What to do if you pee yourself in bed? Your complete guide to next steps

September 21, 2025 •

5 min read

Over 5 million American adults experience nocturnal enuresis, or bedwetting, showing it is a common yet often embarrassing issue. Understanding what to do if you pee yourself in bed involves managing the immediate cleanup while also exploring potential medical or lifestyle factors.

Quick Summary

Immediate action after a bedwetting incident includes cleaning yourself and your bedding to prevent stains and odor, before exploring long-term strategies and potential medical causes. Management may involve lifestyle changes, bladder training, or consulting a healthcare professional to identify the root issue. It is a treatable condition that should be addressed calmly.

Key Points

Immediate Action: Act quickly after an accident by calmly cleaning yourself and stripping the bed to prevent stains and odor from setting in.
Clean the Mattress: Use a vinegar and water solution followed by a generous sprinkle of baking soda to effectively clean and deodorize the mattress.
Consult a Doctor: If bedwetting is a new or frequent issue in adulthood, see a healthcare provider to rule out underlying conditions like diabetes, UTI, or overactive bladder.
Adjust Lifestyle: Control nighttime accidents by managing evening fluid intake, avoiding bladder irritants like caffeine and alcohol, and going to the toilet before bed.
Utilize Protective Products: Consider using absorbent underwear, pads, and waterproof mattress covers to protect your bedding and make cleanup easier.
Explore Treatment Options: Depending on the cause, treatments can range from bladder training and bedwetting alarms to prescribed medication.
Prioritize Mental Health: Remember that bedwetting is not a personal failure. Managing stress and seeking professional help can address the emotional toll it takes.

Immediate Action: The First 30 Minutes

The moments following a bedwetting accident can be stressful, but acting quickly can significantly simplify the cleanup process and minimize discomfort. The primary goal is to address your personal hygiene and begin the cleaning process for your bedding and mattress immediately.

Personal Hygiene

Get Out of Bed: The first step is to calmly get out of the wet sheets. This prevents further exposure and helps manage the situation.
Remove Soiled Clothing: Take off any wet pajamas or undergarments and place them in a plastic bag or directly into the laundry hamper. This contains odors and keeps other items dry.
Clean Yourself: Take a shower if possible to wash and refresh yourself. If a shower isn't an option, use wet wipes or a damp washcloth to clean the affected areas. Thoroughly dry your skin afterwards to prevent irritation.

Bedding and Mattress Cleanup

Strip the Bed: Remove all sheets, blankets, and any mattress protectors. If you have a waterproof mattress cover, this will make the next steps much easier.
Wash the Linens: Put all washable items in the laundry right away. Pre-treat any visible stains with a stain remover or a bit of laundry detergent before washing. A hot water cycle is often most effective.
Blot the Mattress: Using dry, absorbent towels or paper towels, press down firmly on the wet spot. Do not rub, as this pushes the urine deeper into the mattress padding. The goal is to absorb as much moisture as possible.
Create a Cleaning Solution: Mix a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Vinegar is excellent for breaking down urine and neutralizing odors. For tough stains, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and a few drops of dish soap can be used.
Spray and Blot: Spray the cleaning solution generously over the urine stain. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to penetrate the fibers, then blot again with fresh, clean towels.
Deodorize with Baking Soda: Once the area is mostly dry from blotting, sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda over the treated spot. The baking soda will absorb any remaining moisture and help eliminate odors. Let it sit for at least 8-10 hours, or overnight.
Vacuum: In the morning, vacuum up all the dry baking soda. This should leave your mattress fresh and odor-free.

Understanding Potential Causes and Solutions

Adult bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis, is often a symptom of an underlying issue rather than a problem in itself. Speaking with a doctor is key to a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Common Medical Reasons

Overactive Bladder (OAB): This condition causes the bladder muscles to contract uncontrollably, leading to frequent and urgent urination.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): An infection can irritate the bladder, leading to inflammation and a loss of bladder control, even at night.
Hormonal Issues: The body naturally produces more antidiuretic hormone (ADH) at night to reduce urine production. A hormonal imbalance can cause the kidneys to produce too much urine overnight.
Enlarged Prostate: For men, an enlarged prostate can put pressure on the urethra and bladder, interfering with normal urination.
Diabetes: Both diabetes mellitus and insipidus can increase urine production, potentially leading to nighttime accidents if blood sugar is not controlled.
Neurological Disorders: Conditions like multiple sclerosis or a stroke can affect the nerve pathways that control the bladder.

