Cleaning a Mattress Stained by Urine : Which Mattress Stain Remover to Use ?

Urine stains on a mattress are one of the small, benign accidents of everyday life. Whether it’s a young child, an elderly person suffering from incontinence, or even a pet that hasn’t quite been properly trained, these mishaps are a part of our everyday lives. It’s quite possible to remove these unsightly stains and marks simply and to make the unpleasant odours caused by the proliferation of bacteria in the urine disappear. In fact, urine stains are much easier to remove than blood or wine stains. Let’s take a look at some simple and easy mattress stain remover solutions.

Baking soda

If the stain is still fresh, you can pour some baking soda onto the damp part of the mattress; this will absorb the urine. Work the baking soda into the mattress by hand, using circular movements with the palm of your hand. Let it work for several hours. You can also use talcum powder, which is just as effective and has the advantage of absorbing moisture. This tip also works with cornstarch.

White vinegar

White vinegar is also a valuable ally in case of dried stains. Moisten the soiled area using a sponge soaked in vinegar or with a sprayer, then sponge. The vinegar eliminates not only the bacteria that have built up, but also the astringent odour of the urine. White vinegar is also very effective at removing yellow stains.

Borax

Sodium borate – also known as Borax – is a powerful deodorizer. Moisten the dried stain using a sponge before applying Borax. Scrub vigorously. You can find sodium borate almost everywhere, at Walmart or Jean Coutu pharmacies, for example. Be careful to take the appropriate precautions, since Borax is a powerful detergent.

Rubbing alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is another very effective alternative. Scrub the stain with a damp cloth to remove it. Another advantage of rubbing alcohol: it’s just as effective on leather and other types of material.

Bleach

You can also clean urine stains on a mattress using diluted bleach. Be sure to rinse the cleaned area well and let the mattress dry completely.

Ammonia

If it’s an old stain, ammonia is the most effective option. Take a cloth soaked in ammonia and scrub the area to be cleaned. Be careful: ammonia is a toxic substance that’s hazardous to your health, so be sure to wear gloves and ventilate the room properly before cleaning your mattress.

Remove the odours

When it comes to urine odours on a mattress, just apply a few drops of essential oil. Those of lemon, lavender, and eucalyptus – available online here and here, for example – are particularly recommended.

Protect your mattresses !

Since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, consider covering your mattresses with a waterproof pad made of an absorbent material – especially the mattresses of young children. Depending on the size of the mattress, this will cost you around $10 CAN. There are also disposable pads made of defibered cotton: a small investment that will save you a lot of trouble in the future! You should know that there are also pads for chairs, sofas and even car seats!

One last piece of advice

A stain will wash out in water… so it’s best to do this in the morning, so the mattress has plenty of time to dry. Ideally, you should dry your mattress in the sun. There’s nothing worse than cleaning a urine stain only to end up with moisture problems !