Have you ever had a passenger vomit on your car seat that is made of perforated leather? If so, then you know how awful it can be. Cleaning vomit from perforated leather seats is not an easy task.
In this blog post, I will cover very easy steps necessary for removing vomit from your perforated leather seats and restoring them to their original condition.
So, how do you clean vomit from perforated leather seats? You can clean vomit from perforated leather seats by first removing most of the vomit with paper towels and then using a leather cleaner, a soft bristle brush, and a rubber-tipped gum stimulator to clean out the vomit.
You can also use a steamer or a steam cleaner to safely remove both vomit stains and vomit smells from perforated leather seats.
Keep reading this article as I share with you details on 3 easy ways of cleaning vomit from perforated leather seats and 3 simple home remedies for cleaning out any lingering vomit smells. I will also share some 9 helpful tips and tricks for cleaning perforated leather seats.
1. Leather Cleaner And Bristled Brush Method
My first recommendation on how to clean vomit from perforated leather seats is to use a stiff-bristled brush along with some cleaning solution.
I would recommend that you use a commercial leather cleaner like Leather Milk or any other of your choice for this task.
However, you can also DIY your own leather cleaner by adding one part of vinegar to two parts of linseed oil into a spray bottle.
The advantage of using a brush is that you can use it to get into the cracks and crevices of your perforated leather seats, scrubbing the vomit out of them.
Here’s how to clean vomit from perforated leather seats using a leather cleaner and brush.
Things Needed:
- Leather Cleaner (Leather Milk or Leather Honey Leather Cleaner)
- Bristle Brush (ColorLock Brush)
- Microfiber Cloth
- Warm Water
Procedure:
Step 1:
- The first step is to remove as much of the vomit from your perforated leather seats with some paper towels.
Step 2:
- Dampen a clean microfiber cloth with warm water and wipe the surface of the perforated leather seats where the vomit is.
Step 3:
- Apply a liberal amount of leather cleaner on the surface of the perforated leather car seat where the vomit is and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
Step 4:
- After you have done this, put some leather cleaner on your bristle brush and scrub the surface of your perforated leather seats.
- Make sure to vary the direction of the bristles as you scrub to get all sides of the perforations.
- Keep scrubbing and from time to time, use a damp microfiber to wipe the surface of the perforated leather seat to remove any vomit residue coming out.
Step 5:
- Once you have scrubbed the surface of your perforated leather seats and all of the vomit is gone, get a clean damp microfiber cloth and wipe away all excess cleaner and residue.
- Make sure there is no more vomit in the perforations.
Step 6:
- Wipe the surface of the leather with a clean dry microfiber cloth and apply a leather conditioner.
Step 7:
- Open the door or window of your car and allow your perforated leather seats to dry thoroughly.
2. Using A Steamer To Remove Vomit From Perforated Leather Seats
The second method on how to clean vomit from perforated leather seats is by using a steamer.
This is probably the most effective method since a steamer is able to get into the perforations of your leather seat and remove all traces of vomit.
A steamer or Steam Cleaner is able to apply high temperature and pressure on the vomit in your perforated leather seats, forcing it out of the cracks.
However, this is also going to cost you more since you need to buy a steamer.
Here’s how to clean vomit from perforated leather seats using a steamer:
Things Needed:
- Steam Cleaner
- Microfiber Cloth
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Remove as much of the vomit from your perforated leather seats with a paper towel.
Step 2:
- Fill your steam cleaner’s water reservoir.
- Make sure to use distilled water to prevent mineral deposits from ruining your perforated leather seats.
Step 3:
- If your steamer has a hard plastic head, wrap a microfiber cloth around it and use a rubber band to secure it.
- This will work as a lint-free cloth to gently scrub away the vomit from your perforated leather seats without damaging it.
Step 4:
- Hold the nozzle of your steam cleaner about an inch away from the surface of your perforated leather seats and turn the machine on.
- Make sure to set it to the correct temperature and pressure for your perforated leather seats.
- I usually start from the lowest heat setting and work my way up if necessary.
Step 5:
- Let the steam from the steamer get into all of the cracks and crevices of your perforated leather seats, loosening up all the vomit.
Step 6:
- Once you have loosened up all of the vomit, use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe away any residue.
Step 7:
- Wipe the surface of your perforated leather seats with a clean dry microfiber cloth and apply some leather conditioner.
Step 8:
- Open the door or window of your car and allow the leather ca seats to air-dry thoroughly.
The best part about using a steam cleaner or a steamer is that it also removes vomit smells and odor from your leather (perforated) seats, leaving it smelling fresh and new.
3. Rubber-Tipped Gum Stimulator
The third method on how to clean vomit from perforated leather seats is by using a rubber-tipped Gum Stimulator.
A gum stimulator is basically a rubber-tipped stick that you can use to clean out the vomit from your car’s perforated leather seats.
This method is probably the one that will take a lot of your time since you will need to use a rubber-tipped gum Stimulator to clean out the perforations of your car seats one by one.
This method will take a lot more time and effort than the previous two methods but can be a sure way to remove the vomit stains from the perforations of your leather car seats.
I will generally recommend using this method after you’re done using other methods and still have vomit residue still stuck in the perforations of your car seats.
Here’s how to clean vomit from perforated leather seats using a rubber-tipped gum stimulator:
Things Needed:
- Rubber-Tipped Gum Stimulator (with a medium/large head)
- Microfiber Cloth
- Leather Cleaner or Mild Dish Soap And Water
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Remove as much of the vomit from your perforated leather seats with some paper towels or a rag.
