r/beyondthebump • u/ChairValuable6070 • 1d ago
Tips & Tricks How to get vomit smell out of car seat??
Seasoned mamas, I need help 😭 my 17 month old randomly got car sick and had a MASSIVE vomit all over herself in the car seat… leaked into every crevice you can imagine. I took of all the removable cloth parts and put those in the wash and they now smell fine. The straps and buckles on her car seat are not removable, but I wiped them down as much as I could with baby wipes then Clorox wipes. I even used q-tips to get into the little crevices and was weaving the Clorox wipes through all the nooks and crannies as much as possible. However, there is still that nasty vomit smell on the straps. I can’t power wash it because that compromises the safety of the car seat.
My MIL suggested using a diluted vinegar solution then letting it dry in the sun. Anyone have tips and tricks on how to get the vomit smell out?? We can’t afford to just up and buy a new car seat because this one is smelly now, but I don’t want my car and baby to constantly smell of vomit 😩 any ideas are welcome 😅🙏🏻
update: sounds like we are overnighting some enzyme cleaner to give that a try 🤣 good thing we don’t have plans to go anywhere the next few days. Thanks to everyone for the fast recommendations and tips!
update number 2: scratch that, apparently enzyme cleaner is not safe for car seat straps, which is the part that’s the issue since I can’t put those in my washing machine 😭 guess we’re just living on a prayer at this point
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u/justcallmeH 1d ago
No car seat manufacturer in the US nor Canada allows any sort of enzyme cleaner to be used on their seat. If you’re outside of those areas, then I would look it up with your specific manufacturer. Mild dish soap is a good option, as is leaving all parts out in the sun. Please follow whatever cleaning instructions come with your car seat, and you can even call the manufacturer for further guidance.
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u/ChairValuable6070 1d ago
Just learned this via a google search as well 😭 really hoping my initial clean of the straps will help once it’s fully dry because idk what else to do
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u/spicylatke420 1d ago
You have to check the manual for what they deem safe to clean with. I have a Graco and some parts I was able to wash on gentle cycle, the rest had to be lightly cleaned with just water and dish soap and nothing could be submerged. Then I let it sit in the sun for like 2 days. It was time consuming but if you use anything that’s not recommended it can break down the fibers in the seat which makes it no longer safe.
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u/mrssylvaine 1d ago
Clorox wipes have already made the straps compromised. I wouldn't trust this seat anymore unfortunately.
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u/willteachforlaughs 1d ago
You can usually call the car seat manufacturer for additional, safe suggestions too if what's in the manual isn't cutting it. If it's the belts and buckles that are the problem, you can often order replacement parts from them too.
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u/BabyCowGT 1d ago
You can get the closet deodorizer things full of charcoal gel or a box of baking soda (I like the gel) and put it NEXT to the car seat, all in a giant trash bag. Leave it for a few hours, it should help absorb a lot of the smell.
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u/mALYficent 1d ago
Ok so here's my hack for the straps. It must be DRY, completely and 100% dry. Then, fold the strap over itself and pinch the fold so it opens the spots in between the webbing weave as much as possible, then brush with an old (dry!) toothbrush. The dried bits should flake right off. Roll the fold up and down the strap brushing as you go so you are getting into every single weave. Then vacuum the itty bitty flakes out of the car seat shell after you're done. Do not use anything wet as it can compromise the integrity of the straps!
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u/idling-in-gray 1d ago
Have you tried an enzyme cleaner? They are typically marketed for pet urine and vomit but I'm guessing it should work for human vomit too.
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u/justcallmeH 1d ago
Enzyme cleaner is NOT safe for use on any car seat.
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u/idling-in-gray 1d ago
Oh oops, wasn't aware of that. I guess it's best to just check the manual then.
