Tidy Home Guide: How to Clean Vomit From Your Carpet

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Tidy Home Guide: How to Clean Vomit From Your Carpet

How to Clean Vomit From Your Carpet Tidyhere Infographic

Cleaning vomit from your carpet is one of the more unpleasant experiences that many people have to deal with at some point in their lives. But is there an easier and less degusting way to clean it up? If so, what’s the best way to remove puke, stains, and lingering odor all in one go? Luckily, dear reader, we have a couple of the best solutions to these issues for you all in one convenient article.

Next time your kid has an upset stomach, your pet eats something gross, or a party gets just a little out of hand we are here to help you catch and clean the mess as quickly and effectively as possible. Keep reading to find out how to clean vomit out of your carpet like an absolute pro.

How to Get Vomit Out of Carpet

Jagyasini Vomiting GIF - Jagyasini Vomiting Vomit GIFs

As gross as it may be, the best time to clean up vomit from the carpet is as soon as it has happened, so that it has less chance of staining. For the best results possible when cleaning up fresh vomit, here is our quick and easy cleaning guide:

  • Keep your hands protected with a pair of rubber or latex gloves, or in a pinch use a shopping bag over your hand. You may also want a mask or other respiratory protection if you will be using harsh chemical cleaners or are sensitive to smells.
  • Once your hands and airways are protected, start removing as much vomit as possible. You may want to use a blunt tool like a putty scraper, dustpan, spatula, or spoon. Be sure to thoroughly disinfect whatever you choose to use to clean up the vomit.
  • As soon as you are able to remove as much of the vomit as you can, you’ll need to start treating the carpet for any staining and lingering odors. Break out your favorite carpet cleaning solution, whether it is a natural DIY solution using vinegar or a pre-formulated product. Make sure to read any instructions before applying the product to the stained area.
  • You can use one of the DIY cleaning methods below if you re looking for a more natural and safe alternative to pre-formulated product.
  • Allow the product time to settle into and treat the stain before starting to blot the area with a microfiber cloth or paper towels. Do not rub at the stain, only blot in order to lift and not spread the stain around. Repeat product application and blotting until the stain has been fully lifted and removed from the carpet.
  • Let the treated area fully air dry or cover it with a thin layer of baking soda to soak up any remaining moisture. Baking soda is a low alkali, or base, product that can help neutralize the acidity of vomit as well as any odors that may remain within the carpet.
  • Once the baking soda has completely dried to a powder or the carpet has had time to fully air dry, vacuum the area thoroughly to remove any lingering traces of vomit staining or smells.

 

How to Get Dried Vomit Out of Carpet

How to Clean Vomit From Your Carpet Image Woman Cleaning Carpet.

If you couldn’t catch the vomit right when it happened and it had time to dry on the carpet, don’t worry! Dried vomit can be a pain to remove, but luckily it isn’t impossible. Even though it is much trickier to treat and clean than fresh throw-up, it can still be simplified. Here is our best recommendation for cleaning and treating dried vomit on carpet:

  • Like with fresh vomit, you’ll want to make sure your hands are protected with a pair of rubber or latex gloves, or plastic bags. Remember a mask or other respiratory protection if you plan on using harsh chemical cleaners or are sensitive to smells.
  • We know fresh vomit is gross, and unfortunately, dried vomit is no different. In order to clean up dried vomit, you’ll have to dampen it so that it can be removed properly. Use some warm water to dampen the vomit. You can dampen some microfiber cloths or paper towels with water and lay them on the dried vomit to re-wet it.
  • Be aware, it’s going to stink, so you might want to use that mask or have a pleasant essential oil on hand to hide the smell a bit. You could even use a bit of menthol gel like Vaporub on your upper lip to help the smell.
  • When the vomit is able to be removed, you can do so by scraping it away as you would with fresh vomit. Keep the affected area damp so that it doesn’t re-dry onto the carpet. Remember to also disinfect anything you may use to clear the vomit after you have used it.
  • Once as much of the vomit has been removed as possible, you can start treating any stains. You can opt for a pre-formulated or DIY cleaning solution to lift the stain, depending on your preference. Remember not to soak or saturate the area to prevent the stain from spreading deeper into your carpet.
  • Allow the product time to settle into and treat the stain before starting to blot the area with a microfiber cloth or paper towels. Do not rub at the stain, only blot in order to lift and not spread the stain around. Repeat product application and blotting until the stain has been fully lifted and removed from the carpet.
  • Let the treated area fully air dry or cover it with a thin layer of baking soda to soak up any remaining moisture. Baking soda is a low alkali, or base, product that can help neutralize the acidity of vomit as well as any odors that may remain within the carpet.
  • Once the baking soda has completely dried to a powder or the carpet has had time to fully air dry, vacuum the area thoroughly to remove any lingering traces of vomit staining or smells.

How to Clean Vomit If You Can’t Get to It Right Away

Finding fresh vomit can ruin anyone’s day, especially when you’re already in a rush to get out the door. If you catch but can’t clean up the vomit straight away, there is a way to make life easier once you have time to clean up.

