It’s important to know how to clean your mattress. Not just for day-to-day cleanliness and hygiene, but let’s say you’re dealing with an emergency—a “my mattress is ruined" situation where you have the frantic energy of an emergency clean-up crew. Is a trip to the dump inevitable? Not necessarily.
Before you think, “I’m so clean, this would never happen to me!” I’m telling you, it can. I've seen a lot over the course of my career as a professional mattress tester and certified sleep coach. If you plan to have your mattress for its full eight- to 10-year lifespan, you'll want to keep it as pristine as possible. I chatted with cleaning influencer and third-generation janitor Brandon Pleshek of Clean That Up to see how he would approach the common situations below.
Scenario 1: Someone Peed the Bed
Life happens, sleep happens, and sometimes bladder control is an issue. This can be common at any age, from little kids to seniors. Or, maybe your pet had an accident. I’ve been there. Time is of the essence with this situation, to avoid a stain and—more urgently—smells from taking root. According to Pleshek, the quicker you address a fresh urine stain, the better. “Speed is gonna help,” he says. “The longer you let the urine sit, the more it’ll soak in, and the harder it’ll be to get it completely out.”
According to Pleshek, urine contains a lot of salt. It will require more heavy-duty cleaning agents to adequately get it out. The solution of choice: enzyme cleaners, like Nature's Miracle ($13). “Enzymes are your best approach right away, because those can attack the urine stain instantly,” says Pleshek.
Extracting via a Shop-Vac or portable carpet cleaner is also a great first step. “Suck as much of that out as possible so that it can’t go deeper. Enzymes help with odor.” When it comes to using enzymes, Pleshek cautions, “You have to make sure to let them sit for as long as they say on the label. Enzymes need time to work. The label’s the law, so do your best to follow it and that’ll help things clean up better.”
Now, let's say that you don't have an enzyme cleaner handy. For fresh urine, using a clean towel or paper towels, blot at the stain to pick up as much moisture as you can. Grab a spray bottle (Pleshek says in a pinch, you can just grab a spray nozzle off a bottle you have and stick it on the bottle you're using) and put together a cup of white vinegar, two cups of cold water, and a few drops of either dish soap or laundry detergent. Mix well, and then spray down the affected area. After 10 to 15 minutes, grab a fresh towel or paper towels to blot up the solution. Then sprinkle baking soda over the stain like there's no tomorrow. Once the spot is fully covered, leave it alone for eight to 10 hours—again, use your judgement based on how bad the stain is. Once Mount Baking Soda has dried up, and enough time has passed, you can vacuum it all up using a hose attachment.