Beds can be under attack from a range of bodily fluids, so knowing how to clean sweat stains on a mattress is essential. Each night you go to bed, the mattress is under threat.
Sweat stains can occur during the summer when temperatures at night soar. Yet, wintertime can also have us perspiring as we sleep as we tuck up under the blankets or have the air conditioning on.
At first, sweat stains are hard to detect as they are invisible. But over time, they become noticeable as yellow spots on your mattress.
When you discover these marks, don’t despair. It’s possible to remove them. Read on to learn how.
- Things to be aware of before you start
- Get your cleaning kit ready
- Cleaning Sweat Stains From A Mattress
- Removing sweat stains with baking soda
- Removing sweat stains with laundry powder
- Should I just use a professional cleaning company?
- How often should you clean your mattress?
- No more yellow stains
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Things to be aware of before you start
We want to keep our kids and pets safe, so make sure that these precious house members are kept away when cleaning with detergents.
You can always clean the mattresses when the children are at school, but this option isn’t feasible with pre-schoolers.
Memory foam mattresses they don’t take kindly to excess moisture. So proceed with care.
Cleaning stains from a mattress can take a few hours. You may have to make alternative sleeping arrangements as you allow the mattress to dry out.
Open the bedroom windows to circulate air and dry the mattress. This aids in the drying process. Of course, you will want to close the window at night.
If the window doesn’t have an external screen, insects or animals may enter the room.
Get your cleaning kit ready
Sweat stains don’t require the same quick reactions as urine stains. However, having your cleaning kit ready for action is always a good idea.
You don’t get frustrated as you wander around trying to find everything you need. To build a “Sweat Stain Busting Kit,” you will need these items:
- Rubber gloves
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Liquid Dishwash (non-scented)
- Spray Bottle
- Laundry Powder
- Vacuum cleaner
- Bristle brush
- Butter knife
Put these items in a centralized area for quick access.
Cleaning Sweat Stains From A Mattress
You can remove those unsightly yellow marks from your stained mattress in a couple of ways.
You can use baking soda. The other way is with laundry detergent.
Both options require time, so give yourself plenty of it when tackling the job. Don’t rush it, or you will have to do it all over again later.
Use the adage that if something is worth doing (no matter how you feel about the task), it’s worth doing right.
Removing sweat stains with baking soda
- Remove the sheets and bedding from the bed.
- Give the mattress a good vacuum.
- Cover the sweat stains thoroughly with baking soda
- Lightly rub the baking soda into the mattress with the brush. Avoid pressure when using the brush. Just be gentle.
- Wait a quarter of an hour and then vacuum up the baking soda.
If the unsightly stain is still visible, you can repeat the process. Copy the above steps for each sweat mark.
Removing sweat stains with laundry powder
This is a very effective method. It’s great to remove those inground stains.
- Remove the sheets and bedding from the bed.
- Give the mattress a good vacuum.
- Cover the sweat stains thoroughly with baking soda
- Lightly rub the baking soda into the mattress with the brush. Avoid pressure when using the brush. Just be gentle.
- Wait a quarter of an hour and then vacuum up the baking soda.
- Create a cleaning solution:
- Mix the hydrogen peroxide with 3 tablespoons of baking soda. Add several drops of the dishwashing liquid.
- Add 3 tablespoons of washing powder to one tablespoon of water. Cold water is good for fresh stains, while warm water can be used for older, set-in stains.
- Mix everything until it turns into a foam
- Apply your solution to the affected area.
- For the best results, wait half an hour before moving on to the next step.
- Remove the solution using your knife.
- If there is any residual solution, you can get rid of these using a cloth and your hydrogen peroxide.
- Apply baking soda and a few drops of essential oil to the treated areas to eliminate any unpleasant smells.
- Let the mattress air-dry, and then go over it with your vacuum cleaner.
For those stubborn stains that refuse to leave, you can exorcise them by repeating the above method.
Should I just use a professional cleaning company?
You can always consider having your mattress professionally cleaned if the idea of doing it yourself seems daunting.
The great thing about using such a service is that they not only remove the stains from your mattress, but the bed bugs are also gone, too. Say farewell to those invisible dust mites that love eating your dead skin on the mattress.
Professional cleaners use a chemical solution to treat the mattress and remove surface stains. Next, hot water or high-pressure steam provides a deeper clean.
The final part of a professional cleaner is to deodorize your mattress so that it smells wonderful.
How much you must pay to have your mattress cleaned professionally depends on the mattress size. The prices range from around $80 for a crib mattress to approximately $200 for a king-sized one.
How often should you clean your mattress?
Waiting until your dirty mattress looks less than inviting to sleep in shouldn’t be the indicator of when to clean it. You want to extend the life of your mattress, and removing the stains and grime prevents the fibers from deteriorating.
You should give your mattress a regular cleaning with your vacuum at least once a month. A deep clean of the mattress should be done every six months.
In addition, bed linens and bed sheets should be washed on a regular basis to prevent the transfer of stains on the mattress.
FAQs
What causes yellow sweat stains on a mattress?
The natural proteins and oils present in sweat interact and react with mattress materials over time. This is one of the most common causes of yellow stains, resulting in unsightly yellowish discolorations on the surface of the mattress. Essentially it’s chemistry at work between your night sweats and the mattress fibers.
Can sweat ruin a mattress?
Yes, heavy perspiration and excessive sweat can certainly damage a mattress over time. The moisture breaks down mattress fibers, encouraging mildew growth and unpleasant lingering odors. Protective mattress covers prevent sweat from penetrating and deteriorating the mattress.
Why are my sweat stains so yellow?
It’s primarily the proteins in sweat that create a chemical reaction with fabrics, causing those pronounced yellowish stains. Additional body oils and deodorants used can also contribute to this yellowing effect when mixed with sweat. So the strong yellow hue results from natural substances in sweat interacting with materials.
Can sweat stains become permanent?
Unfortunately, yes – with repeated, extensive exposure, sweat stains can absolutely become permanent discolorations bonded to mattress fibers over time. Diligent, proper cleaning when stains first appear is truly crucial to avoid allowing them to become stubborn permanent stains. Using mattress protectors can also help prevent permanent sweat damage.
No more yellow stains
You’re now equipped with all the knowledge you need when it comes to cleaning sweat stains on a mattress.
Sweat stains can occur at any time during the year. At first, you won’t notice them, but eventually, you will see the yellow marks appearing.
For lighter stains, you can use baking soda to attack them. The deeper stains require a more thorough treatment.
A mix of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, dishwash, and washing powder can tackle those harder marks.
You can consider getting a professional service if you can’t be bothered doing the job yourself.
Sleep well.
Last update on 2023-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
