At the end of a long and exhausting day, nothing sounds as wonderful as finally being able to pass out on your comfortable mattress, but you might not be as eager to jump into bed when there’s a strange and unsightly yellow stain on it. While they may seem disgusting and utterly unhygienic, they’re actually much more common than you think!
5 Reasons Why Your Mattress is Yellow
Natural Oxidation from the Aging Process
As your mattress gets older, it’s natural that it’ll start breaking down due to prolonged exposure to its environment—mainly oxygen and sunlight. This oxidation process will give your mattress a yellowish shade that will remain no matter how much you try to clean it off, but the good news is that these stains don’t often carry nasty smells with them.
Once again, it’s normal for all mattresses to eventually undergo as they age, so think about how long you’ve had your mattress as this may be the culprit to the yellow stains.
Urine Stains
If you have a pet or a child in your home, then there’s a chance that the yellow stains on your mattress are urine stains. One effective way to figure out whether this is the case is to see whether the yellow stains on your mattress carry a pungent smell. As we all know, urine—whether pet or human—comes with a very distinct and pronounced odor.
Sweat or Body Oil
Our mattresses are exposed to quite a lot of sweat and body oil while we sleep, and these may be the cause of the yellow stains on your mattress. These fluids don’t initially start with any color, but they can start having a yellowish hue when left uncleaned and untreated for long periods. The yellow color can also be a sign that the absorbed bodily fluids have attracted dust and dirt, which can cause bacteria growth and unpleasant odors.
Mold and Mildew Growth
If your mattress has been exposed to any sort of moisture recently, then there’s a big chance that the yellow stains on your mattress are caused by mold and mildew growth. There are a few signs to look out for. Aside from visible discoloration, the stains will also have a musty odor. In some cases, you may even see small clusters of fuzzy spots, which are actually mold spores.
Rising health concerns can also be a sign that the yellow stains are caused by mold and mildew growth. Look out for respiratory issues like sneezing, irritated and watery eyes, asthma, or allergic reactions among others inside your household.
Water Stains
Any spilled liquids on your mattress that haven’t been cleaned up immediately can also be the reason behind those unsightly yellow stains. Even before these traces of moisture develop into mold or mildew, they can already cause discoloration, as well as produce foul smells that can worsen over time. Think back to whether or not your mattress has experienced any accidental spills recently.
How to Remove Yellow Stains with White Vinegar
Step 1: Prepare the Mattress
Remove everything on your mattress such as pillows, linens, covers, and blankets. Then, get your vacuum cleaner with the right attachment and go over the entire surface of your mattress, making sure to use several passes on each area, while also getting into the corners and crevices.
If your mattress is feeling a bit damp, then sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over your mattress and leave this for a few hours. The baking soda will gradually turn into a paste as it absorbs the moisture from your mattress. Once your mattress has fully dried, use your vacuum cleaner to remove the residue.
Step 2: Prepare Cleaning Solution
In an empty spray bottle, combine equal parts of white vinegar and water before giving it a good shake. White vinegar is a very popular cleaning ingredient, mainly due to its main ingredient, acetic acid, which is a common ingredient used in many commercial cleaners.
Step 3: Start Cleaning
Spray the stained area with your white vinegar cleaning solution until it's sufficiently damp before using a clean cloth or towel to blot at the stain. Repeat this as many times as needed until the yellow stain has lifted, but make sure to avoid oversaturating your mattress with the cleaning solution as this may cause further damage.
Step 4: Let the Mattress Dry
Once the yellow stain has been lifted, leave your mattress to air dry completely. The best way to do this is by bringing your mattress outside and leaving it under direct sunlight. Not only does the sunlight have natural bleaching effects, but it can also eliminate any remaining stains, as well as kill any bacteria that may have been left behind.
Alternatively, you can also dry your mattress indoors by leaving a few windows open or pointing electric fans towards it to increase air circulation. Make sure that the mattress is completely dry before placing back all the covers and linens.
