What Causes Yellow Stains On Mattress

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
16 min read

There are four potential explanations for the presence of yellow stains on a mattress. Keep in mind that these four causes of yellow staining on mattresses are common before you get too grossed out. After all, we spend a great deal of time in bed, so these things are bound to amass.

Mattresses should be cleaned frequently to avoid getting stained. The lack of care reduces the lifespan of the mattress and contributes to its unsightliness. Keep reading to learn what causes those ugly yellow stains and what you can do about them.

5 Benefits of A Good Mattress

1. Achieve Adequate, Quality Nighttime Sleep

The top benefit of a good mattress over a bad one is that you will always be able to get a good night’s sleep or a restful nap. Depending on the mattress variety, you may either experience blissful pressure relief, or supportive back and neck alignment.

How to remove stubborn yellow stains from your mattress without using  bleach | Express.co.uk

A quality mattress will enhance your slumber rather than disrupt it. Symptoms of a worn-out mattress include nightly discomfort, trouble falling asleep, and waking up with sore muscles or joints. If you suffer from persistent back pain, click here immediately to read about the top-rated mattresses for your condition.

2. Promote Good Form and Posture

Some people may not even be aware that they sleep in a variety of positions. If you invest in the right mattress, you can keep or even enhance your shape and posture. If you sleep in the same position night after night, you need a mattress that supports healthy posture.

For instance, the fetal position adopted by side sleepers increases their risk of back pain. Since it will be pressed onto the mattress, it may also apply pressure to the arms and shoulders, cutting off circulation. Sleeping on your right side, in particular, puts extra strain on your internal organs.

Memory foam mattresses, thankfully, have you covered if you sleep on your side. The responsiveness of the material helps to keep the spine in its natural position and cushions any pressure areas. However, your spine and joints may suffer if you choose a mattress that isn’t designed for side sleepers. Consider your preferred sleeping posture before making a purchase.

3. Keep Your Mental and Emotional Health in Check

A subpar mattress can seriously disrupt your slumber. While sleeping on a poor mattress only once or twice may not cause sleep deprivation, doing so night after night can have that effect. There are many negative effects on one’s mental and emotional health that have been linked to sleep deprivation, both in the short and long term.

The most common mental and emotional health consequences of insufficient sleep are as follows:

  • Inability to concentrate and think clearly.
  • Resulting in excessive daytime sleepiness and yawning.
  • Causes a rise in irritability and moodiness.
  • Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and ADHD are just some of the mental illnesses that are made worse by this.
  • causes mental performance to suffer.

A good mattress will increase your chances of getting a restful night’s sleep, which in turn reduces your risk of the aforementioned health problems. But remember that even the most comfortable bed won’t guarantee a restful night’s sleep.

4. Develop an Inclination to Your Sleeping

A bad mattress is just one of many potential causes of insomnia, unfortunately. Another issue is that some people are so busy working, studying, and socializing that they neglect to get enough rest. You may be able to get your sleep back to normal with a new mattress.

If you’re not feeling refreshed in the morning, your mattress could be to blame. Creating a relaxing bedroom setting can also help you get more shut-eye.

Get a good night’s sleep every once in a while. Get some sleep in this bedroom that follows these suggestions:

  • Keep the bed solely for resting or sensual purposes.
  • Get rid of any unnecessary background noise or interruptions.
  • Bring the temperature down, preferably to around 65F (18.3C).
  • Put any and all electronic devices out of reach.
  • Reduce the number of competing visual elements as much as possible.
  • Color your bedroom with warmer tones.

5. Get the Most Out of Your Purchase

Modern mattress prices are no laughing matter. It’s not easy to put away money for a mattress, even a cheap one, especially if you’re already responsible for a lot of other people’s bills and necessities.

That’s why a quality mattress is an investment that will last a lifetime. High-quality mattresses can last for several years with proper care, so you can get your money’s worth out of buying one.

Compare the typical durability of different mattress materials:

  • 5–6.5 year old in-spring
  • 6–7 years in foam
  • 5–8.5 years for latex
  • 5–7.5 years for a hybrid

What Causes Yellow Stains On Mattress And How To Avoid Them

Body excretions

One possible explanation for the yellowing of our mattress is the accumulation of natural bodily excretions like sweat and oil. Even if you don’t have night sweats or live in a particularly hot climate, you probably still sweat and secrete oil every night. The accumulation of sweat and oil on the mattress will leave behind unsightly yellow stains and, in some cases, a foul odor.

