Mattress smells of urine: what to do first and when to stop
Gentle first steps for a urine-affected mattress, the limits of surface cleaning, and when to pause home treatment and seek assessment.
For a fresh accident, treat only the affected area
After a fresh accident, act promptly and follow the mattress’s own care instructions. Dab rather than rub, and treat only the affected area; never soak the whole mattress. After gentle spot cleaning, dry the treated surface with a dry cloth.
Check whether the cover can be washed
Before removing a cover for washing, check its label. Only some mattresses have machine-washable removable covers; follow the stated washing temperature and other instructions. Permission to wash a removable cover applies to that cover, not to the mattress interior.
Test the cleaner before wider use
If the mattress’s care instructions allow the cleaning product, IKEA advises testing it on an inconspicuous area before using it more widely. Even a successful patch test does not show that the product is safe for the mattress’s internal layers.
Foam can hold water; springs can rust
IKEA warns that too much water can damage foam or remain trapped inside a foam mattress for a long time. For spring mattresses, its advice is to clean the surface with minimal liquid, as moisture can rust the internal springs.
Let cleaned foam dry completely
After cleaning foam, IKEA recommends letting it dry completely in an airy place with good circulation, away from direct sunlight. Follow the mattress’s own care instructions rather than assuming a fixed number of hours will be enough.
A better smell does not prove complete urine removal
IICRC explains that urine in upholstered furniture can reach the fillings and structural materials beneath the fabric. This does not tell you how far urine has travelled in your mattress. It is a reason not to treat a better smell or cleaner-looking cover as proof that all urine has been removed from the mattress’s interior.
When to stop home treatment
IICRC warns that upholstery odour treatment can cause permanent stains if colour bleeds from materials beneath the fabric. This is a warning about upholstery, not a prediction about your mattress. As a precaution, pause further home treatment if you are unsure whether a product is suitable for the mattress or whether the mattress can dry completely. Colour or material changes, or odour that remains after drying, are also reasons to stop.
Send the mattress details for an assessment
Use the [care enquiry](/request-care) to ask for an assessment. Describe the mattress’s construction and condition, whether the accident was recent or repeated, and any remaining odour or visible changes. Include the products you have used and how much liquid you have already applied.