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).
I Asked Homeless Man to Be My Pretend Fiancé Only to Discover He Was Part of My Mother’s Secret Past — Story of the Day
I was tired of my family’s endless questions about my love life, so I had a wild plan. I found and brought a homeless man as my pretend fiancé to the holiday dinner. Everything seemed perfect until my mother’s reaction revealed a shocking connection between them.
I sat in my car, staring at the park entrance, dreading the upcoming weekend with my family. Every holiday visit was the same: my mom’s subtle looks, my dad’s hopeful smiles, and the never-ending barrage of questions.
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When are you getting married? Have you met someone?
It was exhausting, and the thought of another round of it was more than I could handle.
Suddenly, my eyes fell on a man sitting alone on a bench, huddled in a tattered coat. He looked worn out like life had handed him more than his share of troubles. His sad eyes and the deep lines on his face still made him look like a handsome man. That’s when it hit me. Crazy idea!
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“Could he be my fiancé for the weekend?” I muttered to myself.
It was insane, but it could work. Anything to keep my family off my back. I got out of the car and walked over to him. He looked up, and we stared at each other.
“Hey,” I started, feeling awkward. “I know this is going to sound strange, but… would you be willing to pretend to be my fiancé? Just for a weekend. In return, I can offer you a warm place to stay, new clothes, and a nice meal.”
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For a moment, he said nothing. His gaze lingered on mine as if he were trying to understand why someone like me would make such an offer. Then, to my surprise, he nodded slowly.
“Okay,” he said quietly.
I was shocked at how easily he agreed. No questions. No hesitation. That made me a little nervous. But at that point, I didn’t care.
“Great,” I said. “Let’s get you ready for the weekend.”
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***
After we got back home, I handed the stranger some clothes that belonged to my ex. His things were still in my closet, and honestly, I couldn’t think of a better use for them.
“Here, these should fit you,” I said, offering a clean shirt and jeans. “You can take a shower if you’d like. I’ll make us some dinner.”
“Well, thanks,” he said with a small smile. “A shower sounds amazing.”
As he headed into the bathroom, I kept myself busy chopping vegetables and trying to ignore the nervousness building up inside me.
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Sharing my home with a stranger… Mia, what are you doing? You still don’t know his name!
When the stranger emerged from the bathroom, I heard the door creak and turned around. He stood there, a towel slung over his shoulder, his hair still damp, and to my surprise, he looked completely different.
“Well, that’s the best shower I’ve had in years,” he joked.
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The awkwardness I’d felt earlier seemed to vanish in an instant.
“Glad to hear it. I hope the dinner will be just as good.”
He glanced at the table, eyeing the plates I’d set out. “Smells incredible. I am Christopher, by the way.” He smiled at me, sitting down at the table.
Feeling a bit shy, I only replied, “Mia.”
As we sat down to eat, he took the first bite and nodded. “It’s perfect. Haven’t had a home-cooked meal in a long time.”
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We ate in comfortable silence for a bit, and then the conversation started flowing naturally.
“So,” I said, breaking the quiet. “Any favorite movies or books?”
He thought for a moment before answering. “I always loved old westerns. And books? Probably The Old Man and the Sea. Simple, but there’s something about it.”
“Really? Hemingway? I wouldn’t have guessed,” I said, a little surprised. “I thought you’d go for something darker.”
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He chuckled. “You’re not wrong, but sometimes, simple stories hit the hardest.”
“I get that.”
We spent the rest of the evening talking about random topics that made us laugh. He had a dry sense of humor that caught me off guard, and by the end of dinner, I felt surprisingly comfortable around him.
Late in the evening, I went back into the kitchen to grab a glass of water before bed. I noticed the dishes had already been washed and stacked neatly by the sink.
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“Did you… do the dishes?” I asked Christopher, peeking around the corner.
“Seemed like the least I could do.”
I smiled, genuinely touched by the gesture. “Thank you.”
“No problem.”
“Good night, Christopher.”
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***
The next day, everything moved quickly. We had one day left before the weekend with my family, and there was still so much to do.
First, we went to the hair salon. As the stylist worked, Christopher sat quietly, letting the transformation happen. I watched in amazement as his shaggy hair was trimmed into something neat and polished.
“This feels weird,” he muttered, looking at himself in the mirror.
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“Good weird or bad weird?” I teased.
“Definitely good,” he said with a smirk.
By the time we hit the shops to pick out new clothes, he was starting to look like a completely different person.
***
The holiday dinner started well enough. My parents were delighted to see Christopher, and I could almost feel my mother’s pride as she glanced at me, finally quieting her usual questions about my personal life.
