How to Get Rid of Stains on Mattresses (Especially if You Have Kids)
The cost of mattresses is quite high, and nobody likes to change their sheets every day just to find a large, unsightly stain. But it can be untidy living with children, pets, or aging parents. A mother gave her tips on how to get mattress stains out a few years back. Professionals have shown how to do this in the interim, focusing on particular stains. These tips aren’t just for parents either. They’re helpful for adult offspring of elderly or incontinent parents as well.
A Mother’s Knowledge
Katelyn Fagan is a devoted mother, wife, and businesswoman who helps families keep their homes tidy and orderly by providing cleaning goods and guidance. She offered a do-it-yourself method that she’s discovered works well for getting rid of mattress stains.
How to Get Rid of Stains on Mattresses
What You’ll require:
Combine the materials and mist the entire mattress, paying particular attention to any stains. After letting everything dry, use a vacuum to get rid of any leftovers.
A Foundation’s Advice
Although Katelyn’s advise is beneficial, stain removal can occasionally be challenging if one is unfamiliar with the chemistry of the stain. Nonetheless, by providing various recipes for tough-to-remove mattress stains, the Sleep Foundation assisted in removing some of these stains.They describe how to remove stains such as blood, vomit, urine, wine, and coffee, both old and fresh.
For “minor stains,” the first mattress stain removal recipe works well. Initially, use a light-colored cloth to wipe away any leftover liquid to avoid “any color bleeding.” Avoid rubbing as this may cause the liquid to seep further into the mattress. Use an enzyme cleanser, such as dish soap, laundry detergent, or stain remover from the shop. Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and white vinegar are more natural substitutes. It is advised to apply to the stained area, let it dry, and then vacuum away, just like Katelyn suggested. To guarantee that the mattress stains are properly removed, the method might need to be repeated. Additionally, to prevent mildew or mold formation, let the mattress air dry completely before using it.
Eliminate Blood and Urine Stains from Mattress Fabric
Cleaning up mattress stains from bodily fluids comes next. The good news is that cleaning new stains is less difficult than cleaning old ones. Therefore, blood can be extracted by directly dabbing with cold water.
Meanwhile, a mixture of baking soda and distilled vinegar may be needed for fresh urine. Pour the same amount of vinegar and water into a spray bottle. After dabbing the region to get rid of extra fluid, sprinkle baking soda on it. After letting the mixture dry, vacuum up any leftover material.
Taking Out Set-in Stains
Even though set-in stains are significantly more difficult to remove, they can still be done with the right cleaning solution. Refer back to Katelyn’s recommendations for urine stains that have set, as the procedures and formulations are the same.
However, blood that has already started to set in might need a little more help. Although an enzyme cleaner is advised, you can instead use common household items. A paste can be made with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
Additionally, scraping with a toothbrush or other abrasive object might assist get rid of stains on mattresses. A scrubbing brush is a preferable substitute since steel wool, among other things, could harm the mattress. In order to stop the stain from spreading, carefully rub the outside of the stain inward. Finally, before using the mattress, blot off any liquid or residue that may have remained.
Get rid of beverage stains from mattresses
It might be difficult to remove liquids like coffee, tea, or wine from clothes, let alone a big, thick mattress. Fortunately, dabbing rather than rubbing will help remove fresh stains before they set. You can also use cold water and a small amount of dish soap.
But if the stains have already set, then a more comprehensive solution might be required. Coffee and tea stains on mattresses can be effectively removed using vinegar and dish soap, but if there is additional cream or sugar present, it is advised to incorporate extra detergent and warm water into the mixture.
Wine, Red, Wine
Mattress stains like red wine are notoriously hard to get rid of. Thankfully, mattress stains may be effectively removed with commercial stain removers. Alternatively, you may try a solution of dish soap, salt, and hydrogen peroxide; just make sure you use cold water.
Blot the stain with cold water after removing any excess liquid, then sprinkle it with salt and leave it for a few minutes or longer. Next, use cool water and a light-colored cloth to dab the salt.
More steps and time may be needed to remove tougher stains:
It’s crucial to remember that many of these fixes might also apply to items other than beds, including clothes. Hydrogen peroxide, however, can fade clothing colors, so stay away from using these solutions on non-white materials and fabrics.
Finally, A Stain That Is Unpleasant to Remove
Urine and blood are unpleasant stains to clean, but vomit is possibly the most repulsive stain of them. The sickening smell of puke seems to cling, making stomachs turn whenever someone lies down or, in the worst situations, walks into the room. “Varied enzymes and acids” are the cause of the difficulty in eliminating the undesirable stains and smells. Thus, enzyme cleaners from the market are effective, but you can also make your own.
