How to remove the smell of vomit from the sofa - 15 ways to get rid of it at home

Sometimes it seems that it is impossible to remove the smell of vomit - no matter how much you wash the contaminated areas, the stench does not go away. The fact is that vomit consists of food debris mixed with gastric juice, and sometimes bile - which means that putrefactive processes in them are much more active and faster than in other biological fluids. To get rid of an unpleasant odor, you need to not only thoroughly wash the stains, but also treat them with special products that will stop the activity of putrefactive bacteria.

Basic rules for cleaning a sofa from the smell of vomit

The success of getting rid of the smell of vomit depends 100% on your competent actions:

In a timely manner (not in an hour or a day!), but here and now, start collecting the vomit. A couple of hours is enough for gastric juice and food debris to be firmly absorbed into the structure of the sofa upholstery. Speed is everything!;
Gently collect, rather than smear, vomit from a soft surface. First remove solid food particles and then mucus;
When removing traces of vomit, do not press too hard on the surface of the dirt, otherwise gastric juice and food particles will be absorbed deeper into the fibers of the upholstery;
Vomit should be removed with a paper napkin, towel or toilet paper. Secondary treatment of the site of contamination is carried out with a sponge, microfiber, or a piece of cotton fabric;
The vomit stain is washed off, starting from the edges to the center. Otherwise, there is a risk of increasing the area of contamination!;
Preliminarily study the upholstery material according to the furniture passport so as not to spoil it with the wrong cleaning agent;
First apply the cleaner to an area of the upholstery that is not visible to the public. Observe how this product behaves during application and after drying;
Drying the sofa upholstery is done by airing or using a hair dryer on a cold draft.

Have you ever removed the smell of vomit from a sofa upholstery?
Not really

Important! After the vomit has been delicately removed, you should begin to eliminate the problematic odor. The option is always to contact a professional cleaning service.

But what to do when it is not possible to hire a third-party company? Traditional methods remain. Let's look at the available options. In practice, they use either improvised means (vinegar, starch, etc.) or household chemicals. You will find 18 simple ways to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa in this article.

General rules

The main rule is that the sooner the dirt is removed from upholstered furniture, the easier it will be to eliminate the unpleasant odor. As soon as someone vomits on the sofa, you should immediately clean up the secretion with a sponge or cloth soaked in soapy water.

Next, special neutralizing compounds are used, which can be purchased at a pet store or car service center. In addition, improvised means are also suitable.

You should first apply the composition to a small area of the sofa to check the reaction.

Household chemicals

Let's consider the possibilities of special household chemicals in the fight against the stench of vomiting. Home economics experts identify the following names:

L.O.S. remedy;
Odorgone med;
Vanish liquid stain remover;
Vanish carpet cleaning powder;
Odorgone animal gold product.

LOC All-Purpose Cleaner

Positioned by the manufacturer as a product for all occasions. In addition to removing the contamination itself, it is also possible to eliminate the associated odors. Procedure:

half a teaspoon of LOC product;
1 liter of clean cool water;
Apply the solution to the area of contamination;
movements when applying the solution are delicate;
after applying the LOC solution, thoroughly rinse the area of contamination with a damp sponge;
Blow-dry on cold.

In case of residual odor, the manipulations must be repeated.

Odorgone Med

Odorgone Med contains natural ingredients (37 items), water and oxygen. The product destroys unpleasant odors at the molecular level. The manufacturer guarantees complete destruction of odor molecules.

How to use Odorgone Med:

Wash the area of contamination with soapy water and dry with a hairdryer;
spray with Odorgone Med;
cover the treated area with plastic wrap.

Attention! Odorgone Med is positioned as an environmentally friendly product without side effects for people and animals.

Vanish carpet cleaning powder

Moistened Vanish powder is 5 times more effective than a vacuum cleaner and effectively eliminates unpleasant odors. Complete drying time is 20 minutes. It contains oxygen-containing bleach, anionic surfactants, etc.

Application procedure:

pre-clean the area of contamination;
Apply the powder evenly to the vomit stain;
wait 20 minutes until the product dries completely;
remove the powder with a rag, brush or vacuum cleaner.

If there are whitish spots on the upholstery, it means that the surface of the sofa has not been completely cleaned of powder particles.

Liquid stain remover Vanish

Vanish anti-stain formula contains 30% oxygenated bleach. The product can remove the effects of pollution in 30 seconds. How to use:

Mix ¼ spoon of product with ¾ spoon of water
Apply the mixture to the stain;
Rub the treated area with a soft sponge;
Blot the treated surface with a wet cloth.

