Small Spills and Stains We recommend spot-cleaning it for small spills or stains. We suggest using a small amount of mild detergent and water and gently dabbing the cover, rather than rubbing it. Make sure the cleaned area is completely dry before placing sheets and blankets back on the mattress.
If a mattress gets wet, it may not necessarily be ruined, but it can be difficult to restore it to its original condition. Water can cause mold and bacteria growth, which can lead to unpleasant odors and potential health risks.
You will need a vacuum or dust buster of some kind. Sprinkle some baking soda on the mattress. Kinda rub it in, spread it around. Let it sit for a few minutes, vacuum up the excess. Put White vinegar in a spray bottle and lightly spritz it on the mattress. Let that sit for a bit.
Mold can start growing on a damp mattress within 24 to 48 hours.
Use a soapy rag soaked with some vinegar, rub and clean the urine soaked area and using a dry towel to absorb the excess moisture. Move the mattress outside any let air dry in the sun, the longer it can air out outside, the better.
Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and liquid detergent will all come in handy to remove the stronger urine odor that can be associated with your animals, especially cats.
You can skip the fancy cleaning products and find what you need right in your kitchen: white vinegar and warm water. Mix it up 50/50 and use a spray bottle to apply it to your mattress. Then blot the mattress again with a towel. You might have to repeat this process for a bigger (or smellier!)
Get rid of mold with vinegar
Vacuum the surface of the mattress to grab any lingering mold spores. Mix three parts vinegar and one part water in a bottle, coat the affected areas, and let it sit for one hour. Use a dry, clean cloth to blot any excess moisture on the surface of the mattress.
Another homemade cleaning agent is hydrogen peroxide that you can also mix with baking soda and a few drops of dish soap. It is useful for removing sweat, urine, or blood stains. The simplest way is to make a 50:50 solution with water and rub it in the mattress stains with a soft brush so as not to damage the fabric.
To dry the mattress, sprinkle a layer of baking soda on the wet area and allow it to absorb the excess moisture. Then use a solution of vinegar and warm water to gently rub the place to get rid of the stains and urine odor. Finally, use a hairdryer or vacuum to dry out the mattress.
Best for Deodorizing
By absorbing the odor-causing bacteria, cornstarch eliminates that “old mattress smell.” You can even mix baking soda and cornstarch for a double whammy of cleaning strength. Just sprinkle a 50/50 mix of cornstarch and baking soda onto the mattress, and allow it to sit for 30 minutes.
Spray with vinegar and let it sit 15 min. Mop up what you can with paper towels or cloths. Sprinkle baking soda (a sieve helps distribute evenly). Let it sit a few hours and then vacuum.
If you discover a damp area on your mattress, baking soda is a quick solution. Baking soda can absorb moisture excellently, and your mattress must be elevated for proper airflow underneath.
Your mattress won't dry quickly, and if it stays damp for too long because of your cleaning efforts it can start to smell or even develop mildew.
The areas with mold growth must be cleaned with a product that will kill the spores. To kill mattress surface mold, mix a 50:50 solution of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and water. Dip a clean cloth into the solution and gently rub the moldy surface of the mattress in a circular motion.
It's important to note that any mattress is susceptible to mold growth if the environmental conditions are right. The common, early signs of mattress mold are: A pungent, musty smell. New, unexplained stains.
You may try to salvage a mattress that has suffered minimal clean water damage. Strip the bedding from the mattress. Soak up excess water. Press towels, sheets, or other fabric into the mattress to absorb as much water as possible out the bottom and sides too.
How long does it take a mattress to dry? It may take your mattress anywhere between 24-48 hours to completely dry after it has been soaked with water, depending on the material it is made from and how saturated it is.
Vinegar and Baking Soda Solution
A mixture of vinegar and baking soda can work wonders on water stains. Here's what you need: 1 cup white vinegar. 1/2 cup baking soda.
Most urine stains can be cleaned either with a homemade vinegar cleaner, or a homemade hydrogen peroxide cleaner. Foams soak up liquids quickly, so all-foam beds can hold onto the smell of urine more than other mattresses. Many urine smells can be removed by making and using a simple baking soda paste.
Expert Trick: For a quick fix, take everything off your mattress and then place towels on the wet spot. Then stand on the towel, pressing it into the mattress, and shuffle around a bit to soak up as much liquid as possible. Let the mattress dry with no sheets or blankets on it. Dry small spots with a hairdryer.
If you notice a urine smell or a dried pee stain on a mattress, there's no reason to panic. You can still nurse that mattress back to health in a few easy steps. First, as with a fresh stain, toss the bedding and the washable mattress protector in the washing machine.