Accidents happen. Here’s how to clean them up and start fresh.
At some point, we all have to deal with stained sheets. From a spilled breakfast-in-bed situation to the realities of day-to-day life, something’s bound to call for a spot treatment every now and then.
Luckily, intelligent solutions abound for nearly every kind of stain you can think of, and we’ve rounded them up for quick reference. Read on to find the fix you need to remove stains from your bedding and keep it all looking like new.
Removing Stains From Bed Sheets, Pillowcases and Duvet Covers
Bed linens are a snap when it comes to stain removal, simply because you can toss them into the wash once you’ve applied the appropriate spot treatment. Which method you choose will vary based on the type of stain you’re treating, so use the rules of thumb below to ensure a fresh set of clean bedding in no time flat.
For blood stains, remove the sheets from the bed and run the stain under cold (never warm or hot) sink water until it runs clear underneath. Next, dip a small cloth or towel into a bowl of hydrogen peroxide and dab the stain with it until the affected area is entirely treated. Leave to dry for 30 minutes or longer, then run the sheets through their usual laundry cycle.
Most clear fluid stains can be treated with a simple 30-second run underneath cold sink water (again, only cold — never warm or hot) to keep any proteins from binding to the fabric. Follow up quickly with a normal laundry cycle.
To remove coffee stains from sheets, stretch out the affected area underneath a stream of warm running water and dab it with a cloth dipped in dishwashing detergent. Follow up immediately with a typical laundry cycle. The same method applies to red wine stains, except instead of using dish detergent on its own, opt for a solution of three parts hydrogen peroxide and one part dish detergent, then launder as usual.
It’s smart to invest in a machine-washable mattress pad to keep any future stains from sinking down into the mattress. In the meantime, if your mattress is also in need of stain treatment, read on for a quick fix.
Removing Stains From a Mattress
You may have a mattress in your life for upwards of ten years, which means an accident or two is bound to happen. As with pillows and sheets, the best line of defense is to act quickly with the right solution. The sooner you take care of the stain, the easier it will be to remove.
To remove a blood stain from a mattress, mix up a paste with ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide, a spoonful of table salt, and a dash of liquid dish soap. Apply it directly to the stain and leave it to dry. Next, gently remove the paste with a clean cloth. If any discoloration remains, dab it with a dish towel dipped in hydrogen peroxide.
For other liquid stains, try mixing ½ cup hydrogen peroxide with 1 or 2 tablespoons of baking soda, plus a small drop of liquid dish soap. Spread the solution gently over the stain, and be careful not to use so much that it sinks into the mattress. Leave it to dry. For older stains, this process may take a few repetitions, but patience should pay off.
So Fresh and So Clean
Again, a machine-washable mattress pad is a wise investment to save you some extra work in the future, and bookmarking this page can save you a bit of searching the next time you need to remove a stain from any part of the bed.
To add to your linen collection and enjoy some fresh alternatives to your current bedding, explore Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques and treat yourself to a bed fit for discerning travelers in the comfort of your own home.