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Author Topic: Cleaning up PUKE. Connor Kirkwood Film Handler Posts: 25 From: Portland, OR, USA Registered: Jul 2009 posted 06-23-2012 04:13 AM                     Apologies in advance if this has been covered elsewhere, but I searched all the relevant keywords, and didn't come up with anything like the comprehensive referendum that this very important topic deserves. How do you deal with patrons blowing chunks in your theater? In my experience, puke on uncarpeted flooring is pretty easy to deal with. When it occurs on carpet, my standard over the years has been to cover it liberally with coffee grounds (which both soaks up the excess moisture and helps cover the smell), let it sit for a few minutes, then sweep up the mess and shampoo the spot with carpet cleaner. Tonight, I had someone hurl into one of our restroom sinks. Aside from this being the most egregious of party fouls, it makes for a very difficult clean-up. My only recourse was to spray some Lysol over it to help me deal with the smell, then wipe it out with paper towels. It was a long, arduous and demoralizing process. I'm just hoping that the portion that crept down the drain doesn't pose problems in the future. I've had someone suggests some kind of cleaning solution, specifically for vomit, that somehow "breaks down the enzymes" and makes it easier to deal with. Not sure if that's an actual thing, but I welcome advice from all of you in the trenches. All methods of dealing with the inevitable customer regurgitations are welcome.  |  IP: Logged Edward Havens Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 614 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Mar 2008 posted 06-23-2012 11:42 AM                     Our theatre orders this stuff that's simply called Indoor/Outdoor Absorbent in a huge tub that, when one blows chunk, we liberally sprinkle over the offending stuff and let solidify for a few minutes, sweep up, and then depending on where the stuff liad, use either a multiuse stain remover (carpeting) or a foamy restroom cleaner (sink/countertop/tiling) to get the last of the goop from the bottom of the pile. Ditto if someone doesn't quite defecate properly.  |  IP: Logged Manny Knowles "What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???" Posts: 4247 From: Bloomington, IN, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 06-23-2012 11:48 AM                     quote: Connor Kirkwood How do you deal with patrons blowing chunks in your theater? Show better movies.  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 06-23-2012 01:46 PM                        I know that at least in Colorado, your employer can't legally force you to clean up stuff like that unless they provide the proper HAZMAT suit and supplies. Most people don't know any better, though.  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 06-23-2012 01:53 PM                     ...and to be 18yrs and older to clean up accidental bodily fluids..for liability reasons.  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-23-2012 02:16 PM                     quote: Connor Kirkwood I've had someone suggests some kind of cleaning solution, specifically for vomit, that somehow "breaks down the enzymes" and makes it easier to deal with. Not a politically correct solution, and certainly difficult to explain from a safety standpoint but pure lye will break down and "liquify" any organic material floating around a sink bowl and wash it down the drain, cleaning out the drain pipes in the process. I wouldn't recommend it for the kiddies who normally work and clean up in a theater but a sentient adult should be able to manage it if he's careful.  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-23-2012 08:10 PM                        I don't see why people puke or poop in public places. I've managed to live 55+ years without doing either. What must those people's houses look like?!  |  IP: Logged Frank Cox Film God Posts: 2234 From: Melville Saskatchewan Canada Registered: Apr 2011 posted 06-23-2012 08:42 PM                        It's the "I don't have to clean it up" syndrome. A few years ago I had someone who would pee in the wastebasket in the ladies room. About once per week, and it went on for at least six months. It wasn't a kid either, as I had some shows with no kids in attendance at all where this occurred. I never understood that. After all, when you're in the ladies room you're already there....  |  IP: Logged Susan Hoffmann Film Handler Posts: 6 From: Armour, SD, USA Registered: Mar 2012 posted 06-24-2012 11:15 PM                        We've successfully used a product called Supersorb, which you can find online on sites such as instawares.com. You sprinkle it on and it allows you to sweep up the mess. Regular clay kitty litter will work, too. Not the clumping kind, just old-fashioned clay litter. Same deal ... you sprinkle it on and it allows you to sweep everything up. Not sure what to do on carpet as we've never had to deal with that one.  |  IP: Logged Sam King Expert Film Handler Posts: 120 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Oct 2006 posted 03-30-2013 08:46 PM                     When I worked at Disneyland (yes, haha, move along), the custodial department had this aerosol spray that they would spray on the "Code V" and it would almost instantly all harden. They'd sweep it up, and basically that was it. When I moved on to my cinema days I attempted to research that spray as we used sawdust and boy was it an ordeal. I could never find the spray, perhaps its Disney proprietary, perhaps it's not for indoor use, but boy would it have been a huge improvement. 'Cloverfield' was especially bad to us, at least one Code V a day for the first few weeks.  |  IP: Logged Robert E. Allen Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1078 From: Checotah, Oklahoma Registered: Jul 2002 posted 03-30-2013 10:41 PM                     Connor: When I worked for WalMart we had a product that took care of that beautifully. I don't remember what it was called but you have a couple of WalMarts in your area. Stop by and ask to speak to the Day Maintenance associate and have him tell you what it is.  |  IP: Logged Christopher Crouch Expert Film Handler Posts: 128 From: Holywood, ca, usa Registered: May 2006 posted 03-31-2013 04:32 AM                  Check with any janitorial supply outlet and they’ll carry an absorbent powder or gel product. Despite there being a variety of brands, often marketed for specific liquid messes, all of these products are basically just a silicon dioxide base with deodorizing additives. The silica absorbs water, causing the mess to form in to a more manageable solid, and the additives cut the unpleasant smell. Cornstarch, baking soda, or cat litter can also be used for a similar effect.  |  IP: Logged Sean McKinnon Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1712 From: Peabody Massachusetts Registered: Sep 2000 posted 03-31-2013 01:40 PM                        I have used per packaged "kits" that can be ordered from janitorial supply houses that come with gloves, face mask, biohazard bag, and all the neccesary chemicals in single use portions. Makes it very easy to issue an usher or supervisor a kit at the start of a shift just in case they will have all the needed supplies on hand. These came in a sealed plastic bag that could be folded and stuck In a back pocket.  |  IP: Logged Alan Plester Expert Film Handler Posts: 209 From: great yarmouth england Registered: Apr 2001 posted 03-31-2013 03:16 PM                     We always use the clay cat litter. it absorbs really well, espscially on carpet, then vacuum up, also very good for oil stains from cars on the driveway.  |  IP: Logged Bill Enos Film God Posts: 2081 From: Richmond, Virginia, USA Registered: Apr 2000 posted 04-01-2013 03:57 PM                     We buy Super Sorb by the case. Works very well.  |  IP: Logged

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