The Best Way: How To Clean Toddler Mattress With Pee

Okay, how do you clean a toddler mattress after a pee accident? It happens! But don’t worry. You can clean a toddler mattress with pee on it and make it fresh again. The best way involves acting fast, using the right cleaners, and making sure it dries completely. We will show you the steps to get the pee stain out of the mattress and remove urine smell from the mattress.

How To Clean Toddler Mattress With Pee
Image Source: cdn.shopify.com

Why Cleaning Fast Helps

When your child wets the bed, getting to the mattress right away is important. Pee is a liquid. It can soak deep into the mattress foam or filling. The faster you act, the less the pee spreads. This makes cleaning easier. It also helps stop stains from setting in. And it keeps the smell from getting stronger. Quick action is the first step in toddler mattress pee cleaning.

Things You Will Need

Before you start cleaning, gather your supplies. Having everything ready saves time. It helps you clean the mattress quickly.

Here are things you might need:

Paper towels or clean cloths
A wet/dry vacuum (optional, but very helpful)
Cleaning solution (homemade or store-bought)
Spray bottle (if using a liquid solution)
Baking soda
An enzyme cleaner (very good for pee)
Cool water
Fans or a well-aired room for drying
Rubber gloves (to keep your hands clean)

Step-By-Step Cleaning Guide

Cleaning a mattress with pee takes a few steps. Follow these steps carefully. They help you clean the mess well and get rid of smells.

Step 1: Act Right Away

This is the most important part. When you see the accident:

Take off the sheets, mattress protector, and any blankets.
Put these items in the washing machine right away. Use warm or hot water if the fabric allows. Add a little laundry sanitizer or baking soda to the wash to help with the pee smell.

Step 2: Blot the Wet Spot

Do not rub the pee. Rubbing pushes the liquid deeper into the mattress. Instead, you want to soak up as much pee as possible.

Use thick paper towels or clean, dry cloths.
Press down firmly on the wet area.
Lift the paper towels or cloths up. You will see they have soaked up pee.
Use fresh paper towels or cloths.
Keep blotting until you cannot soak up any more liquid. You want the area to feel only damp, not soaking wet.

If you have a wet/dry vacuum, this is a great time to use it. Put the hose right on the wet spot. Turn the vacuum on. It can pull liquid out of the mattress much better than blotting alone. This speeds up drying later. It also removes more of the pee.

Step 3: Choose Your Cleaning Solution

Now you need to clean the spot. You have choices for cleaning solutions. Some people like natural options. Others prefer store-bought cleaners. The best cleaner for toddler mattress pee often depends on the mess and what you have.

Here are some common options:

Water and White Vinegar: Vinegar is natural. It helps kill germs and fight smells. Mix equal parts cool water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.
Baking Soda and Water Paste: Baking soda is great for smells. Mix a little water with baking soda to make a thick paste. This works well for stains and odors.
Store-Bought Upholstery Cleaner: Make sure it is safe for mattresses. Read the label. Test a small hidden spot first.
Enzyme Cleaner: This is often the best choice for pet and human urine. Enzyme cleaners break down the stuff in pee that causes stains and smells.

Let’s look closer at some of these.

Step 4: Apply the Cleaning Solution

Now, use the solution you chose.

Spray or apply the cleaner onto the pee spot.
Do not soak the mattress. You only want to cover the area where the pee soaked in. Too much liquid makes drying hard. It can also lead to mold.
Work the cleaner gently into the spot. You can use a cloth or a soft brush.

If you are using a paste (like baking soda paste), spread it over the stain. Make sure the stain is fully covered.

Step 5: Let the Cleaner Work

Cleaning solutions need time to do their job.

Read the directions on your cleaner bottle. It will tell you how long to leave it on.
If using vinegar or a natural mix, wait at least 10-15 minutes.
If using an enzyme cleaner, let it sit for 15-30 minutes or even longer. Enzyme cleaners work better the longer they stay wet. Some people cover the spot with a damp towel while the enzyme cleaner works. This keeps it from drying too fast.

Step 6: Blot Up the Cleaner

After the cleaner has had time to work, it’s time to remove it.

Use clean, dry cloths or paper towels.
Blot the area firmly. Soak up the cleaning solution.
Keep blotting until you get up as much liquid as possible.

Again, a wet/dry vacuum is great here. It can pull the cleaner and the leftover pee right out.

Step 7: Rinse (If Needed)

Some cleaners need rinsing. Vinegar or natural mixes might not need a full rinse. Enzyme cleaners usually don’t need rinsing. Store-bought cleaners might say to rinse.

