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How to Remove Stains From a Pillowtop Mattress

Maxwell Payne

Stains can not only cause aesthetic problems on a mattress, but they can also cause odors, mold growth and damage to the bedding material. Pillow top mattresses have crevices between the cushioning that can cause stains to spread deeper into the mattress.

Cleaning the mattress soon after a stain is found on the mattress is important because you do not want the stain to completely dry on the pillow top.

Tip

Try to remove the stain as soon as possible. Waiting will only allow the stain to set in and dry. If all of these together do not work consider contacting a mattress cleaning service or see if your mattress warranty covers cleaning.

  1. Remove the sheets and mattress pad if one is covering the pillow top. Fill the spray bottle with the distilled white vinegar and spray the vinegar on top of the stain. Allow the vinegar to sit on the stain for 5 minutes.

  2. Shake the box of baking soda over the stain so the baking soda coats the stain and vinegar. The combination of baking soda and vinegar will cause fizzing. Once the fizzing has ended use a cloth to soak up some of the vinegar. Use a vacuum cleaner with upholstery attachment to remove the baking soda. If the stain is still present, proceed to Step 3.

  3. Wet a cloth and rub it over the stain. Pour a small amount of Borax onto the wet stain. Rub the area in a circular motion with the cloth for a few minutes. Wipe down until dry and vacuum when dry.

  4. Take hydrogen peroxide and apply it to a cloth if the stain is still visible. Dab the stain with this cloth for a minute or two. Note that peroxide can cause bleaching, so test it out on a corner of the mattress first.

  5. Spray the stain with pet cleaner that contains enzymes and let the solution sit on the stain for 15 minutes as a last resort. After 15 minutes use a clean cloth to wipe off the cleaner and dry the area. When it is dried, run the vacuum cleaner over it.

The Drip Cap

  • Stains can not only cause aesthetic problems on a mattress, but they can also cause odors, mold growth and damage to the bedding material.
  • Fill the spray bottle with the distilled white vinegar and spray the vinegar on top of the stain.
  • Pour a small amount of Borax onto the wet stain.
  • Wipe down until dry and vacuum when dry.