The Nasty Reality of Pee Smell (and How to Get Rid of It)

Whether you’re embarrassed by the stench of your teenage son’s bedroom or you accidentally peed on your brand new mattress, there’s no denying that the smell of urine can be absolutely foul, and it can linger on a mattress long after it has dried. What we are here to do is tell you how to get the pee smell out of your mattress should you ever have this problem in the future.

Why mattresses have this problem

Few things are as off-putting as the smell of urine. Unfortunately, mattresses are often the victim of bedwetting accidents and unless you have a mattress protector, it's almost impossible to keep your mattress from getting peed on at some point. And here's the unfortunate reality: because they're made of absorbent materials, they can harbor the odor long after the accident has happened. 

What you might be doing wrong

The most common mistake people make when it comes to dealing with a smelly mattress is assuming that the problem will just go away on its own. The thing is, urine contains ammonia, which is a very strong odorant. So, unless you take care of the problem right away, that ammonia smell is going to linger for a long time.

What you can do right now

You'll need baking soda, distilled white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, a gallon jug or large bowl and some plastic wrap. Here's how to get rid of that pesky pee smell:

1. Fill the jug or bowl with enough water to completely submerge the urine-soaked part of the mattress. 
2. Add 2 cups of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar and stir it around so it gets completely soaked into the material; make sure no dry spots remain. The reaction between the baking soda and vinegar will help eliminate any lingering odors from your mattress. 
3. Let this soak for at least 24 hours before you dispose of it in an outdoor trash can or dumpster. 
4. Next, mix up a solution made up of 2 cups each of hydrogen peroxide and warm water in a small bowl. Put on gloves and saturate the affected area with this solution, then scrub away any stubborn stains with the Lola® Scrub Brush. Take care not to let the mixture drip onto other parts of the mattress—you don't want to spread the odor! Once all traces of urine have been removed, pour 1⁄2 cup of dish soap or powdered detergent onto a clean cloth and wipe down the surface thoroughly. 
5. Rinse out your cloth and repeat as necessary until all surfaces are clean. 
6. Finally, cover both sides of your mattress with heavy-duty plastic wrap while they air out. Check periodically during drying time to make sure mold doesn't form where there is condensation.

No one wants to think about the realities of urine, but it's something we all have to deal with at some point. When you're already faced with the problem, keep in mind the tips above and remember to always act quickly -- because the longer urine sits, the harder it will be to remove the smell.