How to Get Rid of Brown Stains on a Mattress? The Complete Guide

Like any other stains, brown stains can be difficult to get rid of, especially because of the color. And while in other cases, you may be simply able to toss your clothes or furnish in the washing machine, you cannot do so with your mattress.

Mattresses can quickly absorb all kinds of liquid, so it is difficult to remove the stain. The longer you allow the stain to sit, the harder it becomes to get rid of the stain.

You cannot be too harsh on your mattress while using cleaning agents or applying pressure. But it would help if you got off the stain efficiently to ensure the longevity and overall hygiene of the mattress.

Figuring out what caused the stain will help you tackle the stain more efficiently. It is best to avoid commercial cleaning agents when you have foam or a feather mattress, as the chemicals can be too harsh on them. You can get the stain off in no time by using the right cleaning agents.

Reasons for Brown Stains on Mattress

There could be several reasons behind the brown stains on your mattress. Here are some of them.

1. Dirt

This is the most common reason behind the brown stains on your mattress. If your mattress has not been cleaned in a while, it is going to develop brown patches over time.

This is because of the accumulated dirt that has piled on it. Your kids may jump on the bed with muddy feet, and your mattress is very likely going to have brown patches.

2. Brown Paint

A bout of creativity may hit you, and maybe painting on your bed, only to spill some brown paint. Oil paint can especially be difficult to get rid of.

A similar may be the case if you leave your brown pen on your bed and your mattress blots the ink. It will develop brown stains in no time.

3. Chocolate

There are so many items in this category, and it is possible to stain your mattress if you have spilled something chocolaty. It could be molten chocolate, Nutella, chocolate desserts like cakes, brownies, or anything similar.

Chocolate can be difficult to get rid of and turn dark brown if it stays on too long.

4. Tea and Coffee

Tea and coffee are some of the most common reasons behind brown stains on beds, and they can hold on really fast.

Tea stains can be difficult to remove, so you must move quickly. Coffee, especially black, will leave brown patches behind if you do not move fast.

5. Gravy

If you are someone who loves having food on your bed, then this could be a possible reason for brown stains.

If you spill any kind of gravy with a lot of cinnamon and turmeric, the resultant stain would be yellowish and brown in color.

6. Poop

If you have babies or pets at home, accidental poops on the bed can cause brown stains. Moreover, they can also leave a nasty smell behind, so you must thoroughly clean them.

Once the cleaning is done, you must also disinfect your mattress to get rid of any germs.

How to Remove Brown Stains from a Mattress?

There are multiple ways to remove brown stains from your mattress, depending on what caused the stain. These tried and tested methods will help you keep the mattress clean.

1. Removing Dirt Stains

Removing dirt from your mattress is easy enough. It would be best if you made a solution of detergent soap for the purpose.

• Try to scrape off any excess dirt from the surface.
• Get a spray can and fill about a quarter with clear water.
• Mix two tablespoons of mild liquid detergent in it. Shake to blend well.
• Spray the solution on the dirt patches in small quantities.
• Once the area is wet, use paper towels to absorb the extra dirt.
• Repeat twice and absorb as much as you can.
• Once the excess dirt has come off, apply the spray again and let it sit for an hour.
• Use paper towels to rub the stains off mildly. Repeat the process as needed.
• Spray clear water to clean any residual detergent.
• Use paper towels to absorb as much of the excess moisture as possible.
• Use a dryer to spot dry the mattress. Please leave it in the sun for a day to dry completely. Your mattress should be clean and dry.

2. Removing Paint Stains

Removing paint from the mattress, especially an oil-based paint, can be a little difficult. Here is what you can do.

• Scrape off any excess paint if possible.
• Make a mixture of lime juice and baking soda. Use as little water as possible. The citric nature of the lime juice will break down the oil, and the baking soda will help clear the stains.
• Spray the solution on the paint and keep rubbing lightly with a clean piece of cotton cloth. Repeat if needed.
• Once the excess paint has come off, spray some of the solution on the stains and let it sit for an hour.
• Use towels to absorb the stain and repeat. The citric acid from lemon juice will break down the oil, and your mattress should be clean.

3. Removing Chocolate Stains

Chocolate is not difficult to clean, provided the stain is not too old.

• Pick up any chocolate that may have fallen on the mattress and scrape off any excess chocolate sticking to the mattress.
• Make a solution of one part vinegar and two parts of mild detergent. Add two teaspoons of water to make a solution in a spray can.
• Spray the solution on the mattress over the chocolate stain.
• Use paper towels to rub on the mattress and absorb the chocolate lightly. 
• Repeat a few times as needed till the stain comes off.
• Spray some clear water and absorb it with paper towels to get rid of any residue.

4. Removing Tea and Coffee Stains

Removing tea and coffee stains from the mattress can be tricky as they tend to hold on very fast.

• Quickly absorb as much of the beverage as possible with paper towels.
• You can directly squeeze some lime juice on the stains to break down the stains, as the acidic nature of lime juice will prevent the stain from sticking on.
• Use paper towels to absorb the tea or coffee stain.
• Once you have removed as much of the stain as possible, sprinkle some baking soda on the stain.
• It will break down the stain and also absorb any excess tea or coffee.
• Use a vacuum cleaner to suck the baking soda.
• Repeat the process if needed to clean the stain entirely.

4. Removing Gravy Stains

There are many kinds of gravy, and depending on the condiments used, they can stick to the mattress very easily.

• Make a solution of three parts detergent and two parts vinegar, and add three teaspoons of water to make a solution.
• Scrape off any dried gravy from the mattress.
• Spray the solution generously on the mattress, but keep absorbing it with paper towels to prevent the stains from going deep.
• Use circular motions to get as much of the gravy as possible.
• Once the excess gravy has come off, spray some solution and let it sit for two hours.
• Use paper towels to absorb any residual gravy. Repeat the process if needed. 
• Spray some clean water and absorb any liquid to get rid of any detergent residue.

5. Removing Poop Stains

You should work fast to prevent poop stains from sticking to the mattress.

• Scrape off any excess poop from the mattress.
• Use an enzyme-based cleaner and spray it on the stain.
• The enzyme will effectively break down the stain without harming the mattress.
• Use paper towels to absorb the enzymes. Repeat the process if needed. The stain should come off after two applications.
• Sprinkle baking soda generously on the area. This will take care of any odor. 
• Use a vacuum cleaner to suck the soda away after leaving it for three hours. Repeat if any odor persists.
• Leave the mattress in the sun for natural disinfection. This will also take care of any residual smell. Spray a disinfectant or sanitizer again before using the mattress.

FAQ’s

Cleaning a mattress is not easy. And you may have some questions depending on what caused the stain. Here are some answers to help you.

Conclusion

By following the correct cleaning methods, you can keep your mattress clean and easily remove the brown stains. Sleeping on a fresh and clean mattress is the best feeling ever!

Being mindful about the activities you do around your mattress will help to keep the stains away in the first place. You will enjoy a much better and hygienic sleep by ensuring your mattress is clean and stain-free.

Sarah Wagner

I'm Sarah Wagner, and I founded Sweet Island Dreams in 2022. It's a blog dedicated to helping people mental vacation virtually anytime they want. By providing information about the best sleep of your life, I help people drift away to paradise without ever having to leave their bed!