Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Getting the vomit out
• Part 2 of 3: Getting rid of the smell
• Part 3 of 3: Removing stains and disinfecting the mattress
• Tips
• Necessities

It's always a bit traumatic to have stomach flu, food poisoning, or any other illness that makes you vomit, but it's even worse when you throw up in bed. Washing the sheets and other bedding is fairly easy, but getting the odor and vomit stains out of your mattress is more difficult. It's important to act quickly, but also to use cleaning agents such as baking soda, vinegar, and rubbing alcohol that can neutralize the odor and kill the germs left in the mattress.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Getting the vomit out

1. Scrape the vomit off the bed. The first step in cleaning the mattress is to get the vomit off the surface of the bed. Use a paper plate to scrape pieces of vomit off the bed and put them in a plastic bag that you throw in the trash.
   • It's a good idea to put on rubber gloves before removing the vomit. This way you protect yourself against germs.
   • You can also use a dustpan to scrape the vomit off your bed and throw it in the toilet for disposal. Rinse the dustpan outside with a garden hose.
   EXPERT TIP

   Remove the sheets from the bed and wash them thoroughly. If the bedding is still on your bed, take your bed off before cleaning the mattress. Remove the sheets, duvet, mattress topper and everything else from your bed and wash them in the washing machine.

   • Wash the bedding in the washing machine at the highest possible temperature. This will help kill any germs left behind.
2. Absorb the liquid that remains in the mattress. When you have collected your bed, use a dry cloth to absorb any moisture from the vomit that has drawn into the mattress. However, do not rub the stained area, but pat it to absorb the moisture without making the stain bigger.
   • It's a good idea to use an old rag to dab the mattress, as you may want to throw it away when you're done.

Part 2 of 3: Getting rid of the smell

1. Sprinkle baking soda over the affected area. After you've blotted the remaining liquid from the mattress, sprinkle some baking soda on the area. The baking soda will absorb the remaining moisture and remove the odor from the mattress.
   • If you don't have baking soda at home, you can also use cornstarch. Cornstarch does not refresh the area, however, while baking soda does.
2. Let the baking soda sit overnight. After you sprinkle the baking soda on the stained area of ​​the mattress, it will take time to absorb the remaining moisture and odor. Leave the baking soda on the mattress for 8 hours to overnight, or until the baking soda is completely dry.
   • If you or someone else needs the bed to sleep in, you can place a clean towel over the baking soda on the mattress so that you can put sheets over it.
3. Vacuum up the baking soda residue with a vacuum cleaner. When you've left the baking soda on the mattress overnight, vacuum the residue with a vacuum cleaner. Make sure you empty the vacuum cleaner afterwards and empty the dust container or throw away the bag so that no bacteria grow in the vacuum cleaner.
   • It is best to use the vacuum cleaner hose to remove all residual baking soda as well as possible.
   • If you don't have a vacuum cleaner, you can sweep the baking soda residue into a trash can or garbage bag.

Part 3 of 3: Removing stains and disinfecting the mattress

1. Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar. If there are still vomit stains on the mattress, you may need a special cleaner. Mix 250ml of warm water with 250ml of white vinegar in a spray bottle and shake the spray bottle to mix well.
   • For extra cleaning power, you can also add 5 ml of liquid dish soap. Make sure you don't use a moisturizing agent.
2. Spray the mixture on the stain and pat the area well. After preparing the vinegar mixture, apply it to the stains on the mattress. Do not over wet the mattress, but spray the mixture on the stains until they are slightly damp. Then dab the mattress with a clean towel to remove the stain.
   • Choose a highly absorbent towel to dab the mattress with.
3. Repeat the process until the stain is gone. Depending on how stubborn the stain is, you may not be able to remove the stain by applying the vinegar mixture once. Apply it to the mattress as often as possible and pat the mattress as often as necessary to remove any vomit stains.
   • Have plenty of clean towels handy for dabbing. It is not a good idea to keep dabbing the mattress with the same towel as this can spread the stains.
4. Let the mattress dry overnight. After you have removed all stains from the mattress, it is important to let the mattress dry. Let the mattress dry for at least 6 to 8 hours. You can make the mattress dry faster by turning on a ceiling fan, pointing a table fan at the mattress, or opening a window near the bed.
5. Apply rubbing alcohol to kill germs. Even after cleaning the mattress, germs may still be left behind by the vomit. When the mattress is dry, lightly spray the affected area with rubbing alcohol to kill any remaining germs.
   • Instead of rubbing alcohol, you can also dab an unscented hand sanitizer on the mattress to kill the germs.
6. Let the mattress dry again. After applying the alcohol, let the mattress dry completely. This should take about 6 hours, but it's a good idea to let the mattress air dry overnight to make sure it's dry.
   • Keep children and pets away from the mattress until the alcohol dries.

Tips

• When cleaning up vomit, it's always a good idea to wear rubber gloves to protect yourself from potential germs. It may also be a good idea to wear a face mask to avoid inhaling the germs.
• Many people get sick from the smell of vomit. If you're worried about being sick with the smell while cleaning the mattress, chew on peppermint-flavored gum or rub a little menthol ointment normally used for colds under your nose so you don't smell the scent.

Necessities

• Rubber gloves
• Paper plate
• Garbage bag
• Cleaning cloth or rag
• Baking soda
• Vacuum cleaner
• 250 ml of warm water
• 250 ml of white vinegar
• Atomizers
• Multiple clean towels
• Rubbing alcohol