Act quickly, and be kind about it
Bed wetting is common in children and can also happen to adults, for example because of illness, medication or age. If a child had the accident, keeping the mood calm and reassuring helps. Clean up together if they want to, and avoid blame. Then get to work on the mattress as soon as you can, because fresh urine is much easier to deal with than dried urine.
Safety first
- Do not use bleach or ammonia-based cleaners. Urine already contains ammonia compounds, and mixing bleach with them can release harmful gases.
- Never mix cleaning products. In particular, do not combine bleach with vinegar or any acid. Do not mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in one container, because they can form a corrosive acid. Use one product at a time, blot it up, and let the area dry before using another.
- Open windows and use a fan. Vinegar and many cleaners have strong smells.
- Keep children and pets away from cleaning products and wet areas. Store products out of reach. Let the mattress dry and vacuum up all powder before anyone sleeps on it again.
- Skip essential oils around pets and young children, since some are harmful.
- Wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards.
- Patch test any liquid on a hidden spot, and check the care label.
Step-by-step for a fresh accident
- Strip the bed. Remove the sheets, protector and any blankets and put them in the wash right away (see below).
- Blot, do not rub. Press clean, dry towels or paper towels firmly on the wet area to soak up as much as you can. Replace towels as they get wet. Rubbing pushes urine deeper.
- Apply a cleaner lightly. Use one of the options in the next section. Use as little liquid as possible, especially on foam.
- Blot again. Press with a clean, dry towel.
- Cover with baking soda. Sprinkle a generous layer over the damp area. Leave it for several hours or overnight; many guides suggest around 8 hours.
- Vacuum up the baking soda with an upholstery attachment.
- Dry the mattress completely with a fan, open windows, or a dehumidifier. Repeat the process if you can still smell urine.
Cleaning dried urine
Dried urine is harder, but often treatable:
- Vacuum the area first.
- Apply an enzyme cleaner according to the label, since these are designed for urine odors. Many require the area to stay damp for a while.
- Alternatively, use a light mist of white vinegar and water in equal parts, blot, and let it dry.
- Cover with baking soda, leave for several hours, then vacuum.
- Repeat if needed, and dry thoroughly.
An old, deep stain may not come out fully, and the smell may return when the area gets damp. Repeat treatments over a few days can help.
Enzyme cleaner, vinegar or peroxide
- Enzyme cleaners (often sold for pet urine) are designed to break down the odor-causing compounds. Follow the label and test first. They are a common first choice.
- White vinegar and water, about half and half, is a widely used household option. It can help with the smell, but use it lightly and let it dry. Its smell fades as it dries.
- Hydrogen peroxide mix. A common recipe uses about 8 ounces of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, a few teaspoons of baking soda and a drop or two of dish soap in a spray bottle. It can lighten or bleach dark fabrics and some covers, so test first. Mix it fresh, use it right away, and do not store it in a sealed bottle. Do not combine it with vinegar.
Pick one approach at a time rather than layering several.
Washing sheets and the protector
Wash soiled sheets, pajamas and protectors as soon as possible. Check each label for water temperature (see whether hot water cleans better than cold). Some sources recommend a hot wash for hygiene, but waterproof protectors and some fabrics can be damaged by high heat. Adding a little white vinegar or an enzyme laundry product can help with odors. Do not add bleach and vinegar together. If bedding is left damp for a long time, it can start to smell, so do not let it sit.
How long does a mattress take to dry?
There is no fixed time. It depends on how much urine soaked in, mattress thickness and material, humidity, and air flow. A light spot may dry in several hours with a fan, while a large soaking in thick foam can take a day or longer. Do not remake the bed until it feels dry all the way through and has no cool, damp feeling. Standing the mattress upright in a ventilated room, if it is safe to move, can help it dry faster.
Can you clean a mattress that has been peed on? Is it ruined?
In most cases it can be cleaned. A mattress is not automatically ruined by one accident, especially if you deal with it quickly. It is more likely to be a problem if urine soaked deep into thick foam, if accidents happen repeatedly without being cleaned properly, or if mold develops from lingering dampness. Signs it may be time to replace it include a smell that keeps coming back after several treatments, visible mold, or heavy staining throughout.
Tips for different mattress types
- Memory foam and latex absorb liquid and dry slowly, so use minimal liquid. See our guide to cleaning a latex mattress.
- Innerspring mattresses tend to dry faster but liquid can reach the springs and padding.
- Futons are often cotton-filled and hold moisture, so dry thoroughly. See our guide on removing stains from a Japanese futon mattress.
- Mattresses with bamboo-fiber covers may need gentle treatment. See cleaning a bamboo mattress.
Preventing the next accident
- Use a waterproof, breathable mattress protector, and consider keeping a spare ready.
- Layer a protector, sheet, second protector and second sheet so a single layer can be pulled off quickly at night.
- Use absorbent bed pads or night-time protective underwear if suitable.
- For persistent bed wetting in a child or new bed wetting in an adult, talk to a doctor. It can have treatable causes.
When odors linger
A lingering smell may need more rounds of treatment. Our guide on getting smells out of a mattress has more options for stubborn odors.