Jonathan Hatch
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How to Get Rid of Mattress Stains
Do you have a bed wetter in the family? Do you use your bed as a dining room? Chances are you've spilled something on your mattress and you're thinking to yourself, "This is starting to smell bad. What the hell do I do?" Below are some suggestions for getting rid of mattress stains and preventing your mattress from getting stained in the first place.
The Alternatives:
Mattress Donation: If your mattress is done for good, or if you're thinking about buying a new mattress, it might be a good idea (even a nice thing to do) to donate your mattress. Most places like Salvation Army have mattress cleaning services that will take care of your mattress after you drop it off. It's the responsible thing to do.
Vinegar and Water: Some people have suggested that vinegar and water spread over a stain will, at the least, make sure you don't have an obnoxious smell other than the smell of vinegar. Vinegar is acidic, so it dries quickly, while killing most bacteria and mold it comes into contact with.
Preventing & Removing Mattress Stains
A clean mattress is the only way to sleep. A mattress saturated with water will eventually deteriorate and compound the problem with a really bad smell. Here's how to stop mattress stains before they happen and what to do if they've already happened:
Don't eat or drink on a mattress. Obviously you don't want to be eating or drinking on your mattress. Even a water spill can allow moisture to infiltrate the material within the mattress, causing the deterioration of the material, mold growth, and bad smells. Don't use your mattress for a dining room table, even if you live in a dorm.
Get a protective mattress pad. If you can't stop yourself from eating or drinking on your mattress, or if you have a bed wetter in the mix, get a protective mattress pad. Replacing a mattress pad is way cheaper than replacing a mattress.
Don't use protective chemicals on a mattress. Stain preventing chemicals are meant for carpets and rugs, not for mattresses. Eventually those chemicals will spread to your sheets and you'll start to get rashes and irritated skin.
Soap and water will get mattress stains out. Most mattress manufacturers will recommend using a mixture of soap and water and then spreading lightly (not pouring) it over the affected area. Scrub thoroughly and then dab dry with an absorbent towel. Make sure you dry it as thoroughly as possible. 
Steaming cleaning will remove mattress stains. If soap and water didn't work, try renting a powerful steam cleaner with a handheld attachment. Whatever you do, don't use harsh chemicals and make sure you do your best to dry the area you've cleaned. An absorbent powder like baking soda probably wouldn't hurt.
Mattress Cleaning Services
If prevention didn't work and you just can't seem to get that stain or that funny smell out of your mattress, there are a number of online vendors offering mattress cleaning services out there. But do your search before deciding on which service you choose; check the prices, read the small print, and send them an email to make sure you know who you're dealing with or to ask any questions you might have about their business policies.
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