What Causes Yellow Stains on Mattresses & How to Remove Them?

Covers are necessary because we rest so much of our time with our faces and heads resting on the mattress. The oil and sweat that naturally escapes from our skin will eventually penetrate the mattress, leaving yellow stains when they dry. Urea, an element present in sweat, is to blame for this phenomenon.

Urine

Urine is another urea-containing substance that can stain a mattress yellow. Mattress stains and odors are unavoidable if you have a child or pet that wets the bed. Urine stains are difficult enough to remove, but the musty odor they leave behind is a whole other challenge.

Because of this, mattress protectors are highly recommended, and you already know how to dry your mattress properly. Urine, once it has made contact with a material, must be absorbed quickly to prevent it from spreading. Baking soda can be left on the affected areas to dry and deodorize and then vacuumed up.

Mold

When it comes to drying the mattress, it’s important to note that mold can grow if you do either of those things. Mattresses can quickly become infested with mold and mildew if exposed to even small amounts of moisture. In addition to posing health risks, the yellow spots left by these fungi are unsightly.

The yellow mold spots are less noticeable than the larger yellow stains caused by bodily excretions or urine. However, if you inspect your mattress carefully, you should find them right away. If your mattress gets wet or spilled on, you should never use it again and you should dry it as soon as possible to prevent mold growth.

How Do You Get Rid Of Yellow Stains?

Knowing how to prevent yellow stains, is there a way to get rid of them once they’ve already appeared? The good news is that a homemade solution of hydrogen peroxide and liquid dishwashing soap can rescue your mattress from the unsightly marks.

Spot-treating your mattress can also be done with baking soda or a paste made of salt and lemon juice. However, choose natural enzyme cleaners if the yellow stains have been there for a while and have left permanent marks on the mattress. They ought to be able to remove any other stains or odors from the mattress as well.

Rub

Prepare the cleaning agent and use a damp cloth to scoop out the suds. You’ll need this component of the mixture because introducing more moisture to the bed is a bad idea. Use a circular motion to rub the cloth over the stained areas.

Blot

After washing a surface with soap, blot it dry with a new cloth. This time, wipe the area down with a dry one until it feels dry to the touch. If any remaining stains persist, you can either repeat the process or spray them with hydrogen peroxide.

Repeat

Leave it alone for five minutes, then blot it again. Old stains that have seeped through the fabric may not be removed using this method. If you have stains that just won’t come out, you might want to consider hiring a cleaning service.

How Do I Get My Mattress White Again?

If you follow the steps outlined above, you should be able to get rid of the yellowing. You can get your mattress back to its original white condition by dabbing it with a solution of water and dishwashing liquid. Wait 15 minutes, then repeat as necessary to restore the mattress’s white color.

This method should aid in the elimination of mysterious discolorations. If dish soap is not doing the trick, try using white vinegar or a stain remover. Rent a steam carpet cleaner with an upholstery attachment if the stain is old and difficult to remove.

Routine Mattress Maintenance

It’s possible that you could get more use out of your mattress if you gave some thought to proper maintenance. Knowing when to rotate or flip your mattress, checking for proper support, and regularly cleaning your mattress to remove allergens and other contaminants are all part of keeping your mattress in good condition. Keeping your mattress clean and undamaged is made easier by regular sheet changes and the use of a mattress protector.

Rotating Your Mattress

Mattresses naturally sag or form permanent indentations in the preferred positions of regular sleepers. Most manufacturers advise regularly rotating the mattress from head to foot to ensure an even break-in and prevent uneven softening of the sleep surface.

Mattresses made of foam, latex, or relatively new innerspring coils should be rotated every 6 to 12 months, while those made of older coils should be rotated every 2 to 6 months. Not all mattresses can benefit from being rotated. A mattress with a zoned design, for instance, may become less comfortable and supportive if you rotate it.

Most traditional innerspring mattresses had thin comfort layers, so sleeping on either side felt about the same. Because of its symmetrical make-up, this bed could be flipped over in addition to being rotated. Most contemporary mattresses, however, are constructed with a firmer support core at the bottom and a softer comfort layer at the top. These mattresses should never have their sides flipped because they are only designed to be used one way.

Some manufacturers, however, provide mattresses that can be flipped over. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions when deciding how often to rotate or flip your product.

Changing Your Sheets and Bedding

Besides preventing the spread of germs and bacteria, keeping your sheets and bedding clean can extend the life of your mattress.

