How To Clean Dog Vomit From Carpet

For most people, cleaning up vomit is at the bottom of their list of preferred tasks. However, what are the best methods for removing stains, disposing of vomit, and eliminating any lingering odors?

Like other spills, your best bet is to act quickly. It’s vital that you remove vomit from carpet as fast as possible and clean as much of it as possible before it gets absorbed deeper into the carpet fibers or the padding underneath and produce more lingering odors. Pet messes will settle down into the carpet fibers if they are allowed to remain, making the cleaning process more difficult.

Take note, though, before applying any cleaning solutions, always check the manufacturer’s instructions for care of your carpet and spot-test a small, clean area as some cleaners can damage or discolor carpets. Let’s dive in to know how to clean vomit from carpet.

Cleaning Fresh Vomit from Carpet

Things You Need

• Distilled white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide
• Rubber or latex gloves
• Spoon
• Dish Soap
• Spray bottle
• Towel
• Trash bag

Steps by Step Guide

1. Wear gloves or a plastic bag. You definitely don’t want to touch the dog vomit with your bare hands.
2. Use your spoon to scrape out the solids and put it into your trash bag. You need to remove as much vomit as possible. Then, be sure to seal the trash bag tightly. Note: If you’re using a spatula, avoid one with gaps or holes. The puke will fall out and leave you with more work. You can also use a piece of cardboard, for example, from a cereal box — just verify that it can hold the weight.
3. Next, you will need to make the cleaning product. Here, you can use either distilled white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide homemade cleaner. Use water to dilute and then pour the mixture in your spray bottle. Do not mix the distilled white vinegar with peroxide as you only need to use one of them instead.
4. Carry out a spot test. Once you’ve successfully carried out a spot test, apply the mixture around the affected area until it is thoroughly wet.
5. Use a towel to blot the stained spot until the stain is removed. Repeat this step a few times until the affected part is no longer wet.
6. Finally, deep clean the carpet, depending on how you want to clean it.

Another tip on how to clean vomit from carpet is to use peroxide. Simply mix one part peroxide with one part dish soap or water. Put the solution on the carpet and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Rub the affected area gently with a rag to create a lather. Blot the damp part using a dry paper towel.

Finally, pour tap water onto the area to rinse it off the liquid dish soap. This is important because the hydrophobic part of dish soap molecules can hold on to dust and dirt particles.

How to Clean Dog Vomit Stain from Carpet?

Things You Need

• Carpet stain remover or ammonia
• Paper towel or dry cloth
• Club soda
• Spatula or spoon
• Vacuum

Steps by Step Guide

1. Use your spatula or spoon to scrape out the vomit stains from your carpet. Move the spoon from the outside toward the middle to avoid spreading the solid. Remember to always wear gloves or a plastic bag when cleaning up vomit.
2. Pour cold water or club soda homemade cleaner on the affected area, covering up to 1½ the size of the pet stains. Let it remain for around 30 minutes.
3. Soak up excess moisture. Use a paper towel or clean cloth to blot the stained spot, absorbing the stain and club soda replacing the towel as it gets damp. Repeat this process until all the stain is completely removed. Use a clean section of your towel each time.
4. Treat the previously stained area with a carpet cleaner, following the carpet pet stain remover product instructions. Otherwise, mix 1 bowl or cup of warm, clean water with one tablespoon ammonia. Blot the area dry with a clean towel. Blot any remaining moisture on the carpet using a different towel or a sponge.

Important Note: You should use ammonia only in a well-ventilated room. Avoid mixing ammonia with any other chemical or cleaning products [1]. When ammonia and any other chemical are mixed, life-threatening fumes can be formed. For more severe stain, you can use a carpet cleaning machine.

If you have a professional carpet cleaner solution or spray on hand, use this spray to cover the area. Then blot the area in the same method given above. However, if you don’t have a commercial carpet cleaner at home, you can make a great DIY cleaning solution with common household items to clean dog vomit.

While each product is different, normally you want to scrape up any chunks of puke, then apply the enzyme-based cleaner. The enzyme cleaner activates the moment it comes into contact with the dog vomit. Allow it to remain for the recommended time, then wipe the area with a clean cloth.

How to Remove Dog Vomit Smell from Carpet?

So you have now cleaned the vomit stain and the carpet. But when packing up, a rather obnoxious smell rents the air.

There are a few things you can do in addition to cleaning vomit stain that can help remove the odors.

