Acting quickly is key—fresh urine is much easier to clean than dried stains.
Step 1: Strip the bed and blot (do not rub) the area with paper towels to absorb as much liquid as possible.
Step 2: Mix 1 cup hydrogen peroxide, 3 tablespoons baking soda, and a few drops of dish soap. Spray on the stain.
Step 3: Let the solution sit for 15-20 minutes, then blot with clean towels.
Step 4: Sprinkle baking soda over the area and let sit for 8-10 hours to absorb odor.
Step 5: Vacuum thoroughly.
For old stains, you may need to repeat the process or use an enzyme cleaner designed for pet urine.
For old, dried urine stains, enzyme cleaners designed for pet urine (like Nature's Miracle or Rocco & Roxie) are the most effective option. These cleaners contain biological enzymes that break down uric acid crystals — the source of persistent odor that regular cleaning can't eliminate.
Prevention is far easier than treatment. A waterproof mattress protector costs $30-50 and prevents any liquid from reaching the mattress. For children's beds and elderly care situations, waterproof protectors are essential and should be considered mandatory.
If the mattress is heavily saturated and odor persists after multiple cleaning attempts, replacement may be necessary. Urine that penetrates deep into foam layers creates an environment for bacterial growth that surface cleaning cannot reach.