If you need to rinse:

Dampen a clean cloth with cool water.
Gently blot the area. This adds a little clean water to help lift the cleaner out.
Immediately blot the area with a dry cloth. Soak up the rinse water right away.
Do this a few times. Use as little water as possible. Remember, you want the mattress to dry well later.

Step 8: Deal With Stains and Smells

Even after cleaning, you might see a stain. Or you might still smell pee. Getting pee stain out of mattress parts can be tricky. Eliminating urine odor from bed areas is also a big job. This is where baking soda or enzyme cleaners are very helpful. Dealing with toddler bedwetting stains needs a specific approach.

For Stains: If a stain is still there, make a paste of baking soda and a little water. Spread it thick over the stain. Let it dry completely. This can take hours. As it dries, it pulls up the stain.
For Smells: Baking soda is wonderful for absorbing smells. After cleaning and blotting up the liquid, sprinkle a thick layer of dry baking soda all over the damp area. Cover an area bigger than the wet spot. This helps remove urine smell from mattress fibers. Enzyme cleaner for urine on mattress is also very good at this. It eats away the things that cause the smell.

Step 9: Let the Baking Soda Sit

If you used baking soda (either paste for stains or powder for smells):

Leave the baking soda on the mattress for several hours.
Overnight is best. The longer it sits, the more it can absorb smells and help lift stains.

Step 10: Vacuum the Baking Soda

Once the baking soda is fully dry (if used as a paste) or has sat for a long time:

Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush tool or upholstery tool.
Carefully vacuum up all the baking soda. Make sure you get it all.

Step 11: Dry the Mattress Fully

This is a very important step. A wet mattress can grow mold and mildew. This is bad for health and ruins the mattress. The mattress must dry completely before your child sleeps on it again.

Open windows in the room. Let fresh air in.
Use fans to blow air over the wet spot. A box fan pointed right at the spot works well.
If it’s sunny, placing the mattress near a sunny window can help. Sunlight is a natural dryer and can kill some germs.
Drying can take 12-24 hours or even longer.
Do not cover the mattress until it is totally, completely dry. Feel the spot carefully. It should feel dry and cool, not damp or cold.

Different Cleaning Methods Explained

Let’s look closer at the cleaning options. Choosing the right method for cleaning crib mattress after accident is key.

Method 1: Natural Cleaning (Vinegar & Baking Soda)

This is a popular choice for natural mattress pee stain removal. It uses simple things you likely have at home.

Pros:
* Safe (no harsh chemicals).
* Cheap.
* Vinegar helps kill germs.
* Baking soda absorbs smells.

Cons:
* May not work as well on old or tough stains/smells.
* Vinegar has its own strong smell (it goes away when dry).

How to use baking soda and vinegar for mattress pee:

Blot up as much pee as possible.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and cool water in a spray bottle.
Lightly spray the wet area.
Blot the vinegar mix into the mattress.
Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
Blot up the vinegar mix with clean cloths.
Sprinkle a thick layer of dry baking soda over the spot.
Let the baking soda sit for several hours (overnight is best).
Vacuum up the dry baking soda.
Let the mattress air dry fully.

Method 2: Enzyme Cleaner

This method is often the best for urine. Urine has special parts (like uric acid crystals) that cause strong smells and stains. Regular cleaners don’t always break these down. Enzyme cleaners use tiny living things (enzymes) that eat up the stuff in pee. This really helps remove urine smell from mattress materials.

Pros:
* Very effective on urine stains and smells.
* Breaks down odor-causing stuff.
* Usually safe once dry.

Cons:
* Can be more expensive than natural options.
* Needs time to work (enzymes need moisture and time).
* Need to find one specifically for pet or human urine.

How to use enzyme cleaner for urine on mattress:

Blot up as much pee as possible.
Spray or pour the enzyme cleaner onto the wet spot. Make sure it covers the area where the pee soaked in.
Gently work it into the mattress a little.
Let it sit for 15-30 minutes or longer. Keep the area damp if the cleaner label suggests it (maybe cover with a damp towel).
Blot up the excess cleaner with clean cloths.
Do not rinse unless the product says to. Rinsing can wash away the enzymes before they finish working.
Let the mattress air dry fully. Use fans to speed this up.

Method 3: Commercial Upholstery/Carpet Cleaner

Some general cleaners can work, but be careful.

Pros:
* Easy to buy.
* May work on fresh stains.

