We spend a substantial part of our life in our beds. Given the amount of time we spend on our mattresses, and the stains that inevitably go along with it, it is surprising to realize that few people actually know how to clean mattress stains! The most important thing to keep in mind is that you need to deal with the stain right away. The sooner you try to clean the stain, the easier it will be to get the stain out. Even if it is the middle of the night, and all you want to do is go back to sleep, do not give in to temptation and just cover up the stain with a towel and go back to sleep. You will get a bit more rest that night, but you could end up ruining your mattress. The first step in cleaning your mattress is to try the gentle dry suds method.
Take a cup of mild powdered laundry detergent and put it in a bowl. Slowly add about a cup of warm water to the detergent, beating the water (preferably with an electric mixer on medium) until suds form. Using a sponge, take the suds and rub them into the stain, repeating as required. The key is to keep the mattress as dry as possible - that is why it is essential that you only use the suds and never the liquid. Dry the spot thoroughly with a hair dryer before putting clean sheets back on. The above method will work for general stains on your mattress.
Two common types of stains, however, will likely require a more intensive method. If you are trying to get a blood or urine stain out of your mattress, take hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar and apply it with a towel in a circular motion around the stain and in to the middle. In the case of urine, applying a coating of baking soda to the newly cleaned area and letting it sit overnight can help remove unpleasant odors. Using hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar is a far harsher solution than the dry suds method, and may bleach or otherwise discolor your mattress. If this is a concern, it is best to spot check first on a hidden section of the mattress.
Even if you know how to clean mattress stains using the above methods, you will someday face a stain that will not come out. That is why it is important to remember that preventing stains in the first place is the best protection you can give your mattress.
Byran Kempa for Mattress Information - A site with news and articles on mattresses and Jamison mattresses
