Landlord looking for mattress cleaning advice.

Gautama

I'm about to rent out my house. The mattress of the master bedroom is a 5 year old Sealy, so it's got a good few years left in it.
However, the surface has stains.
(If this sounds disgusting to you, I advise that you never go on holidays, and if you do, don't look under the bedsheets. Compare two people in five years with five people in two weeks...).

Have any posters/readers successfully removed such stains? If so, what product did you use?
I've googled it, but there is more opinion than advice, and no actual products mentioned, just 'detergent', etc. I'm thinking mild Domestos?

Thanks.

ABajaninCork

I'd get a new mattress TBH. Tenant will probably insist on one anyway.

Pkiernan

If you know that a mattress you are supplying to a tenant is covered in piss, then you really should replace it.

As to cleaning, you should look at renting a carpet cleaner and using the upholstery attachment.

But you should replace it.

Gautama

Are you suggesting that every landlord replaces every mattress for every new tenant?
Or that every landlord replaces every mattress for every new guest?

Chance would be a fine thing, but I'm willing to go with the norm.

Gautama

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Tenant will probably insist on one anyway.

Good point, then I could use the expense to leverage up the rent, maybe an extra €50 per month?

username123

I would think its a good idea to replace a 5 year old mattress thats covered in stains for a new tenant.

More importantly, if you want to continue using mattresses for a long time over different tenants then you need to have the tenants use mattress protectors.

I do check the mattress in hotels - and Ive never come across a stained one.

Solair

OP,

It's actually pretty much impossible to clean a mattress once it's been urninated on. They're a deep pad and can never be cleaned fully through.

If they're yellowish stains, they're actually more likely to be sweat and probably things like moisturisers and other body cosmetics.

You really should fit mattress protectors and provide spare ones to avoid this in future. They're very cheap relative to new mattresses.

Even on my own bed at home, I always use them as you can just throw them into the wash once in a while and you've a nice fresh mattress.

Everyone sweats at night and all that sweat has to go somewhere!

I know if I were the tenant, I certainly wouldn't accept a stained mattress. It's absolutely disgusting, I wouldn't be able to sleep on it.

Jesus Shaves

Gautama wrote: »

Good point, then I could use the expense to leverage up the rent, maybe an extra €50 per month?

Please tell me the address of the property so I know never to rent it

BostonB

Gautama wrote: »

I'm about to rent out my house. The mattress of the master bedroom is a 5 year old Sealy, so it's got a good few years left in it.....

You'd be lucky to get 2yrs out a mattress in a rented place.

That and bedside lockers. Almost every tenant I ever had broke the bedside lockers. So I stopped putting them in.

Consider unfurnished. its much less hassle.

latenia

Go to www.bigmickey.ie you stingey ****

Gandhi

From a landlord's POV, I would replace the mattress immediately. If you had a tenant leaving and you found he had covered the mattress in urine stains, would you withhold the amount for a new mattress from the deposit? Of course you would.

If I was a prospective tenant and saw a urine-stained mattress, I'd immediately start wondering what other bodily fluids are laying around the house, and keep walking regardless of whether you offered to change the mattress.

As for asking for an extra E50 for a urine-free mattress, I would think I was on Candid Camera if a landlord asked me that. Would you also charge extra for doors to have handles on, or to not have raw sewage flowing across the back garden?

Tails142

OP is hilarious, I guess he thinks people are going to be queueing down the road to sleep in his piss stained mattress....


OP before you go out to buy a cheap mattress wait to see what your tenant wants to do - I know I've always preferred to use my own expensive mattress rather than some cheapo piece of crap the landlord has got from bargaintown so maybe just show the house with the divan or whatever and no mattress, say you can get one for them if they dont want to get their own.

anthonyos

typical tight arse landlord makes me sick

Qualitymark

Heh, blatant trolling! Love it!

Zamboni

Gandhi wrote: »

From a landlord's POV, I would replace the mattress immediately. If you had a tenant leaving and you found he had covered the mattress in urine stains, would you withhold the amount for a new mattress from the deposit? Of course you would.

Normal wear and tear no?








