how to get stains out of a mattress

How to Get Stains Out of a Mattress at Home in Simple Steps

Jim Morris
Updated on
Jim Morris

Jim Morris

Jim Morris loves to travel and visit a lot of architecture sites worldwide. He shares lots of information and is always looking forward to the next article on interior design, architecture and landscaping.
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People who sleep 8 hours a day spend almost a third of their lifetime on the bed. This is a lot of time, and you may want to keep it clean. I'm not saying your mattress should be dirty if you spend only 2-3 hours on it. However, we all deserve to sleep on a clean and odor-free mattress. Therefore, if your mattress has been stained or you feel it's time to get it cleaned, this guide on how to get stains out of a mattress will help you.

Your mattress could get stained in blood, sweat, urine, and even yellow stains, among others that could make it look unpleasant. But we can help you get started if you don't know how to go about it.

Some chemicals that you can use to clean mattress stains include the following;

  • Vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • Laundry detergent
  • Ammonia
  • Cornstarch
  • Liquid dish soap
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Lemon juice and salt

Let's look at ways to remove mattress stains to make them clean and fresh.

Getting Stains Out of a Mattress

Let's look at how to get stains out of a mattress.

1. Removing Sweat Stains

To remove sweat stains from your mattress, you'll need the following items;

Requirements

  • Baking soda
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Spray bottle
  • Liquid dish soap
  • Paper towels
  • Vacuum

Procedure

i). Remove Moisture

If the stain is still wet, you'll want to get rid of the excess liquid as soon as possible. Absorb the moisture with a clean rag or paper towel. Instead of rubbing, make sure to blot. You can end up pressing the stain deeper into your mattress if you rub it.

ii). Spray the Stain

Combine equal hydrogen peroxide, liquid dish soap, and water in a spray bottle. Spray the stain with the mixture and let it soak for about 20 minutes.

iii). Blot it

Once the cleaning solution soaks into the mattress, blot the stain with a paper towel or a clean rag. This ensures you eliminate as much moisture as possible.

iv). Cover in Baking Soda

Baking soda makes a huge difference in eliminating mattress stains. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain and let it sit for at least 10 hours to dry.

v). Vacuum it

Once the baking soda has dried all the moisture from your mattress, you can use a handheld vacuum to remove baking powder particles. If you don't have a handheld vacuum, you can also use the hose attachment of your upright vacuum.

2. Removing Urine Stains

You can get pee on your mattress when your little one gets an 'accident' and messes things up, especially if you core sleep. So, if pee left a mattress stain and you would like to remove it, below is the procedure, but first, let's see what you'll need.

Requirements

  • White vinegar
  • Cold water
  • Plastic wrap
  • Clean towels
  • Laundry detergent

Procedure

i). Soak the stain in a vinegar solution

Make a vinegar solution with two parts cold water and one part vinegar. In this solution, add laundry detergent. Then, apply the cleaning solution to the urine stain.

ii). Cover the area in a plastic wrap

Cover the area with plastic wrap for 24-48 hours; this step prevents the solution from evaporating. This will make it work longer on the mattress stain for more effective results.

iii). Let mattress air dry

Remove the wrap and let the mattress air dry. Leaving it overnight can make it dry more thoroughly.

iv). Repeat the process

It's fine if your mattress is still soiled after one application; deep stains may require several treatments before totally vanishing.

v). Spot clean with cold water

Once you finish cleaning, check the mattress well for any dried residue from the vinegar solution. Spot clean with cold water and lot with towels to dry.

3. Removing Blood Stains

To remove blood stains from your mattress effectively, you will need to blot as much liquid as possible. When it comes to blood stain cleaning, the golden rule is to keep hot or warm water as far as possible.

Hot water effectively burns blood proteins and binds hemoglobin to cloth, permanently creating a stain. Cold water will be your best friend, and it will be far more successful in removing blood stains and keeping you sane.

It is also important to wear gloves if the blood you are working on is not yours.

What You'll Need

  • Spray bottle
  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Cold water
  • Clean towel

Procedure

i). Prepare a cleaning solution

Mix equal amounts of cold water and distilled white vinegar and put in a spray bottle.

ii). Blot 

Blot the excess moisture with a clean rag if the blood is still fresh and wet. Remember not to rub the blood as it will only cause more stains.

iii). Spray the stain remover

Spray the blood stain with a few drops of the water and vinegar solution, and let it rest for 30 minutes to one hour. Continue blotting with a clean towel and repeat the process if necessary.

