How to Remove Urine Stains from a Mattress

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Last Updated: February 1, 2021 References Approved

Accidents happen with children and pets, and at some point, you may need to remove urine from a mattress. Although it can seem like a difficult task, don’t worry! All it takes for the mattress to look as good as new is a few simple household ingredients. To remove wet stains, blot the excess liquid, add baking soda, and use a vinegar solution to neutralize the smell. For old, dry stains, create a hydrogen peroxide solution to help lift the stain.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing Wet Stains

1
Blot up the excess urine with a cloth. Get an old, dry cloth and dab the stain to remove as much of the liquid as possible. Keep blotting until the mattress only feels damp. If there is a lot of liquid, use an old towel instead.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Alternatively, you can use paper towels.
- Change the cloth, towel, or paper towel once it gets saturated.
2
Sprinkle baking soda over the stain to soak up the remaining urine. Get a spoon and pour spoonfuls of baking soda over the whole stain. Don’t worry about using too much, as it won't damage the mattress. Make sure that all parts of the stain are covered by baking soda.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Combine 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water in a spray bottle. Pour the water and white vinegar directly into the spray bottle. Use the largest spray bottle that you can find, as you may need a lot of the solution depending on the size of the stain.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- To make the solution stronger, reduce or eliminate the added water. It's okay to spray pure white vinegar onto the mattress. Although it has a strong smell, the scent will dissipate.
- The white vinegar neutralizes the odor and helps to lift the stain.
4
Spray the solution generously over the stain and let it sit for 5 minutes. Aim to add enough moisture so that the mattress is wet, but not so much so that it's completely saturated. You may need to make more white vinegar solution if there isn't enough to cover the whole stain.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- If you have some white vinegar solution leftover, you can leave it in the spray bottle to use another time.
5
Use an old cloth to blot the excess moisture. Dab the stain to remove as much of the solution as possible. Don’t worry if some of the baking soda comes away, as you will add more later. Try to get the mattress as close to being dry as you can.^{[5]
X
Research source}
6
Sprinkle baking soda over the entire top of the mattress. Liberally add more baking soda to the mattress and try to cover as much as possible. This also helps to remove any other odors from the mattress too.^{[6]
X
Research source}
7
Let the mattress dry for approximately 18 hours before vacuuming it. Open all of the windows and doors, and keep a fan on in the room if possible. Check that the mattress is fully dry after 18 hours and once it is, vacuum up the baking soda. Run the vacuum cleaner over all of the crevices in different directions to make sure that all of the baking soda has been removed.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- The mattress can’t be used while it’s drying and the baking soda is at work.
- The mattress may take slightly longer or shorter to dry depending on the temperature and humidity.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Lifting Dry Stains

1
Make a hydrogen peroxide solution to remove the stain. It’s still possible to remove old urine stains! Combine 8 fl oz (240 ml) of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 3 US tbsp (43.2 g) of baking soda, and 2 drops of liquid dish detergent in a small bowl. Use a spoon to mix the ingredients together thoroughly.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- It’s best to only use hydrogen peroxide on white mattresses, as it can bleach colored fabrics. If you are concerned about discoloration, simply use white vinegar instead to target the stain.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
- This solution is also effective for blood stains.
- You need to use the solution immediately as hydrogen peroxide breaks down fast. If you have a solution that's older than 1-2 hours, discard it and prepare a new one.^{[10]
  X
  Research source}
2
Dab the stain with the hydrogen peroxide solution. Lightly wet a white cleaning cloth with the solution. Dab the stain thoroughly to lift it away and wait until the mattress is completely dry before using it again.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- While you should use the solution generously, try not to saturate the mattress as it will take longer to dry.
3
Use a dry foam to remove the stain if it persists. Mix together 3 US tbsp (50 g) of dry laundry powder with 1 US tbsp (15 ml) of water in a small bowl. Use a spoon to spread the paste over the whole stain on the mattress.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- You may need to make more dry foam if the stain is large.
- Don’t use a laundry powder that contains oxygenated bleach, as this can damage the mattress.
4
Let the dry foam sit for 30 minutes and then scrape it off the mattress. After 30 minutes, the dry foam should have lifted the stain away. Use a spoon to gently scrape the dry foam off the mattress. Be careful not to dig too deeply, as you could damage the mattress.^{[13]
X
Research source}
5
Vacuum the mattress to remove any remaining baking soda or dry foam. Vacuum the entire mattress from several directions to ensure that all of the baking soda or dry foam has been removed. You may want to remove the vacuum cleaner floor head and just use the nozzle to get into all of the crevices.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- If there are any stubborn pieces of dry foam left, dip a white cloth into hydrogen peroxide and dab at it gently until it lifts away.

Community Q&A

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.
Question

Where do I get borax?

Community Answer

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

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.