:pac:

Solair

Also, if you clean the mattress with something nasty such as Domestos as you mentioned you risk having a tenant getting a really nasty bleach burn / allergic reaction / asthma attack which could potentially leave you open to major issues.

I don't think anyone would expect there to have been bleach used on bedding!

Qualitymark

Zamboni wrote: »

Normal wear and tear no?








:pac:

Deffo. I'll just ring Health 'n' Safety to check

fasttalkerchat

I think enough people have expressed disgust for you to get the message but incase that isn't enough here's something a LL once told me.

The quality of the house dictates the quality of tenant. All the good tenants will walk away when they see a used mattress so you will be left with the ones who think its acceptable to smoke inside, have cats pissing all over the place and leave rubbish in the attic when they leave.

Merch

Not sure why tenants dont insist on using their own mattress??
and furniture for that matter
It would seem to be a win win situation for everyone to me?

Qualitymark

I think tenants have more rights in an unfurnished flat. In Ireland, where renting is sometimes seen as a way to grind and exploit other people, rather than a friendly bargain with justice and decency on both sides, this is considered a bad thing.

MistyCheese

Gandhi wrote: »

As for asking for an extra E50 for a urine-free mattress

Actually, the OP is suggesting an extra €50 a month.

Gautama wrote: »

Good point, then I could use the expense to leverage up the rent, maybe an extra €50 per month?

Over a 12 month tenancy that's a €600 mattress. If I was paying for a €600 mattress you can bet the bedspread that I'd be taking it with me when I go!

fasttalkerchat

Merch wrote: »

Not sure why tenants dont insist on using their own mattress??
and furniture for that matter
It would seem to be a win win situation for everyone to me?

I don't see the point in buying furniture that I'll have to pay to move every time I move house. Also when you move into a place you can't be bothered finding everything right away, better to get a house with the basics already there.

When I buy my own house then I will buy the furniture to suit it.

Merch

Qualitymark wrote: »

I think tenants have more rights in an unfurnished flat. In Ireland, where renting is sometimes seen as a way to grind and exploit other people, rather than a friendly bargain with justice and decency on both sides, this is considered a bad thing.

I've never heard this? how would this be so?

I agree with the rest though

fasttalkerchat

Merch wrote: »

I've never heard this? how would this be so?

I agree with the rest though

I think he means because LLs can claim that furniture was damaged etc. The less that is in the house; the less open you are to being unfairly charged.

Qualitymark

Merch wrote: »

I've never heard this? how would this be so?

I agree with the rest though

Different rules on furnished and unfurnished flats. Why? Who knows.

mikemac1

Do the decent thing and get a new mattress

Everything can be haggled for in shops.
Go get a new mattress and haggle down the price. You see the shop price but knock it down, not as expensive as you think

I could use the expense to leverage up the rent, maybe an extra €50 per month?

FFS

If I was your tenant and found out I was paying that I'm taking the mattress with me when I move on


All landlords dream of the "young professional" who pays good money for the place.
Well if you want good standard of tenants you need a good standard of a place.
It's not 1992 anymore and nobody grabs the Evening Herald and queues for flats! Those days are gone

FGR

Carpet cleaner on max settings will kill any germs/bugs and will clean the mattress to a very hygienic standard.

Best thing to do after that is to place a freshly washed (not just out of the pack!) mattress cover and away you go.

fasttalkerchat

mikemac1 wrote: »

All landlords dream of the "young professional" who pays good money for the place.
Well if you want good standard of tenants you need a good standard of a place.
It's not 1992 anymore and nobody grabs the Evening Herald and queues for flats! Those days are gone

People used to queue for flats? Where?

Qualitymark

I reckon the OP is trolling, but assuming for a moment that this is a serious discussion, I personally would immediately report any landlord providing a unrine-damaged mattress to the Department of the Environment for putting tenants at hazard.

Merch

fasttalkerchat wrote: »

I don't see the point in buying furniture that I'll have to pay to move every time I move house. Also when you move into a place you can't be bothered finding everything right away, better to get a house with the basics already there.

When I buy my own house then I will buy the furniture to suit it.

