How to Clean Sheets After Someone Barfs
My son has had several episodes of throwing up the past week. And I’ve had several sheets to clean up as a result. Cleaning up after someone barfs is entirely an unpleasant task. If I could, I’d just throw the soiled items away. But wash them I must.
I loathe to put these things in the washer as they are. Sure, they will probably get clean in there. But I can’t bear the thought of, ahem, large particles in my washer. So, I hang the sheets as they are out in the sun to dry. Dry half-digested food is less unpleasant than goo. Besides, conventional wisdom says that sun will also help to disinfect the sheets.
When the everything is dried out, I take a brush with rubber bristles and brush away the solid stuff. I use an old rubber broom without a handle for this. Only after this will I put the sheets in the washer, and wash them in hot water (and bleach when possible).
Creative Commons image by That Erum Kid on Flickr
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POSTED IN: Laundry
6 opinions for How to Clean Sheets After Someone Barfs
Thrifty Karen
Jul 9, 2008 at 12:29 am
What a wonderful topic. JK. lol Sorry your son is sick. Vomiting is the worst!
I just throw the sheets in the washing machine, wash them in hot water, throw in some vinegar to help disinfect, and add an extra rinse cycle.
Leslie
Jul 9, 2008 at 10:25 am
Oh, this is one of the ickiest jobs of motherhood. I usually drag bedding outside and wash it off with the water hose. And usually it is the middle of the night. I hope everyone is well in your home now!
Cyndi L
Jul 9, 2008 at 10:29 am
How I wish I’d known this years ago! :-(
Maricar
Jul 9, 2008 at 11:10 pm
LOL at Karen. Someone’s gotta do it. ;)
Leslie, that’s a great idea too. Thanks!
Cyndi, I guess that means you no longer have to deal with these things. :)
Thanks for the wishes, everyone! The little boy’s doing better now.
Denise
Jul 11, 2008 at 2:46 pm
The title for this post made me giggle. I know all to well how unpleasant it is to clean up barf! :( Thanks for the tips! :)
Maricar
Jul 11, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Hi Denise, LOL. I searched for the least unpleasant word to use, and ‘barf’ seems to be it. :)
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