From food spills to body sweat, mattress stains are unavoidable. Here are three must-know strategies for wiping out mattress stains and odors that really work!
There are numerous tips available on how to remove mattress stains. The first thing to understand is that no matter what stain you are removing, it is important not to saturate the mattress with the selected cleaning liquid.Mattresses generally do not dry quickly and residual fluid will saturate the springs and damage the wood. What's more, a damp mattress will develop a foul odor and potentially grow mildew and molds. In turn, that might eventually result in a permanently ruined mattress.
1. Start cleaning as soon as possible
When a mattress stain occurs, timing is critical so be sure to start cleaning as soon as possible.
- Remove all dirt and try to identify the cause of the stain without delay.
- While blood and body fluids may have an obvious explanation, many other stains are not so easily explained.
If the cause is urine or blood, get to it right away:
- Once these stains dry, it becomes permanent and it is impossible to completely remove.
- All fresh stains should be blotted dry with a dry cloth as much as possible.
- Do not scrub as you may make the stain spread deeper.
- When no more liquid can be absorbed by blotting, apply 6% hydrogen peroxide onto the stain by wetting the entire stain area. Do not drench the bed with the chemical solution.
- Blood stains will start to foam up as soon as they come into contact with hydrogen peroxide. Blot all the blood that arises. After the foaming stops, allow the hydrogen peroxide to mix with the stain for at least 5 minutes. Blot the stain area well and repeat as necessary.
If the stain is from urine, use extra strength borax and apply it to the stain:
- Gently rub the borax into the stain and within a few minutes you will be able to remove it.
- You may need to repeat this action several times.
2. Harness the power of baking soda to get rid of odors
To remove any associated odor, sprinkle baking soda on the area of the stain and allow it to mix for at least 2-3 hours.
- Brush off the excess baking soda or vacuum it afterwards. This will help eliminate the smell immediately.
3. Ensure the mattress is bone dry to avoid future problems
If you used large amounts of cleaning solution to remove stains, you will need to dry the mattress:
- Place the mattress in the sun or by keeping it in a well-ventilated room for 24-48 hours.
- To check if the mattress is dry, press firmly on the stain area with your fingers.
- Avoid placing the bedding back on the mattress until you are sure the mattress is dry. Otherwise, you could have problems later with a foul odor, permanent stains and mold.
Above all, remember that whatever the stain is, don’t sleep on it! Act quickly to get it out. With these mattress stain removal tips, you are sure to get your mattress back to looking fresh as new.
