How to Get Pee Out of a Mattress (Without Losing Your Mind)

I doubt you are here out of curiosity. Your offspring probably had a problem last night.

Or maybe it was your dog. Either way, you’re now looking at a mattress soaked in urine, wondering if maybe it would be easier just to throw it away altogether.

The good news is: there is a fix. Even though that smell is probably overwhelming, you are not in much real trouble.
In fact, even if the smell is strong, and the stain is old, you can still get the urine out of a mattress. However, fair warning, if you don’t do it properly – you can lock in the odor forever.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to remove urine from a mattress, step by step. And all you will need is common household supplies.

In this article, we will cover:

-dried urine stains vs. fresh ones
-what not to do (this is crucial)
-how to remove urine odor (not just the stain)
-how to prevent this from happening in the future
-how to dry your mattress safely

Why Urine Smells So Bad On A Mattress

Okay, your first thought is likely – why the heck does this smell so bad? And you’re not wrong.

Pee on a mattress is a total nightmare, because it isn’t just water, therefore it stinks quite a bit more.

Urine contains the following:

-bacteria, which multiples quickly in damp, warm envronments
-urea, breaking down into ammonia
-uric acid crystals, these bind tightly to foam anf fabric

Essentially, a mattress is basically the perfect trap for these compounds. Meaning it’s one of the worst things to get urine trapped in.

Let’s understand why. A mattress:

-has limited airflow
-has thick padding (or foam)
-is hard to fully dry easily

This explains why if you don’t remove urine properly, the mattress will smell for life. In fact, as the bacteria multiplies, the smell is very likely to get worse.

This is doubly true in warm and humid conditions. This is why you can’t just wipe the surface, or spray air freshener.

You have to go much deeper, and break down the urine compounds, and remove them. Anything else is just masking them.

Home Supplies To Remove Urine From A Mattress

The first thing you want to do, is gather your supplies. You likely have all of these at home, but if not, head to your local Target or Walmart, they should have any remaining items.

How To Get Recent Urine Out Of A Mattress (Act Quickly)

In the best case scenario, your stain just happened, and the mattress is still wet. If you act quickly, you can more easily remove the stain.

Step 1: Blot The Urine

Grab your paper towels, and start blotting. Press firmly into the stain.

Be sure to NOT:
-rub
-scrub
-spread the urine

The endgame here is to absorb as much liquid as you can.

If the mattress is soaked, kneel on the towels (or stand on them), to apply some extra pressure. You will likely need lots of towels, as you need to replace them as soon as they are soaked.

Step 2: Applying The Vinegar

In our next step, we want to apply the vinegar, which will help remove the urine.

In a spray bottle, mix:

-1 part cold water
-1 part white vinegar

Use this spray bottle to spray the stain, making it damp, but not soaking wet.

Why exactly are we using vinegar?

-It breaks down uric acid
-It kills bacteria (which eliminates the odor)
-It neutralizes ammonia

Once this is done, let the solution sit for at least 10 minutes.

Next Steps

Step 3: Do Another Round Of Blotting

At this point, most of the work is done. Just start blotting the vinegar with more towels (making sure they are fresh).
The mattress is now hopefully damp, and not soaking wet.

Step 4: Baking Soda

While the stain may largely be gone, I am willing to bet the mattress still stinks. That’s why we’re going to hit the area with baking soda next.

You want to generously sprinkle the stain with baking soda, as it will do most of the work in removing the odor that is still left.

That is because baking soda:

-pulls odor particles out of the mattress (especially as it dries)
-absorbs moisture
-neutralizes lingering smells

The key here, is leaving the baking soda on for at least 7-8 hours. If you can, leave it on overnight.

Step 5: Use That Vacuum Thoroughly

At this point, you likely have a mattress that doesn’t have a stain, and it probably doesn’t smell. But you still have baking soda on it.
So what to do? Vacuum up the baking soda, very thoroughly. With any luck, you’ll now be done.

If you are still smelling urine:
-repeat the process, vinegar and baking soda
-focus on the odor, not just the stain, spreading the area where you place the soda

With any luck, most urine stains only take one full treatment to remove the odor and stain.

