A cleaning expert shares the main causes of yellow mattress stains, how to get them out, and if they’re safe to sleep on.
Have you spotted ugly yellow stains on your mattress? Although unsightly, especially when they start turning brown, yellow stains on a mattress are fairly common. This is definitely true if you’ve owned your mattress for a number of years, and luckily there are ways to get most of them out. There are many reasons why mattresses turn yellow, and even the best mattresses fall foul of these stains over time if they aren’t properly protected. To get to the bottom of why it happens, we asked Yordan Yordanov, an upholstery and mattress cleaning expert at Fantastic Services (opens in new tab), to explain the top four causes of yellow mattress stains, how to remove them (if they can be), and how to tell if they’re safe to sleep on. As it turns out, only one of them is safe. Like most things in life, as your mattress ages it’s prone to natural decay. “The main reason for this is oxidation,” Yordanov explains. “It’s a natural process aided by exposure to the effects of the sun.”
This natural process can’t be stopped entirely. However, you can slow the march of time by limiting the mattress’s exposure to direct sunlight. “If you’re airing your mattress outside, it’s best to choose a shaded but warm spot,” Yordanov advises.
“The good news is that this type of yellowing isn’t harmful in any way. The bad news is that it can’t be removed. Still, oxidation can be slowed down with a good mattress protector, but you have to make sure you get one that goes all the way around the mattress.”
Whether it’s from a human or a pet, pee can quickly cause yellow stains to spread on a mattress if left untreated. But here’s the good news: according to Yordanov, fresh and dry urine stains on a mattress can be removed. How to remove yellow mattress stains caused by urine
“To remove fresh stains, it’s best to treat them as soon as you notice,” Yordanov tells us. “First, blot the excess urine with dry fabric but be careful not to rub, as that will surely set it in. Next, mix equal parts of water and white vinegar and spray the area generously.
“Finally, sprinkle some baking soda on top and let it sit overnight (or at least for eight hours). Once dry, vacuum the residue and inspect the stain and repeat the procedure if you’re not satisfied with the result.
