This morning I was awakened by a sound; one that is unmistakable in its terrifying meaning. As a parent, I have heard it many times before, and it always sends a sickening feeling straight down to my toes; the retching sound of puking. I immediately sprang out of bed and ran to my four-year-old daughter’s room. I found her half asleep but in the middle of a projectile situation. My first thoughts “Holy chunks Batman!”
Quickly, I picked her up, moved her to the bathroom, and tried to help her until she was finished vomitting. By now every member of the household was awake; lumbering around trying to figure out what they could do to help. My oldest decided to hang out and comfort her sister while my husband scooped up the bedding, stuffed animals, and clothing and took them downstairs to launder. I got to work cleaning the floor. It was everywhere, chunky, and the smell made my stomach churn. There was no way I could leave that on the floor until morning.
Cleaning Vomit or Diarrhea from carpet & upholstery.
If you find yourself cleaning up a mess in the middle of the night, or day for that matter, there are some very specific things you should do to midigate the damage.
1. Lay a towel over the top of the affected area and press down to absorb as much moisture as possible. (Don’t scrub)
2. Get the chunks up off the floor. Shop-Vacs can be very helpful in this situation because they will also suck up the moisture.
3. Once you have removed the chunks and as much moisture as possible use a mixture of 1 parts white vinegar to 1 part water to clean the area. This mixture serves a two part function. Vinegar has disinfectant qualities and it won’t set stains (Store bought cleaners can set stains, and will remove protective coatings. So avoid them.). Vinegar is an acid, and so is vomit. This is why you need the water. It will neutralize the acid and aid in the cleanup. The best part about this mix is that it is cheap, most people have vinegar on hand, and it will clean and provide some sanitization without stripping off any protective coating on the carpet, or upholstery. *I keep mine in a spray bottle for emergencies. Spray it on liberally and let it sit two minutes, then towel it off.
I hate it when my kids are sick, and I know you do too. If you find yourself in a similar situation I hope your little one feels better soon, and that these tips will help remove some of the stress of a late-night cleanup.
If you find you still need some assistance cleaning up the mess call us at 303.993.6751. Or you can always book online.