Here’s How to Get Stains Out of a Mattress (Without Losing Your Mind)

Written by Nectarsleep Editorial Team

Last updated on Jul 18, 2025

Better Sleep Blog
Here’s How to Get Stains Out of a Mattress (Without Losing Your Mind)

In this article:

Let’s be honest — mattresses go through a lot. Sweat, tea spills, toddler accidents, that time you tried breakfast in bed and immediately regretted it… life happens. And when it does, your poor mattress often takes the hit.

But before you start Googling “can I put a mattress in the washing machine?” (spoiler: don’t), let’s sort out those stains properly. Because with the right tricks, you can freshen things up and give your mattress a second lease of life — no drama, no dry cleaning bills, and definitely no weird cleaning hacks involving vinegar and regret.

Save Up to 48% On Mattresses!*

*See Terms.
Get A Better Mattress

Step 1: Act Fast If You Can

Fresh stains are like toddlers with chocolate fingers — the longer you leave them, the worse things get. So as soon as something spills or leaks, blot (don’t rub!) with a clean cloth to soak up as much as you can. No scrubbing, no pushing it in further. Think gentle dabbing. Like you’re patting your mattress’s little head and saying, “There, there, we’ll fix this.”

Step 2: Identify the Culprit

Not all stains are created equal. Sweat, tea, blood, wine, wee — they all need slightly different approaches. But don’t worry, you don’t need a lab coat. Just a few cupboard essentials.

Step 3: Your Mattress Cleaning Toolkit

Here’s what you’ll want to have on standby:

  • Baking soda (the hero we don’t deserve)

  • Mild dish soap or laundry detergent

  • White vinegar

  • Hydrogen peroxide (for tougher stuff like blood)

  • Cold water

  • A spray bottle, clean cloths, and a bit of patience

Step 4: The Spot Treatment Cheat Sheet

💦 For general stains (tea, sweat, juice):

Mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water, dip a cloth in, and gently dab the stain. Follow up with a clean damp cloth to rinse out any soapy bits, then blot dry.

🩸 How to get blood out of a mattress: 

Use cold water (never hot!) and dab with a cloth. If it’s stubborn, mix a bit of baking soda and cold water into a paste, pop it on, leave for 30 minutes, then blot it off. Full step-by-step? We’ve got you covered right here.

🍷 For wine or other colourful surprises:
 Blot up as much as possible, then spritz a mix of white vinegar and water onto the area. Sprinkle baking soda over the top (watch it fizz!), leave for a few hours, then vacuum it all up. Magic.

🟡 How to get urine out of a mattress (yep, it happens):

Whether it’s a potty-training mishap, a sleepy accident, or a pet with poor timing — wee on the mattress is more common than you think.

  • First, blot up as much as you can using paper towels or a clean cloth.

  • Then, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and lightly spritz the area. Vinegar helps neutralise the smell (and no, your mattress won’t end up smelling like a chip shop).

  • Blot again, then sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the area. Leave it for at least 8 hours — overnight is ideal — and then vacuum it up.

  • If there’s any lingering odour, repeat the process. It really does work!

Step 5: Let It Breathe

Once you’ve done the cleaning bit, let the mattress air dry. Open windows, pop on a fan, or even take it outside if the weather’s playing nice. Just don’t cover it back up until it’s properly dry — no one likes a damp mattress (bleugh).

Bonus Tip: Protect the Mattress in the Future

If you’re thinking, “I am not doing this again,” then now’s a great time to invest in a mattress protector. And don’t worry — they’re not plasticky or sweaty anymore. The new ones are breathable, silent, and comfy enough to forget they’re even there. Like a little safety net for your sleep space.

Final Thoughts

Mattress stains are annoying, yes. But they’re also totally fixable. Whether it’s a splash of coffee, a nosebleed, a rogue glass of wine, or an overnight accident — you’ve now got everything you need to clean it up calmly and confidently.

Next time life gets a bit messy — you’ve got this.

Now go stick the kettle on. You’ve earned a proper brew.

Back to blog