Attention! The product is not recommended for use on wool, silk and leather upholstery. Pre-treated surfaces should not be left in direct sunlight or near heat sources.

Odorgone Animal Gold

Odorgone Animal Gold contains the OdorGone neutralizing complex, plant extracts, essential oils, and purified water. The product destroys unpleasant odors at the molecular level and also has antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Operating procedure:

Wash the area of contamination with soapy water and dry with a hairdryer;
spray;
cover the treated area with plastic wrap.

Features of cleaning leather upholstery at home

Since leather upholstery does not absorb liquids or odors, a soap solution and ammonia will be enough to clean it. The first step is to clean up the vomit and wipe the sofa dry. Next, add 3 teaspoons of liquid soap and a spoonful of ammonia to a basin with two liters of water. Use a sponge soaked in this solution to wipe the area of contamination.

What not to do when removing the smell of vomit?

The list of prohibited actions when eliminating odor is as follows:

Do not press on the surface of the upholstery when washing away vomit; movements are light and delicate. Otherwise, gastric juice, and along with it the smell, will be absorbed deeply into the structure of the sofa upholstery;
Do not use hot or warm water when removing traces of vomit. This leads to protein folding. Increased odor;
Do not use cleaning products that are not suitable for the upholstery of your sofa;
copious amounts of water do not lead to cleansing and getting rid of the smell of vomit, but cause the growth of pathogens of fungus and mold;
Do not apply a new cleaner until the previous one has been removed. Mixing the compositions can lead to damage to the upholstery;
Avoid using chlorinated products because chlorine changes the structure of the fabric and its color, leaving whitish stains;
Do not use perfume to hide the smell of vomit, a mixture of 2 powerful smells will simply increase the stench of stomach acid.

Let's look at a couple of points from the above list in more detail.

Why can't you use hot water?

Boiling water (which is 100 degrees Celsius) causes instant folding of protein molecules. Also, hot water allows the vomit to literally weld into the structure of the upholstery and penetrate deeper into the fabric. Since the protein has coagulated under the influence of high temperature, as a result, food particles are securely attached to the threads of the upholstery fabric and emit a persistent unpleasant aroma.

Use chlorinated drugs

Chlorine is a very aggressive chemical. It actively influences the destruction of the upholstery fabric structure. The surface becomes “loose”, the material begins to collapse. In addition, paint molecules are also subject to deformation, which leads to the appearance of whitish stains and discoloration of the contaminated area.

Traditional methods

At home, affordable and easy-to-prepare means are used for self-care of fabric material.

Having chosen a care composition, you need to carefully study the recipe for its preparation and the specifics of its use. If you use this folk remedy correctly, you can get excellent results.

Laundry soap

One of the most popular products is laundry soap. Effectively removes dirt, returning furniture to a tidy state. For cleaning, take dark laundry soap, the bar of which says 72%.

How to use:

You need to take a piece of the product and dissolve it in warm water. To quickly prepare a soap solution, part of the bar can be grated on a fine grater.
A soft brush or sponge is soaked in the resulting liquid, the excess is squeezed out and the problem areas of the skin begin to be carefully cleaned.
At the end of the work, wipe the cleaned areas with a clean, dry cloth to remove excess soap.

Pros:

cheap;
Just;
Suitable for cleaning fleecy fabrics;
soap does not leave a characteristic odor on the fabric;
does not cause allergies, so it is used in homes where children live.

Cons: Doesn't work on old stains.

Dishwashing liquid

Dishwashing detergent contains degreasing components that help eliminate grease and organic stains. The product is used to clean a tapestry sofa.

How to use:

A few drops of detergent are added to the water and foam is whipped on the surface of the liquid.
A small amount of foam should be placed on the area requiring cleaning.
You need to wait 5-10 minutes.
Contaminants are carefully rubbed with a soft brush.
Use a dry cloth to remove any remaining detergent.

Pros:

getting rid of greasy stains;
quick and easy method.

Minuses:

a solution that is too concentrated will leave streaks on the fabric;
Not suitable for all types of cladding.

Soda

A universal product that removes unpleasant odors and dirt. There are several effective ways to clean a fabric sofa with baking soda:

Method Detailed description Features Dry cleaning The fabric or some areas of it are thickly sprinkled with baking soda powder. The sofa is left in this state for an hour. After an hour, the soda is removed with a vacuum cleaner. There is no need to rub or wet the cloth. It is used to care for upholstery that is not recommended to be cleaned with wet compounds. Wet cleaning A clean sponge is soaked in water, wrung out and wiped over the upholstery. After moistening, the material is generously sprinkled with soda.