What You’ll require:
Give the area a thorough spray, then let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. If the stain and smell are still apparent, blot away any leftover material and cover the area with baking soda. After letting it sit for at least eight hours, vacuum it. Always dab or buff, never rub (this stops the stain from setting further).
Woman Discovers a Photo of Herself as a Newborn with a Birthmark She Never Had, Her Mother Finally Reveals the Truth — Story of the Day
While helping her mother, Sarah, move into a new house, Natalie stumbles upon an old photograph hidden in a box. It shows a young Sarah holding a newborn baby with a distinctive birthmark on its cheek. But Natalie never had a birthmark. Confused and unsettled, she realizes there’s a secret her mother has been hiding.
Natalie adjusted her grip on the heavy box, glancing at Sarah, who was busily sorting through their belongings. It felt strange, this new feeling—admiration. For years, she had begged her mother to leave Ross, warning her about his manipulative ways.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“You deserve better,” she’d say, but Sarah never listened. Each time she walked away from Ross, she’d return, swayed by a shiny necklace or an expensive dinner. But now, things were different. Sarah had finally found the strength to break free.
Watching her mother carry on despite the fear in her eyes, Natalie couldn’t help but feel a new kind of respect.
“I can’t believe this is actually happening,” Sarah said, her voice trembling as she looked around the empty house. It was a new beginning, but fear lingered in her eyes.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Natalie paused, watching her mother. “How do you feel about everything?”
“I’m scared, Natalie,” Sarah admitted, her shoulders slumping. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
“I get it, Mom. It’s okay to be scared. But remember, you did the right thing.”
Sarah wrung her hands, glancing at the floor. “What if I go back to him again? What if I can’t make it on my own? What if I fail?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“You won’t, Mom,” Natalie said firmly. “You’ll figure it out, and I’ll be here with you. You’re not alone in this. You have me, your one and only daughter, and I’m not going anywhere.”
Sarah looked up, and her eyes filled with unshed tears. Her brow furrowed, lips quivering.
“Mom, are you okay?” Natalie asked, concerned.
“Yes, yes. Sorry, I just got lost in thought.” Sarah forced a smile.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
They started unpacking, trying to focus on the small tasks. “You sure kept a lot of stuff, Mom,” Natalie remarked, lifting another heavy box.
Sarah called from the other room, “Oh, really? I seem to remember a certain college student with a mountain of boxes.”
Natalie chuckled, shaking her head. “Okay, okay, you got me there. But I’m different now. I’ve learned to let go.”
She pulled open a dusty box, revealing a stack of old photo albums. She brushed off the top one and flipped it open, smiling as she saw herself as a toddler, playing in the backyard, dressed in funny Halloween costumes, and grinning with a gap-toothed smile.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Page after page, she saw Sarah’s smiling face next to hers, but she avoided the photos that showed Ross. She flipped past those quickly, a sour feeling building in her chest whenever his face appeared.
Once she finished the albums, she reached the bottom of the box and noticed an old envelope. It looked out of place, hidden away like a secret. Curiosity took over, and she carefully opened it.
Inside was a single photograph. It showed a much younger Sarah, looking tired but joyful, cradling a newborn in her arms at the hospital. Natalie squinted at the baby, her smile fading. A large birthmark covered the baby’s cheek.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She flipped the photo over and read the date. It matched the day of her own birth. Her heart skipped a beat, confusion filling her mind. “But I never had a birthmark,” she whispered to herself, scanning the photo again. A chill ran down her spine as dread settled in. Something wasn’t right.
Natalie stormed into the bedroom, gripping the photograph tightly. “Mom? Don’t you have something to explain?” she demanded, holding the picture up for Sarah to see.
Sarah’s eyes widened, and she froze, clearly flustered. “Uhh… Natalie… where did you find that?” she asked, her voice shaky.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“In the box with the photo albums,” Natalie replied coldly.
Sarah swallowed hard. “I can explain. It’s… it’s just the baby of a woman who was sharing the hospital room with me.”
Natalie narrowed her eyes. “Really? And you’ve kept it all these years? Why would you hide it in an envelope?”
“I—I don’t know,” Sarah stammered, rubbing the back of her head. “It’s nothing, Natalie.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Don’t lie to me, Mom,” Natalie shot back. “You always do that when you lie. What’s going on? Who’s this baby?”
Sarah sighed, her hands trembling. “It’s complicated, Natalie. It was a long time ago…”
Natalie crossed her arms. “Then start explaining.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Sarah took a deep breath, sitting down on the edge of the bed. “Alright. But promise you won’t hate me.”
“I can’t promise that,” Natalie replied sharply. “Just tell me.”
Sarah closed her eyes for a moment, collecting her thoughts. “When your father and I first got married, we didn’t have much. We were poor, barely scraping by.”