How to Get Yellow Stains Out of Mattress with Baking Soda
Step 1: Cover the Yellow Stain with Baking Soda
After removing all the mattress covers and linens and vacuuming up all the dirt and debris, cover the yellow stains with a thick layer of baking soda, making sure that the whole area is covered. The baking soda will help absorb any remaining oil or liquids that could be causing the yellow stain and lift it in the process. Leave the baking soda for a few hours, or even overnight.
Step 2: Remove the Baking Soda
After enough time has passed, use either your vacuum cleaner or a soft bristle brush to remove all traces of the baking soda. If the baking soda has transformed into a pasty substance, then you can use a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe it away instead. Repeat this process if the stain persists.
Step 3: Let the Mattress Dry
Once the yellow stain has been completely removed, let the mattress air dry—whether with the help of direct sunlight or increased ventilation—before replacing all items and resuming their use.
How to Get Yellow Stains Out of Mattress with Dish Soap
Step 1: Prepare a Cleaning Solution
After preparing your mattress, you can make a homemade cleaning solution by adding a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid into a bowl of water. Mix everything until bubbles and suds begin to form.
Step 2: Start Cleaning
With either a clean cloth or a sponge, use this to carefully scoop up the suds that have formed in your cleaning solution, making sure to get as little water as possible. Then, bring your cloth or sponge to the stain and begin gently working the bubbles with circular motions. Repeat this as many times as needed until the yellow stain disappears.
Step 3: Rinse and Dry
When the yellow stain is completely gone, get a dampened cloth and use this to carefully blot away any soapy residue that the cleaning solution may have left behind. Repeat this process with a clean and dry cloth to absorb as much excess moisture as possible. If the stain is still there, then you can spray some hydrogen peroxide over the area and leave this for five minutes before blotting.
Additional Cleaning Tips
Regularly Clean Your Mattress
Incorporating your mattress into your regular household cleaning routine can help you prevent these yellow stains from forming in the first place. Not only will you be able to spot them earlier, but you’ll also be able to take immediate action and address the root cause before it becomes a problem, ensuring that your mattress remains a healthy and hygienic sleep environment.
In case you don’t have the time or the energy to do this, then cleaning companies like Luce will happily take care of things for you. We offer customizable and affordable mattress cleaning services in Singapore that can make all of your worries go away. And with our team of professional cleaners that have years of training and experience, you can rest assured that your mattress will look and feel as good as new.
Protect Your Mattress
Another way to prevent yellow stains from getting out of hand is by investing in a high-quality mattress cover. This cover will create a protective barrier that’ll keep liquid spills, dust, dirt, and other impurities away from your mattress, while also limiting its exposure to oxygen and sunlight—the main environmental factors that can speed up the aging process.
Address Stains and Spills Immediately
Many yellow stains are caused by stains and spills that aren’t cleaned up immediately. The moment something spills on your mattress, use a clean cloth and blot away as much as you can before covering the area with a thick layer of baking soda and going in with the right stain removal steps. Doing this will help prevent nasty odors from forming, while also preventing the stain from attracting contaminants, or transforming into mold and mildew.
Make Some Changes in Your Lifestyle
There are a few things you can do in your daily life to keep yellow stains away from your mattress:
- Keep Food and Beverages Away from Your Bed: This will significantly reduce the chances of any liquid spills, while also keeping away food crumbs that can only worsen the resulting stain.
- Keep Pets Off the Mattress: Aside from avoiding unwanted urine stains, you’ll also be able to keep pet hair and dander away from your mattress. This will also keep any dust or dirt they track in away from your bed.
- Potty Train Children: This is a natural step when it comes to raising a child, but it might be best to keep children off your bed until they’ve been potty trained. Alternatively, you can take extra measures to prevent any unwanted accidents from happening such as checking whether their diapers need to be replaced or laying down a stain-resistant spread for them on your mattress.
The Takeaway
Yellow stains on your mattress are very common for many household owners, and there are usually a few common suspects that could be causing these. Fortunately, they don’t have to ruin your mattress forever, especially when you follow these cleaning tips and tricks! Your mattress will look fresh and clean in no time.
