent springs. And when each spring is individually contained in a textile cover, it is a mattress with independent blocks.
The difference also lies in the fact that urine, when it comes into contact with products with dependent springs, leaks into the fabric less, but spoils the spring block itself, i.e. Over time it may rust. And in types with independent springs, urine penetrates deeply into the textile of each individual block and only dry cleaning will finally help remove it from there.
Fresh spots
The easiest way to remove fresh urine stains is. And the sooner the process begins, the easier it will be to wipe off the surface. If you see a new trace, for example, cat urine, start removing it immediately.
If your mattress has a removable cover, throw it in the wash straight away. Next, remove any liquid that gets on the mattress using dry wipes or a towel. Do this without unnecessary effort or friction so as not to rub the moisture even deeper.
You can then remove the smell with vinegar. It needs to be diluted in a ratio of 1:3 with cool water, and the finished solution should be sprayed from a spray bottle. You can simply wipe the puddle with a cloth soaked in the solution and immediately blot off any remaining moisture with a napkin.
Next, you need to sprinkle baking soda on the stain and leave it for a few minutes. This will help remove all residues of both vinegar and urine. Remove the baking soda with a vacuum cleaner and ventilate the room to completely get rid of extraneous odors. Leave the mattress until completely dry in a well-ventilated room.
Old stains
A dried stain is unlikely to be wiped off without damaging the upholstery. But there are several ways that will remove it from the surface without severe damage.
To remove old stains, use hydrogen peroxide. Dilute it with water 1:2, sprinkle baking soda over the stain in advance, spray the liquid or apply with a sponge. The chemical reaction will turn the slurry into foam, which must be left for 2-3 hours. After the specified time, remove the remaining soda with a vacuum cleaner and ventilate the room. Leave the mattress to air until completely dry.
Another remedy to clean urine from a mattress is citric acid. Dilute a packet of acid in a small amount of water, gently apply the liquid to the stain without pressing inward. Leave for several hours. Then wipe off the remaining product with napkins and let the product dry completely.
Remember that citric acid is quite strong and in some cases can discolor the pattern on the mattress, so use it with caution. It is better to test the effect of the product: first apply the composition to a small area and watch the reaction.
Easy Ways to Remove Fresh Urine Stains
The first thing to do is to absorb excess moisture with a dry cloth, towel or sponge. It is strictly forbidden to rub the damaged area. Blot the stain with gentle movements, being careful not to spread it across the surface. Then use the adsorbent, sprinkling it generously on the mattress. They can be baking soda, table salt, tray filler. As soon as the adsorbent absorbs moisture, remove it with a brush and vacuum cleaner.
If you have free time, wash the entire mattress. It is better to wash outside in clear, sunny weather. Choose a wide area and get down to business. Use stain remover and fabric softener to eliminate stench.
Fresh stains will come off when washed with laundry soap. Lather a clean sponge and rub the soap solution into the stain. Leave for 20 minutes, then remove the residue with a wet cloth.
Rubbing alcohol can remove urine stains. Soak a small piece of cotton wool in alcohol and treat the contaminated area. Leave it to soak in for an hour and do some useful things yourself. Then we place a clean piece of cloth over the stain and iron it with an iron or use a hairdryer.
Use borax, its effect is similar to that of baking soda. Only after the procedure, rinse your hands thoroughly with running water to avoid irritation. It is best to carry out the procedure with rubber gloves and keep children away.
Potassium permanganate is suitable for light-colored mattresses. First, let's start diluting the solution. It should have a faint pink color. We soak a piece of gauze or any other fabric in the solution and apply it to the stain. We wait an hour until it dries. If you don't have potassium permanganate on hand, use iodine. But again only for dark products. The solution is prepared at the rate of 15 drops of iodine per 1 liter of water.
Among folk remedies, freshly squeezed citrus juice is widely popular. Place the juice in a spray bottle and apply to the contaminated area. After 30 minutes, repeat the same. Then wipe with a cotton pad soaked in water.
A pastel-colored mattress will be saved by a solution of salt and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Rub in and leave for a couple of hours. Remove excess with a vacuum cleaner.
Cleaning mattresses from baby urine
A child’s urine differs from animal urine in its chemical composition; it contains less uric acid, it does not have such a pronounced odor, and therefore is easier to wash off from products.
If the stain is still fresh or the child peed on the bed just recently, you can try cleaning the mattress with soap and water. To do this, dissolve the soap in warm water (it should be cloudy) and wipe the stain with this liquid. At the same time, remove excess moisture with a towel. This will prevent soapy liquid and urea from penetrating into the mattress.
When the stain is old, you can use a folk remedy without using chemical components: a solution of salt with lemon juice. Stir them until smooth and carefully treat the stain with a sponge or cloth. Leave for a long time, maybe a day, and then wash with soapy water, removing moisture with napkins. Then dry the product in a well-ventilated room until completely dry. This will help completely clean the mattress from urine and remove the smell of urine from the mattress permanently.
Removing stubborn urine stains from the surface of a mattress
If you accidentally did not notice the stain that had formed on the mattress or did not wash it the first time, you will have to resort to more serious methods.
