How To Clean Dog Pee From Mattress: Tips & Tricks For Effective Cleaning

As man’s best friend, dogs are lovely pets. However, having them around is not always smooth sailing. For instance, they are prone to accidental elimination. One such accident is peeing on your bed or mattress, leaving an unpleasant odor and a stubborn stain.

Fortunately, you can learn how to clean dog pee from mattresses using simple household items.

In this post, we’ll provide some tips and tricks for cleaning dog pee from your mattress and keeping it clean and fresh.

Timing is critical, and attending to the stain-removal task while it is still fresh is best. Act fast to remove the odor and stop the urine from soaking deeper or attracting the dog to pee on your mattress again.

The Danger Of Urine In Mattress Covers

When your dog pees on your mattress, the urine can seep deep into the mattress cover and padding, making it difficult to remove.

If left untreated, the urine allows bacteria and mold to proliferate, posing serious health challenges like respiratory issues and skin irritations.

Dog urine contains urea, which gradually decomposes to give off ammoniacal chemical fumes that can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat when inhaled. Not to mention how unpleasant and embarrassing the urine smell can be, especially if you have guests.

Therefore, cleaning dog pee from your mattress as soon as possible is crucial to preventing the urine from seeping deeper into the mattress and negating the risks and dangers associated with dog urine on mattresses.

Preparing To Clean A Mattress That Your Dog Has Peed On

Determining the location and extent of soiling is one of the critical factors when removing pet stains from mattresses or general fabric. You do not want to leave any traces of the odor, which might entice your dog to pee on your mattress again.

Here is how to locate the stain:

Use The Trusty Sniff Test To Identify The Spot

This method relies on the pet owner’s sense of smell to locate where the offending whiff is coming from. So, wear your protective gloves and start sniffing around the mattress. Combine the trusty sniff test with the method below for greater efficacy and accuracy.

Use A Black Light To Find The Extent Of The Pee Spot

Use a black light to locate where your dog peed on the mattress. Urine glows under black light, making finding and treating the affected area easier.

Materials You Need To Get Dog Pee Out Of Mattress

• Protective gloves
• Spray bottle
• Paper Towels
• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Dishwashing soap
• Enzymatic cleaner
• Vacuum cleaner
• Cold water

Note: Avoid toxic or harsh chemical cleaning products with no strong odors to safeguard your health and that of your dog and avoid damaging your mattress.

How To Get Urine Out Of Memory Foam Mattress

Pee on memory foam mattresses is the toughest stain to get rid of, owing to the nature of the material.

Memory foam is an absorbent material that allows liquids (in this case, dog pee) to soak and permeate the entire thickness of the mattress. For this reason, it may take longer to dry than other types of mattresses.

Here’s how to clean urine out of foam mattress:

Step #1: Remove The Bedding

Remove all the bedding, including sheets, comforters, blankets, pillowcases, and any other secondary covers, from the mattress.

Note: Do not remove the cover that the mattress came with to avoid ruining your mattress.

You will need to clean the bedding and other items separately (). Read their manufacturer’s care tag to determine how to clean each of them appropriately. In some cases, it may be best to use hot water with a mild laundry detergent specially formulated for pet odors.

If they are machine-washable, add a cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle. Be ready to wash the bedding repeatedly to get rid of the pee smell from the mattresses and the bacteria breaking down the urine.

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Step #2: Vacuum Or Blot The Urine With Paper Towels

If you find the urine still fresh and wet, use a wet vacuum to suck out as much of the dog urine as possible. Alternatively, use paper towels or a clean, absorbent cloth to blot the urine as much as possible to remove excess liquid.

Ensure you wear protective gloves for your safety and be careful not to rub the stain, as this can make it spread, push it deeper, and make it more challenging to remove.

Change the paper towels as they become saturated; dab on the area until they come off the mattress dry. The objective is to prevent the urine from soaking into your mattress.

Step #3: Apply A Cleaning Solution

The ideal cleaning solution must be non-toxic and pet-friendly. Generally, you can apply common household solutions before gravitating towards store-bought cleaners specially made for pet odors if the home ingredients do not work.

