How to clean vomit off a mattress

Whether it's yourself or your kids, an illness, or a little bit too much to drink… Being sick is something that unfortunately can’t be avoided at times, meaning sometimes you don’t always make it to the bucket!  

It’s happened to the best of us and sadly your mattress isn’t something that can just be thrown into the washing machine. So, what can you do the next time you’re in this situation, wondering how do I clean this vomit out of my mattress?  

Look no further, in this post we will give you a detailed guide to getting your mattress back to good as new. 

What supplies you will need 

  • Old cloths or paper towels
  • A paper plate/paper bowl
  • White vinegar
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Baking soda
  • Rubber gloves 

How to clean vomit off a mattress 

  1. Remove the vomit 

The first step to this cleaning process is to remove the vomit from the surface of the mattress.

There are a few ways this can be done, but the easiest and quickest way is using a paper plate or bowl. Use the paper plate to scrape any solids from the surface and immediately dispose of the plate in a plastic bag. This can then be discarded into the bin. 

Similarly, you could use a dustpan to scrape up the vomit and then dispose of it in the toilet. Use a hose attachment or a bowl of water outside to clean the dustpan after use.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to wear rubber gloves during either of these processes, this way you can protect yourself from any germs.

  1. Clean the bed sheets 

The next step is to remove any bedding and ensure it is thoroughly washed. Any sheets, duvets, mattress toppers, or other items from the bed should be stripped and put in the washing machine. 

Ensure you wash the bedding on the washing machine's highest temperature and using the correct antibacterial laundry detergent. This will help to kill any lingering germs. 


  1. Soak up any liquid 

Once the bed sheets are removed, you can assess the damage done by any liquid that has gone through onto the mattress. It is important to remove the liquid in order to correctly clean the mattress. Grab an old dry rag and use this to soak up any liquid from the vomit that has reached the mattress. 

However, do not rub the stain as this will result in the liquid being spread around. To prevent this, make sure you use a light blotting method to remove the stain.

Repeat this process until there is no excess liquid remaining. 


  1. Removing the odour 

Once you’ve removed as much liquid as possible using the blotting method, it’s time to bring in the big guns… baking soda!  

Sprinkle the baking soda over the affected area. The baking soda will begin absorbing any liquid remaining in the mattress, whilst also removing any lingering odour. 

Allowing the baking powder to sit overnight gives it time to absorb any liquid and odour. We recommend leaving the baking soda to sit for a minimum of 8 hours, or at least until the baking soda is completely dry. 

If leaving the mattress overnight is inconvenient for anyone needing to sleep on the bed, simply lay a clean towel over the baking soda. On top of this, you can spread your bedsheets as normal until the next morning.  


Once the baking soda has been left overnight, the next step is to remove the residue remaining on the mattress. This can be done by simply hoovering over the baking soda.

Be sure to empty your hoover afterwards to ensure bacteria growth doesn’t take place within the machine.

If you don’t have a hoover, use a hard bristle brush to sweep the residue into a bin or bag. 


  1. Clean the stain

Once you have completed all of the above prep, now it’s time for the most important step, cleaning the vomit stain. There are a few natural at home solutions that you could most likely find in your kitchen cupboard! 

One method is mixing warm water and mild detergent or soap in a spray bottle and spot cleaning the affected area using a paper towel or clean rag, dabbing it with the soapy water. 

Another method is water and white distilled vinegar. Combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of vinegar in a spray bottle and shake well to ensure they are thoroughly mixed. 

Pro tip: If you are wanting extra cleaning power, also include 1 teaspoon of washing up liquid. 

Spray the solution on your stain, being cautious to not over saturate the mattress. Then, begin blotting with a clean towel to begin lifting the stain. Repeat this process until the stain is completely gone.

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  1. Dry it out

Once the stain is removed from the mattress, the next step is letting it dry. If possible, ensure the mattress has at least 6 to 8 hours of drying time. However, you can assist the drying process by using a fan or opening a window near the bed. 


  1. Kill those germs 

Finally, although the above steps have cleaned your mattress, there is no harm in going that extra mile. Applying a rubbing alcohol to the affected area will be sure to kill all of those lingering germs that some vomit can leave. 

Once you have applied the rubbing alcohol, it is important to let the mattress dry completely. This should take around 6 hours, but we recommend leaving to air dry overnight to be sure that the mattress is completely dry. 

Be sure to keep any kids or pets away from the rubbing alcohol until fully dry. 

Need professional help?  

Although it is okay to clean the vomit off your mattress yourself, sometimes having that reassurance of professional help is needed. 

Here at ACS, we have a trained team of mattress cleaning professionals ready to help you with all your mattress cleaning needs. Get in contact today for a free quote!

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