At one time or another, we will all find ourselves with stains on our mattresses. Whether it's due to pets, kids, or life in general, the easy truth is that mattresses get stained. Cleaning life's stains out of your mattress isn't difficult, if you have a small know-how.
Mattress stains can be removed by using Whether commercially made cleaning products or by mixing up a homemade concoction. But no matter which route you select to go, there are a few pointers to keep in mind.
If you don't know what caused the stain, start by spraying the stained area with a citrus-based product. Allow the product to soak into the stain for approximately five minutes, and then, using a clean white towel, blot the stain by pressing down firmly for about 30 seconds. Do not rub; doing so could set the stain even further. Repeat this procedure until the area is dry and the odor has dissipated from the mattress. You should only smell the fresh citrus scent of the product you are using. This method can be used on virtually any stain; citrus-based cleaners are all-purpose products.
If you need to clean a stain in a pinch and don't have a citrus cleaner in the house use mild dish detergent. Blot the stain as above, and wipe clean with a damp sponge.
The Smell of Smoke
Smoking in bed is not only dangerous; it will also leave you with a smoky scent in your mattress. Cigarette smoke can jab absorbent materials and leave behind its unmistakable odor. If you don't want to replace your mattress, you will want to find a way to remove the smell. Call the citrus cleaner into operation for this, too: Working in sections, use the method outlined above. Repeat the process, cleaning and blotting, until the whole mattress smells fresh.
Another odor blaster is baking soda. Sprinkle the whole top surface of the mattress with baking soda and let it stand overnight. (Go ahead: Camp out in your living room for the night. It will be fun!). In the morning, naturally vacuum the power - and the smell - away.
Mold and Mildew, Be Gone!
Removing mold and mildew from mattresses isn't easy, but it can be done. Since they are caused by moisture, the first step in removing mold and mildew stains is to y forestall them running a dehumidifier, heater or air conditioner - something to remove moisture from the room.
Once there is a mold or mildew stain, however, take the mattress surface on a sunny day. Sweep off any surface mold or mildew and vacuum the mattress with a heavy-duty vacuum. Remember: The goal is to keep the mattress dry, so don't spray it with anything or dampen the mattress in any way. Allow the sun to shine on the mattress for some hours. This is your best shot at drying out the mattress and freshening it.
Accidents Happen
Anyone who has pets or small children knows that accidents happen. And when those accidents happen on the bed, urine penetrates the mattress very easily, leaving a stain and that unmistakable odor. Removing urine stains can be a challenge because it's not just about the stain; you have to pronounce with the smell, too. But it is possible to save a urine-stained mattress.
As soon as possible after you observation the stain, blot up as much of the urine as possible with an absorbent towel. Then using a commercially made pet-accident cleaning solution or other product that states "pet accidents" as one of its applications, spray the soiled area. Effect up with the blotting technique already discussed.
Although it may seem contradictory, vinegar is also productive at removing urine stains. Saturate the stain with plain, white vinegar and blot until you have removed as much of the stain as possible. Then, cover the area with baking soda (it will work to neutralize the odor) and leave it overnight. The next morning, vacuum the powder off.
The Perils of Brightly Coloured Drinks
Although kids and sugary, Technicolor drinks seem to go hand in hand, but when you add a bed into the mix, that's a method for disaster. Even the child who "promises" to be truthful will inevitably have an "oops!" moment and end up spilling their drink in bed. If your child has spilled Kool-Aid or something else similarly full of dyes, the stain may be permanent, but you might be able to remove some of the surface stain.
As with other liquid stains, begin by clotting up as much of the liquid as you can. Then, Effect the instructions above for using a citrus-based cleanser.
Vinegar also works on this type of stain. Spray the area, cover it with an absorbent towel and weigh the towel down with something heavy like a brick. After an hour, remove the brick and the towel, spray the area again with vinegar and blot it with a clean cloth to lift up the color. Repeat these steps until the stain is completely removed or until no more dye comes off onto the towel.
How to Clean Mattress Stains