When someone gets sick on your favorite couch, you might consider throwing the whole couch away.
But, don't be hasty - we can help you clean your couch to remove the vomit stain and the awful vomit smell in just a few easy steps.
The best part is you probably have most of the cleaning products at home already! It's amazing what some water, detergent, and baking soda can do.
The trick is to clean the vomit as soon as possible to stop the odor from absorbing into the fabric and cushions.
What You'll Need
Rubber gloves
Scoop (a paper plate or cardboard will do)
Baking soda
Cloths or paper towels
Spray bottle
Vinegar
Water
Liquid dish soap
Upholstery cleaner (optional)
Vacuum cleaner
Steam cleaner (optional)
Cleaning Vomit From A Couch: Step-By-Step Guide
Follow these steps to save your fabric couch from lasting vomit stains.
Step 1: Prepare yourself
Before you can start cleaning, you need to wear a pair of rubber gloves. This will protect you from any bacteria or viruses in the vomit. This is especially necessary if the person who got sick has an infectious disease.
Step 2: Remove the solid particles
Use any kind of scoop - like a paper plate, cardboard, or dustpan - and scrape most of the solid vomit chunks into a plastic bag. Once done, throw away the scoop you used and take out the trash so that you don't expose yourself or anyone else living in the house to the bacteria in the vomit.
Step 3: Absorb the liquid
Use a clean cloth or paper to blot the area. This will lift most of the liquid from the couch. Avoid scrubbing or rubbing the area - it will only cause the vomit to spread and sink deeper into the couch.
If there's any vomit stuck to the fabric, use a spray bottle and some water to dampen the area and keep blotting it.
Step 4: Tackle the stain
Now it is time to remove vomit stains using a cleaning solution. You can use several household items to make an effective cleaning solution, or you can opt for upholstery or enzyme cleaner and follow the instructions on the product label.
Here are a few home-made cleaning solutions to consider:
Vinegar:Â Mix water and white vinegar in a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle. Spray the cleaning solution over the vomit stain and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. Use a clean, dry cloth to blot the spot. Keep repeating the process until the stains are completely gone.
Baking soda: Sprinkle baking soda directly onto the area where the vomit was. Allow it to dry for a few hours. The baking soda will absorb the liquid and the smell. After a couple of hours (when the baking soda has dried), use a vacuum to remove the residue.
Liquid dish soap:Â Mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid with warm water to create a soapy solution. Blot the stain with the soap water and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Use a paper towel or clean towel to blot the area dry.
You may have to repeat the cleaning procedures above a few times or try a combination of them to effectively get rid of the vomit stains.
Step 5: Rinse the area
Dip a clean sponge or rag in some warm water and blot the area to rinse the soap or cleaning products from the couch.
If you have a steam cleaner, you can steam the area to "rinse" the couch.
Use a towel to blot the area dry and allow the couch to air dry overnight.
Step 6: Get rid of the smell of vomit
You may still notice the faint lingering scent of vomit, even if the stain is no longer visible.
It's time to grab the baking soda again! Sprinkle some more baking soda over the area where the stain was, and let the baking soda sit either for a few hours or overnight.
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the baking soda from the couch. It should've done the trick and your couch should be stain and odor-free.
Cleaning Vomit From Leather Couches
Leather couches need some extra precaution to prevent the leather from getting damaged.
What you'll need
Rubber gloves
Paper plate or any kind of scoop
Paper towels and cloths
Plastic bag
Seltzer water or club soda
Baking soda
How to clean vomit from a leather couch
Wear gloves to protect your hands.
Scrape off most of the solid pieces and dispose of them in a sealable plastic bag.
Use rags or paper towels to blot the area and soak up the liquid. Repeat the process (with clean towels and cloths) until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Spray the vomit stain with carbonated water or club soda. Avoid soaking the area, but make sure it is damp. The bubbles will loosen the vomit particles.
Allow the seltzer/club soda to soak for a couple of minutes.
Blot the area with a dry cloth.
Keep spraying and blotting the area until all the vomit has been removed.
Sprinkle a layer of baking soda on the vomit spot and pat it with a paper towel to set it.
Leave the baking soda for at least 15 minutes - the longer the better.
Use a soft brush or vacuum with an upholstery attachment to remove the baking soda residue.
Getting Professional Help
Sometimes, the task at hand is just too much and you need to hire the services of professional cleaners.
Vomit is a biohazard, just like blood, urine, and feces, as it contains harmful bacteria and other pathogens that can make people sick.
If the person who vomited did so because of an infectious disease, or there is a large volume of vomit, don't hesitate to contact a professional biohazard decontamination company like Chore-ology. We specialize in tackling tough cleanups, including vomit caused by infectious diseases.