Accidents happen — sometimes, bodily fluids end up where you definitely don’t want them. And whether it’s your pet, your kiddos or (oops!) you, pee can easily end up soaking into your mattress. Yes, it’s especially common among little ones, as nearly all 1-year-olds pee when they sleep, and 20% of 5-year-olds still wet the bed, according to the American Urological Association. But it’s not just a childhood issue: roughly 13 million adults in the United States experience urinary incontinence.
Fortunately, a little urine doesn’t have to doom your mattress to the trash heap. Really. Act quickly, and there are effective ways to remove both odors and stains. Here’s what the cleaning experts want you to know about erasing urine stains — and the smell — for good.
How to clean fresh urine from a mattress
The newer the stain, the better your chances of a thorough cleanup — so move fast. Grab clean, dry, absorbent towels (or paper towels in a pinch) and:
Blot, don’t scrub: “The most important thing to do is blot as much of the stain as possible as soon as you can,” says Natalie D’Apolito, a cleaning expert with the American Cleaning Institute. “This will help prevent further absorption into the mattress and make stain and odor removal easier.”
Add an enzyme cleaner: Lightly spray an enzyme cleaner onto the stain and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Blot again with a damp cloth to rinse.
Use baking soda to absorb moisture: Once the area is mostly dry, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the stain. “It’ll help absorb residual moisture and smells,” says Mary Helen Rogers, a spokesperson for the Better Sleep Council and the International Sleep Products Association. Let it sit for several hours, then vacuum thoroughly.
How to clean fresh urine from bedding
According to cleaning pros at Whirlpool, follow these steps:
Rinse your bedding in cold water.
Pretreat with an enzyme cleaner and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
Rinse again in cold water.
Wash the sheets in hot water — or the hottest temperature safe for the fabric.
Check for any remaining stains before putting the bedding in the dryer, as heat can set them.
What NOT to use when cleaning urine from a mattress
Because mattresses are a big investment, it’s worth steering clear of techniques that could make the stain — or the damage — worse. Here’s what you should skip:
DON’T use steam cleaners or hot water: Heat can set the stain and add excess moisture, which slows drying time.
DON’T use bleach: It can “damage fabrics and internal materials — never do this,” Rogers says.
DON’T use ammonia-based cleaners: Urine contains ammonia, so applying an ammonia-based cleaner can intensify the urine smell.
How to remove dried urine from a mattress
Proteins and uric acid crystals in pee cling to fabric the longer they sit. That’s why “cleaning dried stains often requires more patience and sometimes multiple light treatments,” Rogers says.
While there are three main ways to tackle a set-in urine stain, the experts we spoke to say enzyme cleaners are the most effective option. “They break down the proteins in urine that cause lingering odor,” says Rogers. If you don’t have enzyme cleaners on hand, however, vinegar and baking soda can definitely help in lighter cases, and hydrogen peroxide may lift visible stains — though it should be used carefully.
To remove dried urine, lightly re-dampen the area with a cleaner to help break down what’s left behind. (Keyword here: lightly. Avoid oversaturating the mattress.)
Enzyme cleaner
“An enzyme cleaner will reactivate and break down residual material. Spray then blot,” says Rogers, noting it’s important to limit the amount of moisture you add to the mattress and to follow the product’s instructions carefully. Enzyme cleaners are especially helpful at nixing stubborn urine odor. Some to consider:
Vinegar and baking soda
If you don’t have enzyme cleaner on hand, there’s no need to panic: “White vinegar can help neutralize odor in light cases,” Rogers says. Pour undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle and spritz it directly onto the mattress, avoiding saturation. (Dab on if you don’t have a bottle.) Once the spot is lightly covered, blot away as much moisture as you can before applying baking soda. “When baking soda comes in contact with an acid, it neutralizes the odor,” says D’Apolito.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can help remove urine stains, but test it out in a small spot first. “Hydrogen peroxide should be used cautiously, as it can discolor fabrics,” Rogers says. “The key is to use minimal liquid, blot and allow the mattress to dry completely.”
