Owning a cat is a unique source of joy, but that does not mean that it is always easy. If you’ve had cats for a while, you’ve probably dealt with an accident once or twice. If your cat pees on a tile floor or an old t-shirt, it’s easy to clean up, but other accidents are a bit more challenging. You can’t throw a mattress into your washing machine, and you might be reluctant to use harsh chemicals on your mattress.
Luckily, there are other solutions —in fact, there are several different ways of getting rid of urine smells and fresh stains from a dirty mattress. If you want to know how to clean cat urine from a bed, here are four methods you can try. These methods can be used on a conventional mattress, but they are also suitable for removing cat urine from a foam mattress.
Before You Start
Cleaning a stained mattress always starts with getting together any tools and ingredients that you need. For fresh urine stains, always blot up as much as you can with a rag or a paper towel before you start. Don’t rub deeply with the towel; just press gently until it is soaked. Scrubbing can press urine deeper into the mattress and make it harder to clean.
Before applying any type of cleaner, it’s always best to do a spot clean to see if there is any damage to the mattress or discoloration before you clean the whole mattress.
The 4 Possible Ways to Get Cat Urine Smell & Stains Out of a Mattress
1. Rubbing Alcohol and Soap or Shampoo
- Shampoo, soap or dishwashing detergent
- Sponge
- Rubbing alcohol
The first step is to scrub down the stained area using a cheap shampoo, soapy water, or some detergent. Work your cleaner of choice into the mattress with a sponge. Scrub at any marks or stains, and then let it soak in for a few minutes. After about 5-10 minutes, use rubbing alcohol to rinse the stained area. As the alcohol dries, it will dissipate and may leave your mattress clean.
2. Two-Step Method
- Enzyme-based cleaner or 50% vinegar solution
- Baking soda
- Paper towels or rags
- Vacuum
If you have an especially tough stain, a multi-stage approach can help clean it completely in many cases. This method works with an equal mixture of water and vinegar, but an enzyme-based cleaner is even better. Chemical cleaners use enzymes that break down urine better than household products.
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Using your chosen cleaning solution, spray down the mattress thoroughly so that the stained area is covered by the cleaner. Allow it to soak for 10-15 minutes or as long as the manufacturer of the commercial product recommends. Blot as much liquid out as you can.
Once you’ve finished cleaning with the enzyme cleaner, use baking soda to remove anything that’s left. Massage baking soda into the mattress and allow it to dry. Vacuum up any remaining baking soda.
3. Peroxide and Baking Soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Baking soda
- Cleaning brush
- Vacuum
You can also use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to clean the mattress. But be extra careful with the peroxide, as it may damage the mattress, especially if it is foam or latex. Always start with a very small amount and make sure there are no adverse effects. Mix them together to form a paste, and then rub it into the mattress. An old toothbrush or a similar brush can help you work it in. Let the mixture dry overnight. Once the mixture is fully dry, vacuum any remaining baking soda mixture from the mattress. The peroxide breaks down urine, while the baking soda absorbs moisture and odors. You may need to repeat this a few times.
4. Baking Soda Only Method
- Baking soda
- Water
- Vacuum
Mild stains might not need anything more than baking soda to clean the mattress. Wet the baking soda with a few teaspoons of water and then rub the paste into the stain. Once the baking soda is dry, vacuum the mattress to remove any dirty powder. This method works well if you’ve previously cleaned a stain but still have lingering odors.
Reasons Your Cat Might Wet the Bed
Most cats might quickly grasp litter box training without too much trouble, so it’s always a surprise when they pee somewhere they shouldn’t. If accidents occur frequently, it might take some effort to redirect your cat, depending on the underlying cause. The smell of a prior accident might draw your cat back to the “scene of the crime” and cause more accidents, even if the smell is too faint for humans. A thorough cleaning should help.
An important possibility that should always be ruled out first is that a health issue is interfering with your cat’s bladder control. If your cat suddenly starts peeing in odd places, it could be a sign that something is wrong with your cat’s health. There are many different conditions that cause frequent or inappropriate urination outside of the litter box, so bringing your cat in for a check-up is a good way to make sure your cat is in good health.
If your cat is having frequent accidents but has a clean bill of health, it might be a litter box or litter issue. Make sure that your cat has access to clean, fresh litter and a sufficient number of litter boxes based on the number of cats. This might mean moving your litter box to somewhere more accessible, adding a second box, or cleaning yours more frequently.
Final Thoughts
It might be annoying to clean up cat urine but don’t fret too much. Each of these methods will work for cleaning fresh urine smell and stains out of a foam mattress or a traditional mattress. And even if you’re frustrated in the moment, a purr and a cuddle from your feline friend will remind you that the trouble is worth it.
- ADVANCED ENZYMATIC CLEANER - Penetrates the most stubborn smells and stains at the deepest molecular...
- FOR ANY MESS, ON ANY SURFACE - This pet odor eliminator cleans your carpets, floors, furniture,...
- FRESH, NATURAL ODOR - Our unique formulation doesn't rely on dangerous or unpleasant chemical...
Featured Image Credit: FotoDuets, Shutterstock
