Mattresses can be under attack from a range of fluids. 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 discover how.
There may be affiliate links in this article. You can read more about this in my disclosure.
Things to be aware of before you start
We want to keep our kids and pets safe, so make sure that when cleaning with detergents these precious members of the house are kept away.
You can always clean the mattresses when the children are at school, but with pre-schoolers, this option isn’t that feasible.
If you are cleaning a foam mattress, they don’t take kindly to 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 windows of the bedroom to allow the air to circulate and dry the mattress. Of course, you will want to close the window at night.
If the window doesn’t have an external screen, there is the possibility of insects or animals entering the room.
Get your cleaning kit ready
Sweat stains don’t require the same quick reactions as pee stains. However, it is always a good idea to have your cleaning kit ready for action.
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
There are a couple of ways you can remove those unsightly yellow marks from your mattress.
You can use baking soda. The other way is with laundry detergent.
Both options do require time, so give yourself plenty of it when tackling the job. Don’t rush it as you will find yourself having to do it all over again at a later date.
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 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.
- Mix everything until it turns into a foam
- Apply your solution to the sweat stains.
- 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 to the treated areas to eliminate any 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 bugs are also gone, too. Say farewell to those invisible dust mites that love eating your dead skin in the mattress.
Professional cleaners use a chemical solution to treat the mattress and remove surface stains. Next, 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 have to pay to have your mattress cleaned professionally all depends on the size of the mattress. 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 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.
It’s recommended that you give your mattress a good going-over with your vacuum at least once a month. A deep clean of the mattress should be done every six months.
No more yellow stains
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.
If you can’t be bothered doing the job yourself, you can consider getting a professional service.
Sleep well.
As a busy mom, Raz knows firsthand the challenges of balancing parenting and household management. Raz is constantly searching for ways to simplify her life and loves sharing her experiences and tips with others. Whether it's finding creative meal solutions for picky eaters or discovering the latest time-saving home organization hack, she is always on the lookout for ways to make life easier for her family and herself.
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API