How To Clean a Foam Mattress Of Urine: Step‑by‑Step FAQ Guide

If you’re searching for how to clean a foam mattress of urine, you’re likely dealing with a fresh accident or an older stain and want to remove both odour and discolouration without ruining the foam. This guide walks through safe, practical steps and answers common questions about cleaning urine from foam mattresses.

Why Is Cleaning Urine From a Foam Mattress Different?

Foam—whether memory foam or another type—acts like a sponge. Liquids soak in quickly and can be hard to remove fully.

Key concerns when cleaning a foam mattress of urine:

  • Foam can break down if soaked or scrubbed too aggressively
  • Trapped moisture can lead to lingering smells
  • Strong chemicals may be too harsh for the foam or the fabric cover

The goal is to lift out as much urine as possible, then treat the remaining stain and odour gently and thoroughly.

What Should I Do First When Urine Gets on a Foam Mattress?

Step 1: Act quickly and blot, don’t rub

  1. Remove bedding right away.
  2. Use clean, dry towels or paper towels to blot the area.
  3. Press firmly to absorb as much liquid as possible.
  4. Avoid rubbing, which can push urine deeper into the foam.

⭐ Tip: Stand on a folded towel over the spot for extra pressure to draw more liquid out.

How To Clean a Foam Mattress Of Urine (Fresh Stains)

Here is a simple at-home method using common household ingredients.

Step 2: Apply a gentle cleaning solution

You can make a basic solution:

  • Mix mild liquid dish soap with warm water, or
  • Mix white vinegar with water (about 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water)

Lightly mist or dab the solution onto the stained area. Do not soak the mattress; use just enough to dampen the surface and upper foam.

Step 3: Blot again to remove loosened urine

  • After a few minutes, blot with clean towels.
  • Repeat light application and blotting as needed until the stain looks lighter and the smell reduces.

How Do I Remove Urine Smell From a Foam Mattress?

Odour is often the longest‑lasting part of a urine accident. Once you’ve cleaned the visible stain, you can focus on smell.

Step 4: Use baking soda to neutralize odour

  1. Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the cleaned area.
  2. Gently pat it in so it contacts the surface of the foam (without grinding).
  3. Leave it for several hours, or ideally overnight, to absorb odours and residual moisture.
  4. Vacuum the baking soda thoroughly using an upholstery attachment.

If odour remains, you can repeat the baking soda step.

How Should I Dry a Foam Mattress After Cleaning?

Foam needs extra time to dry because of its absorbent structure.

  • Allow the mattress to air dry completely before putting bedding back on.
  • If possible, place it in a well‑ventilated room or near an open window.
  • A fan aimed across (not directly blasting into) the mattress can help.
  • Avoid direct high heat, which may damage the foam or the cover.

The mattress should feel completely dry to the touch on and beneath the cleaned area before regular use.

Can I Clean Old or Dried Urine Stains From a Foam Mattress?

Older stains can be more stubborn, but you can still improve them.

How to treat dried urine stains

  1. Lightly mist the area with your chosen cleaning solution (soapy water or diluted vinegar).
  2. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes to re‑soften the dried residue.
  3. Blot thoroughly with dry towels to draw out loosened deposits.
  4. Apply baking soda and vacuum after several hours as described above.

Deep, long‑standing stains may not disappear completely, but odour and visible marks often become less noticeable with repeated gentle treatments.

What Should I Avoid When Cleaning a Foam Mattress Of Urine?

To help protect your mattress:

  • Do not soak the mattress with water or cleaner
  • Avoid harsh chemicals, like strong bleaches or high‑concentration solvents
  • Don’t steam clean foam, as intense heat and moisture can affect its structure
  • Skip aggressive scrubbing, which can tear the foam or stretch the cover

Gentle, repeated cleaning is usually more effective and safer than one very intense treatment.

✅ Quick Mattress Takeaways

Key points consumers should understand about How To Clean a Foam Mattress Of Urine

  • Blot immediately to remove as much urine as possible before it soaks deeper.
  • Use a mild cleaning solution (soapy water or diluted vinegar), applied sparingly.
  • Blot, don’t rub, to avoid pushing liquid further into the foam.
  • Baking soda is useful for reducing odours and absorbing leftover moisture.
  • Let the mattress air dry fully in a ventilated space before covering it again.
  • Old stains may need multiple gentle treatments and may not disappear entirely.
  • Avoid soaking, harsh chemicals, steam cleaning, and heavy scrubbing that can damage foam.

With patience and careful blotting, light cleaning, and thorough drying, you can usually clean a foam mattress of urine well enough to reduce both stain and smell and keep your mattress comfortable for continued use.