Common Mattress Stains and How to Clean Them Effectively

Last update: 7 days ago

Your morning starts like any other day. You pull back the sheets, thinking about coffee, only to be met with a rogue stain staring you down.

Beyond being an eyesore, smudges can play host to bacteria, invite stubborn smells, and quietly shave years off your mattress’s life. Fresh messes are already a handful, but the old, well-set ones? They’re a real nightmare, which is all the more reason to swoop in fast.

With that in mind, here’s how to clean mattress stains, from juice and sweat to those little incidents best left unmentioned.

What causes mattress stains?

It doesn’t take much for a bed to look like a map of mysterious spills and spots.

Sweat and body oils slowly creep into the fibres, leaving pale, stubborn marks behind. Tea, coffee, or even that cheeky glass of wine can also sink deep while you’re trying to relax. Then, there are the more dreadful culprits: urine, blood, and vomit.

StainsThough less obvious, high humidity is another silent threat. It can trigger mould growth, which leaves patches that you definitely wouldn’t want to lie on.

A stained mattress can be especially difficult to treat if you don’t tend to it in time. Once liquids sink into the padding, they can set rather quickly and cling to the fibres.

Preparing your mattress for stain cleaning

At first glance, cleaning mattress stains at home feels like just another box to tick, but it can quickly turn into a stubborn standoff.

A touch of planning, though, is going to tilt the odds in your favour.

Getting sweat/yellow stains out of a mattress

Each night you settle in, a quiet stream of sweat seeps into the bedding, trailing salts and natural oils along for the ride. And over time, they oxidise and transform into marks you can’t quite ignore.

To get yellow stains out of a mattress, you’ll have to undo years of gradual build-up. For that, you’ll need:

Now, it’s time to put your supplies to work and pluck those unwanted yellow blotches right out.

Step 1: Mix the hydrogen peroxide, sodium bicarbonate, and dish soap in the spray bottle. Then, shake it gently to combine everything.

Step 2: Apply a small amount to cover the discoloured patch without soaking the surface.

Step 3: Blot the moisture and avoid scrubbing, as it can push the liquid deeper into the fabric.

Step 4: Go over stubborn marks again, or switch to an enzyme product if they refuse to budge.

Step 5: Allow the bed to dry thoroughly before using it to prevent mould and stale odours.

Removing brown stains from a mattress

Brown patches can appear for a few different reasons. Oxidised sweat, old drink spills, and mould spores are usually the main offenders.

Start by figuring out exactly what you’re dealing with. If it turns out to be mould, you’ll need:

Unless you want to convert your bedroom into some weird lab setup, gear up with gloves and a mask, then get the air circulating before confronting mould head-on.

For tiny patches, mist the zone lightly using equal parts white or apple cider vinegar and water, dab it with a cloth, and allow complete drying—extra credit if you can position it under direct sunlight.

However, if the spores have burrowed extensively or spread across a large area, pass this task to an expert.

Cleaning non-mould brown stains from the mattress

For other types of brown mattress stains, you have a couple of options, depending on the extent of the damage. In any case, you’ll need:

A simple bicarb and water paste works wonders on light blemishes. All you need to do is spread it evenly, let it sit for about 30 minutes, then wipe it away.

As for stubborn or older marks, pat the spot gently with equal parts vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, then dab it with a fresh cloth. An enzyme product can save you a lot of backbreaking scrubbing if the blotch is old or deeply ingrained. Simply apply it, let it do its thing for 15–20 minutes, then blot away the residue.

Lifting urine stains from a mattress

Overnight mishaps are nothing to feel embarrassed about. Beds have seen way worse.

The real trick is knowing how to remove urine stains before they leave behind persistent odours or encourage unwanted bacterial growth.

To banish them without a trace, you’ll need:

For fresh accidents, grab some paper towels and press them firmly into the area to soak up as much moisture as possible.

Once you’ve removed what you can, apply an enzyme cleaner. This will help break down the proteins in the urine and cut through any stubborn odours. Give the product the full amount of time stated on the label before you start blotting again.

If the mark has had time to set in, combine a cup of hydrogen peroxide with three tablespoons of bicarb and a single drop of dishwashing liquid.

Mist the mixture lightly over the soiled section, but don’t overdo it, since memory foam and latex can break down if they absorb too much moisture.

Leave the solution for at least an hour to penetrate the smudge. Then, blot away the residue and let the surface air-dry fully before replacing the sheets.

Cleaning blood stains

Blood marks might seem dramatic, but they don’t have to leave your bed looking like the set of a true-crime documentary. Cleaning period stains from mattresses isn’t as terrifying as it sounds if you have the right supplies.

Blood is protein-based, which makes it stick to fabrics quickly, especially when exposed to heat. That’s why cold water is your best bet here.

You know the drill by now. Begin by dabbing the fresh blood with a cloth dipped in cold water and a drop of mild dish soap. Work from the outside in to avoid spreading it around.

Older period smudges need a more aggressive approach. That’s where enzyme products come in. Alternatively, you can make a paste of salt and cold water. Either way, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then keep patting until the mark is gone.

If you’d rather avoid hydrogen peroxide, try lemon juice mixed with salt or a sodium bicarbonate paste. Both are gentler but effective alternatives. However, lemon and salt ought to be tested on a hidden patch first, as they can discolour some materials.

Remember to go easy on the scrubbing and moisture if you’re dealing with latex or memory foam to protect the underlying structure. And as always, blot gently and dry the spot thoroughly before making the bed.

Taking care of food and drink spills

Everyone knows that eating in bed is asking for trouble, but sometimes, those late-night cravings get the best of you.

Not all spills are created equal. Some can be wiped away in minutes, while others cling on for dear life. Depending on the culprit in question, you’ll need:

With your supplies lined up, you’re now ready to remove all stains from the mattress and get rid of all traces of your midnight snacking.