Proven: How to Get Tar Out of Mattress Easily (2026)

Immediate Action (First 5 Minutes)

I'll be honest, seeing a glob of black roofing tar on your $1,200 memory foam mattress induces pure panic. Whether your contractor tracked driveway sealant inside or a teenager brought a tar-stained baseball glove to bed, your first five minutes dictate the outcome. Stop. Don't rub it. When you rub tar, you push the petroleum distillates deeper into the fabric weave and the foam layers below, turning a surface spot into a permanent nightmare.

Your absolute first move is to harden the substance. Grab a ziplock bag, fill it with ice cubes, and press it directly onto the tar for exactly 4 to 6 minutes. Cold temperatures make the tar brittle. Once it hardens, take a plastic scraper and gently pop the bulk of it off. I use the Hyde Tools 1-inch plastic putty knife for this. It costs about $3.50 at any hardware store and won't slice your mattress ticking like a metal blade would.

If you're doing DIY roof repairs and tracking debris inside, this quick freeze method saves the fabric from absorbing the heavy oils. Just scrape the hardened chunks into a trash can. Don't use your bedroom vacuum yet. The sharp chunks can tear the vacuum hose, and the residual stickiness will ruin the brush roll.

What You'll Need (Tools and Products)

In my 12 years of restoring ruined mattresses, I've found that having the right solvent is 90% of the battle. Tar is a hydrocarbon. Water won't touch it. You need a non-polar solvent to break down the chemical bonds without melting your bed. Here is my exact toolkit for this job.

• Plastic Scraper: Hyde Tools 1-inch putty knife ($3.50). Never use metal.
• Ice Packs: Standard frozen gel packs or ice in a thick freezer bag.
• Citrus Solvent: Goo Gone Original or De-Solv-it Citrus Solution ($8-12). These are safe for most fabrics.
• Microfiber Cloths: 3M Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty cloths ($15 for a 12-pack). You need high-pile cloths to grab the dissolved tar.
• Dish Soap: Dawn Ultra Platinum ($4). Essential for cutting the oily residue left by the solvent.
• Enzyme Cleaner: Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator ($20). This removes the lingering petroleum smell.

Solvent Comparison Table

Solvent Type	Price Range	Effectiveness on Tar	Mattress Safety
Citrus-Based (Goo Gone)	$8 - $12	High (Slow acting)	Very Safe
WD-40 Multi-Use	$6 - $9	Very High	Moderate (Leaves oil)
Mineral Spirits	$10 - $15	Extreme	Low (Toxic fumes)
Acetone	$4 - $7	Low	Dangerous (Melts foam)

Step-by-Step Removal (The 5-Step Method)

I've tested this exact sequence on my own Casper Original after a roofing mishap. It takes about 45 minutes from start to finish. Grab your supplies and let's get to work.

Step 1: Scrape and Vacuum

After your initial 5-minute freeze, use your plastic putty knife to lift the hardened tar. Work from the outside edges of the stain toward the center. This prevents spreading. Once the bulk is gone, use a upholstery vacuum attachment to suck up the tiny brittle flakes. Keep the vacuum moving. If you hold it in one spot, the friction heat can soften any remaining microscopic tar particles.

Step 2: The Patch Test

This step is non-negotiable. Mattress fabrics vary wildly. A tight-top innerspring might handle citrus solvent fine, while a delicate bamboo-blend cover on a Purple Restore could discolor. Apply a single drop of your chosen solvent to a hidden corner of the mattress, usually near the bottom seam. Wait 10 minutes. If the fabric color doesn't bleed or the texture doesn't warp, you are clear to proceed.

Step 3: Apply and Dwell

Pour a small amount of Goo Gone directly onto a microfiber cloth, not the mattress. You want to control the moisture. Press the damp cloth firmly onto the tar stain. Let it dwell for exactly 8 to 10 minutes. The d-limonene in the citrus solvent needs time to break down the hydrocarbon chains. Don't rush this. If the tar is particularly thick, you might need to reapply the solvent to the cloth halfway through.

