How to Get Urine Out of a Memory Foam Mattress: 2 Easy Ways

Let’s be honest: nobody wakes up excited to deep-clean a mattress. But accidents happentoddlers, pets, late-night water chugging, and that one dream where you’re absolutely sure you found a bathroom. The good news? You can absolutely save a memory foam mattress if you act quickly and use the right method.

This guide gives you 2 easy, proven ways to remove urine from memory foam, tackle odor, and prevent repeat cleanup sessions. It also includes real-world troubleshooting, prevention tips, and a practical “what not to do” list that can save your mattress from accidental damage.

Quick Answer: The 2 Easy Ways

• Way #1 (Best for fresh accidents): Vinegar + cold water + a little detergent, followed by baking soda and thorough drying.
• Way #2 (Best for old stains, pet urine, or stubborn smell): Enzyme cleaner made for biological messes, then baking soda and airflow.

If you only remember one thing, remember this: blot, don’t scrub. Scrubbing pushes liquid deeper into foam and makes cleanup harder.

Why Memory Foam Needs Special Treatment

Memory foam is comfortable because it’s dense and absorbent. Unfortunately, that same structure can hold onto moisture and odors if you over-wet it. Traditional “flood it and scrub it” cleaning can backfire on foam mattresses.

What makes memory foam different?

• It absorbs liquid quickly.
• It dries slower than many other surfaces.
• Too much moisture can contribute to lingering odor and possible mold issues.
• Harsh chemicals can break down foam or fade fabric covers.

Translation: use controlled moisture, gentle pressure, and plenty of airflow.

Before You Start: Prep in 5 Minutes

1. Strip the bed immediately. Remove sheets, blankets, and protectors.
2. Wash bedding right away. Don’t let urine sit in fabric.
3. Blot the mattress. Use paper towels or clean cloth towels; press firmly, replace often.
4. Set up airflow. Open windows, point a fan at the spot, and if possible use a dehumidifier.
5. Check the care tag. Follow manufacturer cleaning guidance for your specific mattress cover.

Way #1: Vinegar + Baking Soda Method (Fresh Urine)

This is your go-to for a recent accident. It helps with both stain and smell, and most people already have the supplies at home.

What you need

• Cold water
• Distilled white vinegar
• Mild liquid laundry detergent (small amount)
• Spray bottle
• Clean towels
• Baking soda
• Vacuum (upholstery attachment if possible)

Mixing ratio

In a spray bottle, mix:

• 2 parts cold water
• 1 part white vinegar
• A small squeeze of mild detergent

Step-by-step

1. Blot first. Press towels into the wet area until they come away less damp.
2. Lightly spray the stain. Damp, not drenched. You want coverage, not a swimming pool.
3. Wait 10–15 minutes. Let the solution break down urine compounds.
4. Blot again. Press clean towels to lift moisture and residue.
5. Cover with baking soda. Apply a generous layer over the damp area.
6. Let it sit 8–10 hours. Overnight works great.
7. Vacuum thoroughly. Remove all baking soda residue.
8. Air dry completely. Keep fan running until totally dry to the touch.

When to repeat

If you can still smell odor after drying, repeat once. Deep foam may need more than one round, especially with larger accidents.

Way #2: Enzyme Cleaner Method (Dried Urine, Pet Urine, or Strong Odor)

For stubborn smells, old stains, or pet accidents, enzyme cleaner is often the MVP. Enzymes break down organic residues that normal cleaners can leave behind.

What you need

• Enzyme cleaner labeled for urine or pet bio-stains
• Clean towels
• Soft brush (optional)
• Baking soda
• Fan/dehumidifier

Step-by-step

1. Blot loose moisture. If the area is still damp, blot first.
2. Apply enzyme cleaner per label. Follow dwell time exactly (this is important).
3. Gently blot. Don’t rub aggressively into foam.
4. Sprinkle baking soda after treatment. Let sit several hours to absorb remaining moisture and odor.
5. Vacuum and air dry. Use fan and ventilation until fully dry.

Pro tip for pet households

Use an enzyme product designed specifically for pet urine. It targets urine residue that can trigger repeat marking behavior.

How to Remove Urine Smell from a Memory Foam Mattress

Sometimes the stain is gone but the smell lingers. Here’s a smell-first reset:

1. Lightly mist the area with diluted vinegar (or use enzyme cleaner for heavy odor).
2. Let it sit briefly, then blot.
3. Apply baking soda across the full affected zone.
4. Leave 8+ hours, vacuum slowly, and repeat if needed.
5. Run fan/dehumidifier to finish drying and prevent musty smell.

What Not to Do (Mattress-Saving Rules)

• Don’t soak memory foam. Excess moisture can get trapped deep inside.
• Don’t use hot water first. Heat can set protein-based stains and odors.
• Don’t scrub hard. Scrubbing spreads and drives urine deeper.
• Don’t use steam cleaning on memory foam unless manufacturer says it’s safe.
• Don’t mix chemical cleaners. Especially avoid bleach mixtures and random DIY chemistry.
• Don’t remake the bed too soon. If it feels even slightly damp, keep drying.

Safety Notes (Worth Reading)

Cleaning is not the same as disinfecting. For mattress urine cleanup, focus on stain removal, odor control, and full drying. If you choose any disinfectant products, use them exactly as labeled and with ventilation.

• Never mix bleach with other cleaners.
• Avoid mixing hydrogen peroxide and vinegar in the same bottle.
• Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin.
• Keep products away from kids and pets during cleanup.