  • If you have time, remove as much of the fresh vomit as you can before applying any products to the stain. If you don’t have time, place a few paper towels or microfiber cloths to absorb as much of the mess as possible while you’re gone.
  • When you have time to do so, remove any large, dried clumps from the area. Sweeping it up with a brush or broom and dustpan will be easier than picking them up with a cloth or paper towel.
  • After removing as much of the dried vomit as possible, use your vacuum cleaner to remove any stubborn residue left behind. You should be left with a plain vomit stain, but if there is still dried vomit on your carpet follow the steps above for cleaning dried vomit from carpets.
  • Use your go-to pre-formulated cleaner or homemade DIY solution to blot away the remaining stain from the carpet. (We have a list of DIY methods below!) Just remember to read the manufacturer’s instructions and spot-test an area on your carpet first.
  • Deodorize your room and the carpet by covering the affected area with a generous amount of baking soda. Let the powder fully dry before vacuuming up the excess to remove any lingering odors around the room.

How to Get Vomit Smell Out of Carpet

How to Clean Vomit From Your Carpet Get Rid of Vomit Smell Infographic

Sometimes the most stubborn aspect of cleaning vomit from your carpet is removing the nasty and lingering smell of puke. Carpets easily trap and absorb smells because they have a large surface area and porous fibers, so scents can work deep into the fibers and can be pretty hard to get out. Here are a few extra methods of odor removal you can use in your home when cleaning vomit out of your carpet:

Vinegar
Vinegar is a great natural deodorizer despite its own powerful and pungent scent. When you use it, don’t be surprised when there is some lingering vinegar smell for a few hours after. You can create a diluted 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water and pour this into a spray bottle. Spray it around the affected area until the carpet is damp but not fully saturated. Allow this spray to fully air dry. As an alternative to plain white vinegar, apple cider vinegar does a similar job of cleaning and deodorizing but leaves behind a more pleasant scent.

Baking Soda
Leave some baking soda on the area and around your carpet overnight and then vacuum up the powder after a few hours. You can reapply the powder and repeat the process until the smell is gone, it might take a few rounds so don’t worry if the smell is still lingering after one pass. You can also add about 5-10 drops of essential oils to the baking soda before sprinkling it on the carpet as a natural air freshener.

Borax
You can also boost the effectiveness of baking soda by adding a bit of borax powder. Mix equal parts of borax powder and baking soda in a bowl and sprinkle the mix over the area and around your carpet. Leave this for about an hour before vacuuming the entire carpet to remove the powder.

Vodka
Turns out cheap vodka can be a really great cleaning solution. Pour some vodka into a spray bottle and spray a small amount of vodka onto the affected area you want to deodorize and leave it for about 10 to 15 minutes. To clean it, blot up the remaining moisture using a paper towel or microfiber cloth. Allow the carpet to fully air dry, or sprinkle some baking soda on top for a boost, leave it for an hour, and then vacuum it all up.

DIY Carpet Stain Cleaning Solutions

If you don’t have a pre-formulated carpet cleaner available to use, there are actually a lot of household products you can use instead. Here are a few of our favorite cleaning alternatives you can find around your house:

Club Soda
Club soda is a popular product to use as a stain fighter and cleaning agent. It is really just water with extra carbon dioxide and salts dissolved into it, so it won’t harm any fabrics or surfaces that are water safe. To use it properly when treating stains, remove as much of the vomit as possible and pour a small amount of the club soda directly onto the stained area. Let the club soda sit on the stain for a few minutes and then blot it out using a microfiber cloth or paper towel.

Hydrogen Peroxide
Grab that bottle of hydrogen peroxide from your medicine cabinet and mix it with water to make a 50/50 solution, then add a couple of drops of mild dish soap. Remove as much vomit from the carpet as possible, then apply the DIY solution in small amounts until the carpet is damp but not saturated. Let this sit for about half an hour, then gently lather the solution with a clean cloth. Be carful not to spread the stain wider and try to stick to blotting the lather and stain to lift it. Clean the area with clean cold water and then allow the area to fully air dry.

Vinegar and Laundry Detergent
More difficult and stubborn stains can require some extra care and attention. We highly suggest creating this solution: 2 cups of water, 1/2 cup of white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of dish soap or laundry detergent and 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol. Apply the solution directly to the stain using a spray bottle or sponge until the carpet is damp but not saturated. Allow the solution to sit for about 10 minutes, then blot it to lift the stain from the area. Rinse the carpet with clean cold water to remove any residue and then allow the area to fully air dry.

Steam Cleaning

Dupray Steam Cleaners Clean Anything Around Your Home or Business - dupray.com

For some of the most stubborn of stains and smells, you might need to resort to steam cleaning your carpet. This will be able to lift and remove the stain while also sanitizing the carpet and removing any lingering odors. You can rent steam cleaners relatively easily and cheaply from most department, hardware, and pet stores.

Cleaning vomit from your carpet is no one’s favorite task, but there are so many methods available that will help you make the job easier. With the right tools and products, you’ll be able to remove both the stain and odor without damaging your carpet. At TidyHere, we’re proud to offer as much cleaning assistance as we can and our experience can help you keep your home clean, happy, and healthy all year long.