How to Clean a Stained Mattress

Unless you have used a mattress protector since day 1 of owning your new mattress, unfortunately, mattress stains are pretty much inevitable. We all have them! But just because they’re easy to accumulate doesn’t mean you shouldn’t act fast to clean and get rid of them. Acting fast to combat mattress stains when they are fresh is usually the best solution in getting rid of them completely before they become engrained deep in the mattress fibres.

So, if you have found yourself in need of help and advice in getting rid of your mattress stains, then you have come to the right place. Here at Noa & Nani, we have put together the all-you-could-need guide on how to clean a stained mattress, with extra hints and tips for combatting different stains and basic mattress care.

Cleaning Your Mattress

When it comes to cleaning your mattress and removing stains, it is important that you choose the best course of action to battle the particular stain you have. Otherwise, you may find yourself wasting precious hours and cleaning supplies on a stain that won’t budge, so identify the stain first and read our tips to help you with the perfect solution.

How to Clean a Mattress after Bedwetting

Whether it’s an accident left behind by your four-legged friends or you have young children going through a bedwetting stage, cleaning urine from a mattress is a common problem. And when it happens, we usually are left with hours of scrubbing followed by weeks of self-doubt and asking your partner, “Can you smell that?”

Acting fast to remove urine is the key, and we have a few simple steps that will help you remove the mess effectively and efficiently.

How to Remove Urine from your Mattress:

To get started, you will need:

• Baking soda
• Clean towels
• Cold water
• Laundry detergent
• White vinegar
• A Spray bottle
• Vacuum

Step 1:

Remove all bedding and strip anything from the mattress. It is important to get your bedding and any stray pillows or blankets that might have gotten wet into the washing machine as soon as possible. Urine stains set quickly, so don’t delay washing your bedding and sheets. If the smell or stain lingers after the first wash, then put them through the wash again with an added cup of white vinegar.

Step 2:

Avoid scrubbing the wet area; simply blot at the mess instead. This ensures that you soak up as much of the fluid as possible rather than just further spreading it around and rubbing it into the fibres.

Step 3:

Using your spray bottle, mix a solution of two cups of cold water, one cup of white vinegar, and a few tablespoons of laundry detergent. Spray the solution liberally to the stain, do not be afraid to soak it!

Step 4:

Once you have sprayed your solution and soaked the affected area, allow this to soak for around 10 to 15 minutes. After this time, use a clean cloth to once again blot away the excess liquid.

Step 5:

After blotting, cover the entire soiled area with baking soda and leave this to sit for between 8 and 10 hours. It is also a good idea to keep the room closed off to avoid little hands or paws making a mess!

Step 6:

Finally, it is time to vacuum up the dry baking soda. We find using a nozzle attachment makes the job a lot easier. Take care to only vacuum the powder once it is totally dry, as sucking up any moisture can cause damage to your vacuum.

Now the smell and stain should be gone from your mattress, but if you have any doubts, you can repeat steps 3 to 6 to remove any lingering mess!

Tackling Mystery Marks

If you have a stain on your mattress and you can’t be sure what it is or where it came from, then fear not. We still have a few helpful tips which should help you in 3 simple steps.

Step 1: A safe bet for fresh stain removal is to dilute washing up liquid and spray this onto the stain.

Step 2: Let this sit for 5-10 minutes before blotting it with a clean cloth.

Step 3: Simply repeat this process until the stain is entirely removed, or if there is still no sign of it clearing, try diluting white vinegar or a stain remover instead.

Removing Old and Stubborn Stains

If you have a tough and stubborn stain that you are sure has been around for a while, then the process of removal is different. As mentioned previously, you should always act fast to get rid of a stain as they are difficult to get rid of once they have settled!

Now you shouldn't get high-hopes from removing old stains on mattresses, but there is no harm in trying! The best advice we can give you for removing old mattress stains is to try a steam carpet cleaner and use an upholstery attachment to make the job easier.

Basic Mattress Care

When it comes to basic mattress care and cleaning, we have a few tricks to help you keep a clean and fresh mattress always.

Keep your Mattress Smells Fresh

Of course, when it comes to regular cleaning, we can’t just stick our mattresses in the washing machine with the rest of our bedding and sheets. For this reason, some people neglect their mattress, but there is a simple and easy solution.

Baking soda is a natural deodoriser, and so sprinkling it over your mattress once or twice a month will keep your mattress smelling clean and fresh. After just an hour, you will be able to smell the difference in your mattress, but some people prefer to keep the baking soda on the bed for 5 to 7 days before vacuuming it up. Simply put a clean sheet over the baking soda if you’re looking for a deeper and more thorough solution.

If you don’t have the time for the baking soda trick, then simply allowing your mattress to air out without the sheets and with the window open will also go a long way in keeping it fresh.

Is it Time for a New Mattress?

Sometimes our mattresses are simply a lost cause. Whether there are too many stains, too many lumps and bumps or you can not get rid of a lingering smell, it might be time to swap out your mattress for a new one.

On average, most mattresses only last for between 7 to 10 years, so if yours is more than a decade old, it might also be time to retire it. If you’re looking for a replacement mattress, then don’t hesitate to explore our wide range of comfortable, premium quality mattresses available in a plethora of sizes. A good night's sleep starts with your mattress, so treat yourself to a good night's rest today with a selection from our popular collection at Noa & Nani.