Removing Urine From A Mattress - Here's How

If you have babies or pets at home, you would often have troubles with urine stains on your mattress. Almost any mother would have known how frequent bed wetting can be with a child in growing years at home. Mothers are often left wondering how despite their baby, using a diaper or plastic sheet or an oil cloth, manages to spoil the mattress with urine! Leaving aside the stains, the mother needs to find ways of getting rid of the overpowering smell of urine.

It’s not all that difficult to remove urine from the crib mattress as you could easily clean that at any convenient place and just leave it in the sun for some time for getting it dried.  But how do you deal when the child happens to pee in a king-sized mattress which you may not be able to even move on your own!  But that doesn’t mean that the mattress is spoiled forever and you won’t be able to use it in future.  Here are some simple ways to help you getting rid of urine stains on your bed mattress.

Blotting up Urine - First you need to soak up traces of urine with help of absorbent towels. Next, keep a towel on the wet mattress and push it down so that it absorbs maximum urine. Finally, rid the bed of all covers and wash them thoroughly using detergent and warm water.

Spraying White Vinegar - The most effective way of ridding your mattress of urine stains is use of white vinegar.  Prepare a solution of one part of distilled white vinegar and two parts of lukewarm water in a spray bottle.  Shake the solution well before spraying it on the affected part of the mattress. Absorb the fluid with help of a paper towel and spray the solution once again. Repeat these two simple steps a couple of times till you get rid of stains and disgusting odor from the mattress.  For fresh stains, you may use good laundry detergent on the spoiled area, followed by scrubbing with a wash cloth and water before using vinegar solution.

Using a Carpet Cleaner - You may even use upholstery or carpet cleaner for the purpose of removing urine stains from your mattress.  Carefully read the instructions provided by the manufacturer of cleaning product prior to its use. Generally, one is required to apply a definite amount of cleaner and allow it to remain on the affected part for a specified amount of time.  Finally, use warm water and towel to scrub the cleaner.

Cleaning with Baking Soda or Borax:

Some of the items available in your kitchen can also be employed for the purpose of getting rid of that obnoxious smell from your mattress.  For example, you may just pour a cup of borax or baking powder on the stained part of your mattress and cover the same with plastic sheet. Let it be there overnight and the following morning remove that plastic sheet and vacuum your mattress and the stain and smell will be gone!

Mattress Firm Looks To Increase Its Empire

Few weeks ago, after having announced its second quarter results, Mattress Firm thought it had captivating news.

Profit had multiplied three times, contrary to the expectations of analysts.  Having already bought one company during the current year, it planned to buy one more.

But all that failed to impress the investors, who estimated the latest purchase of the company to adversely affect short term profit.   The stock lost 3.2 percent, falling down by $1.03 to close at $31.42 in morning trading session of Friday.

Many analysts attributed the loss to wrong communication as investors remained focused on short term profit and loss rather than long term profits.

Thursday, Mattress Firm, based in Houston, announced its plans to invest $15.8 million for buying Mattress X-Press that has a chain of only 35 stores spread over Georgia and Florida.

Mattress Firm reported that it expected the newly acquired business to add to its revenue right away and to earnings in the coming year.

Mattress Firm had bought another of its rivals, Mattress Giant, in May. Though that added to the revenue of Mattress Firm, it worked hard to match production levels of Mattress Giant with its own.  Analyst reported that closing sales at certain stores of Mattress Giant reflected on profitably.

Market analysts KeyBanc had a long term view.  In a message to its customers on Friday, the analysts headed by Bradley Thomas thought the new acquisitions would provide a strong position to Mattress Firm in 2013 because the recovering housing market should boost sale of mattresses. Taking consideration of the significant improvements made by Mattress Firm in the old Mattress Giant stores, the analysts forecast higher earning for Mattress Firm in the next year.

Thomas pointed out that modernization of mattresses in “specialty” category should prove beneficial for Mattress Firm. Specialty mattresses comprise nearly 49 percent sales of Mattress Firm, one year ago that figure was 43 percent.

But what does this mean for us, people who want to buy reliable and comfortable mattresses at decent prices? I think more competition is the best for the buyer...I would like to hear your thoughts on this.

Donate A Mattress, Don't Throw It Away

Instead of sending your old mattress to the local landfill, you could perhaps consider donating it to one of the many agencies accepting such donations. It may reach a needy person and save the environments too! That would really prove the old adage that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

If the mattress is free from any stains and in a reasonably good shape, many organizations would be willing to accept that as a donation. Some of them may even arrange to have it picked up from your place. Certain charities don’t accept mattresses without foundation. So, you would better check up on that with the agency beforehand. Some dealers offer to pick up your old mattress if you order a new matter on them, but usually they just dispose that old piece of yours. Why not try donating it rather? Making donations help people sleep better!

Agencies to consider for mattress donation:

* Catholic Charities
* Furniture Banks across America partnered with National Furniture Bank Association
* Local homeless or battered women's shelters
* National Furniture Bank Association
* Vietnam Veterans’ of America
* The Hope Clinic in Fairfax, VA supports local uninsured families medically, spiritually and emotionally. Families seeking their help have little or no money and most lack necessities of life. So, if you happen to be in Washington DC or its surrounding areas, you should definitely consider this organization and offer donation by way of mattress or any other way you feel fit
* DonationTown.Org
Better known organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Salvation Army do not accept mattresses because of hygienic issues and sanitary bedding laws. Yet, certain Salvation Army stores are known to have accepted mattresses provided these are free on any stains or spots. It would be recommendable to call the location and get the required information before hand.

Here are some more ideas worth considering: Posting on Freecycle.org or local Craigslist website, but be sure to convey that you don’t intend selling it and are offering it free if it could be picked up. It’s also good to point out if the mattress has any stains or structural flaws and explore the possibility if you could provide photo of the mattress. Perhaps, you can post it on your Facebook page and a local friend in need may pick it up. You may even consider posting flyers at neighborhood schools.

Save Your Existing Mattress? Try a Topper Pad

Before you really decide to condemn your present mattress as you don’t find it comfortable anymore, there are a few possibilities you could try to enhance its comfort level. One possibility that generally works with latex and memory foam mattresses too is to have a mattress topper. In case the mattress is even and firm and free of hammock or dips, having a topper for the mattress can certainly help extending the life of your mattress by quite a few years. It adds to the comfort level of your existing mattress and improves your sleep. These toppers are generally available in varying thicknesses of two to three inches, though you do get them one and four inch thickness too. You need to choose one as per your weight. For instance, a heavier person, weighing say 190 lbs, should opt to have one of three inch thickness. If you weigh lower than that it would be appropriate to have two inch thickness. So, you should try this possibility before parting with your mattress as a donation.

Mattress Sagging? Try This

At times you may notice that the mattress is beginning to sag. It could possibly be due its foundation. Under such circumstances having a board of plywood or just pressboard of ¼ or ½ inch thickness on top of your present foundation can reduce sagging. These boards are available at Home Depot or Lowes and they cut it to your required size. It’s better to have them cut short by at least an inch in length and width to avoid having protrusions. If this arrangement fails to work, you may consider buying a new foundation for an extended life of your mattress. Foam mattresses like latex and memory foam require an even regular bottom foundation.