Vomit stains and smells can be a nightmare when someone in your family or pet throws up. Carpet cleaning can be incredibly challenging to eliminate from carpets.
Getting vomit out of your carpet as soon as possible is essential to prevent acid damage and unpleasant odors.
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Scoop and Sop Up
No matter who it is, getting sick and cleaning up the mess can be a real chore. But there are ways to make it simpler and faster for yourself or someone else.
First, scoop up as much solid matter from the carpet as possible. Doing this helps prevent the stain from settling deeper into its fibers, making removing it more difficult.
After that, use paper towels to absorb as much liquid as possible. Alternatively, spray a bottle with diluted white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide for extra cleanup.
You can also use a spoon to scrape liquid up from the carpet. While this might feel gross, it’s better than letting the stain soak in and creating an even bigger mess that is harder to remove.
Baking Soda
Baking soda, commonly called sodium bicarbonate, is an alkaline material that reacts with acidic odors to bring their pH closer to neutral, eliminating odors. It’s widely kept in the fridge and works to neutralize foods prone to decay, such as eggs, meats, dairy products, and fruit juices.
Baking soda, when used to remove vomit from carpets, can help eliminate the smell and stop it from spreading throughout your house. Sprinkle a thin layer over affected areas, then easily vacuum any remaining stains.
Once the stain has been eliminated, you can use a solution of diluted white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to clean your carpet. The vinegar or peroxide will make it easier to eliminate odors while keeping your carpet looking spotless.
If the stain has dried on, you may need to repeat these steps several times before it disappears. But the results will be worth all the effort!
Sand
When cleaning up vomit, using sand as a dispersant and expeditious means of getting it out of carpeting is recommended. Not only will this absorb any odors in the area, but it also makes sweeping up easier.
To maximize this method, cover the vomit with a generous layer of sand and let it sit for several minutes. Doing so will cause the sand to clump into an easy-to-pick solid substance that can be picked up with a broom or dustpan.
Once the sand has soaked up most of the liquid, you can use a spray bottle with either distilled white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to remove any remaining moisture. You may also blot any stains with clean rags or towels for instant refreshment.
Vacuum
If someone in your family vomits on the carpet, you need a way to quickly and thoroughly clean up the mess. Stains may permanently penetrate carpet fibers and padding if left unchecked for too long.
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to help prevent this from occurring in the first place. The first is encouraging the individual to go to the bathroom and hydrate before cleaning up any vomit that has formed.
Once the spill has occurred, quickly scoop up the mess with a vacuum. Doing this will prevent moisture from entering your carpet and make removing it harder.
Another essential step is to vacuum up as much dry vomit as possible, making the remainder of the process smoother.
Scrubbing should be avoided as it can spread the stain. If you must scrub, mix diluted white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide with water and use it as a cleaner.
