How to get rid of Common Mattress Stains

Who doesn't hate a stain on a perfectly good mattress? But, did you know it's actually quite easy to clean? Find out more below!

Whether your mattress is brand new, one you bought a few years back, or even a hand-me-down, there are bound to be a few stains here and there. Although you may be able to look past them for the most part, there comes a point when cleaning the stains may feel like more of a necessity than a passive interest.

After all, with sleeping taking up a large portion of our lives, why waste this time on a less than sanitary bed? In fact, your old bed may be making you sick from the countless stains and contaminants not being removed from it each and every year. With this said, the main question is how to get rid of these common stains and start spending your shuteye peacefully and healthily today. To better understand how to get rid of these stains, let’s take a look at what causes mattress stains, six ways to get rid of them, and how to further prevent them in the future.

What Causes Mattress Stains?

Although knowing where the most common mattress stains come from may not be all that aesthetically pleasing, it is important to recognize where these stains originate from to prevent them in the future. With this said, the most common stains come from one of four things: blood, sweat, food, and urine.

Although you may not readily recognize any instances where these things may have come in contact with your bed, you’d be surprised what can happen in your sleep. For instance, a lot of people sweat every single night which, over time, can become a serious staining problem for your bed.

Similarly, if you have ever eaten in bed, you may not realize it, but you have likely created a stain somewhere. As for blood and sweat, a blood stain can come from something as simple as a small cut or scuff you didn’t notice and urine can even be from your pets.

Now that you know where these stains come from, you may still be wondering how to get rid of them. Fortunately, there are many ways to do this including the six outlined below.

Six Ways to get rid of Mattress Stains

With any of the stains discussed above, the best thing to do for the health of your mattress and yourself is to clean them immediately. In fact, according to Self, a dirty bed can lead to more night sweats that only exacerbate the problem and can lead to you becoming seriously sick.

With this said, cleaning your mattress regularly is essential, and the recommended level of cleaning is at least once a year with every few months being the most ideal time frame. To help you with this, below are six of the best ways to get rid of mattress stains.

1. Mattress Stain Removers

Although this may be the most obvious, it is important to go over the basic way of cleaning a mattress first and foremost. There are multiple cleaning products dedicated to mattress stains on the market including Clorox, Norwex, and Oxiclean. The key to choosing the perfect one is to determine the one with the least harmful chemicals both for you and your mattress.

You must remember the fact that you will be laying on this bed and the chemicals you spray on it meaning that a harmful chemical could wind up touching your body and entering your lungs each and every night if used. Fortunately, Norwex, although expensive, has very little of the harmful chemicals its counterparts do and also prevents allergens from building up on the mattress as well.

2. Salt and Club Soda

The next most common mattress stain removers out there is salt and club soda combined. The salt works as an absorption mechanism while the club soda helps to raise the stain up to the surface.

However, it should be noted that this method is best with fresh stains that have not dried. The reason for this is that this method absorbs the wet stain but cannot pull up a dry stain. Start by putting the club soda on the stain and then add the table salt on top. Let stand for a few hours and then remove with a paper towel. If the stain persists, move on to one of the other options below.

3. Soap and Water

The next mattress stain remover on the list may seem relatively obvious but soap and water are highly helpful and useful when it comes to mattress stains. Just as soap can help with cleaning stains off clothes or bed sheets, the same can be said for stains on a mattress.

However, it is important to remember that stains on a mattress are often better than mold within the mattress. With this said, whatever water ends up in your bed after you clean the stain must be removed and dried carefully. You can do this by either trying to suck it up with a vacuum, letting the mattress dry in the sun for a day or two, or by trying to soak it up with a towel as you clean.

The best way to do this method is to take a towel and wet it then lather it with dish soap. Once you have done this, rub the soap into the stain until the stain begins to come up and then let it sit for a few minutes. Then, remove the soap and water carefully. If the stain is still there, move on to one of the three more serious options below.