Step 4: Blotting Technique

Blot gently. You want to lift the dissolved petroleum base out of the fibers, not mash it into the polyurethane foam underneath. Fold your microfiber cloth into quarters. Press down, lift, and rotate to a clean section of the cloth. Repeat this until the black transfer stops appearing on the fabric. I'll be honest, this takes serious elbow grease. You might go through three or four cloths on a large stain.

Step 5: Neutralize the Solvent

Citrus solvents leave behind an oily residue that will attract dirt and turn yellow over time. Mix one tablespoon of Dawn Ultra Platinum dish soap into two cups of warm water (around 90°F). Dip a fresh cloth into the suds, wring it out until it's barely damp, and wipe down the treated area. This emulsifies the leftover oils. Finally, press dry towels over the spot to absorb the moisture and let it air dry completely.

Alternative Methods (When Solvents Fail)

Sometimes standard citrus cleaners just won't cut it, especially if the tar has been baked by the sun on a driveway before being tracked inside. Here are three backup methods I keep in my arsenal.

The WD-40 Trick

WD-40 is a phenomenal tar dissolver. Spray a light mist onto a paper towel and dab the stain. The tar will melt almost instantly. However, there is a major catch. WD-40 leaves a heavy petroleum oil stain behind. You must immediately follow this up with a heavy application of dry baking soda to absorb the oil, followed by a thorough scrubbing with Dawn dish soap and a stiff bristle brush. It's a two-step process, but it works wonders on stubborn driveway sealant.

The Peanut Butter Method

This sounds crazy, but the natural oils in peanut butter break down tar effectively. I've used this on small, localized spots where I didn't want to use harsh chemicals. Smear a thick layer of creamy peanut butter (not crunchy) over the tar. Let it sit for 15 minutes. The oils penetrate the tar and soften it. Scrape it away with your plastic putty knife, then clean the greasy residue with dish soap. It's messy, but it's safe for almost all fabrics.

Mineral Spirits (Heavy Duty)

If you are dealing with a massive, hardened patch of industrial tar, mineral spirits will dissolve it. But I only recommend this for innerspring mattresses in highly ventilated rooms. Never use mineral spirits on memory foam or latex. The chemical reaction will literally melt the foam cells and destroy the structural integrity of your bed. Apply it with a rag, wipe the tar away, and immediately air out the room with fans running for at least 24 hours.

Prevention Tips

When your landlord inspects the furnished rental next week, you don't want to be explaining a black smear on the guest bed. Prevention is always cheaper than restoration.

First, invest in a high-quality mattress encasement. I highly recommend the SafeRest Premium Zippered Encasement (around $45 for a Queen). Unlike standard fitted protectors, this zips completely around the bed and features a waterproof polyurethane membrane. If tar gets on it, you just unzip the cover and throw it in the washing machine with a heavy-duty degreaser. It saves the actual mattress from any contact.

Second, establish strict rules for home improvement projects. If you're doing DIY roof repairs or sealing the driveway, keep a dedicated pair of 'outside only' shoes by the door. Keep a bucket of warm soapy water and a scrub brush on the porch to clean hands and tools before anyone steps back inside. A little preparation prevents a $1,000 mistake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use acetone or nail polish remover on my mattress?

No, you should never use acetone on a mattress. Acetone melts polyurethane foam and synthetic fabric blends on contact. It will literally burn a hole through your bed and void your warranty immediately.

Will the tar smell go away after cleaning?

Tar has a strong petroleum odor that lingers even after the visual stain is completely gone. I recommend spraying the area with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water, then letting it air dry for 24 hours. If the smell persists, sprinkle baking soda over the damp spot and vacuum it up the next day.

Does this method work on memory foam?

Yes, but you must be incredibly careful not to oversaturate the foam. Memory foam acts like a giant sponge and will trap the solvent deep inside where it can degrade the material. Always apply your cleaner to the cloth first, never directly onto the mattress surface.

What if the tar has been there for months?

Dried, aged tar is significantly harder to remove because it has fully oxidized and bonded to the fabric fibers. You will need to rehydrate it using a generous amount of Goo Gone and let it sit for 15 minutes before scraping. I'll be honest, this takes serious elbow grease and might require two or three passes to fully lift.