What to do straight away
- Remove the bedding If the cover is removable, wash it only if its label allows it.
- Blot with towels Use clean towels to blot gently, without rubbing, and change them until they stop getting wet. TEMPUR recommends exactly this: soak up as much as possible.
- Dampen only the stain, not the mattress If needed, use a cloth dampened in cool water to lightly moisten only the stained spot, then blot again. Large amounts of liquid must not be used.
- Dry without heat Open a window if the weather allows and leave the mattress without bedding. The Health Inspectorate (Veselības inspekcija) recommends airing the bedroom every morning for at least 15 minutes. A hairdryer or heater is not the answer: latex must be kept away from direct heat, and heat can set the stain.
Sources: TEMPUR UK, IKEA, Emma, University of Georgia Extension, Health Inspectorate. Checked 07.11.2026.
What not to do
- Do not pour water directly on the mattress and do not try to rinse it.
- Do not rub; only blot gently.
- Do not use hot water, a hairdryer or an iron.
- Do not use chlorine bleach or strong substances: they change the colour and can make latex brittle.
- Do not put clean bedding on a damp spot.
If the bed has a mattress topper or a removable cover, check those too and say on the form exactly where the stain is.
Why a mattress cannot simply be washed
The main reason is the filling, not the cover. Foam is sensitive to moisture: too much water can damage the structure or leave moisture in the core. Excess moisture also raises the risk of mould. That is why manufacturers recommend cleaning only individual spots with a small amount of moisture.
NC State Extension writes about flood-soaked mattresses that after soaking they are almost impossible to dry completely before mould starts to grow. A stain from one night is not a flood, but the principle is the same: the more water, the greater the risk. More on this: mould in a mattress.
Sources: IKEA, Emma, NC State Extension (floods, applied to the general principle). Checked 07.11.2026.
Differences by mattress type
| Mattress | What to bear in mind |
|---|---|
| Foam mattress | Sensitive to moisture; only a little moisture, only on the stained spot |
| Spring mattress | Moisture can cause rust in the springs; as little liquid as possible |
| Latex mattress | No strong substances, they can make latex brittle; no direct sun or heat |
| Coconut fibre mattress | Breathable, but sensitive to moisture and dust; do not place on a floor where moisture builds up |
| TEMPUR | The manufacturer writes that the material cannot be washed, sponge-cleaned or dry-cleaned; check the manufacturer's care instructions first |
If you do not know what kind of mattress you have, take a photo of its label. The label says what may be done, and it also decides whether cleaning with liquid is allowed at all.
Sources: IKEA, TEMPUR UK, Kurlon. We have not checked the rules for Dormeo and other brands. Checked 07.11.2026.
What may stay
Usually comes out
- A fresh stain that was soaked up quickly and has not gone through the top layer
- A slight smell on the surface
- A stain on a removable cover, if the label allows washing
May stay
- A smell coming from the core
- A yellow shadow after repeated stains
- A spot that has soaked up urine many nights in a row
If the smell stays after cleaning or the spot has been damp for a long time, the honest answer is that the mattress may need replacing. NC State Extension says the same: if the smell does not go, throw the mattress away. If there is mould in the mattress, it is a matter of replacement or a separate assessment.
When cleaning is worth ordering
It is worthwhile if the stain is fresh or small, if the mattress is in good condition and if the manufacturer does not forbid such care. A specialist will tell you from a photo what to expect. Service description: urine mattress cleaning. On children: child urine on a mattress.
Single mattress from €30, double from €45 (one side), second side +50%. Smell treatment extra from €15. The minimum order is €45: if the total is lower, you pay €45. Travel is included in Riga and up to about 15 km outside Riga; further out it is from €10.
Sources
- Soak up with towels; TEMPUR cannot be washed, sponge-cleaned or dry-cleaned; covers as the label says checked 7 November 2026
- Foam and moisture, spring rust, latex checked 7 November 2026
- Too much liquid damages foam, moisture and mould, blot, do not rub checked 7 November 2026
- Heat sets a stain checked 7 November 2026
- Air the bedroom for at least 15 minutes checked 7 November 2026
- Coconut fibre mattresses and moisture checked 7 November 2026
- A mattress is almost impossible to dry after soaking; if the smell does not go, throw it away checked 7 November 2026