After half an hour, take a soft brush and treat the fabric, paying special attention to heavily soiled areas. The sofa needs to be allowed to dry

Then take a vacuum cleaner and remove the remaining soda powder. If soda remains, you need to remove it with a damp cloth. Used when dealing with crowding and dark spots. Using soda slurry Soda and water are mixed strictly in equal proportions. The resulting mass is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the sofa. The product should be rubbed into the fabric with a soft brush and left for an hour. After this time, it is necessary to vacuum the upholstered furniture. Excess soda is removed with a damp cloth. Application of the method requires a minimum of 2 hours. If the sofa is wide, you will need a large amount of soda. Soda + detergent You need to take a basin and fill it with a liter of water. Add 2 tablespoons of dishwashing detergent and soda to the liquid. The solution must be thoroughly foamed. Apply foam to the surface of the material. The product is left for 5-10 minutes. Wipe dirty areas with a brush. Dirty foam must be washed off with clean water. It is used if the sofa has severe dirt and stubborn stains. An excellent remedy for urine odor. Soda + vinegar Add 1 tablespoon of soda to a liter of water. The composition is poured into a spray bottle and sprayed onto the sheathing. When the fabric is dry, it needs to be carefully vacuumed. The next step is preparing a vinegar solution from a tablespoon of essence and a liter of water. The composition is sprayed onto the material and wait for it to dry. The method will help cope with the unpleasant odor. When working with vinegar, you need to ensure access to fresh air in the room.

Helpful Tips:

An air ozonizer will help restore freshness to soiled clothes, since it contains ozone, which kills fungal spores and bacteria, which are the source of the unpleasant odor. You can purchase an ozonizer at any household chemicals and electronics store. However, before using a chemical, make sure that the composition does not cause allergies in you and your household. Otherwise, you can say goodbye to your clothes.
If the problem occurs on leather material, then it is necessary to act immediately, since leather is known for its ability to quickly absorb odors. Arm yourself with a foam sponge (skin does not like hard brushes) and apply a little essential oil to it. After the ether has evaporated, wash the affected area of clothing with soap and water. Usually, such aromatization and cleaning is enough to solve the problem of stains and odor.

Important! Under no circumstances should you try to cover up the smell of vomit with perfumed liquids and deodorizing agents, as when they are combined, they create an explosive, disgusting-smelling mixture.

Coats of different fabrics

It is quite possible to dry-clean outerwear with your own hands, even items trimmed with fur or made of delicate fabric. You just have to follow some rules and study the features of the fabric of the product.

A common problem for any coat is shiny cuffs, waistband and collar. Every woman faces this problem over time, even if she wears the item very carefully. Greasy areas appear due to the production of sebum. Ordinary children's talc will help to cope with this problem. They need to sprinkle the areas contaminated with waste and leave overnight. Then the talc should be shaken off and lightly brushed. If the procedure does not help the first time, the action should be repeated.

Operation "cleaning"

So, most of the moisture has been removed from the sofa, and only a damp spot remains. You can try to clean the sofa from urine with simple detergents. You will need:

table vinegar 9%;
hydrogen peroxide;
detergent (Fairy, shampoo, shower gel);
baking soda.

Vinegar and soda are the first means to combat stains on the sofa. Vinegar is diluted with water in a ratio of 3:1, applied to the stain and covered with a napkin until it dries. Then the area is thickly sprinkled with soda. It completely decomposes urinary stones

Use the product with caution on leather sofas; vinegar can cause uneven drying of the material.

You can make a cleaning spray from detergent, sting and hydrogen peroxide

The next step in stain removal is a spray of detergent and hydrogen peroxide. 100 ml of peroxide is diluted with 0.5 tsp of detergent, water is added to 200 ml. Shake everything thoroughly and pour into a hand sprayer. When applied to a stain sprinkled with baking soda, a foam cap forms and remains there for 2 hours.

It is better to put a clean thin cloth on the nozzle.

