Wondering how to remove urine from a mattress or get rid of that lingering pee smell? These methods will help you out.
Here we are. It’s probably not your proudest moment, and if you’re dealing with a fresh stain or an old one, you’re likely overwhelmed. That’s okay.
If you have kids or pets, accidents are bound to happen. But there’s no need to panic when you find a surprise puddle on your bed.
Sure, mattress protectors are great, but let’s be honest—not everyone has one, and even the best ones can fail. So take a deep breath, let go of the stress, and remember that you’ve got options.
This simple guide will walk you through how to remove urine from a mattress and eliminate pee smells for good. You’ve got this.
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Removing Urine From a Mattress
One bad night doesn’t mean your mattress is done for. With a few household ingredients, you can tackle stains and remove odors effectively.
This guide covers how to clean and deodorize a mattress, so whether you’re facing a fresh mess or trying to get pee smell out of a mattress that’s been lingering, you’re in the right place.
Make sure you spot test a small, hidden area before using these methods to clean your entire mattress. Some mattresses, like memory foam or pillow top mattresses, may not do well with some treatments.
Just how well these treatments work will depend a lot on what your mattress is made out of and how you’re directed to clean it. So, use at your own risk, but many people have used these cleaning methods with great results.
How to Get Fresh Pee out of a Mattress
Found a recent accident on your bed? Whether it’s a pillow top or a traditional mattress, follow these quick steps to remove the urine and prevent odors from setting in.
If the stain is still wet, this method is your best chance to remove urine from the mattress and stop the smell before it starts. You’ll need:
- white vinegar
- baking soda
- a few towels
- a spray bottle
- a hand vacuum or vacuum cleaner with upholstery attachments
Once the bedding is off and in the wash using the hottest setting, follow these steps:
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- Blot (don’t scrub) the affected area with a towel to lift as much liquid as possible without pushing it deeper.
- Spray the vinegar solution generously to neutralize the smell and break down the urine.
- Apply baking soda generously and let it sit for 8–10 hours to absorb odor and moisture.
- Vacuum the area and repeat if any stain or smell remains. For best results, allow maximum sit time for the baking soda.
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How to Get Urine out of a Mattress When Dry
Trying to figure out how to remove old urine stains and odors? This method is for dried pee spots and stubborn smells that didn’t get addressed right away.
- spray bottle
- 1c hydrogen peroxide
- 3 Tbsp baking soda
- 3 drops of liquid dish detergent
You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to leave behind a nice scent. Lavender is a great choice because it’s often used for relaxing in aromatherapy. My personal favorite is a blend of lavender, patchouli, and sage.
- Combine hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap in a spray bottle.
- Spray the entire stain and let the mixture work its magic.
- Once it dries and leaves behind a white residue, vacuum it off thoroughly.
- Repeat as needed until both the stain and pee smell are completely gone.
This method works particularly well when you need to get pee smell out of a mattress that has had time to absorb the moisture.
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How to Get Pee out of a Memory Foam Mattress
Removing urine from a memory foam mattress takes a bit more care. Foam soaks up liquid fast, so you’ll need to act quickly and keep things as dry as possible.
Use a biological enzyme cleaner designed for urine. These break down the odor-causing elements and help with both stain and smell removal.
My personal favorite enzyme cleaner brand is Nature’s Miracle. It’s easy to find, doesn’t cost a fortune, works like magic, and even smells pretty good. Of course, you can use just about any enzyme cleaner on the shelves to get the job done.
- enzyme cleaner
- spray bottle
- baking soda
- eco-friendly paper towels or absorbent cleaning cloths
- vacuum cleaner
A hand vacuum or a good vacuum cleaner with a mattress hose attachment are preferable, but work with what you have. Just make sure whatever you use is clean.
- Blot any wet areas first and apply baking soda to draw out moisture.
- Spray enzyme solution and let sit as directed.
- Ventilate the room and allow the mattress to air dry before applying baking soda again for deep deodorizing.
- Vacuum and repeat as needed. This is one of the most effective ways to get rid of pee smell in memory foam.
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How to Get Dog & Cat Pee out of a Mattress
Pet urine can be especially stubborn. Whether it’s your dog or cat, the removal process is similar but often needs extra attention for the strong odor.
For this cleaning method, you’ll be using a kit similar to the ones listed above.
- baking soda
- hydrogen peroxide
- liquid detergent
- spray bottle
- enzyme cleaner
- eco-friendly paper towels or absorbent cleaning cloths
- vacuum cleaner
If you’re looking for how to get cat pee out of a mattress, or how to get dog pee out of a mattress, the process is pretty similar, though you want to soak the urine out of your mattress first.
- Use paper towels or absorbent cloths to blot out as much of the wet pee as possible.
- Spray a hydrogen peroxide and detergent mix to begin breaking down the urine.
- Sprinkle baking soda and allow it to pull out the remaining liquid.
- Repeat the baking soda/vacuum cycle until the area looks and smells clean.
- Finish with an enzyme cleaner for maximum odor and stain removal.
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What to Do About Pee in a Mattress
All of these methods can be repeated to fully remove urine from your mattress. If the smell sticks around, don’t give up—consistency is key.
Once you’ve cleaned your mattress, take steps to protect it. A waterproof mattress protector can prevent future accidents from soaking in again.
Sometimes, despite all your best efforts, you just can’t get pee smell out of a mattress. If that happens, replacing it might be your best bet.
For mattress shopping advice and reviews of some of the best mattress brands on the market today, check out our Best Mattress of 2018 article.
Whether you need to dispose of a mattress now or later on down the road, be sure to use a mattress disposal method that’s safe for the environment, affordable, and stress-free.