DCK Vomited All Over New Car

[BlueChairBlessings]

I’m not mad at dck (5). But I’m so ticked. I just got a new minivan. I’ve never owned a new vehicle in my life, let alone a really expensive vehicle, until recently.

Today, DCK kid was saying his throat hurt. Last time he did this, mom said he was totally faking it and was fine when they got home at night, so I was definitely taking a wait-and-see approach with him. We were driving back from dropping my son off at school after an appointment and had just swung through to get some lunch to eat at home when he projectile vomited everywhere. He never once complained of his stomach hurting.
Thank goodness I have leather, so I’m not worried about that, except bright orange puke is completely covering about 1’ of the seatbelt and all down in the locking mechanism. And the smell, oh my goodness, the smell.

Any recommendations on how to get vomit stains and smell out of the weave of a seatbelt and how to clean down inside of the locking mechanism itself? Am I going to end up paying somebody to detail this thing? And if so is it fair to ask the family to split the cost? Or do I just suck it up and assume that’s a cost of doing business?

[Annalee]

I’m not mad at dck (5). But I’m so ticked. I just got a new minivan. I’ve never owned a new vehicle in my life, let alone a really expensive vehicle, until recently.

Today, DCK kid was saying his throat hurt. Last time he did this, mom said he was totally faking it and was fine when they got home at night, so I was definitely taking a wait-and-see approach with him. We were driving back from dropping my son off at school after an appointment and had just swung through to get some lunch to eat at home when he projectile vomited everywhere. He never once complained of his stomach hurting.
Thank goodness I have leather, so I’m not worried about that, except bright orange puke is completely covering about 1’ of the seatbelt and all down in the locking mechanism. And the smell, oh my goodness, the smell.

Any recommendations on how to get vomit stains and smell out of the weave of a seatbelt and how to clean down inside of the locking mechanism itself? Am I going to end up paying somebody to detail this thing? And if so is it fair to ask the family to split the cost? Or do I just suck it up and assume that’s a cost of doing business?

This happened to my niece a couple days ago with her own daughter....she googled and it said to use dawn dish detergent and water to clean the car seat and her minivan seats. Also says to place dry coffee grounds in open containers under the seats and it will cure the bad smell??? Good Luck!

[BlueChairBlessings]

Thanks! I am using a spray bottle with dawn & water for the leather. I just bought a steam cleaner last week, so that’ll help. I’m just at a loss on the actual vehicle seat belt (not a carseat belt . It’s all down in there🤮

[Jo123abc]

Oh gross! I'd probably get it professionally cleaned. I'd maybe even ask the parent to cover the cost or go 50/50 or something. It's bad enough when it's your own kid's nasty but someone else's is worse I feel 😬

[BlueChairBlessings]

That’s the thing - just as the person I am, I would feel awful and offer to pay if that happened by my kid. But, I don’t know if that’s reasonable to ask 50%? The dad picked up and was like ho-hum about it.

[Blackcat31]

Use Odoban. It really kills the smell of pretty much anything.

As for the puking kid,.... I have to ask, do you think mom may have given him something OTC or anything as you mentioned bright orange... I might just be paranoid but I don't really trust parents at all.

I also agree that as a person I'd feel horrible and offer to help clean or cover the cost of cleaning. I wouldn't expect DCM to do that though as most of them just figure anything their kid ruins etc is your problem not theirs.

Hoping you are able to get it clean and smelling better too!

[BlueChairBlessings]

Update-ish:

I got a quote for $75 from a local detailer to professionally clean it and use his odor eliminating machine. He’ll pick up Saturday so that feels like a win.

Mom showed up today to drop younger sister off. Brother apparently felt fine and ate a big lunch/dinner yesterday. I made a comment about her being on duty today (not wearing work clothes) and she didn’t say much.

At pick up, I ask how dck is feeling - fine, riding bike. I ask if he was disappointed to miss last day of preschool.... he went to school today. 🤔 Mom is a teacher; she should know better!

Is it summer yet?