store your mattress from your pet or toddler’s accidents with these cleaning steps.

Jacob Fox, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali

Accidents happen.

Whether you have pets or potty-training toddlers in the house, you may end up with a pee-stained mattress.

How-To-Get-Pee-Smell-Out-Of-A-Mattress

Photo:Jacob Fox, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali

While this mess can be pretty unpleasant to deal with, don’t fret.

Dip a soft-bristled scrub brush in the mixture.

Working from the outside of the stain toward the center, gently scrub the mattress.

How-To-Get-Pee-Smell-Out-Of-A-Mattress

Jacob Fox, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali

Sprinkle the damp, cleaned area with a layer of baking soda at least 1/4 inch thick.

Step 3: Dry

Allow the mattress to air-dry for several hours.

All mattresses take a few hours to dry, but drying times can vary depending on the material.

How-To-Get-Pee-Smell-Out-Of-A-Mattress

Jacob Fox, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali

you might speed up the drying process by opening a window or turning on a ceiling fan.

Create a paste out of baking soda and water.

Mix up more paste as needed.

How-To-Get-Pee-Smell-Out-Of-A-Mattress

Jacob Fox, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali

For an even deeper clean, wait 24 hours.

Use a fan to speed up the process.

When dry, vacuum the area.

How-To-Get-Pee-Smell-Out-Of-A-Mattress

Jacob Fox, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali

If baking soda isn’t doing the job, try some vinegar.

Simply spray the stained areas with pure distilled white vinegar.

The vinegar odor will be strong but will dissipate as the mattress dries.

How-To-Get-Pee-Smell-Out-Of-A-Mattress

Jacob Fox, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali

After you spray it, allow the mattress to air-dry.

Wait at least four hours, but it may take longer to dry depending on the mattress material.

Yes, you’ve got the option to.

How-To-Get-Pee-Smell-Out-Of-A-Mattress

Jacob Fox, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali

Simply mix 1 cup of laundry borax with 1 tablespoon of water to make a paste.

For extra cleaning power, you could also use 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.

Spread it over the pee stain and work it into the mattress with a soft-bristled brush.

How-To-Get-Pee-Smell-Out-Of-A-Mattress

Jacob Fox, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali

Allow the borax to dry completely and vacuum away.

Borax is a natural mineral but it can cause eye and respiratory irritation.

Always wear rubber gloves and eye protection when working with the product.

How-To-Get-Pee-Smell-Out-Of-A-Mattress

Jacob Fox, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali