7 Handy Ways to Clean Vomit from a Car (2024)

Keeping a clean car can be a challenge. Whether it fills up with old coffee cups or gets dirty from day-to-day use, car interiors sustain a lot of wear and tear, particularly if you have pets or kids. That’s why learning how to clean vomit from car surfaces can be beneficial.

Car cleaning products add up quickly and use harsh chemicals that you might not want to use around your kids or pets. Taking your vehicle to a detailer is probably also not an option, as those can cost quite a lot.

Next time you make a mess in your car, you can use these helpful tips and car cleaner recipes to clean up puke and other messes. Grab your ingredients, a face mask and rubber gloves for extra protection from the smell, and prepare to put in a little extra effort to clean throw up from the interior of your car.

Cleaning Vomit from Car Interiors

Cleaning vomit is never fun, but it can be easy if you have the right ingredients. You can remove stains and mess and get rid of the unpleasant lingering smell if you follow one or more of our simple our recipes. Use these solutions as an easy way to clean car seats and floors, as well as to clean car seat belts and make them look (and smell) as good as new. Stains will disappear in no time.

Clean Fresh Vomit from Car

The easiest way to stop stains from forming in your car is to clean up the mess as quickly as possible. Remove all solid matter using a spatula or thick paper towels. You will need to use a little elbow grease to scrape the solid pieces out, depending on the material of your car interior.

Next, remove all excess moisture. Grab some more paper towel or an absorbent cloth and press it on the dirty spot. Press it gently, as you do not want to push it further into the material. Once you remove the excess liquid, use the following recipes to ensure that no stain remains.

Cleaning Vomit Out of a Car Seat with Baking Soda

Once you’ve cleaned up the mess, you need to make sure it stays away. For fresh vomit, sprinkle baking soda over the dirty spot in a thick layer.

This helps get rid of the smell-of-vomit and neutralizes any staining. Leave the baking soda on the surface for approximately 30 minutes and then use a vacuum cleaner to suck it up. This is the best way to clean fabric car seats and leave them looking like new. No one will ever know you had an ugly, smelly stain.

Clean Up Vomit from Vinyl, Cloth, and Plastic Interiors

For tougher stains, you may need to take an extra step. This simple but effective car-interior cleaning solution is suitable for multiple surfaces on the inside (or even the outside) of the car.

Whether it’s a seat, mat, or car seat cover, this spray can get rid of vomit. Use it for a car interior shine on the dash or console or to get any of the fabrics spotlessly clean and smelling fresh.

To make this vehicle upholstery cleaner, mix the warm water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and then add the dishwashing liquid. Stir thoroughly without making too many suds. Spray the cleaning solution onto the stain and use scrub it with a lint-free cloth.

If the stain has already settled into the material, you may need a scrub brush. Use a wet cloth to remove the cleaning solution. Blot the damp spot with another lint-free cloth until the stain is gone. Open your doors to let the car air out.

How to Clean Puke from Leather Seats

The process of how to clean vomit out of a car seat with a leather surface begins the same as cleaning vinyl, cloth, and plastic. However, leather requires different ingredients for deep cleaning.

To clean leather upholstery, combine baking soda with warm water to create a paste. Apply the cleaner to the messy spot and let it sit for a few minutes. Use a damp cloth, not a wet one, to clean the baking soda paste. Using a microfiber cloth, blot the area and then let your car air dry.

Cleaning leather with vinegar is also possible. Add some vinegar to a clean rag and carefully wipe the stain until it is gone. Be sure to rinse the area with a damp cloth dipped in clean water to remove vinegar and any other residue.

Use Car Carpet Cleaner to Remove Vomit

If vomit gets on your car carpet, use this car cleaning soap to tackle the issue. Not only is this one of our favorite homemade cleaning products for puke, but it also works great on carpets to remove mildew and other dirt.

Cleaning auto carpet to get rid of vomit or other unwelcome stains has never been easier than with this simple recipe. Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and squirt the stained area. Allow it to sit for a few minutes and then scrub the carpet with a brush.

This soap is also safe to use on car seats. If the stain is very persistent or covers a large area, you can remove the mat and soak it in a tub with this same solution.

Get Rid of Vomit Stains from Car Interiors

Just as removing blood from carpet can be a pain, so can removing vomit stains. This is especially true if you missed a spot while cleaning, and the puke has dried. The steps for how to clean vomit from car interiors when it’s not fresh include using any of the cleaning solutions we’ve already listed.

However, the prep requires a little more work. First, use a soft or stiff-bristled brush to loosen crusty bits from the surface. Vacuum the debris or brush it away. Apply one of the car cleaners, depending on the material, and let it sit.

Leave the solution on until it dries and then re-wet the stain a second time. Let it sit for only a few minutes, and use a brush to scrub it off. You will need to brush hard enough to penetrate the old stain.

Finally, dip a rag in clean water and blot at the stain until all of the cleaning solution and stain comes off. You may have to wring out the cloth and repeat the process a few times. If the stain is particularly stubborn, you may need to use a steamer to loosen it, though this will not work for leather, plastic, or vinyl.

Removing Vomit Smell from a Car

One of the most unpleasant things about having vomit in your car is the smell. However, you can quickly learn how to remove vomit smell from a car. While you can put in an air freshener, that will only cover the scent and not remove it. First, air out your car by opening the doors.

Next, mix a couple of tablespoons of baking soda with some drops of essential oils. We recommend using lemon or orange as they are great at neutralizing smells. The baking soda will also soak up the scent and eliminate it.

Dampen the dirty spot with water and then sprinkle your essential oil and baking soda mixture on top. Let it sit for about ten minutes before vacuuming. You can also place some dryer sheets on top of the stain and place coffee grounds, an effective deodorizer, on top.

While you’re cleaning the vomit stains you may notice other stains you hadn’t seen before. Unfortunately, this is normal. If you spot some gum on the seat, there is no need to panic. Apply ice to get chewing gum off a car seat. After it freezes, scrape off the residue and clean the area.

With these tips and tricks, your ride will look like a brand new car. These car cleaning recipes work great for cleaning up vomit and any other dirt or stain. Next time you notice a mess on your car seats or carpet, use one of our easy recipes instead of spending your money on a detailer.

If this article helped you learn how to clean vomit from car seats and mats, then share our car cleaning tips with your family on Pinterest and Facebook.