Removing cat pee from a mattress
It's every cat owner's nightmare: you walk into your bedroom and smell that unmistakable, sharp ammonia smell. Your cat has peed on the bed. Cat pee on a mattress is a serious problem. Unlike a rug, you can't just put a mattress in the washing machine or hose it down outside. The urine soaks deep into the foam straight away, which without the right treatment can lead to a lasting stench and mould.
Want to remove cat pee from your mattress and avoid having to take the whole mattress to the tip? In this article we explain why this smell is so stubborn, what you should absolutely not do and how to get your bed fresh again step by step.
Why cat urine is so stubborn
Cat urine is highly concentrated. Among other things, it contains uric acid, which dries into microscopic crystals. These crystals don't dissolve in water and cling firmly to the filling of your mattress.
The tricky part is that you might get the stain out with soapy water, but not the crystals. As soon as the humidity in your bedroom rises (for example from sweating while you sleep), these crystals become active again and the penetrating smell returns. To really get cat pee out of a mattress, you need to break down these crystals.
What you should NEVER do
Before you start cleaning, it's important to prevent further damage.
- No ammonia or bleach: Cat urine itself smells of ammonia. If you clean with ammonia or chlorine, you make that smell stronger. Your cat will think this is a regular pee spot and do it again.
- Don't rub: Scrubbing spreads the urine over a larger area and pushes it deeper into the core of the mattress.
- No steam cleaner: The heat of steam makes the proteins in the urine bind to the fabric. You'll then 'bake' the stain and the smell in permanently.
Step-by-step plan: removing fresh cat pee from a mattress
Has the accident just happened? Then act immediately.
Step 1: absorb
Immediately place a thick layer of kitchen paper or old towels on the wet spot. Press down firmly (lean on it if you like) to draw as much liquid out of the mattress as possible. Repeat until the towels stay dry.
Step 2: neutralise with vinegar
Make a mixture of one part cleaning vinegar and two parts water. Carefully pour this over the spot. Vinegar neutralises the ammonia smell. Let it soak in for 5 to 10 minutes and then dab it as dry as possible again with clean towels.
Step 3: use enzymes
This is the most important step. Use an enzymatic cleaner (such as a special pet odour remover or a solution of Biotex Groen). Enzymes actually break down the uric acid crystals and bacteria. Moisten the spot well so the product also soaks into the foam, and let it do its work for at least half an hour.
Step 4: dry
A mattress dries slowly. Open the windows and point a fan at the bed. As long as the mattress is damp, don't make the bed, to prevent mould.
Removing old stains
Did you only discover the stain late and has it already dried?
- First moisten the stain lightly with water to loosen the crystals.
- Treat the spot with the enzyme cleaner as described above.
- After treating, sprinkle a layer of baking soda over the damp spot. Baking soda absorbs moisture and draws nasty odours out of the fabric.
- Let the baking soda dry into a crust (this can take a night) and vacuum it up the next day.
The most effective method: deep cleaning
The downside of cleaning by hand is that you bring moisture into the mattress that's hard to get back out. With a thick mattress, that's risky.
The most hygienic solution is to use a spot cleaner (spray extraction device), such as the Achaté Spot Cleaner.
- Rinse and suck: This device sprays a cleaning solution into the fibres and immediately sucks it back up with great power.
- Result: You actually get the urine out of the mattress instead of diluting or masking it. What's more, the mattress stays much drier than with manual scrubbing, so mould doesn't stand a chance.
Why does my cat pee on the bed?
Besides cleaning, it's important to find the cause, otherwise you'll keep at it forever. Cats are naturally house-trained. Peeing on soft surfaces such as a bed or sofa often has a reason:
- Medical: Bladder crystals or a bladder infection. If in doubt, always go to the vet.
- Stress: Changes in the home, new pets or tension.
- Litter box: Is the box clean enough? Or is it in a spot that's too busy?
