Waking up to realize that the mattress is soaked with blood or urine can be a very unpleasant situation. Whether it's an incident caused by a bladder problem, a leak from your dog or cat, or a blood stain caused by a period overflow - don't panic, we have you covered! Fortunately, several cleaning solutions can eliminate odors and spills associated with incidents. These solutions are easy to craft from products you probably already have at home. If you don't have a mattress protector, you'll need to act fast since urine dries entirely in 2 to 4 hours and bloodstains in less than 45 minutes. The longer the stains dry, the more difficult they are to remove.
Cleaning Pee Out of a Mattress
To remove pee out of your mattress you will need the following:
- 125 mL of cold water
- 125 mL of vinegar
- 2 tbsp. laundry detergent
- Baking soda
- A clean towel
- Vacuum cleaner
- Spray bottle
- 10 drops of citrus essential oils if it’s animal urine*.
Double the recipe for greater use.
Step 1: Remove Your Bedding
Pee stains quickly leave their mark on the mattress. Therefore, putting them in the washing machine on the cold cycle as soon as possible is vital. White vinegar is the best natural solution to remove odors. We recommend adding a cup to your wash cycle if the odor is strong.
Step 2: Sponge the Area
Once you've put the bedding in the washing machine, you'll need to tackle the mattress itself. To do this, take a cloth and blot the affected area (this will help absorb as much urine as possible and reduce the amount of cleaning needed later.)
It is important to blot the urine stain rather than rub it. The friction of the cloth against the mattress will push the liquid deeper into your mattress.
Step 3: Mix the Cleaning Solution in a Bottle and Spray the Area
In a bottle, mix the formula: 125 mL of cold water, 125 mL of vinegar and 2 tbsp of laundry detergent. Shake to combine and spray the cleaning solution onto the stain, covering it completely. Let the solution sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
Once the time is up, blot the stain again with a new clean cloth. Repeat as many times as necessary until no more urine can be wiped
Step 4: Cover the Stain With Baking Soda
This step will help eliminate the odor associated with the mixture of different liquids. Let it sit for 5 to 10 hours to give your mattress time to dry properly.
Step 5: Vacuum the Area
Once the solution is completely dry, use your vacuum cleaner's hose to suck the baking soda off the mattress. Be sure to inspect the surface of your bed to see if the odors and stains are still present. If they are still there, repeat steps 3 to 5.
When you are satisfied with the result, it is likely impregnated with moisture, even if the mattress seems completely dry. It will therefore be necessary to let it dry for another 24 hours.
*Sleeping with your pet can have a lot of therapeutic benefits, but you should not forget that they are not the kings and queens of hygiene. If you are reading this article because your dog or cat has peed on your mattress, it is recommended to repeat the process at least 3 times. Even if the odor seems to have dissipated entirely, your pet will still be able to smell its urine on your bed and will be inclined to want to do it again. We suggest adding several drops of citrus-scented essential oils (orange, lemon, grapefruit..,) to your solution to create a natural repellent.
🚨If your pet frequently pees on your mattress, don't hesitate to visit a veterinarian. It could be a problem with their diet, digestion, an anxiety disorder, or pain of some kind.
Cleaning Period Stains Out of Your Mattress
The fresher the stain, the faster it will dissolve in cold water. Just like urine, it is crucial NOT to rub but to blot the menstrual stain. Indeed, rubbing two fabrics makes the blood penetrate even more into the mattress. You should be careful to use cold water as hot water will cause the blood to penetrate deeper into the mattress fabric and make it more difficult to remove.
In order to clean blood out of a mattress, a similar method as for pee can be used. However, it is important to use less water since too much diluted liquid will spread the blood further into the mattress and thus spread more bacteria
To clean period stains out of your mattress, you will need the following:
- cup of baking soda
- ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- A clean towel
Step 1: Remove Your Bedding
Dried blood stains are more difficult to remove than pee stains. Therefore, putting them in the washing machine on the cold cycle as soon as possible is important.
Step 2: Blot the Blood Stain Out of the Mattress
Once the bedding has been washed, you must tackle the mattress itself. To do this, take a cloth and blot the affected area. This will absorb as much blood as possible and reduce the amount of cleaning needed later.
It is important to blot the blood stain rather than rub it because the friction of the cloth against the mattress will further push the liquid deep into your bed.
Step 3: Mix the solution in a bowl and spread it over the affected area of the mattress
Combine ½ cup baking soda, ½ cup hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon salt in a bowl.
You can adjust the amounts as you need, but the consistency should be comparable to toothpaste. Next, spread the cleaning solution over the stain, covering it evenly. Let the solution sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the chemical reaction to take full effect.
Step 4: Blot the Blood Stain
Blot the stain again with a new clean cloth when the time is up.
Last Resort: Enzymatic Cleaners
If, after multiple attempts to clean the blood or urine stains still seem stubborn, consider commercial products such as ammonia and enzyme cleaners.
Since these products contain chemicals that can damage your mattress if used too frequently, we suggest using commercial products as a last resort.
Choosing products that are specialized for mattresses or fabrics is crucial so as not to accumulate damage. Apply the product on a clean cloth and sponge the stain. Let air dry and vacuum up the residue.
Our Favorite Last Resort Products:
- Resolve Urine Destroyer
- Clorox Disinfecting Bio Stain & Odour Remover
- Resolve Upholstery Cleaner & Stain Remover
Consider Investing in a Polysleep Mattress Protector
Polysleep's Mattress Protector is an ideal permanent solution to protect your mattress from most types of incidents. In addition to being incredibly soft, it is also resistant to liquids and offers an extra layer of protection against dust mites and bacteria; a combination that extends the life of your mattress.
The mattress protector provides an extra transition layer between your body, the removable cover and the memory foam. It prevents your mattress from accumulating essential oils from your body, dead skin, dirt, hair and dust. The Polysleep Mattress Protector extends the lifespan of your bed. Check out our article on How to Choose a Suitable Mattress Protector to ensure you choose the right product.