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Christopher played his part perfectly—polite, attentive, and even charming when he spoke. I began to relax, thinking that maybe my crazy plan had worked.
“Christopher, right?” my mother asked, smiling brightly. “You look so familiar. Have I seen you somewhere before? On TV, maybe?”
She laughed lightly as if she had just made a harmless joke.
Christopher politely shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. Maybe I just have one of those faces.”
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My father chuckled, clearly amused by my mother’s playful banter. “Well, if you’re on TV, I’ll have to start watching more closely.”
“So, Christopher,” Mom continued, “what did you do before you met Mia? Business, right?”
Christopher paused, glancing at my mother a bit too long before answering.
“Yes, business,” he said quietly, but there was something in his tone that felt different. “But everything changed for me about five years ago.”
My heart skipped a beat.
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Wait… This isn’t part of the plan.
I shot him a quick look, hoping he’d catch on, but he continued. “There was an accident. A car accident. It… changed my life completely.”
This definitely isn’t something we talked about.
My mother’s face went pale, her fingers clenched the tablecloth, knuckles turning white. Her expression darkened as if she had just pieced something together.
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“A car accident?” she echoed. Her words had sucked the warmth out of the room. “That’s… unfortunate.”
My father glanced at her. “Olivia, are you okay?”
But she wasn’t listening to him. “Not everyone walks away from accidents unscathed, do they?”
Christopher didn’t flinch, quietly sipping his wine.
“He’s not the kind of man you need,” Mom said bluntly, her voice trembling with anger.
I was taken aback. My father’s eyes widened in shock, his fork pausing halfway to his mouth.
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Christopher calmly set his glass down. “Excuse me. I’ll step outside for a moment.”
As he left, I turned to my mother. “What was that about? He didn’t do anything wrong!”
“There’s something you need to know, Mia. Five years ago, I was in a car accident,” she began, her voice lowering as though she were afraid someone else might hear.
“It was late at night, outside the city. There were no witnesses. The man I hit… was Christopher.”
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My heart dropped. “What?”
“Your Christopher,” she said bitterly, “was under the influence that night. I demanded he get tested, but he refused. No one saw what happened, so I chose not to take him to court. But Mia, you need to understand… He’s dangerous. You can’t trust him.”
Christopher? Under the influence?
Finally, I broke the silence. “I need to talk to him.”
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***
Christopher was leaning against the fence, staring off into the night. His expression was calm, but I could see the sadness in his eyes.
“Christopher,” I called softly.
He spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully. “My last name is Hartman. Yes, I was in that accident. I was on sedatives that night—prescribed for my anxiety after my wife died. I was driving carefully.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, simple ring.
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“You’re the first woman I’ve met since my wife’s death that I’ve wanted to leave something with. This was hers. Thank you for dinner, Mia. It was… more than I deserved.”
He handed me the ring, then nodded slightly before walking away.
“Wait,” I whispered, but the words got lost in the cold night air.
I stood there for a moment, staring at the ring in my hand. When I walked back inside, my mother was waiting.
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“You didn’t tell me the whole truth, did you?” I demanded.
She sighed. “No. I didn’t. I was driving too fast that night. I… I was scared, Mia.”
“Is he worth chasing?”
The look in her eyes said it all. Yes. But it was already too late.
***
I couldn’t stop thinking about Christopher. His story, the accident, the weight he carried. It haunted me.
I placed an ad in the local paper, something simple but direct:
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“Christopher Hartman, if you see this, please meet me at the restaurant where we last had dinner. I eat there every evening. Mia.”
I felt a little foolish, not knowing if he’d ever read it or if he even wanted to see me again. But I had to try. There was too much left unsaid.
***
The day after placing the ad, I arrived at the restaurant early. As the minutes ticked by, doubt started creeping in.
Maybe he didn’t see it. Maybe he didn’t want to.
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But then, just as I was about to give up, the door opened. Christopher stepped in, scanning the room until they landed on me. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he walked over.
“I saw your ad,” he said, sitting down across from me.
We locked eyes for a moment before I spoke. “There’s so much I need to tell you. I found out about your past… about the accident… My mother finally admitted she was at fault, too. And…. she took your money!”
“I didn’t want to blame anyone. After my wife died… nothing mattered.”
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We sat in silence for a moment, letting the weight of his words settle between us.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“You don’t have to be,” he said, his voice soft. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“I know, but still… I want to help. My mother wants to make things right. She’s returning what she took from you.”
We spent the rest of the evening talking. It wasn’t about pretending anymore. It was real. By the end of the night, I realized something. I had fallen in love with Christopher. And the best part? He felt the same.
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