We’ve all been there: enjoying our coffee on the bed when we suddenly spilled our precious cuppa. It’s also possible that our Gatorade-drinking kiddo forgot to twist the lid and sends it leaking on the middle of the bunk. Knowing how to clean mattress stains could be a crazy task, especially if the stain seeped through the foam material.
Aside from keeping it smelling fresh, the cleanliness of our mattresses says a lot about our sleep hygiene. If we let these tiny spills and smears sit, it will soon attract bugs, dust, and grime. The last thing you know is that you’re suffering from a runny nose and endless sneezing.
But what if you’re faced to remove a stubborn case of stain? Would you bombard your mattress with a power washer? Would you wash it clean? Here are some of the easy fixes:
1. Vacuum first
The first and best thing you should do on your stained or dirty mattress is to vacuum it. This way, the dust and bits of dirt that can aggravate the discoloration will be removed. Start at the top of the mattress and work your way down. Always vacuum in an overlapping manner so you wouldn’t miss any spot.
Make sure that you get rid of the crumbs from your late night indulgences. A handheld vacuum would be excellent here. If you can, look for a HEPA vacuum as this has a stronger sucking ability. It can remove even the tiniest bit of dust.
2. Deodorize
After nights of sleeping on your mattress, it has accumulated sweat, saliva, and other bodily fluids that will soon make the bed smell. To remove the unpleasant odor, sprinkle baking soda on top of the mattress and let it sit there for a couple of hours. This way the powder will absorb the moisture on your bed.
Once you’re convinced that the baking soda has done its job, vacuum it carefully. Make sure that you get all the powder out before you jump back to your cot. You can use a fabric spray after that to add a fresher whiff.
3. Spot clean the stains
If you’re dealing with stains, the cleaning method would require more effort. To be exact, here are the steps you should take:
For blood and pee:
For these kinds of stain, you can use hydrogen peroxide to remove the unsightly color. Start by blotting it with a soaked piece of fabric. Most of the time, this will work, but if not, get your detergent powder in the laundry area. Apply a little on the stain since this will help break down the protein that the fluids contain.
Brush this spot gently and use cold water only. Remember that blood and pee tend to stick to the fabric harder when exposed to heat. The more it dries, the more it becomes stubborn stains.
For unknown smudges:
Once in our lives, we will have those weird mattress stains that we don’t have any idea where the heck came from. In these cases, a citrus cleanser will help. Let the cleanser sit for at least five minutes and then wipe it lightly with a dry cloth. Repeat this process until the stain has faded. If it’s not enough, you can also try the solutions for pee and blood. Knowing how to clean mattress stains is a bit of trial and error.
Once you’re satisfied with the removal, make sure to cleanse the detergent or cleanser with water. Soak a small piece of fabric and dab it gently on the spot. Remember not to make it too watery or a larger part of your mattress will get affected.
For the most stubborn marks:
If the stain on your bed doesn’t budge, you can merge the forces of all these solutions. First, apply a detergent and rinse it. If there are still leftover stains, apply baking soda and let it sit overnight. Vacuum it multiple times the next day. This might require you to sleep on the couch or to share with someone on the other room.
I suggest that you use an enzyme cleaner like Simple Solution. This works on most organic stains like pet pee and poo.
4. Air it out
After applying all these solutions, I highly suggest that you let your mattress bask under the sun. Airing it out will naturally remove critters, odor, and dirt. However, make sure that you place it somewhere that’s protected against dust and outdoor grime.
UV rays are of value on mattresses as it kills bacteria and fights bad odor. It’s a free and effortless method of keeping your bed fresh. If in case you made a mess with the water and cleanser, letting it dry under the sun will be a quick fix.
How to prevent future stains
Although the cleaning methods I gave are safe and effective, repeatedly subjecting your mattress to these substances spells trouble on its lifespan. What you have to do is to limit the possibility of another staining. Here are some tips for you:
Cover it
After days of scrubbing and tossing a mattress from the second floor, I realized that a waterproof mattress protector would spare me from the hassle. I personally recommend the waterproof and hypoallergenic mattress cover from SafeRest. It will shield your bed from pee, pet excreta, sweat, saliva, and spills.
Don’t drink and eat in bed
Reserve your bed as a sanctuary for sleep. If you want to have a midnight snack, do it in the kitchen or on the table near your room. For days when you have to get a breakfast in bed, I suggest that you get the cover.
Ask your kid to pee before bedtime
If your little one has a bad case of bladder control, encourage him to pee before going to bed. This way, you’ll prevent him from taking a leak while asleep.
Knowing how to clean mattress stains is imperative for households. It’s important to remove the marks as it happens. If you’re in doubt, you can always call a cleaning service to do the job. But mind you, it might be expensive.
This video from Curbly shows this whole process in a nutshell: