How to Clean Vomit from a Mattress

Having a stomach virus, food poisoning, or any condition that makes you throw up is always slightly traumatic, but it only gets worse if you wind up vomiting in your bed. Washing the sheets and other bedding is fairly easy, but getting the odor and stains from vomit out of your mattress can be a challenge. Acting quickly is key, but it's also important to use cleaning agents, such as baking soda, vinegar, and rubbing alcohol, that can neutralize the odor and kill any germs that may be lingering in the mattress.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Removing the Vomit

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1
Scrape the vomit off the bed. The first step is cleaning the mattress is removing the vomit from the surface of the bed. Use a paper plate to scrape any solids off the bed, and place it in a plastic bag to discard in the trash.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Before cleaning up the vomit, it's a good idea to put on rubber gloves. That will protect you from any germs.^{[2]XExpert SourceJames Sears
  House Cleaning ProfessionalExpert Interview. 28 August 2019.}
- You can also use a dustpan to scrape the vomit from your bed and dump it in the toilet to dispose of it. Hose the dustpan down outside to clean it.
2
Remove the sheets and wash thoroughly. If the bedding is still on your bed, remove them before moving on to cleaning the mattress. Strip the sheets, comforter, mattress pad, and any other items from the bed, and wash them in the washing machine.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Wash the bedding on the highest temperature setting that is available on the washer. That will help kill any lingering germs.
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3
Soak up the remaining liquid from the mattress. Once you've removed the sheets from the bed, use a dry cloth to soak up any liquid from the vomit that may have reached the mattress. Avoid rubbing the stained area, though. Instead, blot it to help remove the liquid without spreading it around.^{[4]XResearch source}
- It's a good idea to use an old rag to blot the mattress because you may want to throw it out when you're done.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Getting Rid of the Odor

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1
Apply baking soda to the affected area. After you've blotted away any remaining liquid from the mattress, sprinkle some baking soda over the area. The baking soda will help absorb any remaining liquid and remove the lingering odor.^{[5]XResearch source}
- If you don't have baking soda at home, you can substitute cornstarch. However, cornstarch doesn't have the deodorizing properties that baking soda does.
2
Allow the baking soda to sit overnight. Once you've spread the baking soda on the stained section of the mattress, it needs time to absorb any leftover liquid and odor. Let the baking soda sit on the mattress for 8 hours to overnight, or until the baking soda is completely dry.^{[6]XResearch source}
- If you or someone else needs to sleep on the bed, you can lay a clean towel over the baking soda on the mattress so you can place sheets over it.
3
Vacuum up the baking soda residue. When the baking soda has sat on the mattress overnight, use a vacuum cleaner to remove the residue. Be sure to empty the vacuum and wash the canister or change the bag afterward so bacteria doesn't grow inside the machine.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
- Using the vacuum's hose attachment is the best bet to ensure that you remove all of the baking soda residue.
- If you don't have a vacuum cleaner, you can sweep the baking soda residue into a garbage can or bag.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Cleaning Stains and Sanitizing the Mattress

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1
Mix equal parts water and white vinegar. If there are still stains on the mattress from the vomit, you may need a targeted cleaner. Combine 1 cup (237 ml) warm water and 1 cup (237 ml) of white vinegar in a spray bottle and shake well to mix thoroughly.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
- For extra cleaning power, you can also mix in 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of liquid dish soap. Just make sure it's not a moisturizing formula.^{[9]XResearch source}
2
Spray the mixture on the stain and blot the area well. After you've prepared the vinegar mixture, apply it to the stains on the mattress. Don't oversaturate the mattress; spray the stained area until it is just damp. Next, blot the mattress with a clean towel to lift the stain.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceHealthyChildren.orgHealth information from the American Academy of Pediatrics.Go to source}
- Choose a towel that is extremely absorbent for blotting the mattress.
3
Repeat the process until the stain is gone. Depending on the stain, one application of the vinegar solution may not be enough to remove the stain. Apply it to the mattress and blot it as many times as necessary to completely remove the vomit stains.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Make sure to have plenty of clean towels on hand for the blotting. You don't want to blot the mattress over and over with the same towel because you can wind up spreading the stain.
After you've removed the stain from the mattress, it's important to let it dry. Give the mattress at least 6 to 8 hours to dry. You can help the drying process by turning on an overhead fan, aiming a freestanding fan at the mattress, or opening a window near the bed.^{[12]XResearch source}
5
Apply rubbing alcohol to kill any germs. Even after you clean the mattress, there can still be germs left behind after someone vomits. When the mattress is dry, spray the affected area lightly with rubbing alcohol to kill any lingering germs.^{[13]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Instead of rubbing alcohol, you can dab some unscented hand sanitizer on the mattress to kill the germs.
6
Allow the mattress to dry again. After you've applied the rubbing alcohol, allow the mattress to dry completely. It should take about 6 hours, but it's a good idea to let it air dry overnight to be certain it's dry.^{[14]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Be sure to keep children and pets away from the mattress until the alcohol is dry.

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Tips

When you're cleaning up vomit, it's always a good idea to wear rubber gloves to protect yourself against any possible germs. You may also want to wear a face mask to keep yourself from breathing in the germs.
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The smell of vomit makes many people sick. If you're worried about being affected by the odor as you clean the mattress, consider chewing some mint flavored gum or rubbing a little mentholated topical ointment usually used to treat colds beneath your nose to block the smell.
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