The unthinkable has happened – someone in your house or pet has vomited on your carpet. Getting rid of vomit, stains, and smells is not impossible. Even if you don't have carpet cleaner or baking soda in your home, you can still find ways to clean up the mess.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Cleaning Up Vomit
Step 1. Put on rubber gloves or disposable gloves
You want to cover your hands to protect them from vomiting. This method not only protects your hands from unpleasant materials, but also protects you from germs.
Step 2. Scrape up as much vomit as possible
As soon as vomit gets on the floor, get a scoop or other object that has a flat side. Scrape the thick parts into a dustpan or plastic bag.
Step 3. Pick up the vomit using a paper towel or tissue
Another way to clean up vomit is to pick it up with a towel. After collecting all the vomit you can pick up using a towel, place it in the sink. You can also pick up vomit with paper towels instead of towels and can throw it straight in the trash.
One thing to keep in mind when washing vomit towels is that if the vomit has rough patches, they may get stuck in the washing machine
Step 4. Cut a piece of cardboard to scoop out the vomit
Use an old cereal box or soda box or the back of a notebook as a scoop. Gently slide the cardboard under the thickest part of the vomit, and throw it in the trash. You can make two sections, one to push the vomit toward the other like a disposable emergency broom and dustpan.
Step 5. Use a plastic bag
Flip a plastic bag in your hand with the inside out like a makeshift glove. Use the plastic bag to scoop up all the vomit you can pick up. Then turn the bag over and tie the ends. Throw the plastic bag in the trash.
Make sure the plastic bag doesn't have any holes so you don't get vomit on your hands
Step 6. Take it using a socket
Another way to remove vomit from your carpet is to pick it up with a suction cup. Slide the flat area under the vomit and lift it off the carpet. You can also use a spoon to scoop it out.
- Do not use a socket that has a gap or hole in the middle. Vomit will fall through the gap if you use it.
- Disinfect a spoon or suction cup after use to clean up vomit.
Step 7. Cover the area with sand
As soon as someone vomits, cover them with sand. Allow the sand to mix and clump with the vomit, then use a broom and dustpan to clean it.
Step 8. Do not rub vomit into the carpet
No matter which way you choose to clean the carpet from vomit, don't rub it into the carpet. Pressing when cleaning vomit can push vomit into the carpet fibers, making it twice as difficult to clean.
Using a towel can cause vomit to press into the carpet. Sliding a flat object, such as a spoon, cardboard, or scraper, under the vomit may help to prevent vomit from entering the carpet
Part 2 of 4: Drying Out the Remaining Moisture
Step 1. Cover the vomit area with baking soda
Baking soda is a great ingredient to use on the vomiting area. The baking soda drains the remaining water, forming small lumps. Pour a generous amount over the stain. Let the baking soda sit for 10-15 minutes, or until the clumps begin to dry. Then, vacuum the location, to remove any lumps. Repeat if needed.
- If the vomit doesn't have too many rough patches, try sprinkling baking soda on the area and leaving it overnight. The baking soda will get absorbed into it and turn it into lumps.
- Use the vacuum cleaner pipe to remove lumps instead of a regular vacuum cleaner head.
Step 2. Use cornstarch to dry off the moisture
Another way to dry off any remaining moisture on the carpet is to sprinkle cornstarch on the area. Be sure to cover all areas of vomit. Allow the cornstarch to dry for 10-15 minutes, then vacuum using a pipe head.
Step 3. Use a clean cloth and warm clean water to wash off any remaining vomit
Spray or pour warm water over the vomiting area. Using a clean cloth, begin to dry the damp areas. Do not rub because it can push the remaining dirt into the carpet. When the towel becomes saturated, take a clean towel and try again.
- As you dry, apply some pressure to the carpet to release the water. Press down firmly; but remember not to rub.
- Use white towels so you don't want to transfer any patterns or colors to your carpet.
- Instead of using a rag, you can use paper towels.
Part 3 of 4: Removing Stains
Step 1. Use fizzy drinks
Fill a spray bottle with fizzy drink, or pour it directly onto the stain. Press a clean cloth onto the stain, soaking up the water until the stain disappears. Add more coke and use a clean, dry cloth as needed.
