Once in a while, you may get pee stains on your mattress, either from your child or your pet. And when the urine dries, the smell sticks and sets. You’re left to wonder if your bed’s ruined for good.
That’s why it’s best to deal with it fast. Don’t worry, though, you don’t need fancy products. In this post, you will learn how to get urine out of a mattress when dry with DIY tricks that actually work. But first, let’s answer the following question…
Urine contains urea, salts, and uric acid. When it dries on a mattress, the water evaporates but the solid parts don’t. The uric acid and salts form tiny crystals that get trapped deep into the fabric and foam. These crystals are the main reason dried urine keeps smelling.
So, you might wonder, how long does urine smell last in the bed? Honestly, it can last weeks or even months if you don’t clean it right. Just letting it dry won’t fix it. Pee can dry in 6 to 8 hours, maybe quicker with sun or airflow. But drying doesn’t mean it’s gone, as you now know.
Dried urine stains are not only unpleasant, but they can also cause health problems. Wee creates a warm, damp spot where bacteria and mould can grow. The mould on the mattress is bad for your lungs, especially if you have asthma or allergies. So, it’s not really okay to sleep on a stained mattress.
Now you’re probably thinking, can a peed-on mattress even be saved? Most of the time, yes. Even if the stain’s dry, you can still clean it with some effort. But if the smell stays after a few tries, or if the fabric feels damp or mouldy, then this is a sign that you need to change your mattress.
The uric acid crystals don’t dissolve easily in water once they’ve dried. That’s why simply wetting the stain or using basic cleaners won’t always work. The smell sticks because the crystals keep releasing odour. To actually break down these crystals, you need something that works on a chemical level. But before that, you need to…
Before you get to the actual cleaning:
Mix 240 ml of hydrogen peroxide (3%) with a small squirt of dish soap. Stir the mix gently. Don’t shake it. Instead, pour it into a spray bottle. There, you’re ready to go. Now…
There are a few ways to clean urine stains off the mattress. You can try more than one if needed.
This method works for both dry and fresh urine stains. Hydrogen peroxide (3%) acts as a mild bleach and oxidiser. It helps break down urine and lifts both stain and odour. Dish soap helps loosen greasy residues and improve penetration into the fabric.
Important:
Hydrogen peroxide could discolour some mattress fabrics, especially memory foam or delicate latex coverings, so always test on a small spot before you cover a bigger area.
Here’s what to do:
Mix 240 ml of hydrogen peroxide (3%) with a small squirt of dish soap. Stir the mix gently. Don’t shake it. Instead, pour it into a spray bottle. There, you’re ready to go. Now…
Vinegar is mildly acidic. It can help neutralise ammonia in urine and kill some surface bacteria. Baking soda, on the other hand, is a natural deodoriser. It reacts with the vinegar and helps absorb moisture and smells. If you want a wee cleaner without hydrogen peroxide, then give this one a go.
You can also mix a few drops of lavender or tea tree with the baking soda in a container before you spread it over the wee stains. Not too much, though, a drop or two is plenty. This helps with the smell and is a great way to deodorise your mattress.
Baking soda is very effective for eliminating smells on its own, but it needs time. Spread it generously on the pee spot and leave for at least 4–6 hours. If you have the chance, leave it overnight. That would be even better.
Enzymes dissolve old, dried urine best. They eat away at the uric acid crystals and remove the source of the stink for good. They break down not only dried wee, but sweat, and even blood stains on your mattress. When you shop for one, look for a label that says “breaks down uric acid”, “enzyme-based”, or “for pet urine”. After you purchase a bottle, do this:
Some people repeat this step a few times if the stain’s old or smells strong. Just make sure the mattress dries well between each round, and everything should be swell.
The job’s not done till the mattress is bone dry. If any damp sticks around, it can cause mould and keep that nasty smell hanging about. With that said, how to dry out a mattress well?
Drying can take a few hours or a full day. It depends on the size of the stained area, how much cleaner you used and what the weather is. Don’t cover the bed till it’s 100% dry. That’s how mould starts.
Knowing what not to do is just as important, so you won’t make matters worse and won’t prolong the cleaning.
Nobody wants to deal with wee in the mattress twice, so…
Use a mattress protector. This is your first line of defence. A waterproof mattress protector stops wee, sweat, and spills from soaking into the mattress. It’s easy to maintain, too. Just pull it off and wash it.
Look for one that fits snug, feels comfy, and says “waterproof” on the label. When it comes to size, make sure it covers the whole top, and maybe even the sides. Some are plastic-y and noisy, however, there are others which feel like normal fabric.
Keep an eye on things. Accidents happen. But if you check the bed every now and then, you’ll catch when your child or pet makes a mess. Vacuum the mattress once a month to suck up dust, hair, and crumbs. This kind of regular mattress cleaning helps keep smells and allergens in check. Air it out when you can. Flip it over or let it sit without sheets for a day.
Other simple tips:
Book a mattress cleaning today and sleep better!
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