I’ve been there. You wake up in the middle of the night to a sickening smell and find your mattress covered in vomit. It’s frustrating, but don’t worry: you can clean it!
In this Nousdecor article, I’ll show you How To Clean Vomit From Mattress of any kind quickly and effectively so you can get back to sleep soundly.
Key Takeaways
- Remove mattress pads or toppers and assess the damage before determining the cleaning products needed.
- Use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for foam mattresses or appropriate cleaning products for spring mattresses, following the manufacturer’s instructions for effective stain removal.
- Prepare the mattress by checking for signs of heat exhaustion or refluxing, cleaning urine, and using baking soda for tackling mattress stains with ease. Consider using a waterproof mattress cover or protector.
- Clean vomit from the mattress by using baking soda to absorb liquid and odors, washing bedding that came into contact with vomit, and vacuuming baking soda and residue. Restore the mattress and consider washing bedding for future protection.
Identify the Source of the Vomit
You need to identify the source of the vomit in order to clean it up. If it’s on a bed, start by removing any mattress pads or memory foam toppers.
Then, assess the damage and determine what type of cleaning products are necessary. Depending on the material of your bed—foam or spring mattress—different cleaning products may be required.
If you have a foam mattress, use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in combination with a mop and warm water for best results. For spring mattresses, use only cleaning products suitable for this type of material and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying them to get rid of vomit stains effectively.
Once you know what type of supplies and tools are needed for removal, you can move forward with tackling the mess efficiently.
Supplies and Tools Needed
Gathering the right supplies and tools is essential for getting rid of the mess. Before starting any cleaning process, make sure you have:
- A vacuum cleaner
- Wet wipes or paper towels
- Biological washing powder suitable for your mattress type (i.e. tempurpedic mattress, foam mattress, latex mattresses)
- Deodorizer
- A hairdryer
It will also be helpful to use disposable gloves if you feel nauseous and wear old clothes that can get stained during the procedure.
Additionally, you may want to consider investing in a waterproof mattress cover or mattress protectors to prevent further damage in case of an accident.
With these materials on hand, you’ll be ready to start prepping your mattress for deep cleaning!
Preparing the Mattress
Before beginning the cleaning process, it’s important to prepare your mattress for deep cleaning. During this stage, you should check for signs of heat exhaustion or refluxing that could lead to heatstroke and resolve them.
You should also make sure to clean any mattress urine (see how to clean mattress urine), maintaining mattress topper hygiene if present, and use baking soda to tackle any stains with ease.
Following best practices for mattress cleaning and taking special care when dealing with Bed bug mattress cover care are key steps in preparing your mattress before deep cleaning.
If needed, you can even start cleaning a memory foam mattress with a carpet cleaner without damaging it.
With your mattress ready for deep cleaning, you’re now prepared to start tackling vomit from the mattress with confidence.
How To Clean Vomit From Mattress
Cleaning vomit from a mattress is no easy task, but with the right tools and steps, it can be done.
To get started, you’ll need to use baking soda. Sprinkle it on the affected area and let it sit for 15 minutes before vacuuming (optional).
After that, you should wash any bedding that came into contact with the vomit.
With these steps in mind, you can easily remove vomit from your mattress and sleep soundly again.
Use Baking Soda
Cleaning mattress using baking soda is an effective way to clean vomit from a mattress. Sprinkle it over the vomit, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. This will help absorb liquid and odors caused by acid reflux or other digestive issues.
After the recommended time has passed, use a vacuum cleaner or damp cloth to wipe away the baking soda and remaining residue. Make sure to get into any crevices or seams that may have been affected.
The entire process should only take about 20 minutes, leaving you with a fresh smelling mattress free of vomit stains! With this simple cleaning method, you can quickly restore your mattress after dealing with vomiting incidents due to acid reflux or other causes.
Transitioning into washing your bedding can further protect your mattress from future spills and odors.
Wash the Bedding
Once you have sprinkled baking soda over the vomit, it’s time to wash the bedding.
- Start by removing all bedding from the mattress and placing it in a washing machine.
- Use hot water and a heavy-duty detergent. It’s important to use enough detergent to break down any proteins or oils left behind from the vomit.
- Set your machine on a gentle cycle to ensure that your fabric does not further stain or damage itself during the washing process.
- Once complete, hang dry if possible. Otherwise, tumble dry on low heat with no fabric softener as this may make stains more permanent. This will help keep your mattress looking and smelling fresh and ready for its next occupant!
