Nobody likes to sleep on a dirty mattress, especially when you don’t know what caused the stains.
So, it’s time to say goodbye to those mystery stains and start enjoying a good night’s sleep! Keep reading to learn how.
How to get stains out of a mattress
Cleaning a stain from a mattress means removing the particles trapped in the fibers. But what happens if you are unsure of what you are dealing with? Even if you don’t know right away, we’ll begin this guide by identifying the stain, so read on!
Are you dealing with a wet stain?
Before you start, you need to know if the stain is recent or is on the dry side. For damp stains, always begin by bloating with a dry cloth to absorb the liquid—this way, you’ll pull the fluid out gently without spreading it around.
Are your stains dry? Then you can go directly to apply the cleaning solution to the mattress.
Step 1. Identify the stain
Different types of stains require different cleaners. So, you first need to identify the type of stain you’re dealing with.
If you aren’t sure what the stain is from, you can look at the most common stains—what they generally look like—and what works for them here:
Cleaning solutions based on the type of stain
- Sweat: The most common unknown stains are usually from sweat. Generally, they look yellowish or brownish and are often large. To clean them, use a paste of ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide, one tablespoon of dish soap, and one tablespoon of salt—you can spread the paste with a spoon or spatula.
- Blood: Blood stains usually look a reddish brown color. To clean these stains, make a spreadable baking soda and water paste, or mix ½ cup of cornstarch, ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide, and one tablespoon of salt. Spread your chosen paste with a spoon or spatula.
- Urine: Urine stains tend to look yellowish and circular. Mix one cup of hydrogen peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda, and two drops of dish soap to clean them. Put it in a spray bottle to spray the mattress.
- Mystery stains: If you’re unsure about the type of stain, a solution of equal parts vinegar and water and a splash of dish soap works for most things without the risk of deepening the stains. Put the solution in a spray bottle to get it on the mattress and scrub in a circular motion.
Pro tip: how to clean old stubborn stains
If the stains are very old and dry, they can get more challenging to clean. You can use a steam carpet cleaner with an upholstery attachment. However, the older the stain, the harder it is to get out, so hiring a professional might be the best option for stubborn mystery stains.
Step 2. Apply a cleaning solution
Now that you have the right cleaner for your stains, it’s time to treat the mattress. Spray or spread the cleaner over the spot—you need to put more for deep stains or less if it’s superficial.
Leave the solution to work for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, remove the cleaner with a cloth or spoon or blot to absorb the remaining humidity—repeat this step as necessary.
Step 3. Deodorize with baking soda (optional)
After cleaning your mattress, you can take an extra step to deodorize it—nobody wants to sleep on a smelly bed, right?
Sprinkle baking soda over the now-cleaned stains and vacuum it after 8 hours.
Step 4. Air dry
Sleeping on a wet mattress is not good, especially since humidity can cause mold to grow on the fabric. So, the last step is to let the mattress air dry for 24 hrs.
Do you want more cleaning guides?
If your mattress is not the only thing you’re struggling to clean, don’t fret! BlueSpring Cleaning has more hacks and guides to help you in your cleaning tasks.