Dealing with Motion Sickness in Kids: A Parent’s Guide
When your child suffers from motion sickness, it can lead to some messy situations—especially when it results in vomiting. As a mom, I often find myself cleaning up my daughter Emma’s vomit from our car seats. It all happens so quickly: one moment she’s fine, and the next, she’s turning green, making those awkward sounds, and before I know it, there’s vomit everywhere. It’s the last thing you want to deal with when you’re just trying to drop your kid off at kindergarten.
The good news is that while vomit can be cleaned from surfaces like car seats, the lingering smell can stick around for months. Since I can’t just replace my car every time Emma has a rough ride, I’ve had to develop a reliable method for cleaning up vomit and eliminating that stubborn odor.
First things first: gather your cleaning supplies and prepare for the task at hand:
- Dust mask
- Garbage bag
- Paper towels
- Butter knife
- Rubber gloves
Cleaning Process:
While it may seem excessive to don a mask and gloves, trust me—it’s necessary. Dealing with vomit is not only messy, but the smell can be overwhelming and make you feel sick yourself.
Start by using paper towels to remove as much vomit as possible from the car seat. If any remnants remain, you can utilize the butter knife to gently scrape the seat. Be sure to dispose of everything into the garbage bag. Next, use more paper towels to blot up any residual moisture.
Now that the vomit is cleared away, it’s time for a thorough cleaning. Grab the following materials:
- Baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of dish soap
- 1 cup of vinegar
- 1 gallon of hot water
- Sponge
- Additional paper towels
Mix the vinegar, dish soap, and hot water in a container like a bucket or a small basin. Dip the sponge into this cleaning solution and start scrubbing the affected area of the car seats. Make sure to apply some elbow grease to effectively lift any stains left behind. Once the stain has disappeared, use paper towels to blot up the cleaning solution.
Next, generously sprinkle a thick layer—about two fingers deep—of baking soda over the area where the vomit was. Allow the baking soda to sit for several hours or, ideally, overnight. This will help absorb any remaining moisture and odor. Afterward, simply vacuum up the baking soda.
To further combat any lingering smells, consider investing in a new car deodorizer or using an automotive essential oil diffuser. This can help mask any residual odors and keep your car smelling fresh.