How To Clean Pee Out Of A Mattress Without Baking Soda

Accidents happen, and even the most house-trained pets and children can occasionally pee on your mattress. Urine can leave behind tough stains and stubborn odors if left untreated. While baking soda is a popular home remedy for removing odors and lifting stains, there are several effective methods to clean pee from mattresses without it.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to get pee out of any type of mattress. With the right techniques and household products, you can eliminate stains and smells to restore your mattress.

Act Quickly for Fresh Stains

Blot Excess Liquid

If you discover the accident right after it happens, immediate action is key for the best results removing urine from mattresses. Start by stripping the bed to wash all soiled linens. For the mattress itself, blot as much liquid as possible with clean towels or paper towels. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing motions which can further set the stain. The quicker you can remove moisture, the less likely it will seep deep into the padding.

Vinegar and Water Solution

Once you’ve absorbed any standing liquid, it’s time to break down the remaining urine crystals with a DIY cleaning solution. White vinegar is acidic enough to dissolve residue but gentle enough not to damage fabrics.

Mix a solution of:

• 1 part white vinegar
• 1 part cool water

Pour this into a spray bottle to spritz liberally over the affected area of the mattress. Allow it to soak in for 15 minutes.

Extract and Rinse

After letting it sit, use a clean cloth to blot and lift stains up and out. On a final rinse, spray with plain cool water and blot dry with towels. Tip the mattress upright against a wall to air out near a sunny window or fan. The vinegar smell will fade as it dries.

Tackling Set-In Stains

If you didn’t discover the pee accident right away, you may be dealing with dried or set-in stains. Getting these out takes a little more work, but it’s still doable without baking soda.

Hydrogen Peroxide Paste

Hydrogen peroxide can be used to lift stubborn urine stains from mattresses without harsh chemicals. Mix up the following cleaning paste:

Combine in a small bowl:

• 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap
• 2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide
• Just enough water to form a thick paste

Using an old toothbrush, gently work the fizzing paste into affected areas of the mattress. Allow it to bubble and lift stains for 20-30 minutes before blotting with a damp cloth. Rinse with a vinegar and water solution, then blot dry.

Laundry Detergent Soak

For old or heavy stains in a specific area of the mattress, try a concentrated laundry detergent soak. Mix a strong solution of laundry detergent and hot water then pour it directly onto the stained patch. Let it soak in for at least an hour, blotting and adding more solution every 15 minutes. The surfactants in laundry detergent help break down residues.

Afterwards, extract as much soap and moisture as possible with clean towels. Spritz lightly with vinegar and water before air drying.

Extra Tips for Odor Removal

Without baking soda to naturally deodorize, you’ll need to take extra steps to neutralize unpleasant urine smells coming from your mattress.

Open Air Circulation

Air flow is key for odor removal from mattresses. Tip your mattress upright and allow both sides to air out near an open window or fan. Direct sunlight also naturally deodorizes and disinfects as the mattress dries.

You can quicken drying time by placing a portable fan directed at the surface. Just be cautious of toppling larger mattresses.

Essential Oil Sprays

Essential oils like lavender, lemon, and tea tree oil help eliminate odors as they dry. Mix 5-10 drops into the vinegar cleaning solution and spray over affected areas after cleaning pee stains. The natural fragrances mask urine smells.

Activated Charcoal

Sprinkle activated charcoal powder onto wet patches after extracting urine residue. The porous material absorbs lingering odors trapped deep in padding fibers. Let it sit for 12-24 hours before vacuuming away.

Professional Cleaning Services

For old, heavy stains or smells that you just can’t get rid of, call in a professional mattress cleaning service. Reputable companies have commercial grade cleaners and tools to sanitize and deodorize your mattress.

While pricier than DIY methods, professional services yield the best results for tough urine stains and permanent odors.

Preventing Future Pet and Kid Accidents

No one wants to deal with pet pee or bedwetting accidents more than necessary. Here are some handy tips to keep your mattress protected.

Use a Mattress Protector

Waterproof mattress protectors create a barrier between accidents and your mattress. Look for quilted terry cloth or vinyl protectors to absorb liquid and prevent it from seeping through.

Protectors can be washed and reused. Just be sure to replace them every year as materials can degrade over time.

Clean Accidents ASAP

As soon as you notice an accident, spring into action cleaning and deodorizing your mattress. The quicker you can extract moisture and treat stains, the better your chances of removal.

Keep cleaning supplies easily accessible so you can take immediate action when accidents strike.

Wash Bedding Weekly

It’s easy for smells to transfer from soiled mattresses to your sheets, blankets, mattress pads, and pillowcases. Wash all your bed linens at least once a week to prevent lingering odors.

Replace Old Mattresses

Over time, mattress materials break down, especially with repeated accidents. Urine can yellow and degrade foam, fibers, adhesives, and fire barriers. If your mattress is more than 7 years old, strongly consider investing in a new one.

Conclusion

As you can see, it’s completely possible to get pee stains and smells out of mattresses without using baking soda. With the right stain-fighting ingredients and odor removal methods, your mattress can look and smell fresh again.

While accidents happen from time to time, you don’t have to live with a urine-soaked mattress. Follow these tips properly and patiently to restore your mattress to its original glory. And be sure to take preventative steps to protect your investment from future mishaps!