When there is vomit on the car interior, it is very important to remove it. If you don't clean the area properly, you risk leaving stains or a lingering odor that will be difficult to get rid of later. Vomit is an acidic substance that can damage upholstery and seats if not removed promptly; this situation could affect the market value of the car. You can also use household cleaning products to solve this type of accident.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Clean Up Fresh Vomit
Step 1. Collect all solid material
You can use a putty knife to scrape the surface and remove the vomit, or use a cloth or thick paper towel.
Step 2. Blot the surface to remove excess moisture
Press a cloth or paper towel just enough to absorb the liquid, but do not apply too much force to prevent debris from penetrating deeper.
Step 3. Sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda on the area you are cleaning
This substance absorbs the odor; then leave it to act for half an hour and then use the vacuum cleaner to eliminate it.
Step 4. Make a liquid cleaning solution
Make sure it's suitable for the material you need to clean, whether it's leather, plastic, or upholstery. While it is possible to purchase a specific commercial product, you can also make a homemade one:
- For leather upholstery: prepare a paste by mixing three parts of baking soda and one parts of hot water.
- For vinyl, fabric, plastic, or upholstery interiors: Combine eight parts of hot water with one part of white vinegar. Add about 5ml of liquid dish soap and mix all ingredients thoroughly.
Step 5. Scrub the stained surface
Apply the cleaner to the vomit stain and use a lint-free cloth to clean thoroughly. If the vomit has gotten into the upholstery, you may need to use a stiff bristle brush.
Step 6. Rinse with clean water
Use a wet or damp, lint-free cloth to wipe off as much of the cleaner as possible.
- If the surface is leather, use a damp, non-water-soaked cloth.
- Rinse vinyl, fabric, plastic, or upholstery interiors with a wet rag. If you've used a lot of cleaning solution, this job might be easier with a baby bottle.
Step 7. Blot the area with several lint-free cloths to dry it
If you have any, choose white cotton rags so you can see the vomit residue rising from the interior every time you tampon. Continue with this procedure until you no longer notice any visible traces on the upholstery or rag.
Step 8. Open all car doors or windows to allow the interior to dry completely
You can use a hair dryer or a fan to speed up the process, depending on the weather conditions and the area where the machine is located.
Method 2 of 3: Eliminate Dry Vomiting
Step 1. Scrape or scrub away all material or encrustations
Depending on the surface you are cleaning, you can use a hard or soft bristle brush; you could also opt for an old toothbrush.
Remove any dried material from the upholstery and remove it using a small brush or vacuum cleaner
Step 2. Moisten the surface with a liquid cleaning solution
You can use whatever product is safe for the material you are dealing with. A commercial soap for carpet, leather or upholstery is fine, you can also opt for a laundry stain remover if the surface is fabric or carpet; if you wish, you can make a home cleaner.
- If you are going to clean leather interiors, make a paste with three parts of baking soda and one part of warm (not hot) water.
- If you're treating vinyl, fabric, plastic, or upholstery, mix eight parts of warm (not boiling) water with one part of white vinegar. add 5 ml of liquid dish soap and mix well.
Step 3. Wait for the solution to work on the stain
When the dirt has penetrated the fibers, you should let the cleaner dry, wet the surface again and wait a few minutes before scrubbing.
This way, you make sure the cleaner gets into the stain and the brush can remove any dried vomit residue
Step 4. Choose a brush to scrub the interior of the car
For effective cleaning on dry stains, use a brush with the stiffest bristles possible that won't damage the material at the same time.
Some surfaces, such as vinyl or leather, scratch on contact with stiff bristles, so you must use a soft sponge or brush. Upholstery or fabric can be cleaned with a harder bristle brush without damage
Step 5. Blot the area with water until all of the cleanser has been removed
You don't have to soak up the cabin or seat upholstery, but you do need to use enough water to get rid of the soap.
Dip a rag in clean water and tap it on the stain before wringing it out. Repeat this sequence until you have absorbed all traces of the cleanser along with the vomit
Step 6. Hire a steam cleaning machine to handle stubborn stains
If you don't get the desired results with the other methods, you need this type of professional machine. You can rent it from a company specializing in carpet laying or from large DIY stores and it is useful for cleaning upholstery or fabric upholstery in the passenger compartment.
Do not use a steam machine on leather, plastic or vinyl
Method 3 of 3: Deodorize the car
Step 1. Open all doors and windows
All bad smells decrease dramatically if you give them a chance to dissipate. Before, during and after cleaning, be sure to ventilate the interior of the car a little while leaving the doors open.
Air the car while it is parked on the driveway or in a pitch, but not in the garage, because there is not enough air in this environment to obtain results
Step 2. Try to clean up the vomit as soon as possible
The more you leave this substance on the upholstery, the more the liquid penetrates the material.
In the warm months, the vomit can rot and release an even more intense rotten smell if you leave it on the inside
Step 3. Try using baking soda and essential oils to get rid of the stench
Baking soda is a classic remedy against all unpleasant odors; is able to absorb and eliminate them. You can mix it with a few drops of essential oil to rid the interior of the car of the smell of vomit.
- Mix a few tablespoons of this substance with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Any oil with a pleasant scent is fine, but lemon or orange are the most suitable for dissipating bad smells. You can simply shake the baking soda and oil in a plastic container with a lid.
- After cleaning the stained area, moisten it and sprinkle it with the "flavored" baking soda. Cover the entire affected surface and let the solution act for 10 minutes; afterwards, remove it with a vacuum cleaner.
Step 4. If you don't get any results, give car air freshener a try
If there is a lingering odor in the cabin, try to hide it with a commercial air freshener.
You can try the models to hang on the rearview mirror, the gel ones to stick to the dashboard or the powder ones that you can sprinkle and then vacuum with the appliance. Each of these products leaves a pleasant clean aroma in the car
Advice
- Keep four-liter plastic sealable bags (such as those for the freezer) in your car. If someone gets sick, they can throw up into one of these bags and keep it closed until you reach a place to properly dispose of it.
- If there is a risk that the person or animal who vomited has a contagious disease, wear rubber or latex gloves to avoid contact with germs.
