How to Clean Urine From a Foam Mattress

How to Clean Urine From a Foam Mattress
Written By
Emily Jones
Emily Jones
Published: May 10, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Things You Will Need

  • Color-safe bleach
  • Laundry detergent
  • Towel
  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • Spray bottle
  • Garden hose
  • Electric fan
  • Mattress cover
  • Odor removal spray

This is because foam mattresses are made from an open-celled structure that allows air to move freely throughout the mattress. This structure also allows liquids or moisture to be absorbed more easily. When cleaning urine from a foam mattress you will need to act immediately to prevent permanent staining.

  1. Remove blankets and other bedding and wash them using color-safe bleach and normal laundry detergent.

  2. Blot the mattress with a dry absorbent towel to soak up as much of the urine as possible. Take your mattress outside to your garage or patio near an outside water source, and lean it against a wall or a stable structure, so only the urine stain side is exposed.

  3. Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the entire urine affected area and let it sit for about three minutes. Vinegar will remove the smell and kill the bacteria in the urine.

  4. Rinse the area with a garden hose until you're sure all the solution is out. Press the mattress gently to get all of the excess water out.

  5. Place an electric fan on a high setting near your mattress to help it dry. Make sure your mattress is completely dry before applying any bedding.

Tips

Put a mattress cover over the mattress if your children or pets have frequent accidents. You can also spray the mattress with an odor removal spray once it has completely dried for added freshness.

Photo Credits

blue foam image by Dave from Fotolia.com

blue foam image by Dave from Fotolia.com

Emily Jones

Based in Statesboro, Ga., Emily Jones has been writing professionally since 2009. Her articles appear on various websites, specializing in the diverse topics of cleaning and insects. Jones is a graduate student studying education at…

Sponsored
HomeSteady Logo

HomeSteady is the ultimate guide for all your household needs, from cleaning and HVAC to electrical, DIY and maintenance.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.