How to Get Vomit Out of Carpet? Step by Step Guide

A pile of vomit on the carpet can make us unwell. Many ways show how to get vomit out of the carpet. Getting vomit out of carpet fibers requires some hard work and strength.

People with sensitive stomachs cannot do it easily. It would be best to clean vomit as soon as possible before the odor sets in. Vomit stains and odors can be removed with various household solutions and products.

Dish soap, ammonia, and many commercial spot removers are used. Before you start, remember to check the manufacturer’s instructions for carpet protection.

Always spot-test an area before applying any cleaning solutions, as some cleaners can discolor or damage carpets. So here we will find how to clean vomit from carpet.

Now let’s learn how to do it.

 

Tools and Materials Required

• Rubber gloves
• A scraper
• Paper towels
• Spatula
• Sand
• Broom and dustpan
• Baking soda
• Cornstarch
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Cleaning cloth
• Towel
• Spray bottle with warm water
• Club soda
• Dry cleaning solvent
• White vinegar
• Carpet cleaner

Before You Begin

Use a spatula to remove as much of the vomit stain as possible without pressing it into the carpet. If you do, you will make it even more difficult to remove.

It can be tough to remove vomit stains from the carpet, but it’s not impossible. Follow these easy steps to remove even stubborn stains. You can use this method on any vomit stain, whether dry or wet.

Begin by putting on your gloves. There are several ways to remove the vomit. The longer you leave it, the worse the stain will be.

Simple Steps to Get Vomit Out of Carpet

First of all, you have to get rid of vomit if it is fresh.

Step 1. Remove the Vomit

• Use a spatula to lift the vomit off the carpet. Slide it under the vomit and place it into a dustpan. This is a very easy way to pick up the vomit. If you are using a spatula, avoid one with holes.
  Drops will fall out from the spatula and leave you with more work. You can also use a piece of cardboard.
• Another way to get the job done is by covering a plastic bag around your hand. With your hand inside the plastic bag, pick up the vomit and turn the bag inside out. Seal it off before disposing of it.
• Pick up the vomit by using a towel. But, do not rub. This will make it worse.
• An alternative method is sand. Cover the vomit with sand to cover it completely. Let it stick together with the vomit, and then use a broom to remove it. If your carpet is thick, use a vacuum to remove all the sand.

Step 2. Dry Extra Moisture

Do not air dry, as it could lead to stubborn odors or stains. There are several ways to do this.

• The best way to clean the carpet is by using baking soda. To clean the carpet with baking soda, all you need to do is, sprinkle it on the vomit spot to cover it. Leave it there for 10 to 15 minutes or until you see dry masses.
  Use a vacuum to remove the residue. You can also apply baking soda and leave it overnight. You can use baking soda to clean the carpet easily.
• If you do not have baking soda, use cornstarch. Use the same technique as above. Cover the moisture, let it sit, and then vacuum it.
• You can use borax to clean the carpet. Combine borax and salt in a bowl and add a few drops of vinegar. Cover the pot and leave it for 45 minutes. Use a vacuum to remove it.
• Fill a spray bottle with plain warm water. Spray the vomit spot until wet. Then use the cloth to clear the moisture. Avoid scrubbing, as this will cause the moisture to go into the fibers.
  Use firm pressing until the cloth is soaked. Take a new one and repeat if necessary.

Step 3. Remove the Stain

This is where the hard work begins. Stains can be stubborn, so immediate action is necessary.

Vinegar and Water

• • Cleaning the carpet with vinegar is the best way to get stains out of the carpet. Grab a clean spray bottle and mix equal parts of cold water with vinegar.
    Shake to combine, and then proceed to spray the spot. Let it soak for 15 minutes. Take a clean cloth and press the area. Scrub the stain with a firm brush.
  • You can add some drops of essential oil to reduce the smell. If the stain is stubborn, you can try the iron method. Add more vinegar solution, and cover the spot with a wet cloth.
    Use iron for about 30 seconds by setting your iron to the steam setting. You may have to repeat it a few times.
  • Always place a cloth between the iron and your carpet. Otherwise, your carpet will burn. Never leave it in one spot for too long.
  • If the stain is not so severe, you can use club soda. Put it into a spray bottle or directly onto the stain. Then press with a dry, clean cloth until the stain is gone.

