Your couch has been through a lot. Food and drink spills, cats’ claws and dogs’ nails, even kids jumping up and down are just some of the challenges that your couch faces.
At some point, your sofa will be vomited on.
As unfortunate as that is, you need to get in there and remove that unsightly bodily fluid.
If you find yourself in this situation, don’t worry.
I have been there and done some research on how to clean vomit off a couch.
It’s not a difficult process and with a few household items, you can successfully remove the vomit stains from your upholstery.
Continue reading down below to learn what you’ll need to clean the vomit from your couch.
What You’ll Need
The above items are all you’ll need to clean the vomit from your couch.
Continue reading below for step-by-step instructions as well as commonly asked questions pertaining to removing vomit from your upholstery.
1. Remove Existing Vomit
Before using any cleaning products on the vomit stain on the couch, be sure to remove as much of the existing vomit from the couch.
If it has dried, try to use a butter knife to remove any solids from the vomit stain on the couch.
2. Spray Water On Stain
After you have removed as much of the vomit from the couch, spray some water onto the stain.
Doing this will help to loosen up the remaining vomit, which will, in turn, make it easier to remove the vomit from the couch.
3. Cover Stain In Baking Soda
Once the couch has been wetted, cover the stain in baking soda.
The baking soda will help to deodorize and absorb the vomit from the couch.
4. Let Baking Soda Sit
Let the baking soda sit on the vomit stain on the couch for around two hours to allow the baking soda to do its work.
This will help the baking soda remove and absorb the vomit from the couch, and the baking soda should also absorb the water from the couch.
5. Vacuum
After the two hours have passed, take a vacuum to the couch.
Doing this will remove the baking soda and the vomit and water it had absorbed.
6. Pour Club Soda On Stain
Once you have removed the baking soda from the couch, pour enough club soda to cover the entire vomit stain.
Doing this will help in removing the vomit stain by lifting it from the couch.
7. Rinse Couch
Using more water, rinse off the couch.
Be sure not to use too much water so that the couch can dry more quickly.
8. Blot Area
Using a clean cloth, blot the wet area on the couch to help speed the drying process.
If you have a wet-dry shop vac, you can use this on the damp site to remove some of the moisture.
Video Instructions
- Step 1 (:06) — Remove vomit
- Step 2 (:09) — Spray water on the stain
- Step 3 (:16) — Cover stain with baking soda
- Step 4 (:18) — Let the baking soda sit
- Step 5 (:23) — Vacuum the baking soda
- Step 6 (:27) — Pour club soda on stain
- Step 7 (:33) — Rinse couch
- Step 8 (:39) — Blot area
FAQ
How Can I Remove The Smell Of Vomit From The Couch?
The baking soda should help to remove any odor. If the smell remains from the vomit, pour more baking soda on the area.
Let it sit so that the baking soda can work to absorb the smell.
Baking soda has odor-absorbing properties, which should lessen if not remove the vomit odor.
Once it has sat on the area, go ahead and vacuum up the baking soda.
How Can I Remove Dried Vomit?
If the vomit on the couch has died, you can still remove it, but you need to take some additional steps.
First, remove any dried vomit from the couch using a butter knife.
Then you will want to focus on loosening the dried vomit.
You can accomplish this by spraying enough water on the stain, and you will need to check to see if this helps to loosen the vomit.
If not, add more water.
If it is enough, go ahead and complete the steps above.
For other tips on removing dried vomit, check out our related article that’s dedicated to showing you how to remove vomit stains and smells from your car seat.
How Does Club Soda Remove Stains?
It is not entirely agreed upon as to why club soda helps to remove stains.
It seems that the bubbles from the club soda help as a carrier of the stain.
Then once the club soda mixes with the stains it can then more easily be blotted up.
It is also slightly acidic, which might help with particular stains.
What Are Other At Home Ingredients That Can Remove Vomit Stains?
You can use several ingredients besides baking soda and club soda, and you can use cornstarch instead of baking soda to absorb the vomit.
If you are concerned with yellow coloration from vomit stains, club soda might not do enough to remove the stain.
Instead, you may want to mix dishwashing soda, white vinegar, and warm water.
Take up this solution with a clean cloth to blot the vomit stain with this solution.
Then blot again with a new cloth to absorb as much liquid that is on the stain.
Follow this up with blotting the area with water to remove whatever part of the solution remains.
You can also use hydrogen peroxide mixed with water.
You will apply this solution onto the vomit stain until it is damp.
Then use a clean cloth to remove the solution and stain.
Continue to blot the area with the cloth until it is dry or near dry.
If you already have a stain or odor remover, such as OxiClean Max Force 4 In Power Laundry Stain Remover Spray, feel free to use that as well after doing a spot test to ensure the cleaning solution will not discolor your couch.
Often these stain removers contain enzymes that will work to remove stains, such as vomit.
When Should I Seek Professional Cleaners?
If the above steps and other at-home cleaners have not removed the vomit stains, you may want to seek out a professional couch cleaner.
Some stains are very tough, and no matter the elbow grease you use, it may be time for a professional to step in.
There are furniture and upholstery cleaners that should be able to help clean, deodorize, and protect many different types of couches.
If this article has helped, check out our related article that shows how to remove vomit stains from your mattress.