White Vinegar: White vinegar is a natural and effective disinfectant and deodorizer that can remove dog urine stains and neutralize the odor. Acetic acid breaks down the proteins in the urine and makes the stain easier to remove.

Therefore, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and add two tablespoons of mild dishwashing soap or laundry detergent. Apply it liberally to your mattress and allow it to sit for 10–15 minutes to penetrate the stain and neutralize the odor.

Consider covering the wet patch with plastic wrap to reduce evaporation and give the solution more time to work.

Enzymatic Cleaner: Since vinegar does not work on all types of stains, invest in a practical commercial pet stain cleaner like an enzymatic cleaner. Examples include Nature’s Miracle Enzymatic Cleaner for dogs, Rocco and Roxie professional strength stain and odor eliminator, Kinderbean Dog and Cat Urine Stain and Odor Eliminator, and OxiClean pet stain and odor remover.

Enzyme-based cleaners break down the odor-producing urea, creatinine, uric acid, carbohydrates, and ammonia in dog urine and help to eliminate the smell. Use the commercial cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the product label.

Step #4: Rinse With Cold Water

Using a clean, damp cloth, rinse the area with cold water to remove any traces of the cleaning solution.

Step #5: Absorb The Moisture

Use a handheld wet vacuum to extract as much moisture from the cleaning process as possible. Place a clean, dry towel on the wet area and press down firmly to absorb the excess moisture.

Step #6: Air-Dry The Mattress

Allow the mattress to air-dry completely before putting the bedding back on. If you cannot take the mattress outside due to bad weather, open the windows and turn on the fans to keep the room well-ventilated and speed up drying.

We encourage you to repeat these steps a few times if the odor persists.

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How To Get Urine Out Of A Mattress When Dry

If the stain has dried on your mattress and you are wondering how to remove old urine stains from the mattress, here is how:

Step #1: Start by rinsing the old stain with cold water to loosen the urine. Blot the area with dry and clean paper towels to remove the excess wetness.

Step #2: How to get urine stains out of memory foam mattress using baking soda

Then, apply a thick layer of baking soda to help absorb the wetness and lift the odor from your mattress. It will absorb the wetness and neutralize the smell instead of simply masking it.

The baking soda will likely darken as it draws out the moisture from your mattress. Replenish it by adding a fresh layer after some time.

Once the baking soda has dried, vacuum it up. Ensure the baking soda has dried up before vacuuming it, and empty the vacuum cleaner when you are done to avoid damaging it.

Step #3: How to get pee stains out of memory foam mattress using enzymatic cleaner

Wash the stain with an enzymatic cleaner specifically made for dog urine and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the product’s label. You may need to rinse and repeat these steps to get rid of the odor entirely.

How To Remove Pet Urine From Rubber Or Latex Mattress

If your dog has peed on your rubber mattress, you may notice some yellow stains that refuse to go away. You might also smell the urine. Here’s how to remove pet urine stains from your mattress:

Step #1: Mix Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide

Mix a cup of baking soda, half a cup of hydrogen peroxide, and a tablespoon of mild dish soap. Stir until the ingredients form a thick paste.

As an alternative to creating a paste, you can prepare a cleaning solution by mixing eight ounces of hydrogen peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda, and a squirt of liquid soap in a spray bottle. Swirl the bottle to mix the solution well.

Remember, hydrogen peroxide is a bleach that can discolor surfaces when not diluted, applied, and rinsed away properly. Test the solution on an inconspicuous part of the mattress before applying it to the stain.

Step #2: Apply The Paste Or Spray The Cleaning Liquid

Apply the paste to the yellow stain and rub it in gently. If you choose to prepare a cleaning solution instead of paste, spray it on the soiled part of your mattress and let it sit for 15–20 minutes.

While hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing bleach and mild disinfectant, baking soda’s low pH helps neutralize the acidic dog urine’s odor. This is why the two products can be combined to make an even more powerful cleaning agent.

Step 3: Vacuum The Mattress

Use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to remove the dried paste from the mattress. The yellow stain should be gone, and the mattress will look and smell fresh.

