Did you know that you spend somewhere about a third of your life on a mattress? Maybe so. But how often do you think about mildew, dust mites, and bed bugs that could be living in your mattress and how to remove mattress stains? We guess that the answer is “as little as possible.”
Knowing how to remove mattress stains like bodily fluids, blood stains, and other allergens can help you sleep better at night.Suffice it to say, mattresses have a difficult life, and steadily accumulate an unpleasant concoction of urine stains, oils, and chemicals from cosmetic products for several years. Happily, it doesn’t take that long to clean up your entire mattress.
You’ll be able to sleep better and breathe more easily after learning how to get rid of mattress stains. If you choose not to spot clean your mattress, and are considering buying a new mattress, choose a good mattress like premium memory foam.
You can easily wash memory foam mattresses using different cleaning products. Think about cleaning your removable mattress protector in a washing machine.
How to Get Rid of Mattress Stains from Pests
Bed bugs and dust mites are some of the most prevalent pests in the world. They often hide in cracks and crevices of furniture and bedding, which can be challenging to reach with insecticides. However, most products today can get rid of such pests, but nearly all of them have chemicals and preservatives.
Instead, consider making a homemade bed bug killer spray if you can’t afford these insecticides. Start by filling a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide, then thoroughly moistening the spots on the mattress. You can also add eucalyptus oil for bed bugs into your peroxide spray or make a different spray with the oil and some water to eliminate these pests and the stains they leave behind.
Let the solution sit for eight minutes. Blot the applied area with a clean white cloth. Sprinkle baking soda onto the stains that remain and use another clean cloth to rub. Air-dry the mattress.
How to Remove Stains from a Mattress (Bodily Fluids)
Deodorant, antiperspirants, and water-soluble waste like sweat respond well to water and laundry detergent solutions. Begin by mixing equal amounts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
Spray the stained area and blot with a clean cloth. Repeat until you remove the stain. Sprinkle baking soda over the location and vacuum it after an hour, before air drying a mattress. It can help to aim a small fan on the wet area of the mattress to help it dry more quickly.
Old Blood Stains
Blood is one of the most notably difficult stains to remove because it’s made up of hemoglobin and iron. Once they oxidize and dry up, these components are hard to remove, so it’s best to remove them while it’s still relatively fresh, if possible.
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Homemade Blood Stain Remover
- ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar
- 1 tbsp. liquid dish soap
- 1 tbsp. table salt
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Combine the ingredients in a small bowl to form a paste. Lightly smear the paste onto the blood-stained mattress, allow the area to dry for five minutes, and then blot the residue. Dab away any remaining bloodstains with a clean cloth dipped in cold water to “rinse” off the peroxide. Lastly, blot and air dry the mattress.
Fresh Blood Stains
You’ll always get the best results by tackling stains as quickly as possible after they’ve happened, preferably before they dry. Start by removing as much of the excess blood as possible by dabbing it with a clean cloth soaked in cold water. You shouldn’t rub the stain, as this will spread it.
Next, blot with a clean towel. Repeat this method until the dry cloth comes away clean. Mix a pinch of baking soda in cold water until frothy.
Dab it on the stain and keep it in place for 30 minutes before rubbing it with a clean toothbrush. Lastly, dab with a clean cloth dipped in cold water to remove excess cleaner or leftover blood. Allow it to air dry.
Fresh Urine Stains
Learn how to remove urine stains from a mattress the easy way. Lightly blot the new urine stain with a clean cloth to remove excess urine. Be careful not to press hard as you may spread the stain and get it deep into the fibers of the mattress.
In a small bowl, mix one tablespoon of liquid dish soap, two cups of cold water, and one tablespoon of white vinegar (to sterilize the area and break down the acid) and gently stir.
Dip a clean cloth into the solution and lightly sponge the urine stain. Rinse out the detergent residue by blotting the area with a damp cloth. Lastly, press and blot with paper towels to absorb any excess liquid, then air dry the mattress by putting it out in the sun.
Old Urine Stains
Do you have old urine stains on upholstery? They’re nothing more than a tiny problem — as long as you treat the area with the right products. The use of baking soda to clean mattress stains is due to its alkali nature, which dissolves stains easily in water.
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DIY Formula for Old Urine Stain Remover
- 10 oz. of 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 3 tablespoons of baking soda
- 2 drops of dishwashing detergent or essential oil
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Mix the ingredients in a small bowl. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and pre-test it on an inconspicuous location on the upholstery. If the fabric doesn’t change color upon drying, continue with this process.
