How to Take Stains Out of a Mattress

You’ve spent a small fortune on a new mattress you always wanted. Unfortunately, it now has a stain, and you aren’t sure how to get rid of it. Stains are unsightly, can smell if created by pets and embarrassing when you have people helping you move your bed from one location to the next. 

According to CNET, the average mattress lasts around 10 years before needing replacement. Your bed may still have a lot of life left in it and simply need some cosmetic work. Here are some of the best ways to remove blemishes.

1. Prep the Mattress

Start by removing the bedding and vacuuming the mattress to remove any lint or debris. If you have a hard time getting to both sides of the bed, go ahead and pull it out from the wall. You can also pull the top portion from the bed and lay it on the floor where you have more room to walk around and work. 

2. Know Your Stain

Different sources require different types of cleaners to take the stains out of a mattress. Body sweat can even cause yellow splotches but should be treated much differently than dog urine. You may have more than one type of stain on your bed, so note the different types you have.

3. Prep Your Solution

You’ll need to mix up some solution for the kind of stain you’re battling. Grab a spray bottle. You need to spritz the mattress and not soak it. You may need to repeat the treatment multiple times to completely remove marks.

Blood

Mix ½ cup 3% hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon of baking soda and two drops of original blue Dawn dish soap. Swirl in the bottle until mixed. Never use heat on blood, or the stain won’t come out. Instead, put the bottle in the fridge for an hour or two and then spray on your mattress. Use a rigid scrub brush to work the solution through the stains and let dry.

Vomit, Human Urine, Sweat

Use the same solution as above, but you don’t have to refrigerate it. Spray the solution directly on the spot, being careful not to soak the area. Scrub in circles until the stain starts to lift. Allow to dry and repeat if necessary.

Pet Urine

Your beloved fluffy jumped up on the bed and decided it would be an excellent spot to squat and pee. It’s easy enough to wash your bedding, but what if it soaked through to the mattress? You’ll need a top-quality spray-on enzyme cleaner to take these stains out of a mattress. The enzymes attack the odor at its source and dissuade the pet from returning to the location again.

If there is still a yellow spot after the odor leaves, use the peroxide solution for other stains and work on the discoloration.

To save your mattress and your sanity, invest in a waterproof mattress cover. If the pet has another accident, you’ll need to wash your bedding and perhaps the cover, but you’ll spare your mattress.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda is an inexpensive and cheap deodorizer. If your mattress still smells bad, try sprinkling baking soda on it once it’s dry. Allow the powder to sit for 24 hours or more. Vacuum the mattress and do a sniff test. 

5. Hire a Professional

If you’ve tried everything and still have blotches or your mattress smells, look into hiring a professional company to clean your mattress. Carpet cleaning companies are one option but inquire about their process. You don’t want your mattress soaked and mold to grow inside, creating bigger problems.

In big cities, some mattress cleaning companies will pull their truck up to your house, bring your mattress out, clean it with a unique process and return it to you. 

Repeat the Process

When it comes to taking stains out of a mattress, older stains may be particularly challenging to remove. Don’t give up if the solution doesn’t work the first time. With stains, you often have to lift layers out. Repeat as many times as needed until the mark starts fading, and your mattress brightens up. A bed is a significant investment, so protecting it and keeping it looking good is a smart financial move.