How to Get Pee Stains and Smells Out of a Mattress

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Easy ways to clean dried & wet urine stains

Co-authored by Amy Mikhaiel and Devin McSween

Last Updated: April 11, 2024 Fact Checked

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Dried Stains

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Fresh Stains

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Removing Urine Smells

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Accidents happen with children and pets, so at some point, you may need to remove urine from a mattress. All it takes is a few simple household items to remove urine stains and leave your mattress looking as good as new. For stubborn, dried stains, dab the spot with a hydrogen peroxide mixture and baking soda. To remove fresh, wet stains, spray the spot with white vinegar. Keep on reading to learn how to get rid of set-in stains, new stains, and remove the urine smell for good!

Getting Rid of Urine Stains on a Mattress

Mix together 8 oz (237 ml) of hydrogen peroxide, 3 tbsp (43 g) of baking soda, and a few drops of dish soap. Dab the mixture into the stain and let it sit for 15 minutes. Blot the stain with a cloth and pour baking soda on top. Let the baking soda sit for 8 hours and then vacuum it up.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Dried and Set in Urine Stains

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1
Mix together hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish detergent. In a small bowl, combine 8 fl oz (240 ml) of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 3 US tablespoons (43.2 g) of baking soda, and 2 drops of liquid dish soap. Then, use a spoon to mix the ingredients thoroughly. ^{[1]
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- Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle, if you prefer.
- Hydrogen peroxide is effective at disinfecting surfaces and lifting off stains. ^{[2]
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- Note : Hydrogen peroxide can bleach fabrics. Apply a bit of it on a hidden part of the mattress to see if it bleaches the fabric before applying it all over.
- Use the solution immediately, as hydrogen peroxide breaks down fast. If you have a solution older than 1 to 2 hours, prepare a new one.
- This solution is also effective on blood stains.
2
Dab the stain with the cleaner and let it sit for 15 minutes. Lightly wet a white cleaning cloth with the hydrogen peroxide mixture. Then, repeatedly dab the stain to soak it with the solution. Allow the hydrogen peroxide to work through the stain for 15 to 20 minutes. ^{[3]
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- Alternatively, spray the stain with the mixture until the spot is damp.
- Do not completely saturate the mattress with the hydrogen peroxide solution, as this can cause it to take longer to dry.
- Put on a pair of cleaning gloves to protect your skin as you clean.
- Use a white cleaning cloth instead of a colorful one to prevent dye from transferring and staining your mattress.
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3
Blot the stain with a clean cloth and apply more cleaner, if needed. Use a clean white cloth to dab at the stain, which helps lift up the urine and remove excess moisture. If the stain is still visible, apply more of the hydrogen peroxide mixture, let it sit for 15 minutes, and dab at it again. ^{[4]
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- Keep repeating this step until the stain is completely gone.
4
Sprinkle baking soda on top of the stain and let it sit for 8 hours. Baking soda is an excellent deodorizer that also helps soak up moisture. Just cover the stain with a thick layer of baking soda. Then, leave it to sit for at least 8 hours. ^{[5]
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- Note : Pet urine can be more difficult to clean. If your mattress still smells, spray the spot with an enzyme cleaner . This cleaner is specifically made to tackle urine stains and odors.
5
Vacuum the mattress and let it air dry. Use a brush attachment or hand-held vacuum to remove the baking soda on the mattress. If the stained spot still isn’t dry, let your mattress air dry before putting on sheets and covers. Turn on an overhead fan, open your windows, or place fans on the mattress. ^{[6]
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- Wait to make the bed until it is completely dry. Putting on sheets and covers when the mattress is still damp can trap moisture and potentially lead to mold and bacteria growing.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning Fresh Urine Stains

