How to Get Stains Out of Your Mattress

If you don’t have a mattress protector—or your mattress protector fails you—our cleaning experts share four quick steps to treat an accident before a stain sets in. 

1. Remove your bedding immediately. This will prevent liquids from seeping into the mattress and penetrating more deeply. Treat any staining on your sheets with a laundry stain remover as soon as possible, then throw them in the wash with one of our highly-rated laundry detergents, like the Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release or Persil ProClean Stain Fighter.
2. Soak up the spill on your mattress. Gently blot the area with a clean cloth (a microfiber cloth, washcloth, or paper towel should do, according to experts).
3. Add a dab of liquid detergent. You can also try an all-purpose stain remover, but before using it, do a quick test on an inconspicuous area of the mattress to make sure you won’t ruin the fabric. In either case, pour a little onto a cloth and blot gently. If the stain is still visible after everything dries, repeat.
4. Allow the mattress to dry completely before replacing sheets or mattress covers. This could take hours, depending on the size of the mess. Remember, even if the surface itself seems dry, it may still be damp underneath.

In general, Sansoni says to use a microfiber cloth or a washcloth—or even a paper towel if you want the ability to discard the cloth—to treat stains. Bigger messes require more intense tactics, though. Before resorting to a professional cleaner, try the strategies below.

• Pee: Blot what you can with a cloth—don’t rub it in. Then spray the cloth with an enzyme cleaner like Angry Orange or Nature’s Miracle to dampen it, but don’t oversaturate it. (The enzyme cleaner will break down the uric acid in the pee to eliminate the color and smell.) Dab the stain with the cloth. Use a second cloth to blot it dry.
• Poop: Once you remove any solids, spray an enzyme cleaner on a cloth until damp, then dab the mattress with it until the stain and odor dissolve.
• Blood: Blot with a cloth and cold water (hot water could set the stain). Pour hydrogen peroxide, a disinfectant and natural bleaching agent, onto a new cloth—or a part of the cloth that hasn’t been used yet. Finish off with an enzyme cleaner and let it sit for several minutes to dissolve the blood. Blot dry with a new cloth.
• Vomit: After removing the solids, sprinkle on baking soda, which helps pick up any leftover mess and absorbs odors. Let the baking soda sit for 10 minutes, then vacuum it up. Dampen a cloth with an enzyme cleaner and dab on the stain to further break down the organic matter and odor.
• Mud: If it’s wet, wipe it up with a dry cloth. If it’s dry, use a vacuum. In each case, follow that up with a cloth slightly dampened with water and blot. Then use an enzyme cleaner to attack the stain. (Follow the cleaner’s instructions as to whether you should spray it directly onto the mattress or a piece of cloth.) Blot it dry with a cloth. After the surface has dried, spread a little baking soda—enough to cover the stain, no need for more—on the spot to absorb any odor, then vacuum it up.
• Red wine: If you have a red wine stain remover product, try that first. If not, blot the stain with a cloth dampened with cold water. If that doesn’t work, mix one part dish soap and two parts hydrogen peroxide, dip a damp cloth into the mixture, and blot the stain with it. After several minutes, blot again until the stain is gone.

These highly rated cleaners tackled icky messes in our lab—body oil, dirt, even salad dressing—without a problem.