How To Get Dog Pee Out Of Mattress (Innerspring, Pocket Springs, And Hybrid Mattresses)

Unlike the other mattresses covered above, innerspring, pocket, and hybrid mattresses tend to have complex cores made of different materials. Typically, they tend to have a core made of steel springs and layers of either foam, rubber, or other mattress materials.

Consequently, you have to use a cleaning agent that will percolate through the different materials while effectively neutralizing the urine. Importantly, the cleaning solution should not damage the different materials.

Apart from using the methods above, here are some additional tips on how to get rid of dog urine on a mattress:

Step #1: Use Enzymatic Cleaners

Enzymatic cleaners are specially formulated to break down the proteins in urine that cause odor and stains. Follow these steps to use enzymatic cleaners effectively:

• Vacuum or blot the urine stain with a clean cloth to remove as much liquid as possible.
• Apply the enzymatic cleaner to the affected area and saturate it thoroughly.
• Allow the cleaner to sit for the recommended time on the label. This can range from a few minutes to several hours.
• Blot the area with a clean cloth to remove excess moisture.
• Rinse and repeat the process until the stain and odor are gone.
• Allow the mattress to air-dry completely before putting the bedding back on. If you cannot take the mattress outside due to bad weather, open the windows and turn on the fans to keep the room well-ventilated and speed up drying.

Remember that enzymatic cleaners work best when they come into direct contact with the dog urine. Therefore, saturate the affected area with the cleaner and allow it to penetrate deeply.

Additionally, you need to remember that the enzymatic cleaner can cause the steel springs to rust. Ensure that the mattress dries completely to negate the risk of innerspring corrosion.

Step #2: Use Baking Soda And Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar are two household items used to clean dog urine from a mattress. Baking soda is a natural odor absorber, while vinegar is acidic and can help break down urine stains. Follow these steps:

• First, vacuum or blot the urine stain with a clean cloth to remove as much liquid as possible.
• Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.
• Spray the affected area with the vinegar solution and saturate it thoroughly.
• Allow the solution to sit for 5–10 minutes.
• Sprinkle baking soda generously over the affected area. If the stain is severe, you may need to apply a thicker layer and replenish it with a fresh layer after some time.
• Allow the baking soda to sit for several hours or overnight. Restrict your pet from accessing the area during this time to avoid creating a mess with the baking soda.
• Vacuum up the baking soda with a vacuum cleaner and a hose attachment. Inspect the stain that has been removed and consider repeating it for optimal results.

Baking soda and vinegar are safe for most mattresses and can be used to clean new and old urine stains. However, due to the thickness of the concoction, it cannot percolate deep into the mattress. As such, you can only use this method to clean surface-level soiling.

Additionally, test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the mattress first to ensure no damage or discoloration occurs on your mattress.

Step #3: Use Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant that can be used to clean dog pee on mattresses. Follow these steps:

• Wet-vacuum or blot the urine stain with a clean cloth to remove as much liquid as possible.
• Mix 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide with one teaspoon of dish soap and one tablespoon of baking soda in a bowl.
• Apply the solution to the affected area using a clean cloth or sponge.
• Allow the solution to sit for 10–15 minutes.
• Blot the area with a clean, damp cloth to remove excess moisture.
• Allow the mattress to dry completely to prevent rusting and mold or mildew formation. You should vacuum up as much of the remaining moisture as possible. If you cannot take the mattress outside due to bad weather, open the windows and turn on the fans to keep the room well-ventilated and speed up drying.

Hydrogen peroxide should be appropriately diluted and used cautiously on colored or patterned mattresses, as it can cause discoloration. Avoid using too much or highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide, as it can bleach the mattress.

Step #4: Use A Steam Cleaner

Steam cleaning is an effective way to remove dog urine from a mattress, as the steam’s high temperature can help kill bacteria and remove stains. Follow these steps:

• First, vacuum the mattress to remove any loose debris.
• Fill the steam cleaner with water and turn it on.
• Allow the steam cleaner to heat up according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Hold the steam cleaner about 6 inches above the affected area and slowly move it back and forth.
• Repeat the process as necessary until the stain and odor are gone.

