Getting rid of stains on clothes

How to Remove Vomit Stains from Clothing

Mary Smith
By Mary Smith. Updated: December 3, 2025
How to Remove Vomit Stains from Clothing
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Vomit stains on clothing are very common, especially when we have a baby at home, when someone is ill or when we have eaten food that was old or contaminated. Whatever the reason, this can often leave some of our clothes stained and with the associated unpleasant smell, both of which might be hard to remove without knowing the proper technique. If this is your case, don't worry. We at OneHowTo are going to explain the steps for removing vomit stains from clothing. It's quick and easy!

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Steps to follow:

1

The first step in removing vomit stains from clothing is to wipe away the stains as best as we can before washing. If the stained part is still wet, first place pieces of paper over it to absorb the liquid. If you want to clean a stain that has already dried, use a soft bristle brush to try to remove the solidified parts as much as possible. For fresh stains, it might also help to gently dab the area with a damp cloth to loosen the particles.

If you would like to know how to remove oil stains, check this tutorial.

2

Once you've removed the remains of the vomit stain, place the garment in a bowl of cold water in order to dilute the stain. Let it soak for at least one hour. It is important not to use hot water, as this could have the opposite effect and make the stain adhere more to the fabric. Cold water helps prevent the proteins in the vomit from setting into the fabric fibers, making it easier to clean.

How to Remove Vomit Stains from Clothing - Step 2
3

Once you've let the stained garment soak in the cold water for a couple of hours, apply a good stain remover directly to the stained area. Consider using a stain remover that contains enzymes, as they are particularly effective at breaking down organic matter such as vomit. Next, clean the item of clothing as you would normally, either in the washing machine or by hand, following the instructions on the label to avoid damaging it.

Finally, check whether the vomit stain and unpleasant odor have been removed completely. If any stain remains, you might want to repeat the stain remover treatment before drying the garment. Drying the garment with a remaining stain can cause it to set permanently.

4

If this process is not successful, there are other solutions that you can try to successfully remove vomit stains from clothing. One is to rinse the garment with water and then let it soak for an hour in a container filled with a pint of water and a spoonful of white vinegar. White vinegar is a natural deodorizer and can help eliminate any lingering smells. When finished, you should wash the garment as you would normally. Remember that the water needs to be cold, as hot water can set the stain and odor.

How to Remove Vomit Stains from Clothing - Step 4
5

Sodium bicarbonate is a product that also yields very good results to permanently remove stains from clothing. It works well because it acts as a gentle abrasive and neutralizes odors. Try soaking a cotton pad in a mixture of water and sodium bicarbonate and rubbing directly on the stain. For tougher stains, you can create a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water and letting it sit on the stain for 15-20 minutes before rinsing. Leave on for 10 minutes and then clean the garment as you would normally.

If you want to read similar articles to How to Remove Vomit Stains from Clothing, we recommend you visit our Home cleaning category.

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How to Remove Vomit Stains from Clothing