How Do You Clean Pee Out of a Mattress?

Updated on September 24, 2008
S.S. asks from Santa Monica, CA
41 answers

My fabulous 4 year old is still wetting the bed, which is fine, no hurry, but what can I do about the mattress? It's a normal size single bed so "washing" the whole thing is out of the question. Does anyone know of any kind of spray that would be good without being totally chemical (no Lysol I guess.) It doesn't really smell and I know urine is sterile but I just feel funny about not doing anything at all. I can wash the cover and I do use a plastic thing so it's not ever really soaked. I feel like I should give it a wipe but what sort of cleaner do I use? It's a brand-new good latex mattress that would last a long time if I don't ruin it. Thanks! I love Mamasource!

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E.B.

answers from Las Vegas on

I had a cat that peed on a new mattress. I cleaned the area as best I could. I put a sprayer on a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and sprayed the entire area. I left it to dry. It completely removed the stain and the smell. It didn't bleach the fabric either. You may want to color test it first if you concerned about the bleaching effect. Hydrogen peroxide is also good for removing blood stains from fabrics-color test first.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.Z.

answers from Santa Barbara on

I have used all of the following manners to deal with pee on the mattress: borax, oxiclean, baking soda, bact-out. With the first three, you can mix with water and sort of make a paste which you apply to the mattress and let dry. When dry, you vaccum off the excess. With Bact-Out, you either spray on, let sit and then towel off or use some sort of carpet shampooer to apply/suck the water out. If you can get the mattress out into the sun to dry, that should also help, as I know it's good for cloth diapers.

Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful
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B.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

S.
I use Bio Klean it is a spray smells like lime chem free-you can get it at most Health Stores or maybe Whole Foods just call around. I use a protector for the mattress most of the time-but not always
GOOD LUCK and have a great day!
B.

2 moms found this helpful

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T.M.

answers from San Diego on

try an enzyme cleaner like FOLEX (avail at home depot or pet stores)--it is for cleaning up animal urine--the enzyme "eats" up the bits and breaks down the smell/stain. we used it when we had an issue with an old cat, but have used it on tinkle accidents from the kids as well! :) check the label, but i think it is also good for removing stains/smells from other bodily discharges as well (bm, vomit--familiar if any little one gets a nasty stomach flu, etc).

3 moms found this helpful
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K.Y.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'd try Nature's Miracle. It's a great product that is sold for cleaning up after puppy piddles. You can buy it at any pet store and it works like a dream. I've used it on many things other than pet urine.

2 moms found this helpful
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G.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

interestingly enough- I had the same question. Here is what I do now- First I placed a towel over the area that was wet & put pressure on it to soak up whatever wtness remains and then I clean it with a damp cloth (w/oxyclean) and repeat the drying process.

2 moms found this helpful
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C.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

Cover the wet area with either a corn starch baby powder or baking soda. Both are highly absorbant! Usually there is no odor, because they remove the moisture and the smell....but if any odor remains, Febreeze it!

2 moms found this helpful
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L.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

I use something called Kids N Pets. Work really great when my daughter decided to take off her poopy diaper and roll around on the carpet.

You can get it at any grocery store.

Good Luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.L.

answers from San Diego on

Bac Out by BioKleen worked well for us too. Eco-Friendly also makes citrus scented sprays that are natural and smell great. The important thing is to check out the chemical's MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). The two products I mentioned were good.

There are also cotton pads that you can put under the sheets to protect the mattress and then you can just wash them. They sell them where they have the adult undergarment products and I learned about them when my husband's grandfather was ill. It was truly a lifesaver. They have regular cotton and disposable ones too.

My son took a little longer to outgrow bedwetting too - so just one more tip. If he is still bedwetting at the age when sleepovers happen (which hopefully he won't be, however, mine still was), my son slept in a sleeping bag so there wouldn't be any stigma and if he wet then he would just get changed in the bathroom and roll up the sleeping bag and no one would know.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.B.

answers from San Diego on

Baking Soda will do the trick....rub it in and leave for a half and hour. It will absorb all the moisture and the smell. Vaccum it up and you are good to go!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.A.

answers from San Diego on

When my two handsome little boyz would have accidents at night I would take hot sudsy water and wipe my mattress with sponge or towel. Just used a bit of dish soap and hot water- I know, simple, but I am practical and it did the job! Also, I use linen spray in a variety of scents depending on my mood of course. I spray my boyz beds now even though they are teens now and would die if they knew, but ever go into a teens room? Smell uh not so good! A moms gotta do what a moms gotta do! Good luck and enjoy your little little princess while little!