Not sure why you wouldn't possibly want a better quality maybe cleaner mattress (at least you know who was in the bed)

fasttalkerchat wrote: »

I think he means because LLs can claim that furniture was damaged etc. The less that is in the house; the less open you are to being unfairly charged.

be easier, then deposit is about damage to property/unpaid rent, rather than on items that can be subject to wear and tear, either there is damage or not, i.e. a hole in the wall is or is not there. Wear and tear can be a bit more subjective.

Qualitymark wrote: »

Different rules on furnished and unfurnished flats. Why? Who knows.

I'm not trying to demand proof, but I'd like to see if thats written down somewhere to see what the differences are, do you have a link to something that details it? Its out of interest.

mikemac1

fasttalkerchat wrote: »

People used to queue for flats? Where?

Dublin and Galway a decade ago

Been there, done that

More last week of August and thousands of students looking for a gaff

Bad times

Qualitymark

Merch wrote: »

I'm not trying to demand proof, but I'd like to see if thats written down somewhere to see what the differences are, do you have a link to something that details it? Its out of interest.

I'm really sorry, but I don't. I just remember this being the way when I used to be renting flats, and have heard people saying more recently than that that they can't get an unfurnished place because landlords don't want to let unfurnished, because tenants have greater rights. It may, of course, be a legend.

fasttalkerchat

Merch wrote: »

Not sure why you wouldn't possibly want a better quality maybe cleaner mattress (at least you know who was in the bed)

I wasn't including the bed and soft furnishings in furniture. Also have my own TV, kettle, toaster etc.

Milk & Honey

Qualitymark wrote: »

I'm really sorry, but I don't. I just remember this being the way when I used to be renting flats, and have heard people saying more recently than that that they can't get an unfurnished place because landlords don't want to let unfurnished, because tenants have greater rights. It may, of course, be a legend.

It is a legend. Apart from a few older lettings from the time of rent control, all lettings are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act. There is no distinction between furnished and unfurnished.

Merch

Qualitymark wrote: »

I'm really sorry, but I don't. I just remember this being the way when I used to be renting flats, and have heard people saying more recently than that that they can't get an unfurnished place because landlords don't want to let unfurnished, because tenants have greater rights. It may, of course, be a legend.

Not a bother,

fasttalkerchat wrote: »

I wasn't including the bed and soft furnishings in furniture. Also have my own TV, kettle, toaster etc.

and the mattress??
I'd prefer to use my own, looking back at the places I rented
I am under the impression on the continent its all empty, bring your own stuff, paint it how you want and then leave it a blank coat of white when ur done, that also might be part legend or only part true?
that way you can have the best stuff you want/can afford, its clean and its all your own responsibility to look after, repair,replace etc seems the more sensible route to me.

TonyM.

KAYFOAM LTD make a mattress with a zip off cover which is ideal for the rental market its called a SHAW mattress .
I would also remind people who recomend a certain retailer selling mostly imported beds maybe they should support Irish jobs for a change HOMElEE BEDS in GALWAY and KAYFOAM Ltd in Kilcullen both make beds every bit as good as those sourced from ENGLAND.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2boczY_myc

jaffa20

Wow, urine on mattress and thinking of getting it cleaned. Yuck. I doubt my landlord is this bad but i'm gonna inspect my mattress next time i get a chance.

peter_dublin

Leading on from this and i'm unsure if this should be a seperate thread. Do people then think it is acceptable for the/a landlord to charge the tenent the complete price of a new mattress should they stain (urine) the old one. As an example in my own place the mattress 100% has a urine stain from when a newborn left down on it let rip.

I be interested in peoples views as everyone is of the opinion that a stained mattress is to be replaced, but do people think it acceptable then for the landlord to charge the tenants the cost of a new mattress as they stained the old one. I wonder how PTRB would view it.

username123

peter_dublin wrote: »

Leading on from this and i'm unsure if this should be a seperate thread. Do people then think it is acceptable for the/a landlord to charge the tenent the complete price of a new mattress should they stain (urine) the old one. As an example in my own place the mattress 100% has a urine stain from when a newborn left down on it let rip.

