In these tough economic times, we are all trying to keep our expenses to a minimum. It is especially difficult for those who have children and pets; something is inevitably urinated, vomited or chewed on and it is Murphy’s law that it is the most expensive item to replace. So we’re always looking for ways to remove stains, odors, Kool-Aid, or restore what’s been chewed on. One of the most expensive items are mattresses. Mattress prices have skyrocketed, but there are some inexpensive alternatives to throwing out your stained mattress and having to buy a new one.

First of all, the best way to keep urine out of your mattress is to buy a plastic mattress cover, these are quite inexpensive but can also be expensive for queens and kings. However, even the best mattress cover can rip or have a hole. If there is a bedwetter in the house we know what that can mean, a wet mattress. Don’t be discouraged, just try these cleaning tips below before throwing out your mattress or giving it to your dogs to lie on.

First, remove the mattress and simply place it outside in the sun. Believe it or not, this is one of the best ways to remove not only urine stains but also odor. The sun has a natural whitening and deodorant action. Leave the mattress in the sun for 8 hours. This may be all you need to do.

If the odor and stain persist, the next step is to use 3% hydrogen peroxide on the mattress. Put in a spray bottle and spray the area until saturated, then remove the excess with an old towel. Lay the mattress on its side against a wall or piece of furniture to allow for better aeration. Let dry completely; this usually takes 24 hours.

Then, once the mattress is semi-dry, put the mattress back on the frame. Get a box of baking soda and sprinkle generously on the stain. Rub it in and let it sit on the mattress overnight. Vacuum the mattress the next day to remove the baking soda.

You can repeat any or all of these steps if necessary.

These are inexpensive ways to try to remove odors and stains from mattresses. It’s also a much healthier alternative to chemical-laden commercial products that are unhealthy and usually don’t work.