If you don’t regularly change your sheets, blankets, and pillowcases, the sweat, body oils, and other dirt that accumulates on them will seep into your mattress. Dust mites and other allergens love to make their home in bedding, which can make it difficult for allergy sufferers to get a good night’s rest.

Sheets and pillowcases should be washed at least once per week, and more frequently if pets share your bed. Bedding may need to be washed more frequently in the spring and summer for those who live in warmer climates or for those who suffer from seasonal allergies.

Less frequent washings are acceptable for things that are not in direct contact with the bed. Duvet covers should be washed every other week, comforters and blankets every two to three months, and pillow inserts every four to six months. Before washing any bedding, be sure to consult the label.

Using a Mattress Protector

A mattress protector is designed to be used in conjunction with a fitted sheet. Mattress protectors are made to act as a barrier between your mattress and potential contaminants like dirt, sweat, dust mites, moisture, and more. Mattress protectors can usually be washed in a washing machine.

The vast majority of mattress covers are made to be completely watertight or at least resistant to the penetration of bodily fluids and other liquids. A mattress protector designed to keep out moisture is another line of defense against the development of mold and mildew. Mattress encasements are also available from manufacturers; these cover the entire mattress and create a tight seal on all six sides to prevent the entry of bed bugs.

Protectors for mattresses are not the same as pads or toppers for mattresses. A mattress protector’s primary function is to prevent soiling of the mattress, while those of a mattress pad and topper are to add comfort and modify the feel of the surface. Pads and toppers aren’t designed to keep you completely safe, but they can cut down on wear and tear.

Almost all warranties on mattresses have a provision that says the warranty is null and void if the mattress is soiled. Thus, mattress protectors not only protect against spills and stains, but also potentially increase the mattress’s useful life by allowing it to remain under warranty for longer.

Using Proper Support

Uneven weight distribution, which can cause spinal misalignment and even damage to the mattress, can be avoided with a good foundation.

Box springs were traditionally used with innerspring mattresses to increase the mattress’s bounce and support. These days, most people who sleep on foam or hybrid mattresses opt for either a solid foundation or a slatted bed frame.

Make sure the structure you use can hold not only the mattress, but also the weight of every person sleeping on it. Manufacturers of mattresses typically include specifications on the types of bases that are compatible with their products. For instance, a mattress made of foam may need slats that are closer together, while a mattress made of a heavier material may call for a bed frame with additional legs in the center. If you don’t use proper bracing, your warranty will likely be nullified.

When to Replace Your Mattress

Your mattress, no matter how well you take care of it, will wear out and need to be replaced at some point. A mattress loses its ability to support your body and alleviate pressure after about 7 to 10 years.

On average, a latex mattress will last between 7.5 and 8.5 years. The average lifespan of an innerspring mattress is 6 years, that of a foam mattress is 7, and that of a hybrid mattress is 6.5–7.5 years. The quality and design of the material, the sleeper’s position and body type, and the regularity of maintenance can all have a major impact on these figures.

The way your body and sleeping position affect the distribution of your weight. For instance, a person who sleeps on their side may experience an early sagging of their mattress at the shoulder and hip areas, and a person who weighs more than 230 pounds may experience an early sagging of their mattress overall.

Sara Wanderlust: Signs That Shows Your Mattress Cleaning is Due

Bedding and mattresses can usually be kept clean and last longer if they are rotated frequently and dusted and dirt are regularly removed. In addition, the mattress must be used with a solid foundation.

After sleeping on the same mattress for a long time, you may start to wonder if it’s time to upgrade. Signs that it’s time to shop for a new mattress include waking up sore or stiff, having trouble falling or staying asleep, and generally not feeling refreshed upon waking.

If you’re having trouble sleeping or just want to improve your quality of life overall, consider getting a new mattress. However, the financial commitment may be high. Adding a mattress topper isn’t going to make your mattress last forever, but it could buy you some time before you need to replace it.

Conclusion

It’s recommended that you always use a mattress protector to keep your bed dry and clean. However, if your white bed now has yellow stains, you may be left wondering what causes them. Keep in mind that we spend a lot of time in bed, which means that our oils and sweat can accumulate there.

Yellow stains on a mattress are a sign that it has been wet and not dried properly, which can encourage the growth of mold. The good news is that homemade stain removers can be used to treat the stains and, hopefully, restore the mattress’s clean appearance.

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.