Cleaning some stains can be particularly disgusting, however, that’s all part of life, and we’ve all probably been there. Cleaning vomit from your carpet is one of those unpleasant experiences, and we are bringing you a few helpful tips on how to remove the puke stains and the lingering odor.
So, next time the party goes wild, your toddler gets an upset stomach, or your dog eats something it shouldn’t have, you’ll know what to do.
What’s the Best Way to Clean Up Vomit From the Carpet?
When it already comes to that and you have to clean up vomit from the carpet, the best is to stay calm, and, yes, do it right away. Begin with removing any bigger pieces that you might find there by using a paper towel, and maybe disposable gloves if you are too grossed out.
Use a clean cloth or another paper towel to blot the area and get as much liquid as possible. Note that scrubbing or rubbing won’t help as it can only push the vomit deeper into the carpet.
When the liquid is absorbed, use the simple baking soda and sprinkle it over the stain. It should remove the odor, and after the stain is dry you can use the vacuum and other cleaning products made for treating carpets and removing stains.
Cleaning Fresh Vomit From a Carpet
The best way to clean the vomit from a carpet is right after it happened. In that way, you reduce the chances of damaging your carpet and preventing the smells from staying in it.
Cleaning fresh vomit can be quite messy, so before you start find a pair of rubber or disposable gloves, or even a plastic shopping bag will do. Then, scrape up as much of it as you can, use some kind of spoon, spatula, or dustpan. Whatever it is, make sure you clean it properly after use.
If the vomit is mostly liquid, you can also pick it up with an old cloth or a towel, that you aren’t sorry for wasting. Fabric cloths and towels can also be easily washed and disinfected in the washing machine at high temperatures.
After you’ve done that, you should continue removing the stain and the smell. A commercial carpet stain cleaner will work, but make sure to check the instructions first and maybe test it on a smaller piece of carpet before applying it to a bigger surface.
If you don’t have any commercial cleaners, you can easily make one on your own. Dilute white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide with an equal amount of water, place it in a spray bottle, and apply it to the affected part of the carpet. However, never combine peroxide with vinegar as they can create an irritant if mixed.
Blot the stain, but don’t rub it, and expect that you may need to apply the solution several times. Once you clean the stain, let it dry and put a thin layer of baking soda (or cornstarch) over it to neutralize the smell and the acidity of the vomit.
How to Clean Vomit From the Carpet With Baking Soda?
Baking soda is a powerful tool almost everyone has in their household which can be very useful in an emergency such as cleaning vomit from your beloved carpet. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use it:
Gear up
Find a pair of gloves, a sturdy paper towel, or any old cloth you won’t be sorry to use for removing the first layer of vomit off your carpet.
Blot the stain
Blot it, but don’t rub, use another clean towel to blot the stain, but don’t rub it as the vomit can get further into the fibers of your carpet or spread onto a bigger surface.
Sprinkle the baking soda over the stain
Take a box of baking soda and sprinkle it all over the vomit stain. The layer of baking soda doesn’t have to be thick, but make sure to cover the area completely.
Let it sit
The baking soda should sit there for at least 15 minutes to absorb the rest of the moisture and the unpleasant odors.
Vacuum it
After it has done its magic, vacuum the area thoroughly removing all the baking soda and any vomit residue that could have stayed there.
Check the stain
Check the area and assess if it has been removed. If there are still some visible stains, repeat this process with baking soda or even dish soap. If that doesn’t work, try using any specific carpet cleaner that works on that type of carpet.
Cleaning Dry Vomit From the Carpet
Cleaning dried vomit from carpets can be more difficult than if it was removed right away. Still, that’s very common to happen as we don’t always find or manage to clean the stain immediately, especially when having pets in the house, or small children.
Dry vomit may be harder to remove, but it’s not impossible. The first step is probably the worst. As the vomit is dry, you have to dampen it to remove it. The smell will come back too, so get ready for that. Damp the stain with warm water, but not too much. Press damp towels onto the vomit and don’t rub it so you don’t spread it around or deeper into the carpet.
When the first dried layer of vomit is removed, it can be treated like a fresh stain. Now it’s up to you if you’ll use a commercial or homemade cleaning solution for the rest of the stain. Remember not to soak the spot with the cleaning liquid to protect your carpet and the stain from growing.
Another thing that is harder to fight when it comes to cleaning dried vomit from carpets is the odor. As it took a long time to get absorbed in the carpet, the vomit will smell more. Use a deodorizer to remove the smell from the stain and freshen up your room. Baking soda or cornstarch can do wonders, too. Just cover it with the powder for about 15 min, and remove it when it’s dry.
How to Clean Baby Vomit From Carpets?
Cleaning baby vomit from carpets is just another joy of early parenthood. That is unpleasant, but a very common experience with small children, and you just have to accept it as it is. The way to clean baby vomit from the carpet is similar to the methods described above. The best is if you spot and clean the vomit immediately, but if that doesn’t happen, no worries, you’ll manage to remove it anyway.
Grab a pair of gloves or a paper towel and remove the vomit from the carpet while taking care not to spread it further. Blot the area to absorb the liquid and after apply the stain remover or baking soda which can absorb the smell and the rest of the moisture. Vacuum the baking soda and the stain should be gone. That’s it, quick and easy, and you’ll be back to your baby in no time.
Cleaning Pet Vomit From the Carpet
If you are a pet owner, you have probably found such a surprise on your floors several times. The trouble is when you find it on your beloved carpet and don’t know how to remove the stain.
When it comes to pets’ vomit, the cleaning process isn’t much different than for humans. The good thing is that it’s probably going to be less of it, but the bad thing is that you may not find it right away, so you’ll have to deal with removing dried vomit from your carpets.
You’ll need a pair of gloves to begin with, and a paper towel or an old rag to remove the biggest part of the vomit. If the vomit is completely dry, try damping it a bit with warm water to soften it and remove it easier. After that, apply the cleaning liquid or the baking soda to neutralize the smell and soak up the rest of the moisture from the stain. Remember, scrubbing the spot can only spread the vomit deeper and further into the carpet.
How to Clean Vomit From a Car Carpet?
Cleaning vomit from your car may be more challenging, first of all, because the space in the car is harder to access than a larger space on the floors of your house, and then because of the different material, the car carpets are made of.
Car carpets may require special cleaning products, and they can be easier to absorb smells, even more, if they stay in a closed car for longer. If vomit stays longer on car carpets, there is also a possibility that the stains will get deeper and harder to remove.
However, the process of cleaning vomit from car carpets is the same as we’ve described above. Just follow these simple guidelines, and don’t forget to leave your car doors and windows open for a while to let the air remove any lingering odors.
Be prompt, persistent, and patient with the cleaning, and you will soon make your car fresh and comfortable again.