How to remove a stubborn stain

To remove stubborn stains from velor, cotton, wool without ruining the item, you should conduct a small test before starting treatment - apply the selected product to the fabric from the wrong side.
After a positive experiment, remove contaminants in other places. Spots that have a large area are treated from the edges to the middle to prevent streaks from appearing. You should definitely try to remove dirt using a liquid or powder stain remover, if there is no prohibiting sign on the label, and then try other methods. It is easier to choose the appropriate cleaning method if you study the table of effective means:

Means	What washes
Laundry soap	Oil, paint, dried dirt
Aspirin	Grass, sweat, ketchup, clay
Ammonia	Sweat, grease, ink
Salt and soda	Chocolate, sweat
Hydrogen peroxide	Rust, blood, old dirt
Citric acid or vinegar	Berries, juices, ketchup
Medical alcohol	Sweat, tar
Refined gasoline	Oil paints
Solvent	Grease, paints

Dried Blood

Dried blood stains cannot be removed by simple washing. The best way to remove such contaminants is ammonia. You need to moisten a cotton pad in this product, carefully apply it to the blood stains from the edges to the middle, and leave on the fabric for 5-8 minutes. After this, the composition is washed off with water, which has a temperature of 30–35 degrees.

Old dirt

If dirt gets on your laundry, you can remove it by following the instructions:

Grate laundry soap on a coarse grater.
Add 2 tbsp. l. boiling water
Stir until gel-like.
Wet the stains with water.
Apply to dirt and leave for 15–18 minutes.
Rinse 1-2 times in hot water.

Traces of clay, fuel oil or grass on children's clothing are removed in the same way. White cotton linen can be washed well with Whiteness bleach, but first you should make sure that it is suitable for this type of fabric. If dirty traces of plant origin are not eliminated from the first dose, then you need to add 2 aspirin tablets or 2 tsp to the laundry soap. hydrogen peroxide.

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From sweat

Untidy traces of sweat are visible on any clothing. To eliminate them, you will need a stain remover that can cope with such stains. Another method of getting rid of such stains is ethyl or ammonia. This method is not suitable for white clothes, because wool and silk items turn yellow after processing. Products made from natural fabrics of other colors are processed in the following way:

Place a waffle towel under the stain.
Alcohol is applied to a cotton swab and the stained areas are treated.
After 10 minutes, items can be washed by hand with powder.
If traces still remain, then repeat the procedure.

You can use another method to remove stubborn stains from sweat on things made of synthetic fabric:

Mix one teaspoon each of salt and baking soda.
Add 1 tbsp. l. dishwashing detergent.
Apply to stained area for 15–20 minutes.
Rinse under running water.

Paint and ink

To remove old stubborn stains from ink or paint, you need to mix 1 teaspoon of ammonia and glycerin. Spread the solution on the stain and wait 12–15 minutes. Rinse and repeat the procedure until the stains are completely gone. After this, the items can be placed in the washing machine, selecting a mode with a temperature of 50–60 degrees.

Oily stains

It will be more difficult to remove greasy marks than other types of dirt, so it is recommended to pre-soak things in hot water using Fairy or Drop detergent. After this you can start removing:

Take purified gasoline or white spirit.
Pour a small amount onto the contaminated area.
Sprinkle chalk or talc on top.
Distribute evenly with a toothbrush.
Microwave for 1–1.5 minutes.
Wash in warm water with laundry soap.

Food stains

A mixture of table vinegar and citric acid works well to remove food stains. Stains are removed according to the instructions:

Mix lemon juice and vinegar in equal proportions - 1 tablespoon each.
Pour the mixture onto dirty clothes.
Wait 10–15 minutes.
Place items in a quick wash at 40–45 degrees.

Getting rid of pellets and hair

How to clean a coat from pellets at home? In this case, a razor will help. You just need to apply it in places where pellets accumulate, periodically clearing away clogged hairs. You can also purchase a special pellet machine at a hardware store.

Scotch tape works well to get rid of hair and wool on short coats and coats if you wrap it around your finger with the adhesive side facing out. All you have to do is run the tape over the entire surface of the product, changing it periodically. You can also use a vacuum cleaner - it is good for cleaning out debris without washing.

Choosing the right way to clean your coat can save you time and money.

Author – Victoria Paletskaya, Source

Immediate removal of vomit from carpet

Use a tablespoon to remove as much vomit from the carpet as possible. We understand that this sounds truly terrible, but if you want to get rid of the stain, then you have to do it. Do not press the spoon too hard against the fibers of the carpet.

So, use a spoon to remove any remaining vomit. Cover your mouth and nose to avoid unpleasant odor. After this, pour clean cold water or even soda onto the stain. Leave the liquid on the stain for 30 seconds. Blot the stain with a clean, dry cloth, allowing it to absorb the stain. Replace the rag as soon as it becomes damp. Repeat the procedure until the stain no longer appears on the rag. Next, treat the carpet area with stain remover according to the manufacturer's instructions.