Will the carseat smell of puke forever?

[pookamoo]

DD was sick on herself in the car today.

"grownup sick" not baby sick, so a few yucky solids etc (sorry if tmi).

I have taken the cover off and the instructions say I can machine wash it, but quite a lot went down into the clip area which can't be removed, I have sponged it as much as I can, but it still smells bad. Same with the straps.

Any ideas of how to safely clean it and get rid of the smell?

Or will it always have a whiff?

Perhaps depends on how you'd feel about cleaners being used. My sister was on a yacht sailing round the bay of biscay and EVERYONE was very sick; they swore by Febreze. I'm not sure if it's noxious or not though... perhaps you could take car seat out of car, spray it and then air it thoroughly (if weather permits)?

Otherwise there may be essential oils that would help mask the smell??

I think if you've washed it as much as poss (old toothbrush can be useful) then firstly dettox to disinfect and then after that definitely Febreze it.

No dd was royally sick on hers last week and not for the first time. The covers went in the wash and the clips and straps were sponged down and I've forgotten all about it. Not a whiff in sight.

Having, ahem, some experience in this area, I can safely say: no, not for ever, but for a very long time. Do not, under any circumstances, buy a car air freshener to disguise the smell (which it won't) or the smell of vanilla (or whatever) will have you gagging for months.

& I have to say we're VERY used to clearing up after cat sick on our carpet, sad old cat with dodgy stomach, and Lavender/Orange Dettol is pretty good if you want to avoid Febreze.

I would scrub it with a biological washing powder and then rub in lots of bicarbonate of soda which should help to mask the smell.

i find febreze grim - it doesn't seem to get rid of the smell as it claims, instead it mingles with the original smell. yuck!

i swear by good old white vinegar. mix it 50:50 with water in a spray bottle and give the seat a good spray. the vinegar smell goes when the item is dry.

i use vinegar to clean my carpets - i have a dog and am pretty paranoid about smelly carpets. it leaves them fresh as a daisy! i also leave a dish of vinegar in the car overnight if i have been smoking in it, or if it starts smelling a bit doggy. it really is amazing at absorbing smells.

hth

Vinegar. Works for sick, poo and wee smells.

I use a spray bottle too - half white vinegar half water squirt of washing up liquid and a few drops of lavendar or tea tree. Voilà instant deoderiser and cleaner!

You could try a 50:50 mix of water and vinegar in a spray bottle, that is supposed to neutralise odours. Also try sprinkling bicarb of soda, leave it a few hours then hoover up again.

We've had this several times over the years with DD1 and 2. The smell does seem to disappear after a couple of weeks as the puke breaks down though.

Try sprinkling bicarbonate of soda on it and leaving for a couple of hours before hoovering off. Got the tip off "How clean is your house" and it's worked for me. Although may be difficult around straps etc...

I started out gently cleaning them by hand using a toothbrush and various detergents (eco and otherwise). Nowadays I take the covers and straps off, bung them in the washing machine (on delicates) and then hose the seat down in the garden (with detergent of choice). No more smells.