Removing Vomit Stains From Upholstery

Written by Doris Donnerman (last updated July 15, 2024)

One of life's great pleasures for any parent is cleaning up after the accidents that their children leave behind. One of those accidents that can be really fun to clean up is vomit. If you use the ideas in this tip those problems are removed. Before using anything to clean up any stain from a type of cloth or upholstery, be sure that you test out the cleaning agent on a similar type of cloth, or somewhere that is easily hidden, to ensure that there is no staining or bleaching caused.

  • Sponge, or dab cool or cold water onto the area where the stain is. After applying the cold water, use a dull knife to remove any "chunks" that may remain. Leave the water, reapplying cold water as needed, on the area for a minimum of thirty minutes. Using a soft-bristled brush and some undiluted liquid detergent, gently work to a slight frothy appearance. Then remove by rinsing with cool water. In the event that this does not remove the stain, you may want to use either bleach (chlorine bleach tends to work the best) or reapply the detergent onto the stain and let sit overnight. Be careful, though, as this may cause bleaching of the upholstery.
  • Using the same process as described above, try using a homemade cleaning solution and a spray bottle. The solution is made of one quart of warm water, one tablespoon of ammonia and a half teaspoon of liquid detergent. After mixing the solution together, pour into the bottle and apply through spraying.
  • If necessary, the renting or purchasing of a carpet and upholstery cleaner is possible as well. In the event of purchasing a cleaning machine, the cost will range from $40.00 to $130.00 depending on the model chosen. It is recommended that a rental is used, which can be obtained at any hardware store or at most department stores. It is recommended that you use the cleansers that are specifically designed for these machines. These cleansers will cost you about $20.00. So, while this final option is pretty much guaranteed to work, it is the most expensive of those listed here.

As with any possible cleaning job or do it yourself project, there is the option of calling the professionals to do it. Companies like COIT will clean just about anything in the home, and provide a guarantee for any work that is accomplished. Such companies will generally also replace any item that is ruined through the use of their cleaning services, so such things may pay for themselves in the end.

Author Bio

Doris Donnerman

Doris is a jack of all trades, writing on a variety of topics. Her articles have helped enlighten and entertain thousands over the years. ...

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