You get into your warm car and it hits you like a ton of gagging bricks, vomit smell. That sour nasty heated up smell in your car. So just how do you get rid of puke smell?
White Vinegar will Neutralize Vomit Odor
Before you hit the back button thinking.... "no way, the puke smell in my car is much too strong for simple vinegar". Give this method a try:
What you will need:
Jug of white vinegar
Empty spray bottles (you don't have to have one of these but as you learn to love white vinegar for cleaning you may find it easier to use it in a spray bottle)
Clean Cloths and Sponge
A couple of bowls
Step 1 - FIND THE OFFENDING SPOT if at all possible! - Many times it has gone a little bit under the seats or between them. This is where your nose knows best.
Step 2 - Clean out the Car. It may be the puke is on some items in the car such as the baby car seat or books or toys.
Step 3 - Vacuum with a good strong indoor/outdoor vacuum cleaner. If you don't own one, many car wash/gas stations will have one for a buck you can use. This will get rid of any dried bits.
Step 4 - Mix equal parts white vinegar with warm water into your spray bottle (or in container) and spray onto the stain or area you feel is the offending area. If you don't have a spray bottle then simply use a sponge dipped in the vinegar mixture.
Step 5 - Leave a couple of minutes then blot the area with a clean cloth or strong paper towels (the type that don't leave bits)
Step 6 - Take the white vinegar and pour some straight from the jug into 2 bowls. Place one bowl on the back floor of the car and one on the front floors of the car. You could even go for a 3rd bowl in the trunk if there are odors there too.
Step 7 - Leave in car overnight with windows closed.
Step 8 - DON'T FORGET TO REMOVE THE BOWLS before driving off.
White Vinegar with Neutralize Vomit Odor and Clean at the Same Time
For years I used to have a bucket full of harsh cleaners that would leave my nostrils irritated every time I cleaned my car. There is really no need to go that harsh when it comes to cleaning especially puke or spills or some of the grossest organic things.
My family used to clean the interior of cars, and you can imagine some of the worst things that people will have rotting away in their cars.
We Tend to Live, Eat and Drink in our Cars - Spills and Puke Happen.
Whether it is your toddler, baby or your dog that causes the pukes, spills and messes, staying on top of them doesn't require harshness, but it does require action.
Spilled Milk in a Car is Another Offensive Lingering Odor
Knowing how to take vomit smell out of car is not the only thing vinegar can do. Milk quickly adds a sourness to the air quality in your car.
Always Check Under the Seats
It is amazing what can accumulate under there. We once found a half eaten yogurt container under the seat of the passenger car. It had been dropped by someone in the back seat and was never found. This customer kept their car pristine but just couldn't get rid of the sour smell.
Armed with gloves and a flashlight we found the offender and took it out and then used the white vinegar method for neutralizing stains and odors.
Dogs are Famous for Back Seat Puking
Try to remove as much of it as you can right away. Obviously the best advice for the dog in the car is to have a car cover especially designed for dogs. This will at least it will contain the puke and other nasty things. You can usually take these covers out and hose them down or wash them.
But use the vinegar in the bowls overnight and you will be surprised at just how quickly odors are eliminated.
Once you have done the nose test and found the offending spot, it is just a matter of cleaning it with vinegar and adding the bowls for overnight.
Create a Car Cleaning Kit
We are all busy and giving the car a weekly or monthly clean might be a bit easier if you have a kit ready to go.
Go to the dollar store and get a bucket and then purchase at the grocery store or online a just of white vinegar, spray bottles, clean clothes and a sponge. This way it is easy to stay on top of puke and other stains and smells.
