One mishap, one spill, and one terrible night are all it takes to discolour and perhaps ruin your mattress permanently. Considering how expensive mattresses are and their importance to getting a good night’s sleep, it hurts just thinking about it.
Luckily, it’s not game over if your mattress gets stained. Mattresses can get stained from various things, like urine, perspiration, and blood, and we’ll show you how to get rid of such stains. You probably have most of the cleaning supplies we use already; if you still need to, they’re easy enough to acquire at any supermarket.
Will These Methods Certainly Fix All Mattresses?
We know one thing for sure: many excellent mattresses are on the market. Each provides a unique set of insulating layers, supportive materials, and cutting-edge textiles to provide a peaceful night’s rest. We tried out the solutions we’ve provided on different mattresses, and each treated surface reacted differently to the stains and the cleaning solutions.
The best way to ensure you clean your mattress correctly is to consult the manual. The mattress manufacturer could recommend a particular cleaning method or a safe product for the bed’s fabric. Before resorting to more powerful cleaners, this is the first place you should look.
Mattress stains can be difficult to remove and may take multiple attempts (or a mix of cleaners). The effectiveness of a cleaner on one material may vary significantly from that on another.
In sum, if you want to increase your mattress’s lifespan, preventive measures, such as using a mattress cover, should be the first step.
Products & Equipment for Cleaning
Although mattresses are expensive, regular upkeep need not break the bank. You’ll need the following tools to treat mattress stains on your own.
Tools
- Sponges
- Clean cloths
- Gloves
- Small bowl
- Vacuum cleaner
Materials
- Water
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Essential oils (optional)
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
Now, let’s look at the detailed instructions for how to clean a mattress:
Getting Rid of Wet Stains
1. Remove all of the sheets and bedding from the stained mattress.
All bedding items, such as pillows, covers, blankets, mattress protectors, and toppers, should all be removed ASAP. Wash them and let them air out to have them smell great again.
2. Vacuum the mattress surface.
To get rid of any germs or dust mites that may have settled into the surface, use your vacuum’s upholstery cleaner attachment to gently go over the mattress surface, paying close attention to the seams and edges.
3. Apply baking soda directly to the stain.
Bicarbonate of soda is great for soaking up liquids rapidly, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can use a cloth or old towel to eliminate the excess moisture. When the soda has settled, the residue can be cleaned up using a vacuum.
4. White vinegar
Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of lukewarm water and white vinegar (1 part vinegar to 1 part water). The key is to use enough solution to make the stain damp while not getting too wet, as it could ruin the mattress. Then, use an old rag or dry cloth to absorb the liquid.
Take note: White vinegar helps get rid of odours and stains. Rubbing alcohol and vodka can be used as a substitute for vinegar, but they will only mask the odour without significantly reducing the discolouration.
5. Reapply the baking soda.
The best way to eliminate any lingering odours from your mattress is to sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on top and then add a few drops of your preferred essential oil (optional). Give the ingredients some time to meld together.
6. Vacuum once more.
Carefully vacuum the remaining powder and paste, ensuring it gets into all the crevices.
7. Make sure the bed has dried thoroughly.
Wetness promotes mould and bacteria growth; thus, a dry mattress is essential. Unless you have a latex mattress, leaving it outside in the sun for several hours is the best way to dry it.
Cleaning a Soiled Mattress
1. Prepare a hydrogen peroxide solution.
Combine 240 ml of 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide with 44 grams of baking soda and several drops of laundry detergent, liquid dish soap, or soap.
Warning: Hydrogen peroxide can bleach coloured mattresses, so use caution if you plan to clean one. Alternatively, use white vinegar.
2. Smear the cleaning agent onto the stained area.
Blot it up as little as possible, so the liquid doesn’t sink into the mattress.
3. Allow the treatment to take effect.
Let the mattress sit for about 30 minutes, then use a vacuum to pick up the dry foam and dispose of it.
Removing Blood Stains.
We recommend using hydrogen peroxide and salt to eliminate these stubborn stains.
If the stain has been there for a while, try saturating it with water and then rubbing some salt into it. After that, scrub it lightly and let it rest for a while. Use hydrogen peroxide to bleach the linens and check for remaining stains.
For fresh blood stains, use either baking soda or cold water. Avoid scrubbing the stain, as this might do more harm to the mattress than good. Instead, wipe it up.