Step 2:
- Put some leather cleaner on a microfiber cloth and apply it to the surface of your leather seats. Leather it sit for about 5 minutes.
You can also use a solution of mild dish soap and water to wipe the surface of the perforated leather seats to remove as much of the vomit as possible.
Step 3:
- Soak a lint-free towel into a bowl of warm water, wring it out, and then use it to steam clean the surface of the leather seat.
- This will help to loosen up the vomit residue on your perforated leather seats.
Step 4:
- Use your rubber-tipped gum stimulator to clean the perforations of your leather seat.
- Each time you poke and prod one of the perforations, you might be able to get out some of the remaining vomit.
- Be careful when doing this that you don’t poke a hole in the perforated leather seat.
- From time to time, you would want to use the warm towel to steam clean the perforated leather seat a bit before proceeding to pluck out the rest of the vomit residue from the seat.
Step 5:
- Once you’re done plucking out any vomit from the perforated leather seat, wipe down your perforated leather seats with a clean dry microfiber cloth.
Step 6:
- The next step is to apply some leather conditioner to your perforated leather seats and give them a good massage.
- Once you’re done massaging the conditioner into your leather car seats, wipe off any residue that is left.
Step 7:
- Leave it to air-dry. You’re all set!
How To Remove Vomit Smell From Leather Car Seat
If you happen to have any vomit smells lingering on your perforated leather seats even after successfully cleaning them, here are some helpful tips on how to remove vomit smells from leather car seats.
Vinegar and Water
If you happen to have some white vinegar and distilled water on hand, this is the perfect recipe for removing vomit smells from your perforated leather car seat. Here’s how to go about it:
Things Needed:
- White Vinegar
- Water
- Microfiber Cloth
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Mix equal parts of water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle.
Step 2:
- Spray the leather car seat with this mixture and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes.
Step 3:
- Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe the surface of your leather car seat.
- This should get rid of any vomit smells on your perforated leather seat.
Baking Soda, Mild Dish Soap, And Hydrogen Peroxide
Another homemade vomit smell remover you can use to tackle even the most stubborn of smells is this combination of baking soda, mild dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide. Here’s how to go about it:
Things Needed:
- Baking Soda
- Mild Dish Soap
- Hydrogen Peroxide (Not more than 12% strength)
- Microfiber Cloth
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and mild dish soap in a spray bottle.
Step 2:
- Spray the mixture onto the surface of your leather car seat where the vomit was and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes.
Step 3:
- Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe the surface of your perforated leather car seat.
- The vomit smell should be completely gone!
Step 4:
- Leave the seat to air-dry.
Leather Cleaner And Conditioner
Using a leather cleaner and conditioner is probably the best way to get rid of any vomit smells from your perforated leather car seat if you have money to spare.
Here’s how to go about it:
Things Needed:
- Leather Cleaner And Conditioner (Any brand will do)
- Microfiber Cloth
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Soak your microfiber cloth with leather cleaner and conditioner.
Step 2:
- Wipe down your perforated leather car seat with the microfiber cloth. You’ll notice that the smell starts to disappear.
Step 3:
- Wipe off any residue with a clean microfiber cloth and leave your car seat to air-dry.
Tips For Cleaning Vomit From Perforated Leather Seats
- If possible, always use distilled water to clean up any vomit from your perforated leather car seats.
- If you have a steam cleaner at home, use this to clean off all the residue of vomit from your perforated leather car seat.
- If you’re in a pinch, don’t be afraid to use rubbing alcohol on the vomit stains before trying any of the above methods to clean up the vomit stains from your perforated leather car seat.
- If you find that there is a very mild smell of vomit on your perforated leather seat, try a non-invasive approach like leaving a cup of coffee in the car overnight. This should get rid of any stench.
- You can also try using vanilla extract to overpower the smell of vomit on your perforated leather car seats.
- It is possible to combine some of the methods mentioned above to tackle really tough vomit smells on your leather car seat.
- If you’re using any of the homemade remedies, make sure that they are safe to use on perforated leather car seats.
- If you’re using a commercial product, make sure that it is safe to use on your perforated leather car seat.
- Always test out any product or cleaning solution on a small area of the seat before administering it over the entire surface.
FAQs
Q: How do I clean dried-on vomit from my leather car seats?
A: The best way to go about this is by using a homemade vomit smell remover, which is simply baking soda, mild dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide to scrub the dried-on vomit off your leather car seat. This should effectively get rid of any dried-on vomit stains on your leather car. Afterward, you can use a leather cleaner and conditioner to finish up.
Q: How do I clean the smell of dog vomit out of my perforated leather car seat?
A: The best way to go about this is by using a combination of vinegar and water or if you have the money to spare, a leather cleaner and conditioner. Using either of these should effectively get rid of any dog vomit smells.
Q: How do I get rid of vomit residue on my leather car seat?
A: The best way to go about this is by using the baking soda, mild dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide recipe. This is great because it can be easily customized to suit your needs.
Q: What is the best way to clean vomit stains on my leather car seats?
A: The best way to go about this is by using a combination of vinegar and water. This should effectively get rid of any vomit stains on your leather car seat.
Q: How do I remove the smell of vomit from my leather seats?
A: The best way to go about this is by using a homemade vomit smell remover, which is simply baking soda, mild dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide. This should effectively get rid of any vomit smells on your leather car seat.
Q: What is the best way to clean my leather car seats?
A: The best way to go about this is by using a leather cleaner and conditioner. This will not only clean your leather car seat, but it will keep your seats in tip-top shape as well.