I be interested in peoples views as everyone is of the opinion that a stained mattress is to be replaced, but do people think it acceptable then for the landlord to charge the tenants the cost of a new mattress as they stained the old one. I wonder how PTRB would view it.

Of course its not acceptable, are you serious?
Why wasnt there a mattress cover on it?
Its the landlords responsibility to ensure there is a waterproof mattress cover on it. If there wasnt then thats not the tenants fault or problem.

peter_dublin

username123 wrote: »

Of course its not acceptable, are you serious?
Why wasnt there a mattress cover on it?
Its the landlords responsibility to ensure there is a waterproof mattress cover on it. If there wasnt then thats not the tenants fault or problem.

:-) This is the part I love you see, perhaps there should be plastic lined covers on the sofas aswell and if not it's the landlords problem if it gets stained, in this case you are now stating that landlords should fit plastic backed mattress protectors to resolve tenents of a duty of care.

StillWaters

mikemac1 wrote: »

fasttalkerchat wrote: »

People used to queue for flats? Where?

Dublin and Galway a decade ago

Been there, done that

More last week of August and thousands of students looking for a gaff

Bad times

And you very rarely got your deposit back. No PRTB, only recourse was to write to the Herald. Bad times indeed.

JuliusCaesar

Qualitymark wrote: »

I just remember this being the way when I used to be renting flats, and have heard people saying more recently than that that they can't get an unfurnished place because landlords don't want to let unfurnished, because tenants have greater rights. It may, of course, be a legend.

Milk & Honey wrote: »

It is a legend. Apart from a few older lettings from the time of rent control, all lettings are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act. There is no distinction between furnished and unfurnished.

It used to be the case, prior to recent laws, that tenants in an unfurnished flat had greater rights and were more difficult to dislodge, than those in furnished flats. This led to most flats being provided furnished in the 70s and 80s and until the present. The distinction has however been abolished, but lives on in folk memory.

Besides, how do you always know what size bed will be provided? You could end up with a double mattress which is too small for a king-sized base, or vice versa.

borderlinemeath

JuliusCaesar wrote: »

Besides, how do you always know what size bed will be provided? You could end up with a double mattress which is too small for a king-sized base, or vice versa.

In fairness most landlords will put in double beds, they don't make the room look smaller and they're cheaper as well.

One thing I did when I was recently letting my house was leave all the packaging on the new mattresses on the beds. It wasn't exactly professional looking in the photos but it got the message across and the phone didn't stop ringing. House was let within a day of going on daft and there was plenty of other houses to let in the area.

username123

peter_dublin wrote: »

:-) This is the part I love you see, perhaps there should be plastic lined covers on the sofas aswell and if not it's the landlords problem if it gets stained, in this case you are now stating that landlords should fit plastic backed mattress protectors to resolve tenents of a duty of care.

It would seem to be fairly common sense that a mattress is far more likely to be subject to bodily fluids than a couch. Even just sweating in sleep is going to impact a mattress in a way a couch wont be impacted. Couch cushion covers are usually removable and washable also, but mattresses are not made that way.

Of course there is going to be some wear and tear along the way but to suggest that a mattress that is stained with urine is acceptable to offer in a rental as the OP has, is a disgusting attitude and its no wonder people prefer to buy than rent.

It would seem that an easy solution is to use mattress covers, however if you somehow feel that this resolves tenants of a duty of care - then perhaps you shouldnt be in the landlord business?

Merch

username123 wrote: »

Of course its not acceptable, are you serious?
Why wasnt there a mattress cover on it?
Its the landlords responsibility to ensure there is a waterproof mattress cover on it. If there wasnt then thats not the tenants fault or problem.

I dont think there is any legal obligation for a landlord to provide mattress covers but it makes sense, I did the rent a room scheme many years ago and even though I supplied mattress protectors and asked for them to be used some people often did not even put on bed sheets or pillow cases!
edit, these people would make a point of using their own duvet (understandable) but then take off the bedding (washed and ironed I provided) and use nothing to cover the mattress??
I can see how it would make sense from the landlords point of view for a relatively small price to provide mattress protectors to keep the mattress clean, but there is no way they know if they are being used.

peter_dublin

Merch wrote: »

I dont think there is any legal obligation for a landlord to provide mattress covers but it makes sense, I did the rent a room scheme many years ago and even though I supplied mattress protectors and asked for them to be used some people often did not even put on bed sheets or pillow cases!

