Many of us encounter a phase in life when kids or pets fall sick and suddenly vomit on the bed without giving us a chance to get the bucket. The reasons could be too much eating, upset stomach , or some other health problem. As a parent, you have to handle such situations with the utmost care, and cleaning the vomit mess from the mattress is one situation amongst the list of other situations.
Your primary concern is first to remove the stains and get rid of the odor from the mattress. If you are looking for a perfect solution to how to clean vomit from a mattress, read the article to know the hack to have a clean and fresh mattress.
How to Clean Vomit From the Mattress?
List of supplies you will need and their qualities.
- Baking soda has a high absorbent feature, making it a perfect solution for absorbing moisture and odor. Baking soda is non-toxic, so it’s safe for kids and pets.
- Liquid dish soap breaks down the fat and protein present in vomit, making the cleaning process easy. Its gentle feature, when used with a damp cloth, minimizes the risk of damage to the mattress.
- White vinegar is a natural neutralizer that helps you get rid of the unpleasant smell of vomit from the mattress.
- Rubbing alcohol has a disinfectant property that helps eliminate odor and germs in vomit.
- A paper bowl or plate is needed to scrap vomit off the mattress.
- Plastic trash bag
- Rubber gloves
- Paper towels
- Spray bottle
Steps to Clean Vomit From Mattress
Clean Vomit Immediately
You must act quickly to remove vomit from the bedding because once it gets soaked and passes through the mattress, it’ll be challenging and tedious. First, wear disposable gloves, then start scraping solid or semi-solid vomit off the mattress using a dustpan or paper plate with a roll of paper towel, put it in the trash, or flush it if the quantity is too small.
Remove the Bedding
Remove the bedding, even if there’s no vomit left on it, to avoid any odor and germs that could cause sickness to others. Wash bedding with hot water in the washing machine to kill harmful germs. You should also wash pillows, cushions, and blankets with hot water.
If you have a mattress protector, washing your protector is enough to prevent germs and odor because vomit can’t pass through the protector.
Blotting the Stain
Once you remove the bedding, blot the affected area with a paper towel on the mattress to remove excess moisture, touch the area with bare hands, and if it feels dry, proceed to the next step of cleaning.
Tips: Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing will push the stain further deep into the mattress, making your task more difficult.
Prepare the Cleaning Solution
Take a bowl and make a solution of warm water and dish soap, soak a fresh cloth in it, and dab gently on the stained area. You can also try one part vinegar and three parts water with little dish soap to effectively remove stains, germs, and odors.
Disinfect the Mattress With White Vinegar
Take a spray bottle, fill it with white vinegar and water in equal quantity, and spray it on the affected areas to disinfect it for a fresh and clean mattress.
Sprinkle Baking Soda to Absorb Moisture
Make a paste of baking soda and water and sprinkle on the affected area to absorb leftover moisture and neutralize odor. Leave the paste for a minimum of 30 minutes. However, you may leave it for up to eight hours for more effectiveness. You can also use cornstarch if baking soda is not available, but it won’t be as effective as baking soda.
Vacuum the Mattress
The next step is to vacuum the mattress to thoroughly remove any leftover dust or baking soda residue with a brush attachment. Vacuum every corner of the mattress to ensure no vomit particles are left on it.
Dry the Mattress Completely
Before putting on the bedding, air dry your mattress completely, either using a blow dryer, keeping it under the sun or under the fan, or in a well-ventilated area for one day. This will ensure the mattress is ready to be used again.
Rub Alcohol
The last step before putting the bedding is to use rubbing alcohol as a precautionary measure to kill any leftover germs. Make sure you leave the mattress to dry for some time before putting on the bedding.
