How to Get Vomit Smell out of Carpet

Have you been anxiously searching for suggestions on how to get a vomit smell out of your carpet? Don’t panic. Whether it’s the result of a night of partying or a sick child, at some point most people are faced with this issue. 

Unlike other types of spills and stains, vomit on carpets is a biohazard. It is also highly acidic, and this can cause further problems for your carpet. Irrespective of the contents vomit always smells bad. It is something that you don’t want to leave even a trace of in your carpet fibers.

We make it our business to keep your carpets looking and smelling their very best, So we compiled this easy-to-follow guide to dealing with this common problem. 

What this article covers:

How To Get Human Vomit Smell Out Of A Carpet

how to get puke smell out of carpet

The most important thing to remember when you need to clean up vomit off your carpet is to do so quickly. This is because vomit contains bile, which is a type of acid. Bile can damage your carpet fibers by causing corrosion.

It can also leave a permanent stain on the carpet along with a foul odor. The longer it sits there, the more it will settle into the fibers and cause an unpleasant lingering smell. So get to work removing it as soon as you can. 

This is a much more common problem than you may realize. It might not even have been caused by your family. Many times people have rented an old apartment or bought a house to flip, and been faced with the problem of getting old vomit stains out of the carpet of their new place. Luckily, there is a solution.

Step 1

Don a pair of plastic disposable gloves, if you have them. Use a large spoon or similar item to scoop up the offending mess. Toss this into a plastic bag and toss it in the trash. Open the windows, so that the smell is not trapped in the house, before proceeding to step 2. 

Step 2

Next, treat the smelly stain with a stain removal product. If you don’t have a carpet stain removal product in your home, this is a handy hack for you to try. 

You will need the following items:

  • Distilled white vinegar
  • A spray bottle
  • Tepid tap water
  • A lint-free soft cloth (or dish towel if that’s all you have to hand) 

Add the tap water to the spray bottle, adding in a bit of the white vinegar. Spray the area with this solution, and once the stain is thoroughly dampened, blot it up with the cloth. Allow it to air dry.

How To Remove Baby Sick Smell From A Carpet

how to get throw up smell out of carpet

A new arrival in the family is a wonderful experience until they get sick all over your bedroom carpet.  Because babies often have mishaps, you should know how to remove the smell of baby vomit from a carpet. Follow the steps above, to immediately remove the vomit and treat the stain and odor. 

But what if you can’t remove the vomit immediately? When caring for a baby, it can be difficult to do all of this right away. Because if your child is sick, you will need to attend to their needs first. And this means that by the time you can get around to treating the stain, it has settled into the carpet. 

A bit more effort may be necessary, but you can still treat the stain and smell. 

You will need the following items:

  • A cupful or two of baking soda
  • An old towel 
  • A handheld mini vac (or any vacuum cleaner that does not use a dust bag)

Step 1

Sprinkle the baking soda over the vomit, making sure to cover it completely. Do this as soon as possible, then cover it up with an old towel. The baking soda will neutralize the smell, but try to get back to it as quickly as possible.

Step 2

When you can return to it, remove the towel and follow the steps listed above for removing the vomit. Thereafter,  vacuum up the rest of the baking soda.

Step 3

Use the spray bottle of vinegar and water solution mentioned above to treat any remaining stain and odor.

How To Get Milk Vomit Smell Out Of A Carpet

how to get rid of vomit smell in carpet

Few things smell quite as awful as milk vomit odor, and the longer it sits the worse it gets. The important thing is to air the room, as the smell will seem to seep into everything if you don’t. Even up until the toddler stage, you may have to occasionally deal with problems like this. 

Worse still, you may be faced with how to get a toddler’s pee out of a carpet or how to clean poop off a  carpet. But with the right instructions and the right products, you’ll be fine. These 2 popular home remedies are just as effective for treating a carpet with a milk vomit smell. 

Vinegar/Water Solution

The vinegar solution method mentioned above is just as effective for removing this unpleasant smell. Spray the area with this solution after the milk vomit has been removed. Once the stain is completely damp, blot it up with a soft, dry cloth or old towel cloth. Allow the carpet to air naturally.

The acetic acid in vinegar neutralizes most alkaline stains and odors. This makes it an effective treatment for certain spills and stains. However, it will not always be 100% effective at removing vomit odors. Any residual smell may need to be treated with a carpet deodorizer afterward.

Baking Soda 

Alternatively, use baking soda for a dry milk vomit stain. Apply a thick layer of baking soda to the affected area. It will absorb moisture as well as most foul odors. Baking soda filters the air, thereby neutralizing bad odors. 

The reason is quite simple. Most bad smells are acidic. Baking soda neutralizes the PH level, and that is what dissipates the bad smell. It is a safe and gentle product that can be found in most homes. That is why it is so commonly suggested as a cleaning and odor removal hack.

How To Remove Pet Vomit Stains From A Carpet

how to remove vomit smell from carpet

We all love our pets and see them as a part of the family. But like any family member, a pet can take ill, and unfortunately for you, it could be on your beautiful living room carpet. To remove old pet stains from your carpet just follow the steps below.

