Pillow top mattresses are the best; they feel so soft and the additional cushioning makes you feel like you’re sleeping on the clouds. But, how do you save your pillow-top mattress from stubborn stains, especially the ones from urine? We’ve all been there; a dog, a cat, or even kids can sometimes leave an unpleasant surprise in your bed, so you need to be ready to save the mattress as soon as possible.
So, if you’re in a bit of a sticky situation and you’re dealing with urine on your pillow-top mattress, then you’re at the right place. Here’s how you can clean everything (and get rid of the smell) in no time!
Cleaning The Pillow Top Mattress: Step by Step Guide
Before we get started, let’s say that there is a number of different techniques when it comes to cleaning urine from a pillow-top mattress. There are also different cleaning paraphernalia you will use, so let’s take a look at the things you may need;
- Paper towel or cotton towel
- Baking soda + dish soap (hydrogen peroxide solution) – Dawn is the best!
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Vacuum
Step 1 – Removing the Bedding and Sheets
The first thing you will need to do is remove all the sheets, bedding, and bed accessories. It is important to leave the mattress bare. Make sure to wash the sheets, bedding, and other accompanying things as recommended for each item. It is important to wash the bedding in case urine has splashed to the pillows, blankets, etc. This will ensure proper and thorough cleaning of everything that might have been exposed to the urine.
Step 2 – Removing Excess Urine
The next thing you need to do is remove the excess urine from the mattress. Now, this is a delicate step; you cannot press the urine spot, or rub it since it will just contribute to spreading the urine around and deeper in the mattress. So, this is where your cotton or paper towel will come in handy.
Just spread the towel onto the urine stain a let it sit there. The towel will soak off the excess urine which will make the following steps of stain removal much easier and more efficient. Just make sure not to rub or press the urine spot with the towel, or anything else for that matter.
By doing this, you’ll promptly prevent the urine to soak in into the pillow top layer of the mattress, which could really affect the result of the following cleaning steps.
Step 3 – Treating the Urine Stain
Here comes the most challenging part of the stain removal process – treating the actual stain. Now, a urine stain is like an iceberg. The visible part of the stain is just the beginning of the mess since the urine has probably gone deep into the mattress. So, it is important to use something reliable, known for its deep cleaning efficiency. And, that is, of course, the hydrogen peroxide solution.
To make this solution just mix baking soda and a teaspoon of liquid dish soap. The exact measure include; a teaspoon of dish soap for every three tablespoons of baking soda. Once you’ve mixed everything, apply the solution onto the stain and let it sit there for 20 to 30 minutes.
Then, make sure to rub off the excess solution from the mattress. It will probably foam up a little or leave a soapy residue. Make sure to remove the excess liquid (with a paper towel, for example).
Once everything is done, all you have to do is spray the stained area with vinegar. Now, make sure to spray enough to affect the area, but not too much to have the mattress soak in the vinegar.
Step 4 – Waiting For Everything to Dry
After you’ve applied the hydrogen peroxide solution and the vinegar, it is time to let everything dry. It is essential to keep the mattress in a room with proper air circulation. So, if the mattress is still in the bedroom, make sure to keep the windows and the doors open. Keep the room airy by using a fan, for example. We also recommend you use a heatless setting on your blow dryer to make the drying process last shorter.
Step 5 – Fighting the Urine Odor
Sometimes, it can be harder to deal with the urine odor than the stain itself. It seems impossible to remove the urine odor since it is so stubborn and intense. However, one way you can fight the urine odor is by using baking soda.
The best thing you can do is simply apply baking soda onto the stain and leave it there until the next day. However, make sure that the mattress is completely dry before you add the baking soda. Otherwise, you could cause some other issues, like mold in the mattress.
When the next day arrives, simply vacuum the baking soda and check for odor. If you can still smell urine, we recommend you repeat the process until there is no urine odor coming from the mattress.
Other Tips For Cleaning Urine From a Pillow Top Mattress
Hopefully, the aforementioned steps will leave you with a squeaky-clean pillow top mattress. However, in the case our method doesn’t seem to work for your mattress, here are some other tips and tricks you can utilize for successful urine removal.
Tip no.1 – You don’t have to use the hydrogen peroxide solution to treat the urine stain. For example, you can also use upholstery shampoo which you’d dilute with water to use on a pillow top mattress. This shampoo should be used sparingly on the stain and applied with a soft brush. Do not apply too much, since the mattress still needs to dry out quickly, otherwise, you’d be dealing with mold in no time.
Tip no.2 – Use white vinegar if you want to have a better chance at removing not only the stain but also the odor. White vinegar helps neutralize the odors and ensures the baking soda has an even better chance of affecting the odor. It also fights off discoloration in the stained area.
Tip no.3 – Steam cleaning is an excellent way to get your pillow top mattress squeaky clean. Compared to the baking soda, the white vinegar solution works much more efficiently, but this of course applies if you have a steam cleaner already.
Tip no.4 – When putting baking soda onto the mattress, we recommend you mix it with a little bit of water. This will create a baking soda paste that is much easier to spread across the stain. The baking soda will dry as the mattress air dries as well, so there is no worry that the paste will contribute to the moisture volume in the mattress.
Tip no.5 – If the urine stain is caused by a pet, it is essential to treat the odor issue as your main goal. If there is a lingering odor after you’ve cleaned the mattress, the pet will keep coming back to urinate at the same spot. So, to make sure there is no lingering odor, use an enzymatic cleaner. Such cleaner contains enzymes that break down the stains and tackle odor issues in no time.
Tip no.6 – Consider purchasing a waterproof mattress pad. This mattress pad will not only protect the mattress from urine and other liquid accidents or even bed bugs but also provide additional comfort. You can also go for a disposable or washable mattress pad for the same reasons.
Tip no.7 – Always use a soft brush when cleaning a pillow top mattress, If you’re using upholstery shampoo to deal with the urine stain, make sure to move the soft brush in a circular motion to achieve that thorough, effective cleaning.
Tip no.8 – This isn’t much of a tip, but it must be said – there is no shame in calling the professionals for help. Professional mattress cleaning services are simply excellent in saving your pillow top mattress when nothing seems to work. Sure, these services can be pricey compared to the price of baking soda and dishwashers. But, they’re also more likely to work and save you a ton of money you could end up spending buying a new mattress.
Tip no.9 – If the urine stain is a result of a pet accident, make sure to check if everything’s okay with your pet. If they usually do the no1 outside or in their own toilet, then peeing on the bed is generally a sign that something’s wrong. Pay attention to your pet’s behavior and see a vet if the urine accidents keep happening.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning a pillow-top mattress, even without a urine stain, can be a tough job. Because of the material softness, you have to be careful not to ruin it but also treat it enough (usually with chemicals), to get everything clean. Hopefully, our step-by-step guide will help save your pillow-top mattress. Make sure to check out our additional tips if the initial cleaning method doesn’t seem to work. And, as we said, if nothing seems to work, then call in the professionals and save yourself from having to buy a new pillow top mattress.
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