The odor and stain of vomit should be removed at the right time, as its effect can remain longer than we expected. Most of the time we can use our washer to wash out dirty fabric, still, sometimes we’ve to only hand wash items, which takes more effort and hard work to remove the stains.
If you’re confused about whether you can put clothes with vomit in the washing machine or not, this guide is for you. We’ve described everything which would help you to shine your garments.
Practically speaking, it’s perfectly fine to put clothes with vomit in the washing machine, just make sure the fabric is machine washable, otherwise, stick to the hand wash method. Set the water at a high heat temperature during the wash cycle, and use a detergent that is capable of removing stains and odors from clothes.
Let’s dive deeper into the guide to know more!
Table of Contents
Should I Wash Vomit Clothes Separately?
Washing vomit clothes separately is not necessary, but if you do, this will help in washing out stains and odors more effectively and fastly. If you’ve more than one fabric where you pulled all over them, putting them separately for washing would be best.
Sometimes it’s just a small portion of cloth that someone has vomited on it, and sometimes the entire cloth has been vomited on it. However, if it has more puke, consider first removing the solid dirt by hand before putting the washer.
As vomit is a solid waste on clothes, it can clog the washer drain hose when more clothes with enough vomit are placed in the washing drum at a single wash cycle.
Some fabrics have special guidelines and instructions for washing them, so you should also consider the recommended wash method given on the cloth symbol tag.
Branded clothes probably have a care tag stitched to them. Read that tag to know more about your branded garments to keep them new and unaffected.
It is proven that washing clothes separately helps us in understanding how much stain is still there and if there is a need for more cleaning solutions is not.
To summarize: if you want to wash clothes with vomit separately, you can go for it as there are no fixed rules. Just take care of using a quality detergent that also has stain remover in it, and use hot water.
What Temperature to Wash Clothes with Vomit?
This is necessary to set the washing machine at the right temperature to wash out vomit from fabric. If the water temperature is not right, this makes it is harder to make clothes odor and stain-free.
There is no fixed temperature limit to wash clothes with vomit, but you should set the washer at the highest temperature according to the fabric. First, know how high the temperature is for your clothes, then set the washing machine at that temperature point.
Don’t wash vomit clothes in cold water as it is not recommended and is effective in removing stains and odors.
When you wash clothes with vomit in hot water, the detergent molecules run fast and cross the fabric from one side to another, removing stains and odor from the fabric. This is a proven method to remove hard stains which is used for many decades.
If the fabric is not recommended to wash in hot water, you should hand wash it. First, you will need to remove solid vomit residue from the fabric by rubbing a thin object. Then you need to put baking soda on the stained area. After 15 minutes wash out the fabric with a quality detergent.
How to Wash Vomit out of Clothes in a Washing Machine?
You can use your washing machine to wash vomit from your clothes, but the fabric should be machine wash friendly. Run the wash cycle first with cold water then rewash it at a hot temperature, and pour a stain remover detergent or your homemade solution.
Here’s how to wash clothes with vomit in the washing machine:
- Scrape off any excess vomit:
You can use a spoon, paper towel, or a blunt object like a butter knife to remove any excessive vomit from your clothes, consider being careful not to spread the stain and prevent the fabric from damage. If there is no excess vomit, skip this step.
- First, wash in cold water:
Now, run cold water over the stained area to remove as much of the vomit as possible. You can also use normal water instead of cold water, but you should avoid using hot water, as this can set the stain.
- Apply a Pre-treatment Solution:
If the stain is fresh, apply a quality pre-treatment solution such as a laundry stain remover, a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar, or a paste made from baking soda and water. On the other hand, If there are set-in stains, you may need to soak the clothes in a solution of warm water and laundry detergent for a few hours before applying the pre-treatment solution. This will help you in removing vomit odor from the fabric and lightning the stain. Let the pre-treatment solution sit on the stain for at least 15 minutes, or as directed on the product label.
- Understand the Care Label given on Clothes:
Check the care label on the clothing to determine the appropriate water temperature, cycle type, and detergent for washing the garment. Use a detergent that is designed to remove protein-based stains like vomit.
- Put Load in Washing Machine:
Add the clothing to the washing machine and wash on the hottest cycle recommended for the fabric. (Optional) – If the garment is white or colorfast, you can use bleach to help remove any remaining stains. If you’re uncertain, test a small, inconspicuous area of the garment for colorfastness before using bleach. You can also pour some drops of essential oil in the washing machine to add up scent to the fabric.
- Test the Results:
Once the wash cycle is complete, check the Vomit-stained area of your garment to see if the stain has been removed. In case the stain is still visible, repeat the pre-treatment process and wash the garment again. All Done!
Note: You must always follow the care label instructions given on the clothes labels for washing your clothes, and wash your hands thoroughly after handling soiled clothing.
How Do I Stop My Clothes from Smelling Like a Vomit After Washing?
It feels unpleasant when we wash out the vomit stain from clothes but the smell still remains. However, there are some proven methods to get rid of the vomit smell after washing clothes. You can go with each method and test which works better for you.
You can use vinegar, or baking soda as these items are natural deodorizers and can help eliminate any lingering smells. You may need to rewash clothes to use vinegar on them.
If you want to try out the baking soda, just sprinkle it onto the fabric, leave it for a few hours, and after that shake off the powder.
The best part about baking soda is that it’s a natural odor absorber and you can use it directly without using water. If still, a vomit smell is coming, you can put your garments in direct sunlight.
The UV rays from the sun can help kill bacteria and eliminate odors, but before doing this, you must read the care tag of your garments. Put the fabric on a clothesline instead of laying them on the lawn or floor.
If you prefer to use a solution to eliminate the smell, you can use an odor-eliminating spray. Several types of odor-eliminating sprays are available on the market, get one that is fabric friendly. An odor-eliminating spray is designed to neutralize and eliminate odors on clothes and fabrics.
Here’s how to use the odor-eliminating spray: prepare clothes for applying the spray, and lay them properly on a surface. Now, Simply spray the clothes and let them dry completely before wearing them.
Conclusion
As long as the fabric is machine washable, it’s perfectly safe to put clothes with vomit in the washing machine. Simply first use cold water for lighting the stain and then use high-heat water and a powerful detergent that can effectively remove stains and odor.
For non-machine washable fabrics, hand washing is recommended to ensure the clothes are cleaned thoroughly without damage.