It will be possible to remove traces of baby urine using citric acid. Dissolve one tablespoon of adsorbent in a glass of warm water. Apply to the stain and leave to soak for 3 hours. Once dry, wipe the area with a wet cloth.
There are special stain removers on the market that remove organic stains. They contain reagents that fight all types of urine, including children's urine. Adult or pet. Of course, such a miracle product costs much more than a regular stain remover, but the result is worth it.
You can also clean the affected area using a solution of peroxide, ammonia, soda and water. Apply to the stain and then remove with a damp cloth. Even the most stubborn stains will disappear without a trace.
How to Clean a Mattress in a Few Simple Steps
To completely clean your mattress, you will need the following equipment and readily available household cleaning products:
- Equipment
- Vacuum cleaner (with attachments).
- A set of rags for cleaning.
- Aerosol can.
- Bowl.
- Spoons and cups for measuring.
- Materials
- Dishwashing liquid.
- Ice water.
- Hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 3%.
- Baking soda).
- Table salt - (to remove blood stains on mattresses).
- White powder laundry detergent - (for wine or vomit stains).
How to deal with pet stains
Cat or dog urine is different from human urine. The difference is the stronger smell. Sometimes even after dry cleaning the problem is not eliminated. If you catch your cat in the act and the stain has not yet penetrated deeply into the mattress, then proceed.
Blot the stain with a damp sponge. Apply a vinegar solution to the stain (1 tablespoon of vinegar per 3 liters of water). Wait and sprinkle a heaping amount of baking soda on top. Pour 100 ml of peroxide into a spray bottle, add the same amount of water and a spoonful of dishwashing gel to the bottle. Mix everything thoroughly. Place the solution on the soda, and after a few hours remove it with a sponge soaked in water.
How an orthopedic mattress works: design, fillers, properties
Such mattresses effectively adapt to the anatomical shape of the body, so a person is as relaxed as possible while sleeping. The effect is achieved through the use of special movable (independent) as well as dependent spring blocks; manufacturers often use a variety of foam materials. The latter can be ordinary and those that, under the influence of heat and weight, remember the anatomical shape - marked “memory foam”.
To produce springless models, coconut coir, latex, memory latex, and cotton fiber are used - hygienic materials with increased wear resistance. When talking about how to distinguish an orthopedic mattress from a regular one, it is worth pointing out that they are visually similar. However, an orthopedic product differs from a regular one in the specific design, as well as increased rigidity. When choosing, be sure to ask the seller for a medical certificate indicating that the product is approved by ROSZDRAVNADZOR.
How to prevent urine stains from forming
There are simple ways to minimize the appearance of such stains. Let's consider the main recommendations:
- to avoid troubles, place a simple oilcloth on the surface of the crib;
- if you take a kitten into your home, train it to the litter box in a timely manner;
- If you see that the cat has chosen a new place, immediately treat it with a spray with the scent of lemon or grapefruit. This will scare the animal away;
- purchase waterproof mattresses;
- Get rid of urine stains immediately, otherwise the situation will become more complicated.
So, we are convinced that if you act immediately, any mattress can be saved. You can even make do with improvised means that can be found in the kitchen or in your home medicine cabinet. The choice of stain removal methods is up to you.
Step-by-step instructions from A to Z
Although absolutely every housewife has her own and probably unique method for cleaning a mattress from various types of contaminants, let's figure out how to properly clean a mattress.
Step 1: Remove all bedding from the bed
Before you start cleaning the mattress, remove absolutely all sheets from the bed, as well as absolutely all blankets. Don't forget to also include pillows and fabric mattress pads on your laundry list that needs to be laundered as a matter of urgency.
Step 2: Deodorize the mattress
Baking soda works well as a natural deodorant. To ensure that it binds to surface moisture and eliminates unpleasant odors, apply a generous amount to the mattress and gently rub it in with your hand.
Step 3: Vacuum the mattress
After deodorizing, you need to vacuum the mattress. Use the upholstery attachment for this. Do not use a rotating brush as it may catch on the surface of the mattress and damage it.
Step 4: Clean the mattress from stains
You need to be vigilant when learning how to deep clean a mattress. If you need to remove certain stains, do not pour water or detergent on them, as mold may form on the mattress if left wet.
- Be sure to get rid of one type of stain before moving on to the next one.
- Before dealing with blood stains or rusty brown areas, remove any yellowed urine stains from your mattress.
- Review the removal instructions for each type of stain.
Step 5: Turn the mattress over and do it again
You can turn the mattress over and scrape the bottom until the top is clean and dry. If one side of the mattress has a pillowcase and the other does not, the flat side does not need stain removal.
Step 6: Make sure your mattress is protected
When you're done, be sure to protect your mattress with a cover and sheet.
This is important to know!
Children's mattresses are made with various fillings. Particular attention should be paid
- coconut
- polyurethane foam
- spring blocks
It is not recommended to wet the listed materials heavily with water. It is better to use dry cleaning, which will help remove any stains and unpleasant odors from them. To remove urine stains, you can use a sponge, brush, or cloth lightly dampened with water. The latter can be wrapped around a mattress with coconut filling and beaten well. This method is effective for removing fresh stains.
A spring mattress is not recommended for small children. If you decide to buy it, you should remember that it cannot be washed at all. Moisture causes the springs to become rusty and begin to creak.
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.