Tending to a pile of vomit mess on your favorite carpet is an unpleasant task that requires fast action like any other spill and this is exactly why you need to know the methods of how to clean vomit from carpet to tackle the situation smoothly. Whether it is the result of an upset stomach, an infant, or a sick pet/ individual, cleaning up vomit is a tedious task no one is willing to deal with.
But it is quite a common situation we find ourselves in; at some point in life. So knowing how to deal with the issue when the need arises is essential. If you have the right cleaning tools at your disposal, cleaning up vomit; no matter where the spill is becomes easier to deal with.
You just need to make sure beforehand that the cleaning agents you are about to use on your carpet won’t affect the fabric or color of your carpet. In this article, we will be telling you about the different methods you can opt for to clean up the vomit as well as get rid of the obnoxious smell from your carpet. So buckle up and read ahead to find more on how to clean vomit from carpet.
How to clean vomit from carpet
The method of cleaning vomit from your carpet will differ based on the time you deal with it.
If you clean up immediately after the spill, you will need to follow a specific method.
But if you can’t tend to the job immediately due to some reason, you will have to follow a different method to clean up the dried vomit.
We will be describing the steps for both situations in this article.
Let us begin.
Cleaning up fresh vomit
Cleaning up vomit immediately after the accident is much easier since there is no time for the vomit to set into the carpet.
This makes the cleaning process fast and efficient.
Things you will need
- Dishwashing or protective gloves
- Spoon
- A trash bag
- Microfibre cloth or dish towels
- Distilled white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide
- A spray bottle
Step 1: Scraping off the excess vomit
Wear your gloves and use a spoon or spatula to scrape off as much vomit as possible from the carpet into the trash bag.
Secure the mouth of the trash bag tightly to prevent further spilling along the way.
Step 2: Using white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide
Use either one of these cleaning agents; not both, to prepare a solution with water.
Make sure to test out the impact of the chemical on a hidden part of your carpet to avoid damage to the fabric or discoloration.
Once tested, prepare a solution of distilled white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide with cold water and pour the mixture onto the affected area.
Blot the affected area using a clean towel.
Repeat the process with a new towel each time the older one gets saturated.
Sponge the carpet with cold water to blot the additional vinegar solution off the carpet and let dry.
Cleaning up dried vomit
Cleaning up dried vomit requires the additional use of baking soda to completely get rid of the lingering stench of vomit.
Things you will need
- Materials from method (A)
- Baking soda
- Towels
- Vacuum cleaner
Step 1: Scraping off the excess vomit
Similar to the first method, scrape off as much vomit as you can from the carpet using a spoon or fork into the trash bag.
Step 2: Using baking soda
Sprinkle a little baking soda (or cornstarch) over the affected area and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
The baking soda will soak up the remaining puke and make cleaning the carpet easier.
Step 3: Vacuuming
Use a vacuum cleaner or broom to clean up the baking soda from the carpet.
Step 4: Using white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide
Now same as the first method, prepare a solution of distilled white vinegar with water or hydrogen peroxide and water.
Apply the solution over the affected area and use a clean towel to blot up the area.
Keep repeating this step while changing the soaked towels in between.
Finally, blot up the additional vinegar solution from the carpet using cold water and a sponge.
Step 5: Deodorising the carpet
You can use a commercial carpet deodorizer to give your carpet that fresh feel and smell again.
While the carpet is still damp, cover the previously affected area with a light layer of deodorizing powder and let it dry.
Finally, vacuum up the carpet for a perfectly clean carpet.
You can also use a disinfecting spray on the carpet to kill any additional germs after the carpet has dried.
Good to know
- Make sure you thoroughly disinfect the items used to scrape off the vomit from the carpet, such as a spoon or spatula immediately after use. You can do so by putting them in the dishwasher or letting them sit in boiling water for about 5 minutes.
- The vinegar or hydrogen peroxide solution has been mentioned as an alternative to commercial carpet cleaners. If you have the latter at home, use it instead of the DIY solution. Make sure you follow all the directions of use mentioned on the packaging of the cleaner.
- To avoid the queasy smell of vomit, you can apply a scented lotion on your upper lip underneath your nose before getting into cleaning.
- Make sure you always blot the affected area and not rub it, to avoid further smudging of the vomit into the carpet fabric.
- Using lukewarm water can help dampen dried vomit.
Final words
While we all want our loved ones to remain healthy, having mild flu or an upset stomach once in a while is not unusual. Maintaining an ideal environment inside the house is necessary and therefore, dealing with unpleasant situations like cleaning up vomit should always be addressed swiftly.
We hope our article helped enlighten you about the different methods you can implement to clean up the mess in your house. You can also read our articles on how to get blood out of carpet and how to clean dog poop out of carpet for more helpful cleaning tips.
