Babies are incredibly charming creatures, but they do have one major flaw: they vomit. Whether it’s their food or something else, babies are prone to stomach upsets, which sometimes leads to vomiting on their car seat and car seat straps. This stinky situation can be difficult to deal with, especially since vomit stains are hard to get rid of. But if you’re desperate for a solution to get the smell out of car seat straps vomit, there are a few easy tricks to try.

Begin by blotting the vomit spot on the straps with a paper towel or similar item, being careful not to rub, which can cause the stain to set in even more. Then, mix a cleaning solution of 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water and apply it to a cloth. Wipe down the car seat straps, being sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies, until the smell is gone.

Note that, if the manufacturer of your car seat allows it, you can also use water and a bit of detergent in a bucket to wash the straps. But be cautious – some manufacturers don’t want you to submerge the straps in water, so it’s important to read your manual or call the customer support number for your specific car seat model. Some manufacturers also prohibit other cleaning products (such as baking soda, vinegar, lysol wipes, febreeze) from coming in contact with the straps, so be sure to test any cleaners in an inconspicuous area before applying them to the actual straps.