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1
Strip the bed and wash the bedding in warm water. Take the covers, sheets, and pillowcases off your bed and throw them in your laundry machine. If you have a removable and washable mattress cover, put it in the wash, too. ^{[7]
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- Wash your bedding using the hottest water that’s safe for your sheets and covers. This helps remove germs and odors.
- Look at the care labels on your bedding to find out what water temperature and wash cycle is recommended for them.
- If your bedding is super smelly, get rid of the urine odor by adding 1 cup (240 ml) of white vinegar into the wash or by using an enzyme-based detergent .
2
Blot up the excess urine with a white cloth . Get out a clean, dry cloth or paper towel and dab the stain to soak up as much of the urine as possible. Just keep blotting the spot until the mattress feels damp. ^{[8]
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- Do not rub or scrub the spot, as this can work the urine further into the mattress and make it more difficult to clean.
- Wear cleaning gloves to protect your skin from the urine.
- Change the cloth or paper towel when it gets saturated with liquid.
- Using a white cloth instead of a colorful one helps prevent your mattress from getting stained.
Apply several spoonfuls of baking soda on top of the stain. Don’t worry about using too much, as it won't damage the mattress. The baking soda helps absorb the urine and cleaner while helping deodorize, too. ^{[9]
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4
Fill a spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and water. Pour the water and white vinegar directly into the spray bottle. The white vinegar helps to lift the stain, kill bacteria, and get rid of the urine odor. ^{[10]
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- For a stronger solution, reduce the amount of water or eliminate it altogether. It's okay to spray pure white vinegar onto the mattress.
- Add a few drops of laundry detergent or dish soap for an extra cleaning boost.
- While white vinegar has a strong smell, the scent dissipates as the vinegar dries.
5
Spray the vinegar solution on the stain and let it sit for 5 minutes. Apply enough of the vinegar mixture so the mattress is damp but not completely saturated. Then, leave it to soak into the urine stain for at least 5 minutes. ^{[11]
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- The baking soda might bubble and fizz when you spray on the vinegar. This is a natural reaction when baking soda and vinegar mix together.
- Make sure the entire stain is covered with the white vinegar. You may need to make more if there isn't enough to cover the whole stain.
- If you have some white vinegar solution leftover, leave it in the spray bottle to use another time.
Dab the stain with a clean cloth to remove as much of the urine and solution as possible. Then, sprinkle on a thin layer of baking soda on top. This helps to soak up moisture and remove urine odors from the mattress. ^{[12]
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Let the mattress dry for about 18 hours, then vacuum it. Open all of the windows and doors in the room, turn on an overhead fan, or leave fans blowing on the mattress. If the mattress feels completely dry after about 18 hours, use a brush attachment or hand-held vacuum to clean up the baking soda. ^{[13]
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- If your mattress is still stained or still smells like urine after 18 hours, apply more vinegar solution and baking soda. Or, try the hydrogen peroxide method for dried stains.
- Do not make the bed until the mattress is dry. If the mattress doesn’t have enough time to dry, mold, mildew, and bacteria can grow.
- It might take slightly longer or shorter for the mattress to dry depending on the temperature and humidity.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting Rid of the Urine Smell

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Baking soda absorbs smells, like urine, and neutralizes lingering odors. ^{[14]
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It takes time for the baking soda to pull the urine smell out of your mattress. Just leave the baking soda on the mattress for at least 8 to 10 hours. ^{[16]
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Vacuum off the baking soda. Grab a hand-held vacuum or use your floor vacuum’s brush attachment to sweep up the baking soda. If you still smell urine, apply more baking soda, let it sit, and then vacuum it off. ^{[17]
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- Tip : Cleaning your mattress regularly can help prevent smelly odors. About every 6 months, vacuum your mattress, sprinkle on baking soda, and then sweep it up.
- Washing your sheets about once a week can help prevent odors from forming, too.
4
Spray your mattress with an enzyme cleaner if it still smells. Urine smells, especially those caused by pets, can be stubborn and hard to remove. Enzyme cleaners are made specifically for protein-based stains, like urine, and can completely eliminate urine smells. Simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions for using the cleaner. ^{[18]
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- Using an enzyme cleaner typically involves spraying the stain, letting it sit for 1 hour, and then blotting it with a cloth.

Join the Discussion...

How do you get urine out of a mattress?

14

WikiMistRunner633

My child is 4 and sometimes she has trouble with bladder control and wets the bed. What do you do to get urine (and the urine smell!!) out of the... Read More

Kadi Dulude
House Cleaning Professional

Take everything off the bed and use vinegar to scrub out any urine or urine stains. Then, put towels on the area and step on the mattress to suck... Read More

WikiDolphinChaser917

Ms. Dulude has it right. The vinegar scrub is really your only solid option. But one thing I’d recommend after that is to deodorize the entire... Read More

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Question

The dog that I adopted yesterday urinated on my bed for the first time. What do I do?

Community Answer

Try the hydrogen peroxide-baking soda-dish soap solution, but mix them carefully - don't shake it, or it'll bubble like crazy. Any essential oil (I use lavender) helps dilute any potential smell from the dog puddle.

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Where do I get borax?

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You can find borax in the laundry section at most grocery stores.

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I have a very bad urine area in my mattress, that was covered by sheets. (So I guess the smell wasn't as bad as the stain). Now that it is dry, it has left a very bad yellow stain. Any advice on how to get rid of it?

Kaitlyn Wislang

Community Answer

Use a hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish detergent solution to help lift the stain. If the stain is stubborn, create a dry foam with laundry detergent and water. Vacuum the mattress once the stain is lifted.

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Tips

Clean urine stains as soon as you notice them. Leaving the urine to soak into the bed can stain the mattress and make it harder to clean. It can also encourage bacteria and mold to grow. ^{[19]
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To help prevent future urine stains, put a waterproof mattress protector on the bed. This covers the entire mattress to prevent liquids from soaking through. ^{[20]
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Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to your cleaning solution to give it a fresh, pleasant scent. For example, add lavender oil for a relaxing scent.

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