It’s easy enough to clean up vomit from a tiled, concrete, or wooden floor: just grab a mop, bucket of piping hot water, and a sanitizing floor cleaner and your problem is solved. But what about cleaning vomit from carpet fibres? You want to be sure you do a good job, or a nasty smell could haunt you for days to come! To learn how to clean up vomit quickly and effectively just follow our step-by-step guide below, which also includes handy tips on how to get that horrible vomit smell out of the carpet!
Vinegar is a natural deodorizer that can neutralise the nasty odour of vomit smells. Mix together a cleaning solution comprising of one part distilled white vinegar, two parts warm water and a squirt of lemon-scented SUNLIGHT dishwashing liquid and gently wash off the vomit stain with a sponge, or cloth. Always test your homemade cleaning solution on a small patch of the affected area first.
Cleaning Vomit from Carpet in 6 Steps
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Step One
Put on protective gloves and clothing, and make sure the room is well ventilated.
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Step Two
Depending on the consistency of the vomit, scrape off any solid matter with a cloth or paper towel and flush it down the toilet, or throw it away in a sealed bag.
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Step Three
Sprinkle the area with an absorbent substance, like a commercial carpet deodorizer, salt, or baking powder, and leave for 10-15 minutes to lift vomit up from among the carpet fibres.
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Step Four
Vacuum up the absorbent powder and treat the area with a commercial stain remover for carpets, or a carpet cleaner, according to the instructions on the bottle. Always test a small area first before using on the whole surface.
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Step Five
Use a clean damp cloth to blot the stain away, rather than scrubbing at it, as this could push the vomit further into the carpet fibres.
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Step Six
Allow the area to air dry overnight.
How to Remove Vomit Smell from Carpet
Even if the room is well-ventilated and you have followed the instructions above for how to clean vomit from a carpet, a nasty odour may persist. If this is the case you may need to take some of the following extra steps:
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Instead of letting the area dry, repeat steps three to five, above.
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Use a steam cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions to do a deep clean of the stained area. Steam kills germs and bacteria that often result in bad odours, but high temperatures can melt some fabric fibres, so be sure to check your carpet care guide before you start.
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Following the instructions on the label, use a disinfectant to retreat the area and make sure all germs and bacteria have been removed.
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Spray the stained area with a commercial carpet deodorant or a combination of water and a few drops of essential oils like citrus, tea tree, or lavender.
There you have it – cleaning vomit from the carpet may not be the most pleasant job, but it can be done. After you’ll be left with a clean, sanitized, and fresh-smelling carpet to be proud of!