Proven Ways To Remove Stains From Mattresses

How To Remove Stains From Mattresses

There are many reasons why a mattress might get stained; anything from toddler puke to childhood nosebleeds, to teenage, snacking to adulthood times of the month. The most important thing is to be able to deal with the stain ­– whatever it is – asap, so it doesn’t get ingrained and embedded deeply into the mattress’ inner fabric. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions on this topic.

What causes yellow stains on a mattress?

Yellow stains are the most common kind and are often a bit of mystery. They can be traced to hair oil, urine, sweat, and even food preservatives! Rather than seek to thoroughly cleanse your whole mattress it is more efficient to focus mostly on the localized area in question. Your first port of call should be natural methods, which are less harmful to the structural integrity of your best mattress. You will need salt, soda, lavender, a strainer, vacuum cleaner, clean cloths, and a bowl.

The first method is to take about one medium-sized cup’s worth of baking soda with a generous helping of lavender and strain it into a bowl. After it is all fully mixed, evenly disperse it across your mattress, concentrating most heavily on the affected part or parts. Then, after letting it settle for a reasonable length of time (an hour or two) vacuum it all out with a handheld vacuum cleaner, which is less abrasive on your mattress’ fabric. The second method is similar but involves adding salt and water into the mix. Instead of vacuuming, manually apply the mixture onto your mattress with your bare hands. Then, after 30 minutes wipe it off with a damp, clean cloth, and leave to dry.

If these two methods haven’t quite worked, then you’ll need to resort to a less natural, more chemically based approach. Mix baking soda (three tablespoons) with a moderate amount of water and hydrogen peroxide. Only 3% of your mixture should contain this last component. Stir in a cup until fully mixed, perhaps using a spray bottle to disperse as evenly as possible over the mattress. When done, leave for a few hours and your yellow stain should have gone.

How do you get stains out of a mattress?

For general stains, not just yellow ones, clean damp cloth can be employed; blotting rather than scrubbing or rubbing is the best approach, so as to avoid pushing the stain further into the mattress’ fabric; always use cold water because hot water will fuse the stain in! If your stain is from drinks, food, or dirt, and is very localized and stubborn, consider mixing two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon of liquid dish soap in a cup. Then, use a toothbrush (used or new) to gently apply the mixture onto that specific place, wiping away any excess mixture with a damp, clean cloth.

Oxidizing bleach is another option. It shouldn’t be left for more than fifteen minutes, though, otherwise, it may damage your mattress’ lining. Scrub away with cold water after that amount of time. A memory foam mattress is not designed to handle any amount of liquid or water, so all of the above times and amounts of the mixture can be reduced to the bare minimum, and a fan employed to quicken the drying process.

For stains of a more biological nature, such as oil, vomit, sweat, urine, blood, grease, and other (no need to go any further!), consider using an enzyme cleaner. It can be sprayed onto a clean cloth and the stain then blotted and left for around fifteen minutes. At that time, blot with a damp cloth and consider using a fan or hair-dryer to speed up the drying time. Mattresses are not designed for dampness or liquid; that’s what bed sheets are for.

Will baking soda remove stains on a mattress?

Baking soda is an excellent ingredient to use when cleaning a mattress. You can use it liberally, even adding in some essential oil to the soda before sprinkling. A sifter can be used if you want to maximize consistency. The beauty of baking soda is that it is a non-toxic substance and can just be left to get on with the job of cleansing. After about thirty minutes or so, it should have had time to expunge all odors, absorb unwanted liquids or dampness left from your previous cleaning attempts, and break down acids.

In fact, baking soda can be left on your mattress for several hours, perhaps on the weekend, or when you’re at work if you can squeeze that into your early morning routine. Simply vacuum to remove, using the brush extension if you have one, and the longer hose extension to get into all the crook and crannies of the mattress’ piping.

Overall, there’s no need to splash out on multiple store-bought stain removers or even invest in an expensive steam cleaner; a steam cleaner may end up doing more harm than good. Baking soda is your best ally, and other ingredients can be added to the mix.

Source:

1. How to Clean a Mattress – Sleep Foundation