Natalie huffed, her impatience growing. “I know all that, Mom.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Sarah nodded. “Then, when I got pregnant, we were excited but scared. We didn’t have the money, but we wanted to keep the baby. When we went for the second ultrasound, they told us we were having twins.”
Natalie blinked, the revelation hitting her like a wave. “Twins?”
Sarah nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. “Yes. But your father… he didn’t take it well. He said we couldn’t afford two children. He wanted me to have an abortion, but it was too late.”
Natalie’s breath caught in her throat, but she remained silent, waiting for her mother to continue.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“When you were born,” Sarah whispered, “you had a sister. But then… your father brought two strangers into the hospital room. He said… one of you had to go. I begged him, Natalie, I did. But he had already made up his mind.”
Natalie’s hands tightened into fists. “You let him take her?”
“I didn’t have a choice,” Sarah sobbed. “I didn’t want to lose either of you.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Natalie stood, her chest heaving with anger. “So, I have a sister—a twin—and you never told me? You let her go, and you stayed with him after that?”
“I loved him,” Sarah whispered, tears falling freely.
Natalie glared at her, her voice trembling with rage. “You loved him more than your own child! I knew you weren’t the best mother, but this… this is worse than I ever imagined!” She turned toward the door, her mind racing.
“Natalie, please—”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
But Natalie didn’t stop. She ran out of the room, out of the apartment, leaving her mother’s cries behind her.
Back in her apartment, her hands shook as she typed out a message to Sarah:
Who did you and Dad give her to?
Minutes passed, each one feeling like an hour. When Sarah finally replied with the information, Natalie’s heart hardened. She blocked her mother’s number without hesitation, determined to find answers on her own.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Through a few quick searches on social media, she found out her sister’s name—Amber. She lived in a neighboring state. Without a second thought, she booked a plane ticket and boarded the flight that same afternoon, her mind racing with questions.
When she landed, Natalie called a cab, and the driver took her to Amber’s address. The cab stopped in front of a charming, two-story house with a big, well-kept yard. Natalie sat in the backseat, nerves building as she stared at the house.
“Lady, I can’t sit here all day; some of us have jobs,” the cab driver snapped.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Natalie shot him a quick, irritated look and got out of the car, her legs unsteady. She walked up to the fence, clutching it tightly for support. Her breath caught when she spotted a woman who looked just like her, except for a birthmark on her cheek—Amber.
Amber was playing with a little boy while a man, probably her husband, laughed beside them. An elderly couple sat nearby, holding hands, their smiles warm and gentle. When they leaned in for a kiss, it reminded Natalie of a love she had never seen between her parents.
“Mom, Dad, come on, show some restraint,” Amber said with a grin as she watched her parents kiss.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Just then, two older women walked by and noticed Natalie by the fence. “Hi, Amber!” one of them greeted her warmly, mistaking her for her twin.
Natalie hesitated, caught off guard. “Oh, uh… hi,” she replied awkwardly, forcing a smile.
The women continued walking, not noticing the confusion, while Natalie tried to steady her nerves.
Natalie took one last look at Amber’s family. They seemed so content, like a picture-perfect scene from a commercial. Amber was laughing with her little boy, while her husband joined in, and her parents sat nearby, relaxed and happy.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
It was clear they were close, a real family, and Natalie felt a sharp pang in her chest. She realized then that she couldn’t disrupt that happiness. With a heavy sigh, she turned away, her heart aching but resolute.
She couldn’t be the one to ruin Amber’s peace. As much as it hurt, she knew it was the right thing to do.
The next morning, Natalie flew back home, still haunted by what she’d learned. Without fully understanding why, she found herself calling a cab to her mom’s house.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
As she arrived, she saw her dad’s car pulling away. Her heart sank, and she feared the worst. She stepped out and knocked, and Sarah opened the door almost immediately.
Natalie looked at her mom, her voice sharp. “Was Dad here?”
Sarah hesitated, then nodded. “Yes.”
Natalie felt her stomach drop. “So, you forgave him. Again.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Sarah glanced down, fidgeting with her hands. “He brought me a necklace,” she said softly. “It’s beautiful…” Her voice faded as she spoke.
Natalie sighed, her shoulders slumping. “I see,” she said, turning to leave, feeling the familiar sting of disappointment.
Before she could step away, Sarah spoke again, her voice stronger. “But I told him to go to hell.”
Natalie stopped, stunned. She turned back, searching her mom’s face. Seeing the truth there, she stepped forward and pulled her into a tight hug. They clung to each other, tears streaming, finally finding a sense of relief.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
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If you enjoyed this story, read this one: When a new boss named Mr. Brecker arrived at the company, the staff hoped for the best. But he quickly turned out to be a nightmare—strict, rude, and dismissive, especially towards Kira, the hardworking manager. Instead of backing down, Kira decided to fight back, leading to a bold plan that would change everything.
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