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Accidents happen. When our pets have accidents, it can be especially annoying.
Cleaning carpeting and washing bedding can be a hassle, but it's not as difficult as it seems. Mattresses, on the other hand, can't be washed in a washing machine, and urine can penetrate much deeper into the material.
If the smell is not thoroughly washed out, your dog will likely urinate in the same place again!
For these reasons, learning how to get dog pee out of a mattress is more challenging.
If you're looking to save money and time, I can teach you how to do this quickly and easily.
Most of the products I discuss in this guide may already be in your home. If you don't have them on hand, they'll only cost a few dollars to pick up at the grocery store.
ALSO SEE: 5 Best Pet Odor Eliminators for Dog’s Urine Smell and Stains
5 Tips on How to Get Dog Pee Out of a Mattress
1. React Quickly
It’s important to remove the traces of dog urine on the mattress as quickly as possible if you want the odor to disappear completely.
When doing this, you have to be thorough because your pup has a sense of smell that is about a hundred times greater than yours, so “good enough” won’t cut it.
If the dog can still smell urine from the cleaned area, it will make him believe that it's a perfect place to relieve himself.
Sometimes it’s hard to see those stains, so use a pet urine detector on the mattress to see where the smell comes from.
2. Dry the Area
After locating all dog urine spots on the mattress, dry the area immediately using paper towels or sponges. Dab instead of rubbing to avoid spreading the pet urine.
Apply as much pressure as possible to soak up as much as you can.
It's also best if you already have pre-made products designed explicitly for removing dog urine stains from furniture, carpet, and mattress, like these.
Use the instructions on the bottle, and these commercial dog pee stain eliminators will do exactly what you need them to do.
However, if you prefer more natural DIY homemade solutions, the following ingredients will also work in ways to get dog pee out of a mattress.
3. Use Vinegar and Baking Soda Solution
One of the most effective home solutions for removing dog urine from a mattress is a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.
Given that dog urine contains both alkaline and acidic substances, it is necessary to use a combination of these two natural acidic substances to remove the odor entirely.
Dissolve 2 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 cup of white vinegar, then transfer the mixture to a spray bottle and apply it directly to the stained area.
You may need to use the solution several times until the smell has completely disappeared. Be sure to let the solution dry completely before reapplying.
4. Try Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Soap
Another solution that you can use to get dog pee out of a mattress is a hydrogen peroxide and dish soap mixture.
Mix 1 teaspoon of dish soap into 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide, and stir until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Put this mixture into a spray bottle as well and apply it exactly as stated above.
Then, using a damp cloth, apply this concoction directly onto the dog pee stain on the mattress and allow it to dry.
Like the previous method, you should repeat the process multiple times to get desirable results.
5. Add Lemon Juice and Water
The most popular homemade remedy among pet owners is also the simplest one—the mixture of lemon juice and water.
The acidic nature of lemon can eliminate traces of urine, and personally, I like the scent that lemons leave behind better than vinegar.
Also, dogs don't like the smell of citrus fruits. Not only will the lemon juice remove the urine odor, but it will also help to naturally repel your pet from soiling the mattress again.
To try this home remedy, use a spray bottle of water to wet the area lightly.
Cut a lemon in half, and rub the lemon directly onto the soiled area, then allow it to dry completely.
You may need to repeat this method a few times before the smell completely disappears.
Bonus Tip: Continue to Keep the Area Clean
After removing the dog pee stain and smell from the mattress, you must train your puppy so that he won’t repeat the mistake.
If no technique seems to work, you can use commercial dog repellents on furniture or prepare your DIY homemade repellents to scare the dog off from any problematic areas.
For natural solutions of dog repellents, a helpful method is to scatter a bit of cayenne pepper on the area because it contains a molecule that slightly irritates a dog’s skin, but not enough to cause them any problems.
If your pup is exceptionally stubborn, you can try ammonia-based mixtures that make some of the most effective natural dog repellents.
In general, homemade repellents are a little bothersome, and most owners will use commercial ones that are very effective.
Whatever may trigger your dog to do its business on your mattress, it’s essential to tackle the issue as soon as possible.
More Things to Remember When Getting Pee Out of a Mattress
Timing is Important!
Always try to clean the pee area on the mattress when the dog isn’t in the room; otherwise, it might give him the idea that peeing all over your things attracts your attention, and that’s not an opportunity that any loyal pup can ignore.
It might also help to rearrange the furniture layout if your puppy consistently pees on the mattress, particularly in the same place, over an extended period.
Avoid Chemicals that Immediately Come to Mind
Many owners make the mistake of picking up the first cleaning product they come across to clean the spot.
Do NOT do this.
Not all cleaning products are pet-friendly and safe for the dog, and many of them also have an overpowering smell that might confuse your dog.
So even if there’s no danger of a cleaning product poisoning your puppy, the dog can confuse the smells of cleaning supplies like bleach and many disinfectants, for example, with the scent of his urine, which can only motivate him to repeat the misdeed.
There are dozens of products on the market to help remove dog urine smells from upholstery.
Through trial-and-error, most pet owners eventually find something that works. However, these cleaning products cost money, and they're made with some pretty dangerous chemicals.
Approach the Issue Correctly
The problem is that some people approach removing dog pee from mattresses the same way they would come to any other kind of stain.
To effectively clean dog urine, you have to understand how it reacts to other chemicals to avoid those that have a negative impact.
It is also recommended that you don’t use regular detergent to remove traces of dog urine, as the odor will disappear.
A sticky residue will remain and accumulate dirt and dust.
You should also be careful if you decide to use a sanitizer to mask the smell.
Beware that many sanitizer products are toxic or contain chemicals that could poison or be cancerous to your dog, so be very careful when choosing one and check if it’s pet-safe or pet-friendly (it will say on the back of the bottle).
You can also make your own homemade cleaning supplies that will be safe for the dog.
FAQs on How To Get Dog Pee Out of a Mattress
Why does my dog pee on my bed?
When you see dogs frequently pee outside on posts or in certain spots, they're marking an object or area.
Since they pee to mark objects, they could be marking your bed.
It isn't necessarily them claiming your bed, but a way to make them feel more comfortable.
It could be because there are many new smells, and they pee to add their scent, therefore feeling more at home and comfortable in the space.
How do you get dog urine out of a mattress without baking soda?
There are several ways to pull out dog urine and clean the spot on the mattress without baking soda.
You can use a mixture like this:
- Two parts cold water (the sink is fine)
- And one part white vinegar
- A little bit of some laundry detergent you have lying around
Using some hydrogen peroxide will do the trick if you don't have that.
If you don't want it to bleach the mattress, dilute it.
Does the smell of dog urine ever go away?
Yes, but the smell can take up to five years to dissipate.
This is why cleaning it up as soon as you can is crucial. The smell of dog urine can be strong if left for a while and may take more elbow grease.
How to Get Dog Pee Out of a Mattress: Before You Go…
Learning how to get dog pee out of a mattress is an important hack every pet owner should know, but to make your life easier, arguably the best way is to prevent it from happening in the first place!
Keep your dog off your bed and let them have their own, or use commercial or DIY pet deterrents to discourage them.
Call the vet if your dog is frequently having accidents. Urinary problems may be a sign of an illness or anxiety issue.
If you want to learn more about cleaning up after dogs, please check out our recommended articles below!
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