How to Get Pee Out of a Mattress: 5 Easy Steps

Key Takeaways:

• Urine accidents can usually be cleaned with simple household products if you act quickly. Fast action keeps the urine from soaking deeper into the mattress and leaving a stubborn stain or odor.
• For a fresh accident, blot up as much urine as possible without rubbing, then mist the area with equal parts white vinegar and cold water and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Cover the damp area with baking soda for at least 6 to 8 hours, then vacuum it up and let the mattress air dry completely.
• For an old, dried stain, spray on a mix of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and a few drops of dish soap. Let it sit for several hours, ideally overnight, then wipe it away with a damp cloth. Foam mattresses absorb moisture more slowly, so you may need to repeat the process once or twice.
• To get rid of the smell for good, check for leftover dampness by pressing a dry towel on the area after vacuuming. If a faint odor remains once the mattress is dry, repeat the baking soda and vinegar steps instead of assuming one round is enough.
• Pet urine contains uric acid crystals that vinegar and baking soda cannot fully break down, so the smell can return. An enzyme-based pet cleaner digests the uric acid and should be used according to the product label.
• A waterproof mattress protector keeps urine, spills, and sweat from soaking into the mattress and is much easier to wash than the mattress itself. Letting the mattress dry completely before making the bed is the best way to keep the smell from coming back.

Urine accidents can leave behind stains, moisture, and odors that are hard to remove if they soak deep into your mattress. The good news is that you can usually clean the area with simple household products and the right method. In this guide, you’ll learn how to get pee out of a mattress in five easy steps, plus how to handle dried stains, pet urine, and lingering smells.

How to Clean Pee Out of a Mattress in 5 Steps

So how do you clean a mattress from pee while it's still fresh? Acting quickly can help prevent urine from soaking deeper into the mattress and leaving behind a stubborn stain or odor.

Step 1: Blot Up as Much Urine as Possible

Use clean towels or paper towels to press firmly on the wet area and absorb as much moisture as possible. Avoid rubbing, since this can push the urine deeper into the mattress fibers.

Step 2: Apply a Vinegar and Water Solution

Mix equal parts white vinegar and cold water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the affected area until it is damp, but avoid soaking the mattress.

Step 3: Let the Solution Sit

Allow the vinegar mixture to sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. This gives it time to work on the stain and odor before you move to the next step.

Step 4: Cover the Area With Baking Soda

Sprinkle a generous, even layer of baking soda over the damp area. Leave it in place for at least 6 to 8 hours, or overnight if possible, to absorb moisture and help reduce odor.

Step 5: Vacuum and Let the Mattress Dry

Vacuum up all of the dried baking soda. Then allow the mattress to air dry completely before putting your sheets or mattress protector back on.

How to Clean Pee Out of a Mattress Once it has Already Dried

If you're dealing with an older, set-in stain, how to clean pee out of a mattress changes slightly since there's no liquid left to blot. Mix one cup of hydrogen peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda, and two to three drops of dish soap directly in a spray bottle.

Apply the mixture to the stained area and let it sit for several hours, ideally overnight, before wiping away the residue with a clean, damp cloth. Foam mattresses tend to absorb moisture more slowly than traditional mattresses, so you may need to repeat this process once or twice to fully lift an older stain.

How to Get Urine Smell Out of Mattress for Good

Getting rid of the stain is only half the job. How to get urine smell out of mattress for good comes down to making sure no moisture or odor-causing residue is left behind once you think you're done.

Press a dry towel firmly against the treated area after vacuuming to check for any remaining dampness. Sleep Foundation's guide on removing urine odor from mattresses notes that repeating the baking soda and vinegar steps is often necessary if any smell lingers after the first pass, rather than assuming one round will always be enough. If you still catch a faint smell after the mattress is fully dry, run through the process a second time before giving up on it.

Cleaning a Mattress of Urine From Pets vs. Humans

Cleaning a mattress of urine from a pet isn't quite the same process as human urine, even though the surface stain looks similar. Pet urine contains uric acid crystals that vinegar and baking soda can't fully break down on their own, which is why the smell tends to come back once the mattress warms up or gets humid again, and it's often a sign it's time to check whether you need to replace your mattress protector.

An enzyme-based pet cleaner is worth using instead, since the enzymes actually digest the uric acid rather than just masking it. Apply it the same way you would the vinegar solution, following the specific soak time listed on the product label.

How to Protect Your Mattress From Urine

The easiest way to avoid another deep cleaning is to stop urine from reaching the mattress in the first place. A waterproof mattress protector creates a barrier between your sheets and the mattress, helping prevent urine, spills, sweat, and other moisture from soaking into the surface.

This can be especially helpful for homes with young children, pets, or anyone prone to nighttime accidents. A protector is also much easier to remove and wash than a mattress.

For extra protection, consider using a mattress protector to help keep your mattress cleaner and reduce the risk of future stains and odors.

Final thought

So, how to get pee out of a mattress without making it worse? Blot instead of rubbing, use vinegar and baking soda for fresh accidents, switch to an enzyme cleaner for pets, and always give the mattress enough time to dry completely before making the bed again.

Skipping the drying step is the most common reason a smell comes back days later, so patience matters as much as the cleaning solution itself. If a stain is old or the odor keeps returning, don't hesitate to repeat the process rather than assuming the mattress is a lost cause, though if it truly won't come clean, it may be time to shop for a new mattress.

Protect Your Mattress From Future Accidents

Don't let the next accident turn into another multi-hour cleaning project. A waterproof mattress protector catches spills before they ever reach the mattress itself, which saves you this entire process the next time life gets messy.

To learn more about how Blissful Nights can help protect your mattress and extend its life, visit Blissful Nights.

Contact us today if you want help choosing a protector or mattress that stands up better to everyday accidents.

FAQs

How can I get urine stains out of a mattress if they're old and dried? 

Use a mix of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and a small amount of dish soap, let it sit for several hours, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.

How do I get rid of urine stains on mattress fabric without bleach? 

Vinegar and baking soda handle most stains without bleach, which can actually make yellowing worse over time rather than better.

How do I wash pee out of mattress padding if it soaked in deep? 

Blot as much as possible first, then apply the vinegar solution slowly in layers rather than all at once, giving it time to work down into the padding.

Does baking soda really get urine smell out of a mattress? 

Yes. Baking soda absorbs moisture and neutralizes odor-causing compounds, though it works best when given a full 6 to 8 hours before vacuuming.

Can I use the same method for cleaning a mattress of urine from a cat or dog?

Not exactly. Pet urine needs an enzyme-based cleaner to break down uric acid crystals, since vinegar and baking soda alone often leave a lingering smell.