How to Remove Yellow Stains from the Mattress
As a result of use and the passage of time, mattresses become stained. The lining that covers them, like any protective surface, suffers wear and tear caused by human contact. Whether due to embedded dirt or sweat, or urine, vomit and other substances, mattresses are always susceptible to acquiring those characteristic yellowish stains.
Even if we clean the mattress frequently, it is not always easy to remove these difficult stains. For this and more, at FoxWiki we explain how to remove yellow stains from mattress. Here we show you several simple methods that you can apply at home to leave your mattress like new and, most importantly, bacteria-free. Let’s get started!
Topics Covered in This Article
Sodium bicarbonate
Baking soda, combined with warm water, forms a very effective stain-removing mixture. Likewise, baking soda allows the mattress to be disinfected from bacteria and germs accumulated on the cover as a result of stains. To know how to clean a very dirty mattress Just follow these simple steps.
- In a plastic container, mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda with half a cup of warm water. Stir until it forms a paste.
- Remove the sheets and put them in the laundry basket to wash.
- Apply the paste directly to the stains on the mattress. With a brush, spread the paste over the affected area and remove with circular movements.
- Let the baking soda dry. Then, go over it with a damp sponge to remove any residue on the mattress cover.
If you want to know other methods to deep clean mattresses, don’t miss our article How to disinfect a mattress.
White vinegar
White vinegar also works as a powerful stain remover for mattresses. You just have to apply it directly to the mattress with a soft cloth and you will see how the sweat and urine stains disappear quickly. Follow these steps to remove stains from mattress with vinegar:
- Find a clean, soft cloth (not fluffy) and wet it with white vinegar (mainly the corners of the cloth).
- Clean the surface with the cloth soaked in vinegar, vigorously going over the stains.
- Then, go over it with an abrasive sponge moistened with dish soap. This will be necessary when the yellow stains are very old.
- Clean with a damp cloth and let dry.
If you suspect that your mattress also has a mite problem, at FoxWiki we will tell you How to clean the mattress of mites.
Hydrogen peroxide
If your mattress is very dirty, hydrogen peroxide is an excellent ally to remove stubborn yellow stains and dry clean a mattress. Likewise, it works wonders against stains caused by mites, such as feces and blood. Follow these steps to use hydrogen peroxide to remove stains from the mattress:
- Take a large cotton ball and wet it with hydrogen peroxide.
- Clean stains with cotton, applying it in circular movements.
- When the cotton is very dirty, replace it with another one, also soaked in hydrogen peroxide.
- When you notice that the surface is free of stains, go over it with a sponge soaked in warm water.
- Absorb the water with a clean, dry cloth. Then, let the mattress finish drying in a ventilated place.
Lemon and baking soda
Lemon with warm water is also an excellent home trick that you can easily apply to remove yellow stains and whiten the mattress. Citric acid is a powerful stain remover that will also allow you decontaminate the mattress and remove bad odors produced, mainly, by urine stains.
- Squeeze 3 lemons into a cup of warm water.
- Stir well and, with the help of a soft cloth, clean the stains from the mattress.
- Scrub vigorously, wetting the cloth whenever necessary.
- Then, sprinkle baking soda and go over with a sponge, in case the stains persist.
- Let the mattress air dry. You will see how the stains and bad smell have disappeared.
Lemon is one of the most effective natural products for cleaning the home. Find out how to use it in our article How to clean with lemon.
Detergent soap
If you see that none of the homemade tricks to clean the mattress have worked for you at all, you can always use detergent soap, as it will be excellent for cleaning mattresses with many stains or very dirty. Just follow these steps so you know How to wash a very dirty mattress at home:
- Mix a cup of liquid detergent with warm water. Check the instructions on the soap to make sure it is not too harsh on the mattress cover.
- Dampen a sponge in the mixture and give the mattress a good scrub over the stained areas.
- Then, go over it with a wet cloth to remove any soap residue.
- Let the mattress dry, preferably outdoors. The sun’s rays will help whiten and decontaminate stained fabrics.
Steamer
As we have seen, warm water is very effective against yellow stains on the mattress. If you do not want to apply any other product that could damage the mattress cover, you can apply the following method. You will only need a handheld steamer to have immediate results. Follow these simple steps to learn how to clean a mattress with a steam cleaner:
- Lay the mattress on the wall, horizontally.
- Using a vacuum cleaner, remove all the grime accumulated on the mattress.
- Fill the steamer with water and begin firing the device’s sprayer on the stained areas. Remember to review the instructions for the device before using it for the first time.
- The steamer will expel water vapor onto the fabric. Go over with the hose, making slow movements, until all the stained areas are covered.
- Wait 5 minutes and go over it again with the steamer. Then, air dry the mattress for approximately 12 hours, in a clean, ventilated space with sunlight, preferably.
Ammonia
Ammonia dissolved in water is very effective in removing any yellow stains from the mattress. It even exterminates blood stains and other liquids, disinfecting the cover fabric thanks to its antiseptic properties. However, to learn how to clean a mattress with ammonia, it is very important that you have a protective mask and gloves on hand, as the smell of this gas is very strong. Be sure to ventilate the area where you are going to work very well and keep children and pets away.
- Put on your protective mask and latex gloves.
- Mix 2 cups of warm water with half a cup of ammonia.
- Add half a cup of hydrogen peroxide and mix.
- When you have the mixture ready, soak a clean cloth and scrub the stains from the surface of the mattress. Dampen the cloth and go over the areas that warrant it.
- Next, go over it with a sponge moistened with cold water to remove any remains of the mixture.
- Dry the mattress outdoors and exposed to sunlight. You can also help it dry with a blow dryer in more humid areas.