How to Clean Mattress Stains?

Keeping our mattresses clean and fresh is essential. A clean bed is a major determining factor in how well you sleep and plays a significant role in your physical health. Unfortunately, from midnight snack spills to unexpected pet accidents, our beds can quickly become stained.

Stains can be very challenging to remove, depending on the liquid and the mattress material. Luckily, you don't need expensive equipment to rescue your bed. Let's look at how to remove stains from mattress surfaces using simple household ingredients, and get your sleep setup as clean as possible.

⚠️ Critical Warning for Memory Foam & Hybrid Mattresses: Before we begin, remember the golden rule: Never soak your mattress. Modern online mattresses-in-a-box are made of memory foam or pocketed coils that easily trap water. Excessive moisture can lead to mold, mildew, and completely void your mattress warranty. Always blot, use light mists, and let it dry completely.

How to Clean Urine Stains From a Mattress?

If you have little ones or pets, it's nearly impossible to go without facing at least one urine accident on your bed. Whether you need to clean pee out of a mattress right after it happens or tackle a stubborn, dried stain, this DIY method is the best DIY mattress stain remover setup you can make at home.

The Step-by-Step Urine Removal Process

1. Make the Solution: In an empty spray bottle, combine 8 ounces of hydrogen peroxide (3%), 3 tablespoons of baking soda, and 2-4 drops of liquid dish soap (like Dawn dish soap). Swirl gently to mix.

2. Spray the Stain: Lightly mist the urine stain. Ensure it's damp but not soaking wet. Allow it to sit on the mattress. As it dries over the next 4 to 6 hours, a white, foamy layer of baking soda will form on the surface, drawing out both the yellow stain and the uric acid odor.

3. Vacuum the Area: Once the area is completely dry, use your vacuum’s upholstery attachment to thoroughly clean up the residue, making sure to get into the cracks and crevices.

4. Alternative for Tough Pet Odors: If hydrogen peroxide feels too harsh or you are worried about minor discoloration, an enzyme-based spot cleaner is a perfect alternative. These are specially formulated to break down bio-stains from pet and human urine.

How to Clean Blood Stains From a Mattress?

Blood stains can get tricky if you don't act fast. The most critical rule for removing blood is: Never use hot water. Hot water causes the protein in the blood to "cook" and bind to the mattress fibers, essentially locking the stain in forever. Cold water works the opposite way by breaking down the blood.

How to Remove Fresh vs. Dried Blood Stains

• For Fresh Blood: If the stain is fresh and hasn't set in, simply take a clean cloth, wet it with cold water, and gently blot the area. Do not scrub, as scrubbing pushes the blood deeper into the foam.

• For Stubborn or Dried Blood:

  1. Create a Baking Soda Paste: Mix 2 parts baking soda with 1 part cold water to form a thick paste.

  2. Apply It: Spread the paste directly over the blood stain and let it sit for 30 minutes to dissolve the blood's proteins.

  3. Blot and Clean: Take a toothbrush dipped in cold water and lightly agitate the stain. Then, take a dry white towel and blot the spot to soak up any excess liquid.

How to Clean Sweat Stains From a Mattress?

We sweat every night during sleep; unfortunately, all those bodily oils, dead skin cells, and sweat become trapped inside our mattresses. To make matters worse, these organic materials oxidize, which is how to remove old yellow mattress stains becomes a top priority for older beds.

The Sweat Stain Deep Clean Method

1. Mix a Cleaning Solution: Combine 1 cup of water, 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide, and 1/3 cup of liquid dish soap in a spray bottle.

2. Apply It to the Sweat Stains: Spray the solution generously over the yellowed areas. Allow it to sit for 20-30 minutes to break down the body oils. Gently rub the mixture in a circular motion with a soft brush or microfined cloth.

3. Absorb and Dry: Take a dry cloth and blot the area firmly, ensuring you absorb the leftover solution. Let the area air dry completely before putting your sheets back on. If you notice a faint yellow hue left behind, sprinkle dry baking soda over the area for 2 hours to pull out residual moisture, then vacuum.

How To Clean Drink Spills From a Mattress?

Whether it is your morning coffee, tea, or soda, beverages are a common cause of deep mattress stains. The trick to stopping a coffee stain in its tracks is speed. Take a dry cloth and dab as much of the spill as you can immediately to decrease the chances of a harsh stain setting in.