Things You Need

• Baking soda or cornstarch
• Commercial Deodorizer
• Distilled white-vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Vacuum cleaner
• Water

Steps by Step Guide

1. Once everything is clean and dry, simply sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch directly onto the stain to soak up as much puke as possible. Being alkaline, baking soda helps to stop the action of the acids in dog vomit stain. It works by neutralizing the odor. Corn starch is pH-neutral and will help neutralize vomit from carpet as well.
2. Leave baking soda on the area for 10-15 minutes or overnight.
3. Use the vacuum cleaner to remove it.
4. Next, mix 1 cup of white distilled vinegar and 2 cups of warm water and put the white vinegar and water solution in your spray bottle.
5. Spray the solution on the affected spot to remove the odors and cleanse your carpet. Using the dry cloth, gently rub the solution into the remaining liquid. Let stand a few minutes. 
6. Use dry paper towels, a sponge or a clean cloth to blot dry the area. 
7. Add some baking soda once more to eradicate the smell of vinegar. Use your vacuum cleaner again to get rid of the baking soda.
8. Use your commercial deodorizer to keep your carpet clean and smelling fresh! Make sure to spray sparingly on the affected area so as not to over-saturate it. Ensure that the odor has already been neutralized before proceeding to this step since the deodorizer can worsen the odor if it’s still there.
9. Let it air dry to complete the entire cleaning process.

For the most stubborn of smells and stains, you might need to steam clean your carpet. This will lift and remove stains, as well as remove any odors and sanitize the carpet. You can rent steam cleaners relatively inexpensive from most pet stores and hardware.

Cleaning Dried Vomit From Carpet

Perhaps your pet got sick, have an upset stomach and you didn’t realize it until a while later. Cleaning dog vomit and cat vomit that has already dried is slightly more challenging, but not impossible.

Many online cleaning tips suggest the best way to clean up dog vomit from carpet is with a homemade cleaner. And as you can see, the process of cleaning dried vomit is similar to removing fresh vomit, with the added step of dampening the dried vomit to help you get rid of it. Here’s what you’ll do:

1. Protect your hands with gloves or a plastic bag.
2. Scrape up as much vomit as possible before cleaning using a damp cloth, blunt tool, or paper towel Note: When removing vomit, you can use an old towel or cloth, which you can throw into the wash afterward. However be careful of the vomit’s consistency, as chunks can block your washing machine drainage. If in doubt, use paper towels that you can just throw away after use.
3. Use a commercial or DIY cleaning solution, damp the stain, and blot it clean. Avoid rubbing the area, as you’ll only spread the stain or push it deeper into the carpet.
4. Repeat as necessary until the stain has gone. (Once the towel is fully saturated, switch it with a dry one and continue blotting until liquid is absorbed. Resist the urge to scrub at this stage.)
5. Apply a thin layer of baking soda or cornstarch or air dry excess liquid. 
6. Once the powder has dried, vacuum for a fresh, clean carpet

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Get Vomit Out Of Carpet Without Baking Soda?

Without baking soda or carpet cleaner available, you can still get pet vomit out of your beautiful carpet by following the simple steps below:

1. Scrape out the vomit with a spatula or spoon. Use white paper towels or cloth to blot the stained area.
2. Neutralize the vomit by adding a mixture of 1 cup of lukewarm water and 1 tablespoon of ammonia to the area. Avoid using the ammonia mixture on any wool carpets. Simply skip to the next step.
3. Clean the area with a mixture of two tablespoons of gentle, non-alkaline hand dishwashing detergent and a bit of warm water. Apply some more detergent and use white paper towels to blot until the vomit stain is completely removed.
4. Once the area is clean, spray some water. Put an absorbent material over the wet area and keep it down with a heavier object. Once the liquid is completely soaked up, remove the absorbent material and let it sit for your carpet to dry thoroughly. Another common way to remove the moisture is to use cornstarch.
5. If there’s still some odor after the affected area is completely dry, place some baking soda on the area. Leave it overnight and then vacuum.

Will Peroxide Bleach Carpet?

Yes, hydrogen peroxide may bleach the carpet if it is stronger than 3%. Make sure to read the product label carefully before cleaning vomit stain to ensure you’re using only 3% Hydrogen Peroxide.

How Do You Clean Heavily Soiled Carpet?

To clean heavily soiled carpet, you should follow a highly effective method. For the best results, mix a quarter cup salt with the same amount of vinegar and borax. Create a paste and apply it to the heavily soiled areas of the carpet. Let it sit overnight to ensure it dries thoroughly. Now, go ahead and clean your carpeting with your vacuum.

What Is the Best Homemade Carpet Cleaning Solution?

The best homemade carpet cleaning solution is to use solvent, vinegar or detergent for your carpet cleaning needs. You can mix 1/4 teaspoonful of any type of solution with lukewarm water and then apply on the tough stains or pet vomit to clean your carpets thoroughly.

Creating your very own homemade carpet cleaning procedure could also be a simple task. Moreover, you don’t have to break the bank to keep your carpet clean and smelling fresh.

Conclusion

As with every other stain that needs to be cleaned, it is important to clean the dog vomit stain from the carpet as soon as possible. The longer the dog vomit remains on the carpet, the further it will spread deeper into your carpet fibers.

Even if your space is well-ventilated and you follow the above steps on how to clean vomit stains from carpet, an annoying smell may still be there. If that is the case, you need to follow the above instructions on how to remove the vomit stain and odor from the carpet.

After vacuuming the space, always make sure to get rid of the contents and get a replacement vacuum bag to avoid bad odors and accumulation of germs inside your vacuum. That way, you’ll be able to clean your carpets properly, keep your home clean and fresh, and stay in a healthy environment at the same time.