Hydrogen Peroxide

• • For tough stains, create a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide and one part dish soap or water. Distribute the mixture over the stain and let it work for 30 minutes. With a cloth, rub the stain to create foam.
    Then cover the moisture with a dry cloth. Pour some water over the stain to rinse the soap. The soap will collect dirt and dust if you skip this, giving your carpet a dirty appearance.

Ammonia and Water

• • Another mixture you can try is ammonia and water. Mix one tablespoon of ammonia in one cup of water. Stir it and transfer it to a spray bottle. Spray over the stain. Then use a towel to press the solution into the carpet.
  • Avoid using ammonia if you have pets in your home. It can attract them, and they may urinate on the spot.

Carpet Cleaning Machine

• Try a carpet cleaning machine that doesn’t contain bleach for severe stains. The best ones are enzyme-based. Follow the instructions on the product’s bottle.

 Step 4. Remove the Smell

• If the smell still lasts, try applying some baking soda to the area. Sprinkle and leave it overnight. The powder will work to remove the odor. Use a vacuum to remove the powder.
• You can also use your vinegar and water solution, but it can leave an acidic smell behind.
• Use a spray cleaner, like Febreeze, on the area. Pick a neutralizing spray instead of an air freshener as it will only mix with the smell and worsen it.

Cleaning Dry Vomit

Cleaning up dry vomit is the toughest task you can face. It’s hard to remove and requires preparation. The process is similar to cleaning fresh vomit, with the addition of a few other steps.

Remove the Vomit

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Use a spatula and dustpan to scrape the dry vomit. It’s now dry and easy to take large pieces out without too much effort.

Wet the Spot

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Take a cloth and moisten it with water. Cover the vomit until it becomes wet and softens up. Avoid scrubbing as it could make it worse.

Use an Enzyme Cleaner

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Because vomit is a mixture of body enzymes, you can use an enzyme-based cleaner for the process. This will kill bacteria and germs gathered by the vomit.

Apply onto the area and leave it to work according to the instructions. Use a soaked towel to press the area. Repeat as many times as necessary.

Finish with the Vacuum

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When the area is dry, use your vacuum to remove residue.

Prefer Watching It?

Check out this video to see a much broader picture of how to remove vomit stains from the carpet.

Useful Tips

• Cover your nose while cleaning vomit stain.
• Remove the vomit as soon as possible and do not let it sit.
• After cleaning, empty the vacuum and take the trash out. The odors can quickly spread throughout your home.
• Clean the air by adding vinegar or baking soda in a bowl and let it sit near the spot for an hour. It will remove the bad smell.
• If you don’t have a vacuum, scrape up as much residue as possible and follow the cleaning steps above. Once the area is dry, use a brush to restore it.
• Mix baking soda, borax, and cornmeal. Sprinkle across the carpet to disinfect it. Use a cloth to rub it in and let it sit overnight. Then vacuum it.
• If you are using cleaning products first, make sure you do a patch test.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Get Vomit out Of the Carpet After It Dries?

Spray a small amount of water directly onto the stain. Sprinkle baking soda now onto the affected area and let it sit for a few hours.

What Does Baking Soda Do for Carpets?

It is a powerful alkaline solution. When it combines with acid, produces dioxide gases. These oxidized gases are highly effective at removing stains from carpets.

Conclusion

It would be best to clean up a vomit stain as soon as you find it. It smells bad and contains harmful bacteria. By reading this article, you will be able to know how to get vomit out of your carpet.

Not only vomit, but you can also get rid of hair dye, nail polish, dog diarrhea, and much more from your carpet. People think that it is a hard task, but with the right method and guidance from experts, you can remove any kind of stain from your carpets.

Failing to dry your carpet thoroughly will leave it looking dirty and create an environment to grow mold or mildew. Using a vacuum or a fan on the area may help it to dry more thoroughly. I hope this article will be helpful for you.