If you missed the window and the drink stain is older, try this vinegar-based method:

1. Mix the Solution: Mix 10 parts of cold water, 1 part of laundry detergent, and 1 part of white vinegar into a spray bottle.

2. Spray and Scrub: Lightly spray the drink stain until it's damp but not soaked. Take a toothbrush, lightly scrub the area in a circular motion, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

3. Gently Blot: Take a clean towel dampened with plain cold water and blot the area until the soap and vinegar residue is lifted.

How To Do a Regular Cleaning of Your Mattress?

Now that you’ve learned how to clean mattress stains, let’s look at how to maintain your bed regularly. Deodorizing assists in removing odors, while standard cleaning helps remove lingering bodily oils. Both cleanliness and deodorization can be accomplished with cornstarch and baking soda. Cornstarch helps absorb deep oils, while baking soda neutralizes stubborn odors.

1. Get Rid of Body Oils with Cornstarch: Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.

2. Apply & Sit: Sift the mixture evenly all over the bare mattress surface. Let it sit for 30 minutes. If you have more time (e.g., while doing weekend laundry), leaving it for two hours yields much better results.

3. Vacuum Thoroughly: Use your handheld vacuum to remove all the powder from the top and sides of the bed.

The Best Mattress Stain Removers

A store-bought mattress stain remover is an excellent backup choice, especially if you are dealing with a severe accident or DIY methods didn't fully clear the mark. Here are three highly effective commercial options popular in the US market:

• Good Life Solutions Stain Remover & Odor Eliminator: This plant-based, eco-friendly mattress stain remover uses powerful bio-enzymes to banish stains. It is entirely non-toxic and safe for homes with pets and kids. It works wonders on dirt, blood, vomit, urine, and food.

• Woolite Instaclean Stain Remover: Formulated with powerful Oxy-Clean action, this spray works incredibly fast on stubborn set-in stains. It lifts stains to the surface quickly and neutralizes deep fabric odors instantly.

• Rug Doctor Spot & Stain Remover: A heavy-duty professional grade option that combats a variety of permanent stains, including markers, coffee, urine, grease, and mud. It is highly effective for thick upholstery and mattress covers.

Tips on Keeping Your Mattress Clean for an Extended Time?

It may sound like a difficult feat, but striving to keep your clean mattress daily is essential. Keeping your bed clean daily will help it to last much longer than its original warranty.

• Wash bed linens in hot water each week
• Use a mattress protector to safeguard against spills and other stains.
• If you notice any sagging, tears, or lumps, let your manufacturer know upon finding them. You may be able to receive a new mattress, depending on your warranty.
• Notice if your foundation is sinking or falling.
• Clean up new stains as quickly as possible.
• Rotateand flip your mattress. It should be rotated 180 degrees and flipped every six months.  
• Avoid eating or drinking on your bed.
• Change your sheets at least once a week.
• Spot clean spills immediately after they happen.
• Use a handheld vacuum to keep it clean.

Why Is a Clean Mattress Important?

Deep cleaning your mattress isn't just about aesthetics—it directly impacts your physical health and bedroom air quality. Over time, an untreated mattress accumulates dead skin cells, body oils, and environmental moisture, turning it into a breeding ground for harmful organisms:

• Dust Mites & Bed Bugs: These micro-organisms thrive on shed skin cells and can trigger nighttime coughing, sneezing, congestion, and itchy skin allergies.

• Bacteria (Staph and E. Coli): Studies show that even mattresses less than ten years old frequently harbor strains of Staphylococcus and E. coli due to sweat and moisture buildup.

• Skin Flare-ups: A dirty mattress can aggravate existing health conditions, leading to skin rashes, eczema breakouts, adult acne, and contact dermatitis.

Should You Have Your Mattress Cleaned Professionally?

Although it's nice to clean your mattress, and several methods typically work, it's also a great alternative to have it cleaned professionally. Sometimes our daily schedules don't allow us to ensure we can keep them clean ourselves.

There are a few benefits to getting your mattress cleaned by a professional, but the top reason would be convenience. Also, if you're not careful, you could accidentally cause damage to your mattress, which is another benefit of professional cleaning.

Despite this, whether you decide to clean it or have it cleaned professionally, ensure you take care of your mattress.