A Bionic Dad invention: The Sick Kit
Posted By Dad on November 26th, 2009
In the last couple of years I’ve been thrown up on no less than 8 times. One in the face while playing, two on my lap while holding, and five down my back while comforting. I’m not talking about the small, frequent eruptions kids have, I’m talking about full body coatings with the entire stomach contents. It’s the baptism of every new parent.
In the most recent I was the ungreatful recipient of a full back coating with what looked like curdled milk and apple sauce at 3am. Cleaning the mess up inspired me to finally put together something I’ve been talking about for the last year. The Sick Kit.
The Sick Kit contains all the items you need at hand to clean up after a sick incident, including preventing the lingering smell!
- A Bucket
A multi purpose item. Firstly it keeps the kit together so it’s easily retrieved at short notice. Secondly it can be used to catch the sick . . . if you’re quick enough. Thirdly it’s for carrying all items covered in sick away from the scene of the crime safely. Generally I’ll strip after being painted, and put all the clothes in the bucket so I can get them to the washing machine without dripping on the rest of the house.
- A spoon
Assuming you’ve stripped yourself, bedsheets, and your child of all vomit covered items to prevent it spreading you now have to get that sick off the furniture and carpets before it soaks in. A spoon is essential for this. Using it is simple: scrape, wipe onto kitchen roll (see item 4) and place paper in the bucket with the clothes. Repeat.
- A sponge, full water bottle and small pot
You’re going to need to do some soaking up. I find that water mixed with a little liquid detergent and a sponge is essential for that but I don’t want to be running backwards and forwards to the kitchen. Keep a sponge, a water bottle with water and detergent in it, and a small pot to squeeze the liquid into and you’re set for some soaking action. Simply dampen sponge, press onto sick and wipe gently, squeeze out and repeat. Dump everything in the bucket once finished.
- Paper Towels/Kitchen Roll
Have a full roll to hand and don’t be afraid to use it. After you’ve scraped and sponged you really want to be drying. Simply press the paper onto the wet areas to absorb as much moisture as possible. I’d suggest using one of the good absorbent brands. Throw the used paper in the bucket.
- Bicarbonate of Soda
A miracle amongst cleaning products. Bicarb is indispensible. Once you’ve scraped, sponged and dried as best you can, you’re still left with a smell. It’s the smell that keeps you cleaning long after you’ve done as much as is realisticly possible. Liberally sprinkle bicarb over the affected areas, leave it to dry and vacuum it up later. The smell will be gone even before the vacuuming begins.
Since everything is back in the bucket at the end just carry it out to the laundry and start throwing away paper and stuffing the washing machine. The best thing about that is you can get out with the minimum of disruption, if all this is takng place at 3am and you want to get the child back to sleep that’s really important.
And that’s it. You might want to add an antibacterial hand soap to the list if you suspect you’re dealing with something contagious but other than that you’re set. Using those items we’ll keep the nursery smelling fresh and looking clean despite any attempts from our child to redecorate!
Tags: Parenting