Steam cleaning can effectively remove dog urine from a mattress; ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to avoid damaging the mattress.

Step #5: Consider Hiring Experts

If you cannot eliminate the dog urine odor, consider hiring professional mattress cleaners to do the work for you. They work with specialized equipment for extra powerful water extraction to clean the urine stain, disinfect the mattress, and completely dry it.

How To Prevent Future Stains & Odors

Removing the entire odor when cleaning dog urine stains from your mattress is vital to preventing the reoccurrence of this problem. If your dog can still smell its urine on your mattress, it will believe it is the ideal place to relieve itself.

However, there are other ways of deterring inappropriate urination in your dog:

#1. Use Pet Repellents

Provided the repellents you use are safe for your dog, you can use them to deter it from accessing the bed or other areas it likes to soil.

You can use Pet Corrector to enforce boundaries with your dog.

Also, you can make your repellent at home. Dogs are repulsed by the smell of citrus essential oil. For example, prepare essential oil solutions and spray them on your bed.

Essential oil solutions effectively repel pets from your bed when applied topically (outside the dog’s body). However, when ingested, essential oils are toxic as they contain phenols.

#2. Use A Waterproof Mattress Protector

We encourage pet owners to invest in quality and durable waterproof covers to protect the mattress from urine stains, odors, dirt, dander, oil, and normal wear and tear. Two are better, so you can use one as you wash the other. Alternatively, just cover your bed with a shower curtain.

The cover also helps the mattress retain its shape and extend its longevity. Look for a quiet and comfortable mattress that can be easily machine-washed.

#3. Keep The Dog Away From Your Bed

It is best to keep the dog away from your bed. You may have to keep your bedroom doors closed or use baby gates to restrain your dog from sleeping on the bed. Consider investing in a suitable dog bed as an alternative.

#4. Consult A Vet

Dogs are likely to eliminate inappropriately around your home when they are sick. Call your pet’s vet if you notice signs of ill health, such as frequent urination, excessive water intake, vocalization, or licking genitalia after peeing.

Some diseases that can cause your dog to pee on your bed include diabetes, urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and bladder stones.

Pet owners with elderly dogs struggling with urinary incontinence can consider dog diapers.

#5. Spaying Or Neutering

Sometimes your dog pees on your bed as a way of urine-marking to communicate its availability to potential mates. Spaying or neutering can reduce incidents of urine marking on your mattress.

#6. Positive Reinforcement And Anxiety Management

Look for opportunities to reward the dog with treats when it exhibits proper bathroom behavior. Also, continue with regimented potty training, especially for puppies who are not fully housetrained.

It is equally helpful to note that dogs lack the cognitive ability to concoct a revenge plan, and peeing on your bed is not a spiteful or vengeful act. Scolding or punishing the dog will not help.

More precisely, find ways of alleviating your dog’s stress or separation anxiety, which can lead to urine accidents. Increase the time you spend doing interactive play, or ask your vet to prescribe stress management drugs like Prozac to keep your dog calm.

Conclusion: How To Clean Dog Pee From Mattress

Cleaning dog pee from a mattress may seem daunting, but it’s entirely possible with the right tools and techniques. When dealing with a dog’s urine, acting quickly and thoroughly to prevent any damage to the mattress or lingering odor is essential.

Always spot-test any cleaning solution before using it on a larger area, and follow the instructions carefully. And if the odor persists even after a thorough cleaning, it may be worth considering a professional cleaning service.

Following the steps outlined in this article, you can safely and effectively clean dog pee from your mattress, leaving it fresh and odor-free once again. Here’s a quick recap of the key points to remember:

• Act quickly and blot up as much urine as possible with paper towels or a clean cloth.
• Use a combination of cleaning solutions, including enzymatic cleaners and vinegar, to remove any remaining urine and odor.
• Allow the mattress to dry completely before making the bed or using it again.
• Protect your mattress in the future with a waterproof mattress cover.

With these tips, you can keep your mattress clean and fresh, even if your furry friend has an accident.

FAQs: How To Clean Dog Pee From Mattresses