4. Steaming the Mattress

The next option is to steam your mattress top. Although this is certainly more involved than the previous options, it is also the most likely to actually remove the stain instead of just pushing it deeper and simply hiding it from the public’s eye.

To do this method, you will need a steamer or steaming vacuum. In either case, one of the big benefits of steaming your mattress is that it will also be able to remove the vast majority of the liquid in your mattress as well meaning a deeper and more meticulous clean.

Although this option is also more expensive than other alternatives, it is sure to get you the most bang for your buck as it is the most thorough. Go over the top of your mattress and sides with the steamer at least twice and watch as the magic happens and the true dirtiness of your current mattress is revealed.

5. Borax

For those not looking to spend the big bucks but still get the best effects, borax is a great option. According to Borax.com, “New trials on laundry soap bars demonstrate that borates significantly improve cleaning action and reduce dirt redeposition—leading to brighter, cleaner clothes. In powdered detergent, borates can be directly incorporated to boost cleaning power, or they can be added as sodium perborate for bleaching action.”

Although this study mostly related to borax and its interaction with clothing, it is often used as a cleaner for multiple surfaces including mattresses. With this said, it is a great option for more serious stains. To use this method, start by mixing the borax in with water and making a paste. Next, put that paste on the stain and rub it in. Let that sit for an hour and then rub off the excess. If the stain is still there, try rubbing a bit of soapy water on it as it could simply be residue left over.

6. Bleach

Lastly, although this should only be used as a last resort in most cases, bleach is always a viable option for any cleaning project—including your mattress. You won’t want to use an eroding bleach option so opt for something light such as hydrogen peroxide.

Although hydrogen peroxide might not seem strong enough at first glance, it is a great option for those tough stains. Simply take a towel you don’t mind staining and cover it in the peroxide. Next, rub this on the stain and let it sit. If you must, do this a few more times until the stain goes away.

You will also want to ensure that you wipe away the excess bleach after the stain is gone with a wet towel and soap. Furthermore, use an absorption method to remove any excess liquid or bleach from the mattress before sleeping on it once again to avoid any sickness.

Although most of these option are related to chemicals and actual cleaners, there are also plenty of natural ways to clean your mattress that you may also want to look into for less serious stains in the future. However, you may not even need these natural stain removers if you choose to take the preventative measures below seriously.

How to Prevent Mattress Stains in the Future

As discussed above, the most common stains are caused by four different things: blood, sweat, food, and urine. With sleep taking up a large portion of every day of our lives, it can be hard to avoid these stains. However, there are several preventative measures you can take to never see a stain on your mattress again.

With all of these stain elements in mind, the key is to try to sleep wearing well-aerated clothing, covering any and all cuts or scratches, keeping your pets off your bed as often as possible, and never eating or drinking in bed. By following these steps you are sure to keep your mattress safe and clan for good.

Although well-aerated clothing may not be as comfortable as a pair of baggy sweats and a shirt, warm clothing—or no clothing at all— are sure to lead to sweat stains over time. Similarly, although you may not think a small cut could lead to a blood stain, it is better to be safe than sorry. Even if you simply add a bandaid to the cut before bed, it can seriously save you time and energy in the long run.

On top of this, although you may have the best dog or cat in the world, every animal is known to have an accident from time to time. With this said, it is better to keep your animals off your bed and on the floor as often as you can. Lastly, by never eating or drinking in bed, you can effectively remove the possibility of a food stain altogether.

In the end, having a clean mattress isn’t just visually appealing but could actually help your health and sleep pattern as well. Although most stains can be easily removed with these methods, sometimes, a mattress has simply seen its last day.

When this time comes, fortunately, the BredaBeds mattress selection will be sure to guide you to your next mattress in no time and help you start fresh with a new understanding of how to clean your bed to prolong its lifespan. After all, sleep is an essential part of life, so why do it on a mattress that acts as though it’s not?