There's nothing quite as off-putting as the lingering stench of sick, which tends to stick around even after you've cleaned up and flung open all the windows. Even the most soothing of scented candles can't always cover up the all-too-distinctive pong, leaving you feeling queasy in your own home.
Fortunately, there's no need to despair, with cleaning expert and author Lynsey Crombie, best known to fans as Lynsey Queen of Clean, on hand to help despairing homecare buffs banish that grimmest of odours for good. At a cleaning festival attended by The Mirror, dubbed Wilko House of Hacks, Lynsey took questions from those looking to get their homes just as spotless as hers, and talk soon turned to persistent vomit smells.
Lynsey said: "Years ago, they used to use sawdust on sick, soak it in and brush it up, does anyone remember that? So you can make something like that using bicarbonate of soda, and sprinkle that all over where the sick would be. Add a few essential oils and leave it overnight, and the bicarbonate will start to absorb the smell.
"Because you can use washing up liquid, you can use disinfectant, but you'll think the smell is gone and it will still be there a few days later. I would really recommend getting some of those essential oils, really scrubbing them into the carpet. Leave it overnight, close the door when you all go to bed, and vacuum it all in the morning. That should help."
The woman who originally asked the question explained that the sick smell she was trying so hard to get rid of was right near her young daughter's cot, but Lynsey reassured her the method wasn't in any way dangerous to little ones, with no toxic chemicals used whatsoever.
At the same event, Lynsey heard from another woman keen to rid her home of the smell of wet dog, with her two pooches being fond of hopping up on the sofa.
Lynsey explained: "You need to have a good fabric refresher product, and you can make your own as well. By making your own product, you've got bicarbonate of soda, water, and your favourite essential oils. Spray on the sofa and spray on the pets' beds.
"They have lots of accidents. Wee, poo, sick, you know what dogs are like! Products like this one are really good."
Do you have a cleaning hack to share? Email us at julia.banim@reachplc.com