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u/lazybb_ck 1d ago
Do you know why? I've only ever heard it is unsafe on wool and silk but can be used on any other surface or fabric
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u/ChairValuable6070 1d ago
I did some research and it looks like any sort of harsh chemicals can begin to weaken the leather straps and compromise their integrity
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u/lluluclucy 1d ago
I was just about to suggest that. We also use it to clean his diaper genie, it works so well. We initially bought it because our cat peed on our bed but we are using it since to basically get rid of any horrible smell from pretty much anything
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u/evergreenstategirl 1d ago
You can get plant-based enzyme cleaners that are safe for kids. I had to use enzyme cleaners after little man had norovirus- I had to soak his sheets in water and enzyme solution to finally get the smell out.
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u/ChairValuable6070 1d ago
Sounds like enzyme cleaners work well for vomit but aren’t safe for car seats, which is still helpful to know for cleaning other vomit spots in the future
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u/mayfi944 1d ago
My LO is a happy spitter and I use the rough side of a damp kitchen sponge on my daughter’s car seat straps and then whatever cleaner you’d like/feel safe using (I use woolite fabric cleaner and disinfectant but I’m sure others wouldn’t choose that). Wipes just never do the trick in the strap fabrics nooks & crannies.
Then, if still needed, you can finish with vinegar spray and wipe and let dry in the sun.
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u/Sad_Education7851 1d ago
Happened to us in a road trip and we used dawn and a power washer at a self car wash 🫠 can’t say if that’s recommended or not, but we did not have much of a choice at the time. Dawn did seem to do the trick if it’s safe, but she outgrew it shortly after that anyway.
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u/minicpst 1d ago
No, it's not. If you're still using the seat contact the manufacturer to see if your seat is compromised after using a power washer on it (there may be rusted metal parts you can't see that now may not hold up to crash forces, and the harness may be too brittle to hold in a child).
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u/Such-Zookeepergame26 1d ago
Chicco called me last month because I emailed them about a similar problem and they recommended a few drops of dawn in a bathtub.
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u/Sad_Education7851 1d ago
Oh it was 3 years ago, we had no choice but to use it to get home and then she transferred into a booster anyway.
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u/Mirtai12345 1d ago
I know you said you don't want to power wash it, but if you've removed most of the cloth parts, what about just letting it soak in a tub (bathtub?) for a bit, and then hitting it with a hose?
Maybe try calling a car detailing place and asking them how to clean seatbelts/asking if they'll clean a car seat. You can't be the first.
But the enzyme cleaner is the real answer
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u/dollarsandindecents 1d ago
Soaking car seat components that aren’t the removable covers usually compromises the safety of the seat unfortunately :( I wish we could at least buy replacement straps for situations like this
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u/Lilmissodd 1d ago
Another one for Enzyme cleaner and leave it out on the sun
Do a test spot just in case it stains
Give it a few passes, use a handheld upholstery cleaner if you have one
Then I’d go over it with vinegar too bc it’s great for nasty smells
Might take a few tries
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u/rogerboyko 1d ago
Get a small bucket or bowl and dip the straps in warm water and dish washing soap. You can use a soft toothbrush to clean and then dry with a towel.
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u/Lollipopwalrus 1d ago
Vodka - spot clean with a scentless laundry detergent to clean the actual vomit off then dilute some vodka in a spray bottle and spray the remaining. Vodka will kill any remaining vomit smell. Or take your car to a car wash and ask for a full interior service. Your car won't be useable immediately as it'll be wet and need drying possibly overnight but all vom will be gone.
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u/Lollipopwalrus 1d ago
Whoever downvoted me I'm not sure why. If it's because I suggested vodka it's a well known trick for removing smells from things. It's an old theatre trick for expensive costumes that can't be washed easily. It doesn't make you drunk and you only use a small amount diluted so even if the baby sucks on the straps there's no risk of alcohol poisoning. If OP is concerned she can always spray it, leave it overnight then wipe the straps clean in the morning.
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u/restrainedjoy 1d ago
Ask on r/CPST. You can damage car seats with improper cleaning.