If You Have An Older Urine / Pee Stain On A Mattress

These stains will be a bit trickier. This is because:

-the stain has dried
-the smell will reactivate with heat or moisture
-the odor crystals are now embedded in the mattress

The good news is that the stain is still removable.

What To Do To Remove Urine Smell (Even If No Stain Is Visible)

This is an annoying one – the stain is gone, but you can still smell where it was. This one means that there are still odor particles trapped in the mattress – yuck.

This is especially true if you only seem to notice the smell on humid days, as the urine smell is likely to return due to heat and humidity.

Baking Soda (Overnight) Method
1. Mist the area with water (light amount, just enough to activate the baking soda).
2. Cover the area with baking soda.
3. Leave the baking soda for 12 to 24 hours.
4. Vacuum up the baking soda slowly.

Baking Soda And Vinegar Combo
If the above doesn’t work, try a vinegar and water mix (50/50), as the vinegar will break down odor molecules, with the baking soda pulling them out of the mattress as it dries.

Repeat this as much as needed. Usually multiple passes are needed for very stubborn stains.

Going Nuclear: The Hydrogen Peroxide Method

Use this method only with caution.

You can’t use it for every mattress, only those that are:
-white or light-colored
-you’ve tried this method on a small sample of the mattress first

Drying The Mattress (A Crucial Step)

If you skip this step, it’s almost certain that the odors will come back, as a thoroughly dry mattress can no longer allow bacteria to breed and multiply.

Best Ways Of Drying
-Ceiling fan and a dehumidifier
-Box fan (point it directly at the spot)
-Open windows and plenty of airflow

What You Should NOT Do
-Do not put bedding back on until the area is completely dry
-Do not use a steam cleaner
-Do not use a hair dryer on the ‘high’ setting

Remember, drying can take 8 to 24 hours, dependent on the humidity in your area.

Mistakes To Avoid (Can Ruin Your Mattress)

Now that you know what to do, here is what NOT to do.

These mistakes will lead to more pain. They can:
-push urine even deeper
-encourage mold growth
-set the odor smell permanently

How You Can Avoid Future Accidents
If you have gone through this process once, you will likely be very interested in taking some preventative measures.

Use A Mattress Protector (Waterproof)
-Look for ones that completely block liquids from penetrating
-Go for a washable and inexpensive one
-Choose a breathable, zippered option

If you have kids, you will want to also implement some measures with them. We’ve compiled them in the following table.

For Pets
-Use enzyme cleaner immediately after any incident
-Take a bathroom break right before tuck in
-Don’t let them on the bed, if recurring accidents

When You Need To Actually Replace Your Mattress

Sometimes, a mattress cannot be saved. That being said, here are the situations where a new mattress might be necessary.
-Accidents keep happening on the same mattress
-Mildew or mold is now in the mattress
-Odor keeps coming back
-Urine is soaked deep into multiple layers of the mattress

You can’t be sleeping on a stinky mattress, so if you need to, don’t be shy to replace a foul smelling mattress.

Quick Checklist For Cleaning A Mattress That Has A Urine Stain

Conclusion

It’s inconvenient, but not the end of the world, if you get a urine stain on a mattress. The keys are to act quickly, and use the right removal materials.

Remember to:
-absorb, not soak the mattress
-neutralize the odors, don’t just spray air freshener
-let the mattress dry completely

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  Cleaning and disinfecting guidelines for biological contaminants.
  Explains how moisture, bacteria, and organic waste (like urine) contribute to odors and why proper cleaning and drying are essential.
• American Cleaning Institute (ACI).
  Consumer guide to removing odors and stains from household fabrics.
  Supports the use of baking soda for odor absorption, cold water for protein-based stains, and cautions against heat setting stains.
• ASPCA – Animal Poison Control & Pet Care Resources.
  Pet urine cleanup and enzyme cleaner recommendations.
  Details why enzyme cleaners are required for pet urine due to uric acid crystals that standard cleaners cannot break down.