1 mom found this helpful
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E.G.

answers from San Diego on

Hi S.! I've got some great advice for you! Have you ever heard of a company called Melaleuca? Well if not let me tell you they have the BEST ECO-FRIENDLY products that are safe for you and the environment as well. Because you are trying to clean a mattress you also have to remember that your child will be sleeping on it again and that at night kids, like adults, sweat and get hot. This is also a concern for your laundry detergent. Your bodyheat and sweat can activate the release of poisonous toxins from the laundry detergent and mattress cleaning products. So to answer your questions and keep your child healthy and safe try using Sol-U-Mel, a product of Melaleuca, to clean and remove the urine stain. Sol-U-Mel is Eco-Friendly, Naturally Derived, and a Biodegradable formula! It works "on ink and marker, crayon, pet messes, nail polish, tar, grease, paint mold glues and residues, gum, tree sap, candle wax, and so much more."
Also helps ELIMINATE odor not just cover it up! Because the last thing you want to do is to have to replace the mattress in a few months because it smells like cleaner and urine! I'd be more than happy to talk to you more about Sol-U-Mel or any of the other 300+ Eco-frinedly Melaleuca products! Feel free to contact me at ____@____.com Luck!

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K.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think both of these suggestions were mentioned... I also used baking soda. We ended up getting mattress pad covers (the soft cushiony kind where the plastic lining is well padded so it's comfortable), they sell them in any size mattress and it covers the entire mattress and they are machine washable. It is so much easier. I found mine on eBay (new) and they do sell them at the home stores too.

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L.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Diluted 'Simple Green' does the trick everytime for everything. I LOVE it.
Also, Borax http://www.20muleteamlaundry.com/ is a great cleaner as well.
Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

There is a product we use called BAC-OUT by Biokleen (available at Whole Foods) which is a natural, non-toxic and biodegradable concentrate made from live enzyme cultures and lime peel extract. It's safe for kids and pets, smells great and it really works. When the kids have a spill of juice on the rug, we just soak it with some BAC-OUT and the enzymes neutralize it.It even works on pet stains and odors, so you know it's strong!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.B.

answers from Las Vegas on

I use upholstry cleaner that you can get from walmart. It helps with smell and stains

1 mom found this helpful
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C.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Nature's Miracle is a pet product that you put on stuff that your pets have peed on. I am pretty sure it is non-toxic and it does work really well.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I recommend in investing in 2 water-proof mattress pads. Don't go to target, go to JCPenney. I've had inexpensive water proof mattress pads where the plastic melts in the dryer.

What I do is use bleach. Sometimes I'll put the mattress outside in the sun as well. I''ll dilute some bleach and water in a spray bottle and soak the mattress with it.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.C.

answers from San Diego on

Bed Bath & Beyond has twin size padded mattress covers that have plasic on the underside. This covers the entire bed unlike some other protection pads that only cover a portion of the bed. My 2 1/2 year old has had accidents but, it's never reached the mattress.

In regards to cleaning. Personally, I would just use soap and water. And let it really air dry for a few hours with a fan directed on it.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.O.

answers from San Diego on

You've been given some great ideas already. I just wanted to add, I always have a waterproof mattress pad underneath my 3.5 yo sheets to protect his mattress. You can get them at Walmart for $12. They are a lifesaver for me.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.N.

answers from Los Angeles on

HI S.,

I recently had the same issue and was able to clean it by diffusing Purification and Thieves therapeutic grade essential oils (www.youngliving.org/795878 ) in the room for about fifteen minutes. They are 100% natural and organic and leave no toxic residue. For good measure I also put a single drop (they're very powerful, so a little goes a long way) on a cotton ball and brushed it over the effected area. The mattress and the bedroom smell fresher than before and the added benefit is that Purification repels bugs and Theives Oil kills mold. Feel free to contact me for more information. You can also go to www.oil-testimonials.com/10576 to read, print out information or ask additional questions. It's free to register, and many of the people who submitted testimonials have provided their personal contact information.