How to remove urine smell from a mattress
If you’ve removed the telltale yellow ring from your mattress but the smell lingers, uric acid is likely to blame.
“Uric acid crystals that are left when the stain dries embed into surfaces, producing a stubborn odor,” D’Apolito says. That’s why enzyme cleaners are essential for tackling lingering smells — especially from pet accidents.
“Pet urine is more concentrated than human urine and often has a stronger odor,” D’Apolito says. And if the smell alone isn’t bad enough, there’s another issue: Dogs and cats “have a better sense of smell than our own and will often return to the same spot to pee again,” she says.
To prevent repeat accidents, thoroughly treat the area with a pet-specific enzymatic cleaner that breaks down both the stain and the odor, she says.
How to dry a mattress properly after cleaning
Once you’ve vanquished the urine, getting the area dry is key. “Airflow and full drying are essential to prevent lingering odor or mold growth,” Rogers says.
Get the air circulating: Open windows, place fans in the area or even run a dehumidifier to speed up drying.
Don’t use a hair dryer: The heat will set in any lingering odor or stains.
Prop up your mattress: Stand the mattress on its side to increase airflow and help it dry faster.
Drying time depends on the mattress material and its level of wetness. It can take just a few hours for a small stain, or days for a bigger accident.
Wait until the mattress is completely dry before remaking the bed — a damp mattress can promote mold and mildew growth. However, there are workarounds if, say, you’ve got a little one who’s had an accident in the middle of the night. “Place a towel over the freshly cleaned area and make the bed,” D’Apolito says. “In the morning, remove the towel and bedding to allow the area to dry.”
Memory foam vs. innerspring: Which is harder to clean?
Mattress type matters when cleaning pee stains. Memory foam mattresses absorb urine like a sponge, making it difficult to remove moisture and prolonging drying times, says D’Apolito. Innerspring mattresses, on the other hand, have better airflow, which helps them dry faster. However, an innerspring’s “comfort layers” on top can absorb pee stains and odors, Rogers says.
When to replace a mattress after a urine accident
Sometimes, no matter how thoroughly you clean, the stain wins, and you’ll need to get rid of your mattress. Here are some clues that it’s time for a new bed:
The mattress remains damp after thorough drying
Odor persists despite treatment
There is visible mold or mildew
The mattress is already nearing the end of its useful life (7 to 10 years)
If you’re in the market for a new mattress, read our How to choose a mattress guide, plus Yahoo’s roundup of the Best mattresses of 2026 that we tested and reviewed.
How to prevent urine stains on a mattress
The best way to avoid a urine stain is to keep it from happening in the first place. “Think of mattress protectors as the seat belt keeping your mattress safe,” Rogers says.
Roger recommends looking for a mattress protector that’s labeled as waterproof or water-resistant, allows for proper airflow, and is machine washable. Using a protector with a terry cloth or padded top can help minimize the crinkly sound from typical vinyl or polyurethane.
Here are a few picks to consider:
Dealing with frequent middle-of-the-night accidents? Have two waterproof pads at the ready, so you can pop on a new one and deal with the dirty pad in the morning.
For more keep-it-clean tips, check out our expert guide on caring for your new mattress — and making it last longer.
FAQs
Can pee permanently ruin a mattress?
Yes. If urine sets in, the odor can linger — and improper cleaning techniques can lead to mold and mildew inside the mattress.
Does vinegar really remove urine smell?
Vinegar can help neutralize urine odor, especially for fresh or light stains. However, it’s typically less effective on older or set-in stains.
Does baking soda remove urine smell from a mattress?
Yes. Sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda over a urine stain can help control odors and absorb lingering moisture. If possible, let it sit overnight before vacuuming it up using the upholstery attachment.
How do you get old urine smell out of a mattress?
Treat the area with an enzyme-based cleaner, dampening it thoroughly and blotting it dry. You may need to repeat the process several times to fully eliminate lingering odors.
Meet experts:
Natalie D’Apolito, cleaning expert with the American Cleaning Institute
Mary Helen Rogers, spokesperson for the Better Sleep Council and the International Sleep Products Association
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
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