How To Clean Vomit Off A Couch

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Jeanie asked: How do I remove vomit smell from my microfiber sofa? My son was sick and vomited over a large section of my microfiber sofa. We cleaned it the best we could. It doesn't look stained, however, it stinks! What can I do?

The make-up of vomit makes it difficult to remove completely, leaving an unpleasant odor behind. Once the initial clean-up is completed, the fear of a stain should be gone. The odor that remains can be another story. Here are a few steps that should rid your couch of the smell for good. Work through them until the smell is gone.

You Will Need:

Rubber gloves
Paper towels
Plastic bags
Vinegar
Baking soda
Kids 'n Pets
Soft cloths
Soft scrub brush
Spray bottle
Water
Vacuum

Steps to Remove the Vomit and Smell:

If it's a fresh accident, begin by wiping away as much of the vomit as possible. Rubber gloves make the job a little more manageable. Place all soiled towels directly into a plastic bag.
Mix one part vinegar with one part hot water in a spray bottle. If the vomit has left a stubborn stain, add a small amount of detergent.
Spray the surface liberally with the mixture.
Use a soft scrub brush or soft cloth to scrub the surface clean.
Rinse by spraying with plain water and blotting with a clean cloth. If a wet vacuum or carpet cleaner with an upholstery attachment is available, it will make the cleaning process easier, faster and more effective.
Remove as much of the moisture as possible and allow the surface to air dry.
To continue to treat the smell, cover the area with baking soda.
Allow it to sit on the area overnight
Vacuum away the next day. Repeat as needed.
If the smell remains, a commercial cleaner may be necessary. Kids 'n Pets is designed to remove organic stains and odors. Simply spray the cleaner onto the surface and work it into the fabric. This is a great way to tackle odors that have soaked into the cushions.
Allow it to air dry. As the cleaner dries, it will remove the smell. Ensure even wetness and drying to avoid rings on the microfiber surface.
Once the smell is gone and the stain is removed, you can restore the surface texture with a quick vacuuming and/or brushing with a clean, soft brush to soften any stiff fibers.

Additional Tips and Advice

There are many types of microfiber upholstery, each with their own cleaning method. Check the care tags and/or test a small, hidden area first to ensure that the cleaning products do not have any unwanted effects. Once the test area is cleaned and dried with no adverse effects, it's safe to move onto the stain.
If you are unable to remove the stain and/or smell with the above methods, consider having the sofa professionally cleaned.
Baking soda is an excellent odor absorber, but may take several applications to completely remove the smell.