Alright, let’s be honest—a pine-scented air freshener won’t help you hide the smell of vomit. If your child threw up during a trip or if your friend drank too much on his way home, that bad smell will not go away so quickly unless you do something about it. In addition, to live with a stinky car is neither here nor there; no one wants to be that guy.
I know I know. It is tempting to avoid it in anticipation of its vanishing miraculously but no, believe me. It becomes worse the longer you leave it. Vomit not only smells horrible, but it can discolour and harbour bacteria that could be harmful to your car’s upholstery. However, be at ease!
Even though this vomit took place several days ago and dried into a dirty mess, you can still keep your car from being smelly like a biological warfare laboratory. There are seven effortlessly done ways suggested by experts which will eliminate the puke smell for good and fast.
Track the vomit back to its source, and attack it before you do anything else.
You have to handle the mess for starters not even the smell of which is completely neutralizing. That sounds obvious but surprisingly many people just try to cover up the stink without doing away with a mess. That’s like putting a bandage on a broken arm; it won’t mend it. Therefore, let’s get going.
Wet Vomit:
- Get a few rolls of paper towels and put them in your hands. Also, you can grab a pair of rubber gloves and two or three plastic bags.
- The chunks need to be carefully collected into the bags so as not to spill any.
- It is important to blot off whatever liquid that’s left with the use of paper towels. You should never rub or scrub as it only pushes vomit deeper into the fabric.
Dried Vomit:
- Gently use a spatula or an old credit card to remove it from the surface.
- Vacuum up loose fragments.
- Important: Do not be concerned if the vomit has soaked through your carpet or upholstery as this will be discussed later in this guide.
Get Rid of the Awful Odor: Eliminating Vomit Stench
Okay, we’ve cleaned up the obvious mess. Now we need to take care of that smell which is giving you watery eyes. No, you can’t just spray some air freshener and forget about it –you must neutralize the odour from its roots.
Some simple but powerful tricks are included here:
Baking Soda Power:
- Don’t forget about the box of baking soda inside your refrigerator; it’s not only meant for odour absorption but also quite effective in cleaning car upholstery.
- Then using baking soda and water combine them into a paste and spread it generously on the vomit areas.
- Allow sitting aside for several hours if possible or better still, overnight to get rid of the smell.
- After that, just vacuum it up and your car will have an awesome fresh smell again.
The Vinegar Solution:
- White vinegar is an additional hero in the home, which is a natural deodorant and disinfectant.
- Mix water and white vinegar in equal quantities inside a spray bottle.
- Spray all areas affected by the odour until they are completely soaked, making sure that you have saturated even upholstery and carpeting.
- Leave it overnight; remove it with a cloth the next day. The smell of vinegar will evaporate rapidly leaving your vehicle smelling brand new.
Activated Charcoal Magic:
- Activated charcoal is a small black hole for unpleasant smells.
- Keep some bowls of activated charcoal in your car overnight and they will suck the rest of the vomit smell like an ace.
- You can get hold of activated charcoal at several supermarkets as well as online.
Deep Dive and Detail: Cleaning Time!
Where the vomit has entered into the rug or even the seats of the car, you need to go beyond neutralizing smell alone. It is time to bring out some serious artillery and clean your car deeply.
Calling All Cleaners:
- Opt for either a car upholstery cleaner or an enzyme cleaner especially made to remove organic stains and smells.
- Shampoo the affected parts deeply following the information given on the bottle.
- Apart from that, you should also take time to clean your car seat straps! You can take them off and wash them alone.
Steam Cleaning like a Professional:
- In case you can acquire a steam cleaner, employ it to sanitize as well as remove the remaining bacteria and an additional vomit odour.
- Focus on parts of your home that are difficult to access such as crevices where there may still be smell.
- It can also be used in freshening up the air vents if they are exposed to vomit.
DIY is insufficient in some cases:
If you have tried all possible means to deal with the stink of vomit that has refused to go away, it may be time to bring in professional help. A car detailing service can achieve a thorough cleaning and get rid of any remaining smells by using specialized tools and products. It might be pricier than other options but worth it in order to get your vehicle smelling clean again.
Breathe Easy: Freshening the Air After the Storm
You have neutralized the source of the stink and given your car a good scrubbing. However, from time to time, there is still that slight smell of vomit. Do not worry about it, this is completely okay and there are some quick methods for dealing with this. Think of this step as an addition to cleaning up your vehicle!
Air Fresheners to the Rescue:
- Choose a natural air freshener or essential oil diffuser instead. We don’t want to mask the puke smell with an overpowering fake scent.
- Look for citrusy or minty notes, these scents can help fight off residual smells.
- Avoid using chemically made air fresheners which may irritate your respiratory system and make things worse in that regard.
Let Nature Do Its Thing:
- Open those windows: The best way to get rid of bad smells is by allowing fresh air inside. Lower the glass panes and let fresh air into your car as long as you can.
- Sunshine power: If it is sunny outside, park your auto where it can receive direct sunlight. The UV rays will kill any bacteria left behind and take away any smells too.
Extra Tips and Tricks to Banish Vomit Smells for Good
Alright, we’ve covered the basics, but here are a couple of extra hints and tips to help keep your car free from vomit (or at least vomit smell) in the future:
- Be Ready: Always carry sick bags and cleaning materials in your car. You will never know when you might have an emergency vomiting.
- Speed is of Essence: As soon as someone throws up in your vehicle, clean it up right away. Do not let it sit there unattended. The earlier you deal with the mess, the easier it will be to eliminate its odour.
- Safeguard Your Rugs: Place floor mats inside your car to protect the carpeting from potential accidents. If someone vomits within your vehicle, you can simply remove these floor mats and clean them on their own.
- Treat Affected Areas Directly: In case a puke has stained your carpeting; apply a carpet cleaner or baking soda mixed with water for blotting this out.
What to Do When the Tricks are Not Working:
If you can’t get the vomit smell out even after trying all these tips, don’t give up. There are several professional vomit smell removal car services available that can assist. They employ special tools and techniques which can get rid of all sorts of stubborn smells. It might cost you a little bit, but it is worth having your car smelling fresh and clean once more.
FAQ Time!
- Does Febreze work on puke smell? It can only cover up for a short while though not annihilate it. Best used in conjunction with other cleaning methods.
- What spray gets rid of the throw-up smell? For homemade vomit smell removing spray combine water and white vinegar in equal parts. Some commercial enzyme cleaners are also available that dissolve organic matter and eliminate odours.
- How to remove bad odour from car carpets? Start by scraping off any vomit residue with a spatula or credit card. Next, use baking soda mixed with water or a carpet cleaner to take away both stains and odour. Ensure it dries completely before vacuuming all over again.
Finish It: Win the Battle against Vomit Smell
Finally, you’ve completed the puke-ageddon and now your car smells fresh again! This means that you are no longer ignorant about the fact that eradicating that nauseating vomit stench does not just involve using an air freshener to cover it up or hoping it will go away by itself. In effecting a cure from its root, subduing the smell and thorough cleaning of your vehicle; get rid of the puke and enjoy riding again.
Last Thoughts (and a Little Encouragement):
Do not feel demoralized if some of these steps need repeating or trying out different methods to completely remove this odour. Vomit is an obstinate creature, yet you can triumph over it with a little persistence and the right tools. And, by the way, if there are other ideas on how to eliminate car smells, you can add them in the comments below. We’re all in this together! if you need to know about that How Long is the Newborn Stage? so Click Here.
