11 years
we have only 13 beds but are kept busy and In 17 years we have lost maybe 2 mattresses as we use mattress protectors but when someone soils the bed you must throw the lot out, bedding and all.
Cleaning urine from a mattress
Housekeeping and Maintenance
Do you know how to properly clean a mattress if a guest wets the bed?
Here are some suggestions compiled from WikiHow, YahooAnswers, Fisher Price, and EHow:
To treat a wet stain:
- Soak up as much urine as possible with a sponge or a dry towel.
- Cover the area with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and gently rub it in with a soft brush or firm sponge to soak up excess moisture and help reduce odor.
- Let it sit for at least 1 hour.
- Vacuum off the powder.
- Dampen the area to dilute the stain and the smell. Here are four possible cleaning substances (pick one):
*Rubbing alcohol to kill any bacteria
*Vinegar and water mixed in equal parts to freshen the fabric and remove odor.
*3% Hydrogen peroxide
*Laundry detergent and hot water. - Use a clean cloth or sponge to scrub the stain
- Allow the mattress to dry completely using a fan or by placing it in direct sunlight.
To treat a urine stain that is already dry:
- Dampen the area with water using a sponge or cloth to dilute the stain and the smell. (Don’t soak the fabric)
- Rub Borax into the stain.
- Allow it to dry completely
- Vacuum any excess powder.
To treat general stains, not limited to urine:
- Mix 8oz (240ml) of 3% Hydrogen peroxide with 3 tablespoons (45g) of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and mix until the baking soda is dissolved.
- Add 1 drop of liquid hand soap and mix until it becomes bubbly
- Put the mix into a spray bottle
- Shake up the solution and apply generously to the affected area. (The stain should lift in 5-10 minutes)
- Allow the mattress to dry completely
Depending on the storage space that you have available, it is probably a good idea to have a few spare mattresses (or at least one) so that the bed can be made immediately.
Another suggestion is to prevent problems by covering all mattresses with a waterproof mattress pad.
- Comments
11 years
Brian, I saw this post a couple weeks back and thought 'Great post, I hope I don't have to use it anytime soon.'
*Insert drunk Australian a few days ago*
I first took the cloth mattress cover off and put it in the wash with our normal detergent plus a little vinegar.
For the actual mattress, I used a spray bottle of water with some vinegar to dampen the stain again (don't want to soak it, as it will spread the urine).
Then I sprinkled baking soda on the whole area and gently spread it around the area with a dry sponge.
I did this on both sides of the mattress (as it had soaked through), and left the mattress on the deck all day, propped up so both sides could dry properly and air out.
The next day, I simply vacuumed off the baking soda. Everything looked and smelled fresh.
Not the most fun thing to deal with, but actually quite painless. Thanks for the tips!
11 years
I'm glad to know that it helped, but sorry that you had to use the advice. :(
I forgot to mention that some of the resources warned against trying to salvage soiled foam mattresses. The material will act like a sponge, so there is a good chance that the urine will soak in deep and then grow mold and bacterial colonies. Just like Seanog said, it may be better to get rid of the entire mattress in this case.
11 years
In the long run, it could be be very COSTLY proposition if somebody complained to Health Department.
In USA selling used mattresses is ILLEGAL , independent from the condition ( urine or not).
11 years
Hi Greenhorn,
In USA selling used mattresses is ILLEGAL
I don't believe this is true (at least in California). I recently purchased a mattress at a discount for my home from a major mattress retailer called Sleep Train and that mattress was used (for 60 days). They sanitize the mattress before selling with an alcohol solution (although I would prefer a heat treatment as well).
Also, I guarantee hotels don't replace their mattresses when they are soiled. Believe me, I look carefully at mattresses in hotels when I stay in one.
Darren
11 years
well
You had gold diggers and not PILGRIMS :) :)
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXV/Chapter94/Section273
Section 273. No person shall engage in the business of sterilizing articles or filling materials referred to in sections two hundred and seventy to two hundred and seventy-six, inclusive, without first obtaining a license from the department.
All secondhand mattresses, if intended for resale, shall be sterilized as required by sections two hundred and seventy to two hundred and seventy-six, inclusive.
I do not think cleaning with any type of alcohol
would be considered as " STERILIZATION" :beer:
Probably they also force people to buy super heavy mattress cover if they consider
60 days "warranty" and rights to return.
9 years
Following is another way to clean the mattress!
You will need to combine these fixings:
10 ounces of hydrogen peroxide
3 tablespoons of preparing pop
Only a drop or two of your most loved dish cleanser
Note that in the event that you combine them in a shower bottle, the preparing pop may froth so it is best to blend them and afterward fill the splash bottle once the froth has subsided. Utilizing the blend is truly simple. You simply need to shower the zone that should be dealt with and let it sit for 60 minutes or somewhere in the vicinity. You may need to ventilate the room or turn a fan on so that the odor doesn't get to you. When you return, your stains ought to be totally gone and the best part is that they will bring the scent with them.
Of course, hydrogen peroxide is a magnificent blood stain remover so on the off chance that you have blood on your dress, covering or other fabric, you can simply touch a touch of peroxide on it and it ought to lift off effortlessly. This specific formula is additionally incredible for getting the skunk notice out of your pets. In Australia you have wild mutts that like to pursue skunks, you recognize what smell we're discussing. Simply give him a shower in the preparing pop blend and the scent will go away.
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