Step 2. Sprinkle the area with the dry wash solution
Dab a dry cleaning solution, such as Dyrel, onto a clean rag. Wipe the stain with a cloth that has been moistened with the dry cleaning solution until the solution is absorbed.
Step 3. Use vinegar
Mix equal parts vinegar and cold water in a spray bottle. Leave the solution for 15 minutes. Then, using a dry, clean cloth to clean the stain, absorb the vinegar solution.
- Once you've absorbed most of the vinegar, use a stiff brush to scrub the stain until it starts to fade. Wipe back the stain with a dry cloth.
- You can also add 6 drops of pure essential oil to help cover up odors, and 8 drops of Thieves essential oil, which kills 99% of germs.
- You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for this.
- Do not rub with a cloth.
- Don't overspray the area. You want to cover the stain, but not wet the carpet.
Step 4. Try hydrogen peroxide
Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 1 part water or dish soap. Pour the mixture onto the carpet and leave it for 30 minutes. Gently wipe the location with a cloth, until a foam forms. Dry the damp area with a dry towel.
Pour water over the area afterwards to clean the soapy area. It is very important to rinse the soap off the carpet because soap can hold dirt and dust
Step 5. Make your own vomit cleaner
Mix 2 cups warm water, 1 tablespoon salt, cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon dishwashing solution or laundry detergent, and 2 tablespoons spirit. Use a sponge to spread the cleaner over the stain. Dry the stain using a clean, dry towel until all the water has been removed.
Be sure to rinse the site after the stain is removed. Cover the site with water, then dry with a towel. Do this two or three times
Step 6. Use a carpet or cloth cleaner as directed on the bottle
Use a carpet stain remover. It's better to try a stain remover that uses an enzyme base for pets or a car upholstery cleaner. Make sure to follow the directions on the bottle.
Step 7. Use a carpet cleaning machine
If the stain is particularly severe, consider using a carpet cleaning machine. If you have a vacuum cleaner that can also suck water, use it to suck up vomit. If you don't have one, some supermarkets have carpet cleaning machines you can rent.
Step 8. Try ammonia
Mix 1 tablespoon of ammonia with 1 cup of water. Spray or pour the solution onto the stain. Use a sponge or towel to wipe off ammonia and stains. Then rinse with water and dry with a towel.
Do not use ammonia if you have pets. Ammonia can attract them to the site and encourage them to urinate there
Step 9. Remove the stain with an iron
Spray the stain using a mixture containing 2 parts water and 1 part vinegar. Place a damp white cloth over the stain. Using the steam setting on your iron, iron on the spot for 30 seconds, repeating several times if needed. The stain should have moved from the carpet to the towels.
- Don't leave the iron in one place – this can scorch or burn the towels. Instead, gently slide the iron back and forth over the area where the stain is.
- Do not iron the carpet directly. Always place a towel between the carpet and the iron. Otherwise, you can burn or scorch the carpet.
Part 4 of 4: Removing Odors
Step 1. Sprinkle baking soda
After you've removed the stain, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the area. Baking soda is alkaline and helps break down the acid, which is present in vomit. Baking soda also neutralizes odors instead of masking them.
Leave the baking soda on overnight, then vacuum the next day. It also helps absorb any remaining moisture
Step 2. Spray with vinegar
Mix equal amounts of vinegar and water, and spray or pour on the smelly area. This can help eliminate, or at least reduce, odors. The downside of using vinegar is that it leaves behind the smell later
Step 3. Spray the deodorizer
Get an odor neutralizing spray like Febreze or Renuzit. Choose one of these neutralizing sprays over a room deodorizer. The pot pouri and air freshener only mask the smell, which sometimes mixes with the vomit smell and makes it worse. Neutralizing sprays can help reduce odors.
Tips
- A combination of the above methods may be required. Try to clean with vinegar or detergent, then finish by covering the site with baking soda and water paste.
- When the vomit has dried, vacuum the coarse pieces and moisten the area with water. Treat the area like a new location.
- After vacuuming the vomit site, replace the vacuum cleaner bag or clean your vacuum cleaner. This is to prevent odors and bacteria.
- Before using these products on your carpet, test on a small area. Leave the product on the carpet for 5-10 minutes to ensure no bleaching occurs.