Cons:
* May not tackle urine smells effectively.
* Some have harsh chemicals.
* Can leave sticky stuff behind that attracts dirt.
* Might bleach or damage the mattress fabric.

How to use commercial cleaner:

Blot up as much pee as possible.
Test the cleaner on a small hidden spot first. Make sure it does not harm the mattress.
Follow the directions on the bottle exactly.
Apply the cleaner to the spot.
Work it in gently.
Let it sit for the time listed on the bottle.
Blot up the cleaner.
Rinse if the bottle says to. Use as little water as possible. Blot well after rinsing.
Let the mattress air dry fully.

Cleaning Method	Best For	Pros	Cons
Natural (Vinegar/Baking Soda)	Fresh stains, light smells	Safe, cheap, absorbs odors	Less effective on old/strong messes, vinegar smell
Enzyme Cleaner	Urine stains & strong smells	Very effective on pee messes, breaks down odor cause	Can be more costly, needs time to work
Commercial Cleaner	General dirt, fresh spills	Easy to find	Less effective on urine smell, chemicals, may damage

Many people find the enzyme cleaner is the best cleaner for toddler mattress pee, especially for dealing with toddler bedwetting stains and smells that come back. For cleaning crib mattress after accident, if it’s a quick catch, natural methods might be enough.

What If the Smell Lingers?

Sometimes, even after cleaning, you can still smell a faint urine odor from bed. This is common with pee. The uric acid crystals can hide deep in the mattress. When it’s humid, the smell can come back.

If the smell is still there:

Use More Baking Soda: Sprinkle a very thick layer of dry baking soda all over the area again. Leave it for a full 24 hours this time. Vacuum it up.
Try an Enzyme Cleaner (Again or for the First Time): If you did not use one before, try it now. They are very good at breaking down the odor source. Follow the steps for enzyme cleaner use.
Sunlight and Fresh Air: Take the mattress outside on a sunny day if possible. Put it in a clean spot. Sunlight and fresh air work wonders for removing smells. Make sure it is a dry, low-humidity day.
Repeat the Process: For a tough smell, you might need to do the cleaning steps again. Focus on fully soaking the area with the cleaner (like the enzyme cleaner) without soaking the entire mattress. Then dry it completely.

Eliminating urine odor from bed requires patience. It might take more than one try. Baking soda and enzyme cleaners are your best tools here.

What About Old Stains?

Dealing with toddler bedwetting stains that you didn’t catch right away can be harder. An old, dry pee stain is tougher to remove than a fresh one.

Re-wet the Area: You need to get the stain wet again for cleaners to work. Use cool water and a cloth. Dampen the stained area. Do not soak it deeply if you can help it, just enough to make the stain damp.
Apply Enzyme Cleaner: Enzyme cleaners are usually the most effective on old urine stains. Apply it generously to the re-wet stain. Follow the directions on the bottle. Let it sit for a long time (maybe 30 minutes to an hour or more).
Try Baking Soda Paste: Mix baking soda with a little hydrogen peroxide (check on an hidden spot first to ensure it doesn’t bleach) instead of water to make a paste. Hydrogen peroxide can help with stains. Spread the paste on the old stain. Let it dry completely. Vacuum it up.
Repeat: You might need to do these steps a few times for a stubborn old stain.

Getting pee stain out of mattress material when it’s old takes effort. Natural mattress pee stain removal on old stains might not work as well as enzyme cleaners.

Important Reminders

Always Blot, Don’t Rub: Rubbing spreads the mess and pushes it deeper.
Use Cool Water: Hot water can set protein stains like pee. Always use cool or lukewarm water.
Don’t Soak the Mattress: Too much liquid can damage the mattress structure and lead to mold inside, where you can’t see it. Only clean the affected area.
Dry COMPLETELY: This cannot be said enough. A damp mattress is a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Make sure it is bone dry before putting sheets back on or letting your child sleep on it. Use fans, open windows, or even a dehumidifier.
Test Cleaners: Always test any new cleaner on a hidden part of the mattress first. Make sure it does not cause damage or discoloration.
Safety First: Use gloves if you want. Make sure the room is well-aired when using cleaners. Keep kids and pets away from the mattress while it is wet or has cleaners on it.

Making Cleanup Easier Next Time

Accidents happen. Especially with toddlers. You can make the next time easier.

