How To Clean Urine Out Of A Mattress

Urine can be very challenging to remove from a mattress because of the stains and because of the smell. One common reason why you will need to clean urine out of a mattress is a result of bedwetting. Bedwetting, also known medically as enuresis, is a common problem that affects millions of children in the United States alone, and some adults too. Bedwetting can be embarrassing, stressful, and can cause a lot of anxiety for both children and adults. While most children outgrow bedwetting, it can be frustrating to constantly have to clean sheets and mattresses. Below are some of the reasons why bedwetting may occur and a few different methods to effectively clean urine out of a mattress.

What Causes Bedwetting?

Bedwetting is something that many children, and even some adults, experience in their lifetimes. Some of the most common causes of bedwetting include:

• Failure to arouse from sleep - bedwetting can happen when someone does not wake up from sleep when their bladder is full. This can result in the bladder emptying during sleep.
• Increased urine production at night - generally, kidneys produce less urine throughout the night which allows you to get a full night's sleep without having to wake up to go to the bathroom. Sometimes, your kidneys can produce more urine than normal which would be stored in the bladder. This extra urine production can lead to bedwetting.
• Overactive bladder - having an overactive bladder means that your bladder will contract without being full, which leads to having a smaller bladder capacity. With a smaller bladder capacity, you may not be able to hold a full night’s sleep of urine production, which may result in bedwetting.
• Stress - moving, starting school, starting a new job, a family or personal crisis, an accident, or a trauma can all lead to bedwetting.

Method 1: Simple 2-Ingredient Cleaning Solution

One method to clean urine out of your mattress is to create a simple cleaning solution using items you probably already have around the house. Simply combine laundry detergent and water and mix it in a spray bottle. Follow the below steps to clean your mattress:

Shake the laundry detergent and water in a spray bottle to ensure they have completely blended.

Using the cleaning solution, spray your mattress from top to bottom. Remember not to soak the mattress as too much exposure to liquids can lead to mildew or mold.

For stained areas, use a soft rag and your cleaning solution to spot clean in a circular motion.

Once any urine stains are gone, take a clean, damp rag and gently remove the cleaning solution by repeating the circular motion. Make sure you are being gentle during this process. Once the mattress has been sprayed clean, use a dry rag to absorb excess water from any wet spots.

Let your bed dry in direct sunlight or under a fan. You can remake the bed once the mattress is fully dry.

This simple cleaning method is effective for most bed stains that you will encounter. For more set-in urine stains, you can add white vinegar into your solution, or substitute the laundry detergent for white vinegar. A combination of water and vinegar is also effective at neutralizing the odor of urine.

Method 2: Heavy Stain Cleaning Solution

If stains have already set in, or multiple incidents have led to multiple stains, you may need to use a stronger cleaning solution. For this method you will need baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap. Follow the below steps to clean your mattress:

1. Create a cleaning solution using 8 ounces of hydrogen peroxide, 3 tablespoons of baking soda, and 2-4 drops of dish soap.
2. Similar to the first method, mix this solution in a spray bottle and apply it generously to only the stained areas of the mattress. Allow the cleaning solution to soak in thoroughly.
3. Once the solution dries (this may take a few hours) you will notice that a solid layer of baking soda residue will form. Vacuum this layer off and see what stains remain.
4. Repeat this process as needed to remove remaining stains.

Unlike the first cleaning method, this method uses a tougher solution that you must let dry thoroughly. As the solution dries on the mattress, urine is drawn up and out with the baking soda. This both removes the stains and neutralizes the odor of the urine. Keep in mind that hydrogen peroxide can bleach some materials, so we recommend that you do a patch test with the cleaning solution before using it on the full mattress. Hydrogen peroxide can discolor common mattress materials such as memory foam, which is why we recommend only using this cleaning solution on areas affected with urine stains.

Method 3: Pet Enzyme Cleaner

If your urine stains are the result of a pet, you may need to use a different cleaning method. Among other things, pet urine contains urea and uric acid, which are not water soluble and will bond to any surface they come in contact with. Pet urine stains may require a stronger cleaner that contains enzymes. Not only will these cleaners help fight stains and urine odors, but it will also prevent pets from marking their territory, if that is what is occurring. Enzyme cleaners can be found in most pet stores or online.

Whether you or someone in your home is experiencing bedwetting, or maybe a pet just had an accident on someone's bed, you will likely come across a time where you need to clean urine out of your mattress. Luckily, we are here to help. The best way to protect your mattress from urine stains in the first place is with a mattress protector. The BedInABox® Tencel™ Protector or BedInABox® Cooling Protector are great options. If the above cleaning methods aren't enough and it is time for a new mattress, BedInABox® has a wide variety of mattresses in nearly every standard mattress size so you are sure to find the perfect mattress for you!