My son puked chocolate milk all over one of the couch pillows last night. I wiped it off and wet it down, and now it's in the tub to air dry. But it stinks! I know I couldn't possibly have rinsed all the puke away, because I can't get to the inside of the pillow (there is no zipper). I have some febreeze, but I haven't used it yet since the pillow is still wet. It's a dark brown microfiber fabric, so I'm not worried about a stain, just the smell and general gross-ness of a pukey pillow. Any ideas? Thanks!
ETA: It's a large pillow from the back of the couch, the part you lean back on. Too big for the washing machine.
I'm gonna try the vinegar and water thing, and hopefully that will take care of it. I don't want to put any soap on it because I really don't think I could ever rinse it all out, and leftover detergent stinks too.
Okay, so in the bath tub fill, about an inch with water and vinegar with some lime juice, let it soak for a bit. Squish it out (to keep the square shape) then sprinkle some baking soda on the cushion after it's dried. You can use the hair dryer to help it dry faster and yes, Fabreeze will be helpful.
Vinegar and water. My husband gave my son cup a regular cup of milk once, which promptly got dumped on the couch, which then sat in the sun light and stunk to high heaven by the time I got home 6 hours later.
My couch is dark brown microfiber too. The cushions don't come off. Spray (like really saturate it) with 3/4 white vinegar, 1/4 water, and let is sit/soak in overnight. Blot as much as you by pressing firmly with a towel (this takes forever, but it works)... I stuck it outside for a few hours (it's a sectional, I just took that piece off) so it gets some fresh air, and give it a day.
It won't smell like puke, milk, OR vinegar, didn't stain, you can't even tell where it was!!
Will it fit in the washer? Sometimes I am surprised what I can get into a front load washer. If not, I'd probably take my steam cleaner to it and let it dry out in the sun. A little sun and fresh air can do a lot for stinky smells. Just make sure you are flipping it often. If that's not an option, I'd probably wash it by hand in my tub or sink. Trying not to thoroughly saturate it.Then take it out to dry. But that will take a LOONG time to dry out if you get it too soaked!
Both of my children recently threw up on their pillow pets and i had the same problem. I finally took some laundry deterget in a cup and a wet wash cloth to clean it by hand. Wet the wash cloth with hot water (get all excess water out dip a little bit of detergent on to rag and scrub down where the puke was, then with a clean wash cloth used hot water wipe off any remaining soap. let it air dry then one it is dry i threw mine in the dryer for about 15 min so fluff it back out.
Is it too large to put in the washing machine?? I wash my sofa throw pillows and they come out just fine. Just the thought of you NOT washing it and putting Febreeze on it is just plain gross. When my daughter vomited on her sleeping pillow, it went in the washing machine! No second thoughts about it.
Unless you are talking about the cushions, you know, the part you actually sit on then I might suggest you get yourself a wet vac and wash the cushion and rinse with a hose and use the wet vac to suck out all the water. IF you're not talking about the cushions you sit on but the throw pillows, put them in the washing machine, gentle cycle, hot water, delicate spin. Good luck!
Here's O. method:
http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-remove-vomit-smell-...
Try a pet stain/odor remover like Simple Solution Stain and Odor Remover. Also, once it gets sunny again, put the pillow out in the sunshine! If it works for stinky diapers, it should help with "pukey pillow" too! :)
I hope this doesn't come up twice. I lost my comment somehow!
Use febreze outside. It is smelly.
Folex instant Carpet Spot Remover is awesome. It's non-toxic and I have used it to get the urine odor out. It worked!
take it to the cleaners?
Unless you've invested a lot of money in this pillow or it's a big pillow that is part of the furniture itself, I'd toss it. If you can't toss it, I'd probably put it through the washer or bring it to the cleaners to see what they can do with it. If it is a piece of the furniture itself, call the manufacturer - they may have some ideas or can sell you a replacement. If you bought a protection plan and it's still valid, you may get a new one for free :)
Worst case scenario, can you take out the stitching at the top of the pillow, take out the stuffing from the top of the pillow you cut open & wash the outside of that pillow.
It may not fare well in the washing machine but it will be better than having the puke pillow smell forever.
You can spray the pillow stuffing w/Febreeze letting it air dry outside.
Then replace inside stuffing & sew the top back up.
Not ideal but it is the best possible help at this point.
Hope your son feels better!!
I would make a light solution of detergent and warm water and clean the pillow with that trying not to completely soak it. Rinse the same way. After it's completely dry spray with lysol to eliminate the cootie factor.
