Can You Get Pee Out Of Mattresses?

Yes, you can definitely get pee out of a mattress – with the right cleaning products and a little elbow grease, of course. 

Accidents happen, especially if you have young kids or pets in the house. As such, you need to learn how to properly clean up spills and stains of all kinds, including urine. 

In this guide, we walk you through the process of cleaning both fresh and dried pee while still maintaining the integrity of your mattress. 

How To Get Fresh Pee Out Of A Mattress

When a liquid spills on a mattress, it can get trapped inside – even if the mattress appears dry on the outside. If the liquid isn’t cleaned right away, it can eventually cause mold, mildew, and funky odors to build up. 

If your child, dog, or even you have wet the bed, you have to get cleaning – no matter what time of the night it is. Frustrating as this may be, cleaning your mattress the moment an accident happens can significantly prevent foul smells and stains from becoming a permanent feature on your bed.

Before you get to work, you’ll need the following items:

• Paper towels or cloth rags
• White vinegar or an enzyme solution
• A spray bottle
• Baking soda
• A vacuum cleaner

Note: A hydrogen peroxide solution can also work as a spot cleaner and deodorizer. However, hydrogen peroxide can discolor your fabric cover or damage your memory foam. Most manufacturers also discourage the use of chemical cleaning agents such as bleach or ammonia. Not only can these destroy the fabric, but they can also be detrimental to your health.

Step 1: Blot Out The Urine

If the top of the mattress is still wet with urine, grab some paper towels or dry cloth rags and blot it dry. Soak up as much of the liquid as you can before moving on to the next step. 

Be careful not to rub the towels or rag into the stain – this will just make it bigger and harder to get out. When you can no longer absorb any moisture from the surface, move on to step 2.

Step 2: Spray The Area With Vinegar/Enzyme Solution

Fill your spray bottle with pure, undiluted white vinegar or an enzyme cleaner, and saturate the entire wet area. Let it sit for about 15 minutes. 

Then, grab more paper towels/cloth rags and blot the area again, soaking up as much of the vinegar/enzyme solution as you can.

Step 3: Pour Some Baking Soda Over The Stain

Spread some baking soda over the stain until it’s completely covered. Let it sit for a few hours. If possible, leave it on for at least one full day. The baking soda will absorb the remaining moisture and act as a deodorizer as well. 

Once you’re ready to clean it all up, grab your vacuum cleaner and vacuum all the clumps of baking soda until clean. 

Step 4: Dry Your Mattress

Since moisture tends to get trapped in memory foam far longer than in other types of mattress materials, you’ll need to take extra care in drying your mattress. Ideally, you’ll want to leave your mattress outside to dry under the sun. If this isn’t possible, you can also use a blow dryer.

Using the lowest setting, keep the hairdryer about four inches away from the mattress surface and go over the stain in a circular motion for a few minutes. Keep going until the pee spot is dry. 

If you don’t have a blow dryer at your disposal, you can also use a fan set to the highest setting. 

How To Clean Dry Urine Stains From A Mattress

Sometimes, accidents can go unnoticed for hours or even days. If this happens, and you find that the urine stain has already dried up, just skip step 1 of the method above and go straight into spraying the affected area with vinegar or your enzyme solution. 

If the stain is especially big or smelly, you’ll have to leave the vinegar/enzyme solution for longer – about 20 to 30 minutes or so. Then, just continue the steps listed above, and repeat once or twice if necessary.

How To Get Urine Out Of Memory Foam Pillows

There are many ways to wash pillows. Some pillows are machine-washable, some require gentle handwashing, and others, like memory foam pillows, shouldn’t even be saturated with water. 

With that being said, a pee-stained memory foam pillow isn’t a lost cause. Just apply the same method detailed above for your mattress:

1. Soak excess moisture up with a paper towel or a dry cloth rag.
2. Spray the affected area with an enzymatic cleaner or white vinegar, and let it sit for 15 minutes
3. Blot the area until dry.
4. Sprinkle baking soda and leave overnight.
5. Vacuum the debris.
6. Leave the pillow out in the sun to dry, or dry with a fan or blow dryer

Protecting Your Mattress From Bed Wetting

Whether you have pets who love to hop into bed with you at night or you’re still in the process of potty-training your little ones, you may have to look into preventive measures that will help keep your mattress clean and dry, such as:

Mattress Protectors

A mattress protector is an extra layer that goes on top of the mattress and underneath your bed sheets to keep dirt, dust mites, sweat, pet dander, and other debris from penetrating the top layer of your mattress. Most mattress protectors are designed to be waterproof or water-resistant, so they also work as a shield against liquid spills and, yes, urine.

The Purple Mattress Protector is made with an absorbent outer layer and a water-resistant inner layer that keeps moisture from reaching your mattress. The Purple Mattress Protector is stain-resistant and machine-washable, too, making it a convenient and easy-to-use solution in busy households.

Keep Your Mattress Clean And Dry

Memory foam mattresses are a popular choice for many people, but they can be difficult to clean – especially when you’re dealing with large and smelly pee stains. We hope this guide helps you keep your mattress looking and smelling fresh and clean again!

If your still struggling, consider buying a new mattress. Purple has a variety of mattresses for all sleeping types. Purple mattresses feature the GelFlex Grid that adapts to your body and cradles your pressure points.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Urine Stains From Mattresses

Can you use an enzyme cleaner on a memory foam mattress?

Yes, enzyme cleaners are safe to use on memory foam mattresses, as long as the outer fabric isn’t made with animal-based fibers. 

Enzyme cleaners use enzymes or enzyme-emitting “good” bacteria to break down organic materials that stain and leave foul odors on fabrics. Enzyme cleaners are generally safer to use than harsh chemical cleaning agents such as bleach and ammonia. 

That said, check with your manufacturer if you can use an enzyme cleaner on your memory foam mattress. 

Can you steam clean a memory foam mattress?

Generally, you can steam clean a memory foam mattress. However, make sure to use a steam cleaner that dries as it goes. You don’t want moisture to get left behind in the mattress, as this can lead to mold and mildew buildup. When steam-cleaning a mattress, use a medium heat setting to avoid damaging the fabric. 

Make sure to check your manufacturer’s instructions before steam-cleaning your mattress.

Should you rotate or flip a memory foam after cleaning?

Yes, you should rotate a memory foam mattress after cleaning, but memory foam mattresses should not be flipped. This is because most memory foam mattresses are designed with the memory foam on the top-most layer. The base layer is often constructed with some other material such as polyfoam. 

Not all mattresses can or should be rotated. Again, always check with your manufacturer before you flip or rotate your mattress.