I can see how it would make sense from the landlords point of view for a relatively small price to provide mattress protectors to keep the mattress clean, but there is no way they know if they are being used.

Exactly and this is the point, if people are so particular about mattresses and in fairness it is not only Urine which stains a mattress and as such not all stains result from it but you cannot know what caused the stain. I've personally have never seen a matress heavily stained by sweat. My point simply is that is people are so particular about mattresses being stained (not only by urine) then it has to be accepted that the people who cause the staining are held to account. You honestly cannot expect a landlord to replace a mattress every tenency esp if they just last a year, its often suggested her that that should be the case but then on the other hand people also don't want a "cheap" mattress. Can't have you cake and eat it. Urinating on a mattess is not normal wear and tear.

For the note my rental has a two year old £1100 sterling mattress, should I replace this if the tenents urinate or otherwise damage it. Not a chance I will, it comming out of their pocket.

Merch

peter_dublin wrote: »

Exactly and this is the point, if people are so particular about mattresses and I in fairness it is not only Urine which stains a mattress and as such not all stains result from it but you cannot know what caused the stain. I've personally have never seen a matress heavily stained by sweat. My point simply is that is people are so particular about mattresses being stained (not only by urine) then it has to be accepted that the people who cause the staining are held to account. You honestly cannot expect a landlord to replace a mattress every tenency esp if they just last a year, its often suggested her that that should be the case but then on the other hand people also don't want a "cheap" mattress. Can't have you cake and eat it. Urinating on a mattess is not normal wear and tear.

I agree, a mattress should last 5-8 years depending on the quality in my opinion, but new tenants are less likely to want to sleep on something someone else has used (which is understandable). Its unreasonable to replace one too soon or to be able to detect damage or certain staining, and if something is damaged then really it makes it less useable,
so I think tenants should provide their own mattress, I know I would want to, that way they know what is on it (them) and they get the quality they are willing to pay.
I do think in a lot of cases when people dont own something (ie payed for it) then they take less care of it, but thats with anything
Personally I think people should provide their own furniture and appliances but that is unlikely to happen here, a lot of people are quite happy to have the furniture provided and dont want the hassle of obtaining it/transporting or assembling it/or paying for it.

If the situation I heard of on the continent is common, then it sounds like the better option to me.

username123

peter_dublin wrote: »

Exactly and this is the point, if people are so particular about mattresses and in fairness it is not only Urine which stains a mattress and as such not all stains result from it but you cannot know what caused the stain. I've personally have never seen a matress heavily stained by sweat. My point simply is that is people are so particular about mattresses being stained (not only by urine) then it has to be accepted that the people who cause the staining are held to account. You honestly cannot expect a landlord to replace a mattress every tenency esp if they just last a year, its often suggested her that that should be the case but then on the other hand people also don't want a "cheap" mattress. Can't have you cake and eat it. Urinating on a mattess is not normal wear and tear.

For the note my rental has a two year old £1100 sterling mattress, should I replace this if the tenents urinate or otherwise damage it. Not a chance I will, it comming out of their pocket.

But there wouldnt be any staining if there was a mattress cover used in the first place. If you put on a mattress cover and tell the tenant that staining is going to cost them, then fair enough. But you cannot say nothing, not have a mattress cover and then ask for recompense. Urinating on a mattress is not normal wear and tear, but the OP is talking about a 5 year old mattress, with known urine stains - is this acceptable to rent to someone? No way.

dulpit

Unless there are children involved, why is there urine on the mattress?

And why would the first thing you think be to clean it/hide it and not replace it?

username123

Merch wrote: »

I can see how it would make sense from the landlords point of view for a relatively small price to provide mattress protectors to keep the mattress clean, but there is no way they know if they are being used.

If they are provided and not used then it is totally acceptable to charge the tenant for staining.