How To Remove Cat Vomit Smell From A Carpet

Any cat owner knows the frustration of their beloved feline dragging in little creatures they’ve found in the garden. Another reality of cat ownership is that they will sometimes get sick on your beautiful carpets! But there is a way to treat the problem quickly and easily. 

Organic Compounds Method

Many pet owners swear by organic compounds. It is a must-have for anyone who owns a pet. They are safe for use around people and pets. 

And because they are designed to be used on carpets, they will not damage the carpet fibers or cause discoloration. Simply vacuum it all up once it has dried out the cat vomit.

How To Remove Residual Pet Stains And Odors

If any stain or odor remains, we have the perfect product for you. Rinse the area first with a little water, then use Unchained (Urine, stain, and odor remover).

how to get rid of vomit smell on carpet

This product is a combo of high-grade hydrogen peroxide, penetrants, and Ecocide Extreme. It is pure yet effective. No other product is as effective as this at removing pet stains and odors. It will replace those foul odors with a fresh, pleasant fragrance. 

How To Get Dog Vomit Smell Out Of A Carpet

Has your cute new puppy eaten something that didn’t agree with him? Don’t worry, you can quickly and easily get the dog vomit smell out of your carpet. 

The vinegar solution and baking soda methods mentioned above will be just as effective here. But after cleaning the mess, there may still be a faint stain or odor. This is why you will be better off using a product that is made for the job. 

Absorbent Granules Method

There are products on the market that are designed for absorbing dog vomit. Once these non-toxic absorbent granules have taken care of the mess, you simply vacuum it up.

Any remaining odor can be treated with our Unchained urine, stain, and odor remover, as described in the section above. Take note though that this super-concentrated stain and odor blaster is not to be used on wool rugs and carpets. 

An alternative is our Ecocide Citrus Lush, which eliminates harsh urine, feces, or vomit odors, instantly and naturally.

how to get rid of vomit smell from carpet

Can I Use Ammonia For Pet Vomit Stains And Odors?

Ammonia is a powerful agent for treating stains and odors in carpets, including vomit. But you should rather leave this to the experts. 

If you try to use ammonia at home without knowing what you are doing, you risk damaging your carpets. And breathing in ammonia fumes can also be hazardous to your health. 

Rather use products that are specifically formulated for indoor carpet cleaning use. Specially designed cleaning chemicals that have been tested and certified safe for use are your best option.

The Best Products For Removing Unpleasant Stains And Odors From Carpets

Accidents happen, and you don’t get to choose where or when they will do so. At some point, your carpets may have unpleasant stains and odors that you need to deal with. But unlike everyday dust and dirt, these stains need specialized attention. That is why you need the best cleaning products for the job.

In an emergency, any of the home remedy quick fixes above should handle the vomit smell issue asap. Treating the problem area only is fine if you’re in a hurry. But you may be left with a clean patch amidst a possibly much dirtier carpet. 

So follow this up with a deep clean of your carpets when you have the time.  And for the best results, use our specialized carpet cleaning chemicals, designed for the task at hand. 

how to remove the smell of vomit from carpet

This is an effective solution to the issue of how to get blood out of a white carpet.  It will also tackle the problem of how to get rid of yellow urine stains on the carpets.  And if you have kids and/or pets, we recommend that you deep clean your carpets regularly.

How Do You Deep Clean A Carpet?

So what exactly do we mean by a deep clean? This is when you use a professional carpet cleaning machine that cleans deep down into the fibers of the carpet. It is the most effective way for removing any remaining stains and odors.

You will need to have the right equipment for a deep clean. But if you do not have a carpet cleaning machine, we can help. We have the best carpet cleaner machines as well as the best carpet cleaning chemicals to use with them. 

We have a range of cleaning tools to choose from, but the best for stubborn stains is a carpet cleaning machine with rotary jets and spray bars. It is designed to clean your carpets thoroughly without causing any harm to the fibers. 

  • First vacuum carpets with a regular vacuum cleaner to remove surface dust. Move furniture out of the way, and open the windows to ensure adequate ventilation.
  • Next, proceed with the deep cleaning machine, taking care to follow the instructions that came with it. You will need to fill a reservoir with water and carpet cleaning chemicals. 
  • The machine may need to have the reservoir emptied and topped up with clean water and chemicals several times during the cleaning process. This will depend on the surface area to be cleaned. 
  • This machine will dispense the water and chemicals, scrubbing out dirt and stains as you move them across your carpet. It effectively washes your carpet deep down into the fibers, while extracting the excess water so that your carpets are not left too wet after cleaning. 
  • Always leave your carpets to dry naturally afterward. And avoid stepping on them while still wet, or you may leave dirty marks on the damp surface. 

We recommend the CX-15 Carpet Cleaning Tool for deep cleaning your carpets. It not only gives a thorough clean, but it also leaves your carpets dryer afterward than other water extraction carpet cleaners. 

how to get the smell of vomit out of carpet

Conclusion

No matter how careful you are with your carpets, it is inevitable that they will eventually become soiled somehow. But when the issue is a vomit stain and odor, it can be very unpleasant. 

Fortunately, with our highly specialized range of carpet cleaning chemicals, stain removers, and deep cleaning machines, you can solve this problem. 

Contact us today for the very best carpet cleaning tools and products, and your carpets will always look and smell fresh and clean. 

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