Why DIY Cleanup Often Fails
Many people attempt to clean vomit themselves using household cleaners or carpet shampoos. While this may remove the visible mess, a persistent odor often remains. This is because vomit is not just on the surface—it can seep deep into the fibers of cloth seats, into the padding beneath, under carpets, or even inside door panels. Unless the source of the odor is completely removed, the smell will linger, creating a frustrating cycle of cleaning attempts with limited results.
How Biohazard Companies Handle Vomit
Contrary to some misconceptions, biohazard cleanup companies typically do not attempt to “clean” soft, porous materials like cloth seats, carpets, or upholstery. The standard protocol is to remove these items if they are contaminated. Once the contaminated soft materials are removed, biohazard cleaners focus on hard surfaces, including floors, seat frames, plastic panels, and any other impacted non-porous areas. These surfaces are sanitized using EPA-registered disinfectants to remove bacteria, viruses, and lingering biohazards.
When Dismantling Is Necessary
In some cases, vomit can penetrate areas that are difficult to reach, such as under carpeting or inside door panels. To fully remediate these biohazards, the vehicle may need to be taken to an auto body shop for dismantling. This allows trained biohazard technicians to access and clean all impacted areas, ensuring the odor and health risks are fully addressed.
What Biohazard Cleaning Companies Do—and Don’t—Do
It’s important to understand that biohazard cleaning companies remediate biohazards but generally do not replace or rebuild vehicle materials. If a seat, carpet, or panel must be removed, the property owner is responsible for arranging replacement or repair through another service provider.
Insurance Coverage
Because vehicle vomit cleanup can require removal of materials and professional remediation, many vehicle owners choose to file an insurance claim. Insurance often covers both the biohazard remediation and the cost of replacing damaged components, helping drivers restore their vehicle to a safe and usable condition.
When it comes to vomit in vehicles, professional remediation is the safest and most effective solution—especially for rideshare drivers who rely on clean, odor-free vehicles for their livelihood.
