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How to Clean Urine From a Foam Mattress

Emily Jones

Most parents and pet owners have been faced with the undesirable task of removing urine from a mattress. Cleaning any mattress can be awkward and time consuming, but foam mattresses can be especially difficult.

Urine can be removed from your mattress with a few simple techniques.

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.

  6. Tip

    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.