Did your child have an accident in the bed? Or perhaps you stripped the mattress and found a stain that you were unaware of? Whatever the case may be–you want to get the stain out. That’s why you’re here, right?
We first want to stress that whenever in doubt, contact the mattress manufacturer so you can ask what will and will not work on their casing. Depending on the materials, there will be certain stain removal processes that could damage your mattress and/or void your mattress warranty and you definitely don’t want that!
Below are a few general tips and guidelines on how to clean mattress stains.
What is the mattress casing material?
The material your mattress casing is made of is important. For example, a Savvy Rest organic mattress casing is made of organic cotton and organic wool. You cannot soak the casing (even though it is removable) because the casing would then shrink right up due to the wool. That’s why it’s important to spot clean only.
How should I prepare the mattress for cleaning?
Remove all of your bedding–duvet, sheets, pillows, mattress pad, etc.
If you have a zippered casing that is removable (but NOT necessarily washable), go ahead and unzip the casing and either put some towels under the area you will be cleaning to act as a barrier between the casing and the interior latex or memory foam, or you can remove the casing entirely to work in a sunny area. Did you know sunshine can act as a natural bleaching agent and help kill bacteria?
Please Note: Savvy Rest mattress casings are NOT washable!
How to Remove Urine Stains from a Mattress
This is probably the most common mattress stain when it comes to children and pets, which is why we strongly recommend using an organic waterproof mattress protector to prevent accidents from harming your mattress. It is a bestseller for a reason!
But let’s say you didn’t have this line of defense and you’re dealing with a pee stain on your mattress. What do you do?
First of all, the sooner you remove the stain, the better. We understand that sometimes you don’t spot it until several hours after the fact, but the quicker the stain is cleaned, the better chance you have of your mattress looking brand new again.
There are 2 elements to consider: The physical stain itself AND the smell (urine is pungent)!
Blot the urine with paper towels to get the excess liquid off. Then use either hydrogen peroxide OR vinegar with water. You can use a spray bottle so that you evenly distribute the solution without overly saturating the fabric. If you don’t have either of these liquids, try clear dish soap first but you most likely will need something stronger.
We also recommend using baking soda since baking soda will absorb the smell. Simply sprinkle some onto the stain and let it sit for at least 30 minutes but if you are able to have it sit for a few hours, that is ideal. Then vacuum up the baking soda.
How to Get Blood Out of a Mattress
Blood stains from open wounds or menstruation can happen.
If you catch the stain quickly, try just some cold water first. It works on clothes and it can work on your mattress too. This is such an easy hack.
If that doesn’t work, you can try some water and a small amount of clear dish soap or laundry detergent, gently cleaning the area with a towel.
If you want the heavier duty route, go with hydrogen peroxide and clear dish soap together. Work the liquid solution into the stain, then sprinkle baking soda over top. Let this sit for a few hours if possible before vacuuming.
How to Get Yellow Stains out of a Mattress
Yellow stains on a mattress are typically from sweat. Finding a sweat stain on a mattress is quite common.
The cleaning process is very similar to other stains. You can mix hydrogen peroxide and clear dish soap together and spray it on the mattress cover, or you may use vinegar. You may also sprinkle baking soda on top of the liquid solution for extra brightening strength. Let it sit for a few hours to really work into the stain before vacuuming.
How to Protect Your Mattress
We recommend investing in a quality organic waterproof mattress protector that will help keep your mattress clean! The inner fabric has specific waterproofing properties that stop liquids from making contact and ruining your mattress. The mattress protector is also still breathable which is key for latex mattresses. This protector is available in Crib size all the way to California King.
We hope this article was helpful as you navigate how to clean mattress stains!