How to Get Pet Urine Out of a Mattress

To get pet urine out of a mattress, blot up as much as you can right away with clean towels, and do not scrub. Skip steam cleaners and heat, treat the spot with an enzyme cleaner made for pet messes, then use baking soda to draw out moisture and odor. Let the mattress dry completely before the bedding goes back on. Speed matters, because Casper notes that pee on a mattress can dry in as quickly as two to four hours.

Fresh Accident: Blot, Don’t Scrub

Strip the sheets, blankets and any cover that comes off, and get them into the wash. Casper’s guide warns that urine stains will set if you wait.

Press clean, dry towels onto the wet spot and keep swapping them for dry ones until little moisture comes up. The Sleep Foundation advises against rubbing because it can push urine deeper into the bed. It also points out that foam soaks up liquids quickly, so an all-foam mattress is one more reason to act fast.

Press down firmly rather than wiping, and use light-colored towels so you can see how much is coming up. Resist the urge to flood the area with water or cleaner. Zinus, a mattress maker, says to avoid soaking the foam.

Treat the Odor With an Enzyme Cleaner

Pet urine leaves odor behind even after the wet spot is gone, and an enzyme cleaner is the usual tool for that. Cornell’s Feline Health Center says the odor needs to be neutralized, not just covered up, and recommends avoiding products with ammonia or vinegar. The Sleep Foundation likewise says it is best to clean pet urine with an enzyme cleaner designed for pet messes rather than a homemade mix. For more on how these products work and what to look for, see our guide to enzyme cleaners for pet urine.

A few practical rules:

• Pick a product made for the type of animal that had the accident, and follow the directions on its label.
• Check your mattress care label too, and try the cleaner on a hidden spot first, such as the side or underside.
• Use a light hand. Zinus says the cleaning solution should soak in but not saturate the mattress.
• Skip bleach and harsh cleaners. The Sleep Foundation says they can harm people, pets and the mattress, and that hydrogen peroxide can damage foam or latex and fade fabric.
• Avoid ammonia-based cleaners, because the ASPCA explains that urine itself contains ammonia.

You do not need a vinegar mix for this job. Because Cornell advises steering clear of vinegar for pet urine, this guide leaves it out.

The Baking Soda Step

Baking soda helps absorb leftover moisture and odor. For pet urine, Casper suggests sprinkling it directly on the spot, vacuuming it up, and repeating until the powder stays white. For a strong smell, Casper says to bring in a pet enzyme cleaner. If you used an enzyme product first, follow its label for how long to leave it before you add the powder.

Cover the whole stain and let the powder sit for 8 to 10 hours, according to Casper. Keep pets and children out of the room while it works.

Then vacuum it off with the hose attachment. The powder must be completely dry first, or it can damage a standard vacuum (a wet-dry vacuum can handle damp powder).

If you do not have a vacuum, you can lift dry powder with a clean, dry brush and dustpan, then wipe the area with a dry cloth. Be gentle so you do not grind any residue into the fabric.

Dry It Completely

A mattress that feels dry on top can still hold moisture inside. Zinus warns that sleeping on a damp mattress can compress moisture deeper into the foam. Its suggested check is to press a dry towel on the spot and see whether it picks up any dampness. If you are unsure, run a fan a bit longer.

The Sleep Foundation says air drying can take several hours to several days, depending on stain size and how humid the room is. To speed things up, Casper suggests opening a window and turning on a fan. Avoid a blow dryer or heater, because Zinus says heat can set odors or damage mattress materials. Zinus also does not recommend steam cleaning, since moisture and heat together can harm foam and encourage mold.

Old or Dried Stains

An old stain is harder because the urine has already soaked in and dried. The Sleep Foundation notes that dried stains may need more than one round of treatment. Work in small, light passes with a pet enzyme cleaner, and let the mattress dry fully between rounds rather than soaking it all at once.

If the smell lingers in the room after you clean, see our guide on getting rid of pet odor in your house. A nearby rug or carpet can hold odor too, and our roundup of pet stain removers for carpet covers that side of the cleanup.

The Sleep Foundation also says a pet that can still smell the spot may pee there again. Thorough odor treatment matters for that reason, and so does keeping the pet off the bed until the mattress is dry and clean.

Toppers, Covers and Protectors

If a mattress topper took the hit, check its care label before you do anything else. The label decides whether it can be washed at all, along with the water temperature and dryer setting. A removable cover is a real advantage here. Zinus, for example, states that its own mattress covers cannot be removed or washed.

The best long-term fix is a waterproof mattress protector. The Sleep Foundation says one can prevent urine from absorbing into the mattress, and it makes cleanup easier. Casper and Zinus both recommend using one too.

Warranty terms for stained mattresses vary by manufacturer, so check the policy for your mattress before you decide how to handle a stain.

Why It Keeps Happening

A single accident can have a simple cause, but repeated ones deserve a closer look. For cats, our guide on why a cat pees outside the litter box covers litter box and stress causes. Cornell points out that cats with medical conditions may not always act sick, and the ASPCA says a cat who visits the box often but passes only a little urine should be seen by a veterinarian. The ASPCA’s litter box advice also starts with a thorough vet check.

The same goes for a house-trained dog that suddenly starts having accidents. If accidents keep happening, talk to your veterinarian before assuming it is a behavior problem.

Tools That Help

These enzyme stain and odor sprays match the odor step above; check each label for mattress or upholstery use and test a hidden spot first. For a closer look at these products, see our guide to the best pet stain removers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get pee out of a mattress?

Strip the bedding, blot with clean dry towels while the spot is still wet, and do not rub. Then apply a pet enzyme cleaner according to its label and sprinkle on baking soda. Fast treatment helps because urine can dry in a few hours.

Does baking soda get pee out of a mattress?

It helps absorb moisture and odor. Casper suggests covering the spot, leaving it for 8 to 10 hours, vacuuming it up, and repeating until the powder stays white. For a strong smell, add an enzyme cleaner made for pets.

Can I get pet urine out of a mattress without vinegar?

Yes. An enzyme cleaner made for pet messes plus baking soda does the job without it. Cornell advises avoiding vinegar for pet urine.

Can I use a steam cleaner on a mattress?

It is better not to. Zinus does not recommend steam cleaning because moisture and heat can harm foam and encourage mold. Heat can also set odors.

How long does a mattress take to dry?

The Sleep Foundation says anywhere from several hours to several days, depending on the stain size and room humidity. Open a window or run a fan to help, and press a dry towel on the spot to check before you remake the bed.

Sources

• Sleep Foundation: How to Get Urine Smell and Stains Out of a Mattress
• Casper: How to Get Pee Out of a Mattress: 6 Easy Steps
• Zinus: How to Get Pee Out of a Mattress: 6 Simple Steps to Save Your Bed
• Cornell Feline Health Center: Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling
• ASPCA: Urine Marking in Cats
• ASPCA: Litter Box Problems

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