Good luck,

N. N.
____@____.com
www.dreamstolifetravel.com

1 mom found this helpful
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J.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

MOTHER'S LITTLE MIRACLE

This stuff neutralizes urine and leaves NO mark - it's isopropyl alcohol with scent and we use it right away - it dries amazing wihout odor and without a watermark.

http://www1.epinions.com/pr-Housewares-Mother_s_Little_Mi...

1 mom found this helpful
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C.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi S....don't know about a cleaner, but you can buy plastic matress covers that go under a matress pad to protect her matress from future accidents! Our 4 year old son still has an accident here and there, and this has been a lifesaver for us!! You can buy the at Target, Linens N Things and probably Bed Bath and Beyond. They are fairly inexpensive :)

1 mom found this helpful
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E.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Nature's Miracle works really well.We also have a great waterproof mattress cover from Pottery Barn Kids. It doesn't feel like plastic.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

As you wrote, give it a wipe down with some of those lysol wipes,spray on some Febreze and put the mattress out to air

1 mom found this helpful
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J.W.

answers from San Diego on

Great advice so far, one more option can't hurt! I use LOC for almost everything I clean because it is biodegradable and safe for kids and pets even if they put things cleaned with it in their mouth. You can get it at www.we-us.mychoices.biz or just email me for a trial. The products are 100% money back guaranteed also.

I clean houses and I use it when I clean. If water wont hurt it LOC won't either.

Good luck!

Jacque

1 mom found this helpful
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K.C.

answers from San Diego on

I am totally with you on avoiding caustic household chemicals. Lysol is on my blacklist. (Why would I spray something that says "Avoid excessive inhalation?") When I had my babies, I did some research on chemicals in our everyday products & found out some astounding info. Read the article http://www.health-report.co.uk/toxic_household_chemicals.htm

During this search, I came across some naturally based products. The alternative I found was a pure tea-tree oil based 3-in-1 cleaner called Sol-U-Mel. It removes stains, odors, gum, paint spills. It is biodegradable, contains no caustic chemicals and is sold in a concentrated form. The Melaleuca oil is antibacterial, anti-fungal and is aromatic. Spray the mattress, let it soak, blot the surface, and leave it in the sun to dry. You won't spend much money on this bottle. One large bottle of Sol-U-Mel makes 4 spray bottles. I love this stuff! I am so grateful that I found this line because it is inexpensive and so effective. There's a whole line of more naturally based products you would be interested in. Go to www.saferisbetter.com/kimcales and get some info on safer products for your home. I'm glad I did.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Reno on

Sorry I don't have time to read all the responses, but the few I did read regarding Natures Miracle are giving you the wrong information. Natures Miracle is an enzyme eater. It will eliminate any organic matter, ie urine, blood, grass stains, feces... what have you... It does not mask the odor but actually eliminates the matter completely. It is available at most pet stores and feed stores. One thing to note however is that if you have previously used a cleaning supply Natures Miracle won't work. It has to be applied BEFORE any sort of cleaner. Make sure you saturate the stain completely and let it soak into the mattress. Wait about 5 to 10 minutes then blot up any excess with a towel.
Good luck!

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J.O.

answers from San Diego on

I don't have any kids, but a while back one of my dogs had an accident on our bed and we got it out using the attachment on our steam cleaner with resolve pet stain remover. It got the stain and smell out. Nature's Miracle Pet stain remover is also good to try in the steam cleaner. I know it's a little different situtation, but urine stinks no matter the source and if it works good on one type it's worth a try on the other. Hopefully this helps.

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P.R.

answers from Santa Barbara on

Hopefully no one said this already. I went through this recently and used plain old white vinegar, and baking soda if needed. Rinse the spot with plain water first, and blot dry. If it's no longer yellow and has no scent, you may be okay. If any yellow or scent, soak the spot with white vinegar. Let it sit for a bit, then use plain water again to rinse until you get rid of the vinegar smell. Blot dry, and when it's totally dry check to see if there's any yellow or scent. If so, dampen slightly, dust on a pretty good layer of baking soda, and let that dry. Vacuum it up, and if the spot is totally gone, you are good to go. If there's still a little, use the vinegar and water again. That's the most I had to do on one large spot, and there is absolutely no smell or discoloration left. None. Good luck.

