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. Luckily, we’ve compiled a helpful guide on doing just that, complete with expert insights from house cleaning professional James Sears. We’ll also go over how to protect your mattress from vomit stains in the future, and how to avoid nausea at bedtime, so keep reading.

How do you clean vomit from a mattress?

First, scrape any solid matter into a plastic bag and dispose of it. Next, spray a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water on the area, and blot it with a paper towel to remove the stain. Finally, sprinkle baking soda on the area to soak up moisture and eliminate odors. Allow it to dry overnight, then vacuum it up.

Section 1 of 5:

Removing the Vomit

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1
Scrape the vomit off the bed. The first step is to scrape any solids off of the surface of the bed. “Using a disposable item such as a paper plate, scrape the vomit into a plastic bag and immediately dispose of the potential biohazard properly,” says Sears. ^{[1]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} Place the paper plate in the plastic bag with the vomit too, then tie it up and throw it into the trash.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

Go to source}
- It’s important to remove any solids from your sheets and bedding first because they can clog your washing machine’s drain and cause unpleasant odors.
- Sears also says that it's also a good idea to put on disposable gloves before you start cleaning to protect you from germs.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  James Sears
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.}
- Disposable gloves are better than reusable ones, so you don’t have to worry about cleaning the vomit off of the gloves afterwards, Sears explains.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  James Sears
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.}
2
Remove the sheets and comforter and wash them thoroughly. If the bedding is still on your bed, remove it 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.^{[5]
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- Wash the bedding on the highest temperature setting that is available on the washer to help kill any lingering germs.^{[6]
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- If you’d like, you can also add a commercial laundry sanitizer when you wash your bedding. These products kill germs and bacteria, and they’re also safe to use on most fabrics and colors.^{[7]
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Soak up the remaining liquid from the mattress with a towel or rag. Once you've removed the sheets from the bed, use paper towels 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 or pushing it deeper into the mattress.^{[8]
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- If you don’t want to use paper towels, you can also use a dry cloth or rag, but it's a good idea to use an old one, since you may want to throw it out when you're done.

Section 2 of 5:

Cleaning Stains and Sanitizing the Mattress

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1
Mix equal parts water and white vinegar. Once you’ve removed solids and excess moisture, it’s time to spot-clean any stain that’s left over on the mattress. Combine 1 cup (237 ml) warm water and 1 cup (237 ml) of white vinegar in a spray bottle and shake it up.^{[9]
X
Trustworthy Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

Go to source} For extra cleaning power, you can also mix in 1 tsp (5 ml) of liquid dish soap. Dish soap has impressive grease-cutting qualities, so it can break down vomit stains very well.
- There are several different cleaning agents that work on vomit stains, so here are a few other options to try out if you don’t want to use the above mixture:
  - Enzyme cleaner: Enzyme cleaners are formulated to break down biological matter, so they're great for cleaning up vomit, blood, or urine.^{[10]
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    Research source} These cleaners may have slightly different instructions, so follow the directions listed on the specific product you buy.
  - Hydrogen peroxide Hydrogen peroxide has antibacterial and antiviral properties, as well as a bleaching effect, which makes it a good choice for vomit stains. To use it, simply add some hydrogen peroxide to a spray bottle, spray the area until it’s damp but not soaked, then let it dry.^{[11]
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  - Laundry detergent: You can also use laundry detergent to remove a vomit stain, as long as it’s bleach-free (bleach may harm the mattress fibers).^{[12]
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    Research source} Add 1 part white vinegar with 2 parts water and a splash of laundry detergent to a spray bottle, then spray the stain with this solution.^{[13]
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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 rag or paper towel to lift the stain.^{[14]
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HealthyChildren.org
Health information from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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Repeat the process until the stain is gone. Depending on the stain, one application of the vinegar solution may not be enough to remove it completely. Apply the cleaning solution to the mattress and blot it as many times as necessary to completely remove the vomit stain.^{[15]
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- 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.

Section 3 of 5:

Getting Rid of Odors

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1
Apply baking soda to the affected area. Once you’ve spot-treated the stain with your cleaning solution, sprinkle some baking soda over the area.^{[16]
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Research source} The baking soda will help absorb any remaining liquid and remove the lingering odor, explains Sears.^{[17]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.}
- For even more odor-fighting powder, try mixing a drop or two of the essential oil of your choice into the baking soda before sprinkling it over the area. The pleasant scent of the oil will help combat any lingering smells from the vomit.
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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 overnight or for at least 8 hours.^{[18]
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- 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.
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In the morning, vacuum up the baking soda. After 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 to get rid of any bacteria from the vomit.^{[19]
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Trustworthy Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

Go 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.
Even after you fully clean the mattress, germs can still be left behind after someone vomits. If you’re still worried after one round of cleaning, spray the affected area lightly with rubbing alcohol to knock out any leftover bacteria.^{[20]
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Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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Allow the mattress to dry completely. 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.^{[21]
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Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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- 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.^{[22]
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- Be sure to keep children and pets away from the mattress until the alcohol is dry.

Section 4 of 5:

Protecting Your Mattress from Future Vomit Stains

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Consider purchasing a mattress protector. A mattress protector is a cover you can put over your mattress to protect it from stains, dirt, moisture, and allergens.^{[23]
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Research source} If you happen to get sick and vomit on your bed, the mattress protector will keep the vomit from reaching the surface of the mattress.
- In that case, all you’d have to do is remove your bedding and the mattress protector and wash them in the washing machine.

Section 5 of 5:

How to Prevent Nausea at Nighttime

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There are a few steps you can take to avoid vomiting on your bed. If you’re dealing with a stomach bug or food poisoning, it can be a hassle to clean up vomit from your bedding and mattress if you happen to vomit during the night. Here are some tips to help soothe nausea when you’re trying to fall asleep:
- Lie down in a slightly propped-up position. You can either use a wedge pillow or just add another pillow or two to your normal set-up in order to elevate your head and upper body.
- Drink a very small amount of a sweet liquid, like soda or apple juice.^{[24]
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  Trustworthy Source
  
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}
- Have a small cup of ginger or peppermint tea.^{[25]
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  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  
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- Suck on a hard candy or popsicle.
- Eat a small amount of a bland food, like saltine crackers, to settle your stomach.
- Just in case, lay a towel under yourself before going to sleep, and keep a bucket lined with a plastic bag next to your bed to vomit into if necessary.

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Tips

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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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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It’s a good idea to check your mattress’s care label as well, just in case. Most mattresses will respond well to the above cleaning methods, but some may have specific instructions you’ll need to follow to address stains.

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