Use a Waterproof Mattress Protector: This is the most important thing. A good quality waterproof cover will stop pee from reaching the mattress itself. It saves a lot of cleaning work. Look for one that covers all sides of the mattress.
Layer Bedding: Put a waterproof protector on the mattress. Then put a sheet. Then put another waterproof protector. Then put another sheet. If an accident happens in the night, you can just strip off the top sheet and protector. There’s a clean layer ready underneath. This is very helpful during potty training.
Have Spare Bedding Ready: Keep an extra set of sheets and a mattress protector close by. This helps you change the bed fast in the middle of the night.
Nighttime Routines: Limit drinks before bed. Make sure your child uses the potty right before going to sleep.

These steps won’t stop accidents. But they make dealing with toddler bedwetting stains and wetness much simpler. Cleaning crib mattress after accident is less work when the mattress is protected.

Summary of the Best Way

So, what is the best way to clean a toddler mattress with pee?

Act Fast: Remove bedding, blot up pee immediately. Use a wet/dry vac if you have one.
Clean the Spot: Apply a cleaner. Enzyme cleaners are best for urine. Vinegar/water or baking soda paste are natural options.
Let it Work: Give the cleaner time to break down the pee.
Blot/Rinse: Blot up the cleaner. Rinse lightly if needed, then blot well again.
Add Baking Soda: For smells and leftover moisture, sprinkle dry baking soda over the area.
Wait and Vacuum: Let baking soda sit for hours, then vacuum it up.
Dry Completely: Use fans and air to dry the mattress fully. This step is crucial.

Following these steps helps get pee stain out of mattress fibers and is very effective at eliminating urine odor from bed materials. Toddler mattress pee cleaning doesn’t have to be a nightmare if you are prepared and act quickly. Having the best cleaner for toddler mattress pee (often an enzyme cleaner) and using natural options like baking soda and vinegar for mattress pee accidents gives you good ways to tackle the mess.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

h4: Can I Use Bleach to Clean Pee Off a Toddler Mattress?

No, do not use bleach. Bleach is a strong chemical. It can hurt the mattress material. The fumes are also bad for you and your child. Bleach also does not fully break down the parts of pee that cause strong smells. It might seem clean, but the smell can come back later. Enzyme cleaners are much better for tackling urine odors.

h4: How Long Does a Mattress Take to Dry After Cleaning Pee?

It can take a long time, often 12 to 24 hours or even longer. It depends on how wet it got, the air in the room (is it humid or dry?), and if you used fans. It is vital that the mattress is completely dry before your child sleeps on it again. Using fans helps a lot to speed up drying. Do not guess if it is dry. Feel the spot. It should feel the same temperature and dryness as a clean part of the mattress.

h4: Will Baking Soda Really Remove Pee Smell?

Yes, baking soda is very good at soaking up smells. It works by pulling the odor-causing stuff out of the mattress. It works best when you use a generous amount and let it sit for many hours (overnight is ideal). It is a key step in removing urine smell from mattress materials using natural methods.

h4: Is an Enzyme Cleaner Safe for Toddlers?

Most enzyme cleaners are safe to use on things toddlers touch after they are dry. The enzymes break down the organic material (the pee mess). Once the cleaner is applied, works, and the mattress is completely dry, there should be no harmful residue left. Always choose a cleaner meant for pet or human urine. Read the label carefully to be sure it is okay for household use.

h4: What if the Stain or Smell Comes Back?

If the stain or smell comes back, it likely means the pee soaked deeper than you cleaned, or the cleaner did not fully break down the mess. Try cleaning the spot again. Use a good enzyme cleaner this time if you didn’t before. Make sure you use enough cleaner to reach as deep as the pee went. Let the cleaner sit for the maximum time suggested. Then, dry the mattress completely using fans. For smells, a long soak with baking soda is also helpful. Sometimes, stubborn messes need a second cleaning.

h4: Can I Use a Steam Cleaner?

Using a steam cleaner on a mattress with pee is generally not a good idea. The heat from the steam can set the protein stain in the pee, making it harder to remove. Also, steam puts a lot of moisture deep into the mattress. This makes it very hard to dry fully. This can lead to mold growth inside the mattress, which you can’t see and is unhealthy. It is better to use blotting, cleaning solutions, and air drying.

h4: Should I Throw Away a Mattress After a Big Pee Accident?

Not usually! Most pee accidents can be cleaned well. If you act fast, use the right cleaners (especially enzyme cleaners), and dry the mattress completely, it should be fine. You might consider replacing the mattress if there have been many, many accidents over a long time, or if you suspect mold has grown inside due to not drying properly. But for one or even a few accidents that are cleaned right away, the mattress can often be saved. A waterproof protector is the best way to prevent future worries.