After cleaning the bedding, an optional step is to vacuum up any remaining baking soda from the mattress surface – but we’ll talk about that in our next section…
Vacuum the Mattress (optional)
To finish off the cleaning process, it’s a good idea to vacuum your mattress to remove any remaining baking soda. Vacuuming your mattress will help ensure that you have removed as much of the vomit as possible and reduce the chance of an unpleasant smell lingering in your bedroom.
If you haven’t already, now is a good time to change out or clean any bedding that may have been affected by the vomit, too. Make sure you use a vacuum with a powerful suction, and if possible make multiple passes over the mattress for best results.
Vacuuming isn’t mandatory but can be beneficial if there are any leftover particles that may not come off with just baking soda and water.
Once you’re done vacuuming, it’s time to move on to sanitizing your mattress.
Sanitizing the Mattress
After cleaning up any remaining debris, sanitizing the mattress is key to preventing odors and stains from setting in. To do this, you should:
- Create a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar mixed with 1/2 gallon of warm water.
- Use a clean cloth to apply the mixture to the area affected by vomit.
- Allow it to sit for 15 minutes then blot up excess moisture with a dry cloth or paper towel.
- Finally, use an enzyme cleaner specifically designed for sanitation purposes on the spot where vomit was present.
This will not only help remove any lingering bacteria but will also help break down proteins that may have caused odors in the first place.
Making sure that your mattress is properly sanitized is essential for keeping it smelling fresh and looking clean!
From here, transitioning into deodorizing your mattress can ensure that all unwanted smells are eliminated once and for all.
Deodorizing the Mattress
To effectively deodorize your mattress, start by sprinkling baking soda over the affected area. Baking soda acts as a natural absorbent and will help to draw out any lingering odors from the vomit. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes before vacuuming it up with an attachment to ensure that all of the baking soda has been removed.
If there are still noticeable smells remaining, you can try sprinkling a few drops of essential oils onto a cloth and dabbing it onto the area lightly. This should help to cover up any lingering scents without being too overpowering.
Once you’ve finished deodorizing, you’re ready to move on to drying out your mattress.
Drying the Mattress
After deodorizing the mattress, it is important to dry the vomit-stained area. To ensure all of the liquid has been removed and to prevent mold growth, I recommend taking these steps:
- Remove any remaining solids from the mattress surface with a spatula or spoon.
- Blot up excess moisture with paper towels or a cloth towel.
- Use a vacuum to extract as much moisture as possible from deep within the mattress fibers.
- Place fans around the area and keep them running until completely dry.
Care Tips for Vomit-Free Mattress
Once the mattress is dry, there are a few more steps to take to ensure it stays vomit-free. First, use an allergen-proof cover or encasement on the mattress to block out potential irritants. This will help keep dust mites and allergens away from both the mattress and bedding.
Next, use a dehumidifier or air purifier to reduce moisture in the room where the mattress is located. Finally, try using a mild detergent or fabric cleaner on any remaining stains for maximum protection against future messes.
| Cover/Encasement | Dehumidifier/Air Purifier | Mild Detergent/Fabric Cleaner |
|---|---|---|
| Blocks Irritants | Reduces Moisture | Cleans Stains |
Keeping these care tips in mind will help create a clean environment free of vomit and other bacteria for safe sleeping. With these measures taken into account, transitioning into troubleshooting tips becomes easier than ever before.
Troubleshooting Tips
If any issues arise, there are a few troubleshooting tips to help maintain a vomit-free sleeping environment. First and foremost, be sure to act quickly – the sooner you can get rid of the vomit, the better.
Here’s how:
- Remove as much of the solid matter as possible by scooping or blotting it up with paper towels or a clean cloth.
- Apply an enzymatic cleaner specifically designed for removing odors from fabrics and carpets on both sides of the mattress.
- Let it sit for about 30 minutes before rinsing with cold water and blotting dry with paper towels or a clean cloth.
- Vacuum after everything is completely dry to remove excess residue and freshen up the area further.
With these troubleshooting tips, you’ll have your mattress back in good condition in no time!
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Wrapping up this vomit-cleaning endeavor, I can confidently say that a little preparation and the right supplies can go a long way.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to rid your mattress of any traces of vomit and have it back in pristine condition.
With proper care, your mattress will remain free of any future spills or messes – so keep it clean and cozy for many years to come!
And if you’re interested in getting a new mattress, start discovering the best mattress for you on our website now!