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L.T.

answers from San Diego on

The Nature's Miracle sounds popular. I've never tried it. I used to sprinkle baking soda to absorb order and vacuum.

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A.L.

answers from San Diego on

Hi S.,
I know you have a cover, but you really should get some vinyl backed layering things. I'm not sure what they are called exactly but you can buy them at Babies R Us. They are the same size as a crib or bed depending upon what you are using them for...even a changing table. You put that underneath the mattress cover. That way the mattress NEVER gets wet. Buy a few and layer them and also the sheets that way, in the middle of the night, you just pull off one layer and you can put her back to bed immediately. Good luck!

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C.S.

answers from Honolulu on

Hi,
I've used a professional carpet cleaner and asked him to clean the mattress and it was great. - C.

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H.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

Dear Sara,
The advice from all of the other mothers is great ...but here is something a little different after you choose your cleaner.
If you are applying a WET,DILUTED, or solution-type cleaner, and you feel that a high temperature will yield good results, you can put some of the cleaner into a large ceramic bowl with a terri-cloth rag into your microwave and heat it until it is steaming hot. You can then apply it to the mattress with rubber gloves.

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K.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Well I feel the same way about cleanning the mattress.. I would try a water and baking soda mix...That is the closest I can think of cleanning with out harsh chemicals..

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L.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

I know a lot of people have told you how to clean your mattress- but once you have done that, you need to get a water proof mattress pad so if your little one has an accident you just throw it and your sheets in the wash and the mattress stays dry. Trust me I know- we have gone through the same thing.

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L.V.

answers from Las Vegas on

If you get insight on this issue please be a sport and let me know....thanks lia

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H.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

First use an odor eliminator such as Nature's Miracle on the mattress only if it smells... you may have to drench it and let it dry out if it really smells. If nowhere else you can get one at a pet store (we used that when my dad was incontinent and senile)

Buy a cover that the wet will not go through and you don't have to worry about the mattress. I know they make ones that don't make noise and are very comfortable, but water/pee resistant. I never used chemicals...soap is an antibacterial and also helps remove smells. Wash the plastic with soap and water and dry it. It will be as clean as any clothing you have that he has gotten wet. You can try putting a second sheet with another smaller plastic over the critical center part of the bed crosswise and hopefully you may only have to change this sheet and possibly the top sheet. My son wet his bed until just about 5 and I was expecting a baby at the same time. I had him in night diapers and wanted him out before the baby came. He wanted to be out of them too so I made a chart and we put stars by every dry morning. I told him I would get him a special toy (he actually picked it out ahead of time....his Dad bought it and we hid it so I would have it when he finally trained.) It took only a few months before diapers were dry most mornings. After a discouraging 5 and 6 nights dry in a row and then a wet bed a few times, I told him that I didn't mind washing sheets every 5 or 6 days and let him get out of diapers.
I hope this helps.
H.

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A.T.

answers from Honolulu on

I live by rubbing alcohol!!! Love it cuz it's cheap and does wonders. Just put it into a spray bottle and spray till completely wet (the pee area) and let dry...the alcohol neutralizes the ammonia in the urine and causes the urine itself to evaporate. So when it dries, no odor. after that though, if your child is still wetting the bed, put on those mattress protectors. If you're using those already, just do the alcohol and then let it air dry completely before baby goes to bed.

hope this helps.

akth

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A.Y.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi S.,

Forgive me if you have already done this, I wasn't fully clear on it when reading your posting. My four year old likewise still wets the bed at night, so when we bought him a full size mattress, we purchased a vinyl mattress protector that actually zips onto the mattress, fully protecting it from any fluids reaching it. It was quite inexpensive and we bought it at Target. While it won't fix any current stains your mattress may have, I would suggest putting one on for future accidents. No urine will reach the mattress during future accidents.

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W.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

I would suggest Natures Miracle. It's usually found at pet stores but it neutralizes any urine smell, as well as vomit, etc.

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