Removing Urine Stains from your Mattress
This is one of the most frequent “accidents”, particularly for those who have kids. If you follow the following instructions, your mattress will look as good as new!
Use cornstarch or lemon juice to remove pee stains and odours from mattresses.
Get a lemon, slice it in half, and use the halves to clean the stain. Since lemons are naturally antibacterial and great for bleaching, they can also eliminate unpleasant odours. Nonetheless, hydrogen peroxide works better on the most persistent stains.
Cornstarch works best with baking soda and can absorb body oils too! Simply sprinkle the powdered mixture on the stain, followed by a few drops of water. Leave the mixture for ten minutes, then wipe out any excess liquid. Finish up by giving the area a good vacuuming.
If your mattress was stained with pet urine, your best chance of removing the stain is to use an enzyme cleaner. Since homemade cleaners are ineffective against uric acid crystals in animal urine, use a mattress cleaner such as Di-San, SARD Wonder Powder or Enzyme Wizard. If your pet has frequent accidents, consider buying a separate bed.
Tips for tackling other stains (vomit, wine, coffee, tea stains, poo)
This procedure works in all the above cases.
If you need to clean up some poop or vomit, use a moist cloth to remove as much of the mess as possible.
We recommend blotting the stain with a paper towel or damp cloth when dealing with liquid spills. Afterwards, apply white vinegar solution, and proceed as directed above in steps 4 through 7.
Take note: Time is of the essence when dealing with stains like this. Mattress stains, whether from wine or coffee, are easier to remove the faster you can get to them.
Removing Mildew and Mold from your Mattress
Mattresses with visible mould should be cleaned immediately since they pose a health risk.
Mattresses with mould should be left out in the hot sun for a whole day, as this is the most effective method for cleaning them. If you don’t have access to this, warm water and isopropyl alcohol (found at chemists and grocery stores) will do the trick.
Apply the mixture with a sponge and wait for it to dry. If you cannot remove the mould, consider purchasing a new mattress.
How Frequently Should You Clean Your Mattress?
You should give your mattress a thorough cleaning at least twice a year. Care for your heated blanket the same way you would your bedding — by washing it and replacing the sheets every two weeks. Wash your pillows twice a year for a more restful night’s sleep and a more hygienic atmosphere overall.
To clean a sofa bed, remove all cushions, unfold the bed, and make it accessible. It’s essential to clean your sofa bed, much like your mattress, regularly. However, depending on the material, once every year should be plenty.
Be sure to track when your mattress was last turned and if it has to be flipped again. Flipping beds like the Koala Mattress is not recommended because it might cause structural damage.
Avoiding stains on your mattress
Covering your mattress with a mattress pad or a waterproof cover that can absorb moisture is a good idea. An alternative is to use a mattress topper, an additional layer of padding placed on top of the mattress before the sheets.
A mattress protector is a great investment if you’re concerned about spills and stains ruining your mattress. Purchasing this add-on for your bed will serve multiple purposes, including protecting it from stains and keeping it clean and free of bacteria, dust mites, and allergens.
Conclusion
Keep your mattress clean and in good condition by flipping it twice a year and using a cover or protector to prevent staining. If you stain it, it’s best to get to it as soon as possible. Avoid spending money on an unnecessary mattress stain remover by using baking soda and white vinegar to clean the stain.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Why do mattresses get yellow stains?
Most yellow mattress stains come from perspiration, oil (from your food and body), or urine. A mattress may also develop yellow stains from mildew and mould growth due to an abundance of moisture. Finally, a mattress’s yellowing could be a sign of aging.
2. How can you remove tough stains from a mattress?
While commercial mattress cleaning products exist, you can remove most stains with only water, vinegar, baking soda, and other traditional products.
3. Can mattress stains be cleaned with baking soda?
Yes. You can remove mattress stains effectively with a mixture of baking soda, salt, and water. It also aids in disinfecting the stained region and eliminating lingering odours. Furthermore, it is the most practical choice because most people already have bicarbonate of soda in their cupboards.
4. What is the best way to clean a latex mattress?
A high-quality latex mattress should keep its form for at least fifteen years. Like other materials, latex requires regular cleaning to maintain its quality. Clean the mattress using Latex mattresses that can be damaged by direct sunlight. Thus, it’s important to store them in a shaded area.
5. How can you clean mattress stains at home?
Those who prefer the DIY approach and want to save money on something other than professional mattress cleaning services or high-end mattress stain removers can complete the job successfully by following the steps in this guide.