Lifestyle and Behavioral Factors

Fluid Intake: Drinking large amounts of fluids, especially caffeine and alcohol, late in the evening can increase nighttime urine production and irritate the bladder.
Sleep Apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to bedwetting in some adults, with treatment often resolving the issue.
Stress and Anxiety: Psychological stress can affect bladder function and lead to nighttime wetting.
Medications: Certain medications, including sedatives and diuretics, can have bedwetting as a side effect.

When to Consult a Doctor

While an occasional accident may not be cause for concern, it's essential to speak with a healthcare provider if bedwetting is a new or frequent issue in adulthood. It's particularly important if you experience:

Sudden onset of bedwetting after a long period of being dry.
Accidents multiple nights per week.
Painful or frequent urination during the day.
Blood in your urine.

A doctor will review your symptoms, medical history, and may conduct tests like a urinalysis to determine the underlying cause and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. For authoritative information on adult bedwetting, visit this WebMD resource.

Prevention and Management Strategies

Beyond addressing underlying causes, several strategies can help manage and prevent bedwetting.

Fluid Management

Limit your fluid intake, especially during the last few hours before bed. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drinks, as these are bladder irritants.

Bladder Retraining

This can help increase the bladder's capacity over time. It involves scheduling bathroom breaks at set intervals during the day and gradually increasing the time between them.

Bedwetting Alarms

Alarms can help train your brain to recognize bladder fullness cues. These sensors clip to your underwear or rest on a pad in the bed and trigger a vibration or sound at the first sign of moisture, training you to wake up to the sensation.

Protective Products

For managing leaks, absorbent underwear, pads, and waterproof mattress covers are invaluable for preventing damage to your bedding and mattress.

Comparison Table: Mattress Cleaning Methods


Feature	DIY Solution (Vinegar/Baking Soda)	Commercial Enzyme Cleaner
Cost	Very low; uses common household items.	Higher cost, requires specific purchase.
Ingredients	White vinegar, water, baking soda, dish soap.	Specialized enzymes designed to break down organic matter.
Effectiveness on Odor	Good for neutralizing odor, especially fresh urine.	Excellent; enzymes are highly effective at breaking down odor-causing molecules.
Effectiveness on Stains	Good for fresh stains; may require multiple treatments for older ones.	Very effective on both fresh and set-in organic stains.
Best for	Quick, budget-friendly cleanup of fresh spills.	Deep cleaning, stubborn stains, and eliminating persistent odors.

Conclusion

Wetting the bed can be a distressing experience, but it's a manageable condition with many available solutions. By taking immediate steps to clean up, you minimize the mess and discomfort. More importantly, by working with a healthcare professional, you can identify and address the root cause, whether it is a hormonal imbalance, overactive bladder, or another medical issue. By implementing lifestyle changes and protective measures, you can regain control and confidence, moving forward with effective management and prevention strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

While it can be embarrassing, nocturnal enuresis affects millions of adults and is a recognized medical condition, not a personal failing. It's a symptom that warrants medical attention.

After stripping the bedding, blot the area with a towel. Spray a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water, then blot again. Sprinkle generously with baking soda and let it sit for several hours before vacuuming.

Common causes include hormonal changes (low ADH), overactive bladder (OAB), diabetes, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and obstructive sleep apnea.

Yes, psychological factors like significant stress and anxiety can affect the body's control systems and trigger bedwetting episodes.

Yes, products like waterproof mattress covers, absorbent underwear, pads, and bedwetting alarms can help manage and reduce accidents.

Strategies include limiting fluid intake in the evening, avoiding bladder irritants like caffeine, practicing bladder retraining, and ensuring you use the restroom right before bed.

You should see a doctor if bedwetting starts as an adult, happens frequently, or is accompanied by other symptoms like painful urination, bloody urine, or excessive thirst.

Bladder retraining can be effective by gradually increasing the time between daytime bathroom visits to expand bladder capacity. It's often recommended alongside other treatments.