How to Remove Vomit Stains: The Complete Guide

Remove solids first, then neutralise the acid.

Before You Wash

Remove as much solid matter as possible using a spoon or spatula — scoop from the outside in to avoid spreading. Rinse immediately with cold water from the back of the fabric. Don't use hot water at this stage — it cooks the proteins in the stain and sets them permanently into the fibres.

How to Wash

Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the damp stain and leave for 5 minutes — it neutralises the stomach acid and eliminates odour. Brush away, then apply Spill That detergent and wash at 40°C. For persistent smells after washing, add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Pro Tip

The enzyme formula in Spill That is specifically designed for protein-based stains like vomit, blood, and urine. Enzymes break down the biological compounds at a molecular level — far more effective than standard detergents, which mostly mask rather than remove the odour.

Why Speed Matters Most

Vomit contains stomach acid (pH around 2), bile, and partially digested food. The acid starts breaking down fabric fibres almost immediately, and the proteins in the food content bond to fabric quickly when exposed to heat.

The faster you act — remove solids, rinse with cold water, neutralise with bicarb — the better your outcome. A stain treated within the first 10 minutes will almost always come out completely. One left for hours becomes significantly harder to fully remove.