How to Prevent Future Urine Accidents on Mattress

1) Use a waterproof mattress protector

This is the single easiest way to prevent deep foam contamination. A good protector buys you time and protects the core of the mattress.

2) Layer your bed strategically

Try this setup for kids, guests, or seniors:

• Fitted sheet
• Waterproof protector
• Optional second fitted sheet for fast nighttime swaps

3) Keep a “night accident kit” nearby

Store a small basket with towels, spare sheet, gloves, spray bottle, and baking soda. Future-you at 2 a.m. will be grateful.

4) Address recurring causes

If accidents are frequent, consider practical and medical follow-up steps (especially for children over 7 with ongoing bedwetting or adults with new nighttime accidents).

When to Replace Instead of Clean

Most accidents are fixable, but not all mattresses are salvageable forever. Consider replacement if:

• Odor persists after multiple full treatments and complete drying cycles.
• The mattress has visible mold or water damage signs that keep returning.
• Foam remains damp deep inside after repeated drying efforts.
• The mattress is already old, sagging, or close to end-of-life.

Think of it this way: if the mattress smells “fine” only right after cleaning and then rebounds to “mystery locker room,” that’s your sign.

FAQ: Fast Answers

Can I use hydrogen peroxide on memory foam?

Sometimes, but carefully. It can bleach fabric and may affect foam if overused. Spot-test first and use minimal moisture. For many people, vinegar/enzyme methods are safer first-line options.

How long does a memory foam mattress take to dry after cleaning?

Usually several hours to overnight, depending on humidity, airflow, and how wet it got. Use fans and a dehumidifier for faster, safer drying.

Can old urine stains really come out?

Yes, oftenbut older stains may need repeated treatment and longer drying. Enzyme cleaner usually performs better on old or pet-related odor.

Can I sleep on the mattress before it’s fully dry?

Better not. Trapped moisture can lead to odor rebound and potential microbial growth. Wait until completely dry.

Final Takeaway

If you need a practical plan, here it is:

1. For fresh urine: use Way #1 (vinegar + baking soda).
2. For dried urine or stubborn odor: use Way #2 (enzyme cleaner).
3. Dry thoroughly, then protect with a waterproof cover.

That’s it. No drama, no panic, no “guess I live on the couch now.” Just a clean mattress and a better night’s sleep.

Experience Section (About ): Real-World Lessons from Urine Cleanup on Memory Foam

Note: The stories below are composite experiences based on common household scenarios to illustrate what works in real life.

Experience 1: The 2:07 a.m. Toddler Surprise

A parent I worked with had a classic midnight situation: pajamas soaked, mattress damp, everyone half awake. Their first instinct was to scrub hard with hot water, but that usually spreads the mess. Instead, they stripped the bed, blotted with towels, and used a vinegar-cold-water spray in light passes. After a 10-minute wait, they blotted again, covered the spot with baking soda, and set up a fan. By morning, the baking soda was clumpy (a good sign it absorbed moisture), and the odor was mostly gone after vacuuming. They repeated one short round that evening and got full odor removal. Their biggest takeaway: speed beats force. Acting quickly with blotting and airflow worked better than aggressive cleaning. Their second takeaway: mattress protector first, heroics second. They bought two waterproof protectors and started rotating them, which prevented repeat deep cleaning.

Experience 2: Senior Dog, Same Spot, Different Week

Another household had a senior dog with occasional accidents in the same area. They tried a scented cleaner first, and the room smelled “floral dog park” for two days. The stain faded, but odor returned. They switched to an enzyme cleaner made for pet urine and followed the label dwell time exactly. That was the turning point. After blotting and drying, they added baking soda overnight, vacuumed carefully, and repeated once. Odor was finally neutralized rather than masked. What mattered most: enzyme chemistry + patience + complete drying. They also learned that heavily perfumed cleaners can make you think the problem is solved when it’s just covered up. They added a washable waterproof encasement and a small fan in the bedroom closet specifically for accident nights. Result: fewer panic moments, faster cleanup, and no lingering smell on warm afternoons.

Experience 3: College Apartment “Emergency Cleaning Committee”

In a shared apartment, one roommate discovered a dried stain the next morning and assumed the mattress was ruined. The group looked up a game plan, then did a controlled cleanup: light vinegar treatment, blotting, air-dry, enzyme follow-up, baking soda, vacuum, fan. They were tempted to pour on extra liquid “to make it really clean,” but resisted. That restraint saved the foam from becoming waterlogged. They also made a simple rule: if the stain is old, expect more than one cycle. By day two, the stain was faint and odor-free. Their key lesson was that memory foam responds best to consistency, not brute force. They built a shared cleaning bin with gloves, towels, spray bottle, and baking soda. It cost less than one takeout dinner and saved a mattress that everyone thought was done for.

Experience 4: Guest Room Mystery Odor Before the Holidays

A host noticed a faint urine odor in a guest room only when the heat turned on. No visible stain, just a “something’s off” smell. They treated the likely area with enzyme cleaner, let it dwell, blotted, then used baking soda over a wider zone. They ran a dehumidifier and fan for a full day. Odor dropped dramatically but returned slightly after new sheets were added too soon. They removed bedding, resumed airflow overnight, and did one final baking soda round. That solved it. The lesson here: drying time is not optional. If moisture remains below the surface, odor can rebound after the room warms up. Their prevention move was smart: zippered waterproof protector plus monthly quick vacuuming. Since then, the guest room has stayed fresh, and holiday hosting no longer includes surprise nose detective work.