If the stain has been there for long and has become a tough stain, you may need to use a meat tenderizer. Meat tenderizer helps remove tough blood stains by breaking down the proteins in the blood.

Procedure

i). Make a paste with one tablespoon of meat tenderizer and two tablespoons of cold water.

ii). Use a toothbrush to spread the homemade stain remover on the mattress surface. Let the paste sit until it dries, then blot away with a clean cloth.

iii). Repeat the process if there are very stubborn mattress stains.

How Can You Prevent Mattress Stains?

You can always maintain the cleanliness of your mattress and keep it free from stains and odors if you take good care of it. So, how can you do this to ensure your mattress does not get stained? Here are a few tips.

a). Use a Waterproof Protector

You can invest in a good waterproof mattress protector to help prevent spills and other accidents from penetrating and soaking into your mattress.

Cover your mattress with the mattress cover and a fitted sheet. Place a foam topper or a mattress pad between the mattress cover and the fitted sheet to make your bed softer.

b). Deep Clean it

Did you know that you can deep clean a mattress to keep it clean and prevent dirt from building up? With the help of a professional, you can get your entire mattress back to its original color. However, we have also given a detailed procedure to follow if you want to clean it yourself.

c). Rotate Your Mattress

You can rotate your mattress head-to-foot (180 degrees) every six months in addition to regular washing to ensure it wears evenly. However, if you use the Casper mattress, be careful not to rotate it. Casper mattresses are layered strategically to give you comfort, so you don't have to flip them.

d). Use Fitted Bedsheets

Fitted sheets will keep dust, filth, and dead skin off your mattress. This will keep your allergies at bay while also preventing dust mites from establishing a new home in your bed.

How Can I Deep Clean My Mattress?

If you don't want a professional to deep clean your mattress for you, you can still follow this guide and do it yourself. A deep cleaning helps to remove odors, allergens, and other stains.

i). Strip the Bed

Before cleaning your mattress, remove all sheets and blankets from your bed. This is an excellent time to wash them. Use the hottest laundry temps specified on the manufacturer's labeling to destroy dust mites.

ii). Deodorize

Baking soda works excellently as a natural deodorizer. It is free of fragrances that trigger allergies or have an overwhelming odor. To assist it bond with surface moisture and remove odors, sprinkle a generous coating on your mattress and gently rub it in with your hand.

iii). Vacuum

Once you deodorize your mattress, use the vacuum's upholstery attachment to vacuum it. This ensures you remove all the remaining baking soda particles. Avoid rolling brush attachment since it may snag or damage the mattress surface. Instead, in overlapping, tiny trails, clean the top and sides of your mattress.

iv). Clean Mattress Stains

You can remove stains like sweat or urine stains. However, never use a carpet shampooer or pour anything straight onto your mattress. Mattresses aren't supposed to get wet, and if they do, mold will form inside them, especially memory foam mattresses, which are effectively big sponges.

Treat all types of mattress stains before moving on to the next. For example, before dealing with blood stains, remove all yellow sweat stains from your mattress.

v). Flip and Repeat

You may wish to flip your mattress and clean the underside once the top is clean and dry. If your mattress has a pillow-top on one side and the other doesn't, the flat side won't need stain treatment. However, you should vacuum it anyway, particularly if you have allergies or pets that like to burrow beneath your bed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How often should you clean your mattress?

You may never need to thoroughly clean your mattress again if you've coated it with a decent protector. To remove odors and allergens, remove the mattress cover and wash it once a month. If you don't have a mattress protector, you should vacuum your mattress once a month to eliminate dust mites, dead skin cells, and allergies from the surface. Then, ensure you deep clean it at least twice a year.

2. Can I use essential oils to freshen my mattress?

Although essential oils have a pleasant aroma, they are still oils. When you rub oil into a fabric, it collects dirt, turning into a permanent stain. So you won't smell the essential oil by the time you've vacuumed and covered your mattress to protect it.

3. What causes yellow stains on a mattress?

Urine, sweat, food preservatives, and other human fluids are the most typical sources of yellow stains on a mattress. So it's natural for mattresses to develop discolored over time.

Jim Morris

About the author

Jim Morris

Jim Morris loves to travel and visit a lot of architecture sites worldwide. He shares lots of information and is always looking forward to the next article on interior design, architecture and landscaping.
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