Spray the stained area and allow the cleaner to work for an hour. If you don’t remove the stain, repeat.
Wash the cleaning solution from the field by dabbing with a clean cloth and blotting with paper towels until all cleaning solution is gone. Additionally, if not removed, hydrogen peroxide could decolorize the upholstery and weaken the fibers of the fabric.
Vomit Stains
Accidents happen! It doesn’t matter whether it was one of your children who vomited on the bed, a pet not feeling well, or even yourself. Mattress cleaning is easy when you know how to remove stains from a mattress.
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Homemade Vomit Stain Cleaner
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- An enzyme-based cleaner
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Scrape the surface clean, then blot with paper towels to absorb as much moisture as possible. Add baking soda to the stained area to absorb odors and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Apply the enzyme-based cleaner, then vacuum clean using the upholstery attachment or crevices tool and air dry.
Water-based Stains
According to the Smithsonian Institution, water-based stains include coffee, tea, and fruit juice (..). They are comprised of tannin and other acids that are removed easily if the stain is fresh. It also categorizes powerful ways of how to remove mattress stains. If you have water-based stains, consider absorbing the liquid using a clean cloth if the spill is fresh.
If not, slightly dampen the area with hot water. Carefully blot with a dry, white cloth, beginning at the edges and moving inward to ensure that color doesn’t spread and until no further brown transfers onto your fabric. Soak a clean cloth in a bowl of vinegar solution and blot onto stain in the same direction as before.
Blot and air dry your upholstery or mattress. If any of your water-based stains had cream and sugar, dab a mixture of laundry detergent and hot water onto the stain. Rinse the area by dabbing with a fresh soaked cloth, then blot dry.
Can you wash pillows or the pillowtop mattress? Yes, such stains often tend to dry up and in turn, is what causes yellow stain mattress.
Wine, Beer and Liquor Stains
These stains are made of sugars, tannins, and alcohol in water. According to research published in “The Chemistry of Stain Removals” by the University of Kansas, the most reliable way to remove oxidizable stains such as red wine is through oxidizing agents (..).
If you want to remove wine, beer or liquor stains from your mattress, absorb as much wine as you can with paper towels if the spill is fresh. To use salt, use a wet cloth to pat cold water onto the stain and blot away liquid.
Spread salt over the entire stained area and leave it for three minutes. Sprinkle, rub, and blot as often as necessary to lift the stain, then air dry.
Oily Food or Lotions
In the past, you could remove oily stains with perchloroethylene. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Act was established to reduce employee exposure to the highly toxic chemical (..). It also informs us of different ways of how to get rid of mattress stains.
For individuals who eat in bed, oily foods and lotions can be what causes yellow stains on mattresses.Scrape away as much of the grease as possible. Sprinkle baking soda onto the stained area and let sit for 20 minutes, then start vacuuming the area.
If soiling remains, mix a few squirts of dish soap into warm water and dab onto the stain. Blot with paper towels to absorb wetness and keep your mattress dry.
Ink Stains
Ink stains are best treated first with solvents and then with water-based reagents. Examples of such solutions include ethanol and dry-cleaning spotting agents. It’s essential to use as little moisture as possible to prevent it from being absorbed into the mattress.
Start by sprinkling baking soda over the fresh ink stain to absorb some of the ink. Using a vacuum cleaner ensures the removal of all the baking soda. Drop small quantities of alcohol around the ink stain to prevent it from spreading further.
Blot the remaining ink stain. Pour a little amount of laundry detergent onto a soaked clean cloth and lightly rub it into the residual ink stain on your mattress in circular motions. Blot and air dry your mattress.
Paint Stains
If you want to remove stubborn stains like plastic and paint, lightly scrape excess paint from the mattress if it hasn’t dried. Use a clean cloth that is slightly moistened with soluble reagents.
Dab until the fabric comes away clean and doesn’t have paint residue. Never use water on oil-based paint. Call a professional if the DIY methods fail.
If you decide it’s time for a new mattress after spending so much time ridding your old one of stains and pests, consider learning how to make a mattress donation. Many worthwhile charities will take your used mattress and give it to a needy family.
Since deep cleaning a mattress is a time-consuming task, I recommend using a washable mattress cover. Fabric-bonded mattress covers have a waterproof layer that safeguards against liquids and allergens reaching your mattress. You can also opt to use a mattress pad to not only reduce wear and tear but add comfort to your bed.
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