The Best Ways to Eliminate Throw up Stains & Odors from Carpet

The best way to clean vomit out of the carpet is to use the right tools to tackle the issue as soon as possible. Scrape up the chunks with a spatula and dry the moisture with a towel or baking soda. Then, treat the stain with a store-bought stain remover or a homemade solution. We'll walk you through the steps of cleaning up pet or human vomit with the help of carpet and rug cleaning specialist Haim Shemesh.

How to Get Vomit Out of Carpet

Scrape the vomit into a trash bag using a spoon or dustpan, then sprinkle baking soda over the area and vacuum it up after 10 to 15 minutes. Spray the area with a solution of 2 cups (470 mL) water, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) dish soap, and ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) distilled white vinegar before dabbing at the stain with a dry cloth.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Removing the Vomit

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1
Scrape the vomit into a trash bag with a spoon, spatula, or dustpan. Remove as much vomit as possible and dump it in a trash bag.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source

US Occupational Safety and Health Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for setting and enforcing workplace safety standards

Go to source} If you don’t have a dustpan or spatula on hand, use old cardboard as a scoop or turn a plastic bag inside out and use that as a makeshift glove. Pick up the vomit, turn the bag right side out, and tie the handles.^{[2]
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- If the vomit is dried, dampen the area with a spray bottle and water before you try to remove it so you don’t damage the carpeting.
- Disinfect the spoon, spatula, or dustpan by soaking it in a mixture of 5 tablespoons (74 mL) of bleach in 1 gallon (3.8 L) water for 10 to 20 minutes. Rinse it thoroughly with clean water.
- You can also pick up the vomit with a towel or paper towel. Throw towels directly into the washer or throw the paper towels directly into the trash.^{[3]
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  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  
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- Before you start cleaning, cover your hands and mouth with disposable latex gloves and a face mask to keep yourself protected from germs and bacteria.^{[4]
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Blot the stain with an absorbent cloth or paper towel. Stand on the towels or use the pressure from a stack of books to soak up as much moisture as possible. When the towel gets soaked, replace it with a clean one and continue to blot the mess.^{[5]
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- Try to avoid rubbing the vomit into the carpet—this can push the vomit into the carpet fibers and make it twice as difficult to remove.
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Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch to absorb leftover residue. Baking soda and cornstarch can soak up the rest of the moisture before you remove the stain. Leave the powder on for 10 to 15 minutes. Vacuum the area and repeat if necessary.^{[6]
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- If you can’t get to the stain right away, sprinkle baking soda over it and place a towel on top. When you’re ready to clean, toss the towel in the washer and vacuum the baking soda.
- Another way to absorb the moisture left behind is to sprinkle the area with kitty litter. Allow the litter to clump with the vomit, then use a scraper to scoop the litter into a plastic trash bag.
  - If there’s litter left over, run a vacuum or carpet sweeper over the area. Pick up any remaining wet litter with a paper towel and dry litter with a piece of packing tape.^{[7]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Removing the Vomit Stain

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Use an enzyme-based pet stain carpet cleaner to get rid of stains. Carpet and rug cleaning specialist Haim Shemesh recommends reading “the SDS information,” which “gives you all the info on the product to know… if the rug can be compatible to the product.”^{[8]
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Expert Source

Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.} Use the stain remover according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Carpet and rug cleaning specialist Haim Shemesh says to avoid “using something off the shelf” without reading the label because many cleaners “do not apply to the majority of the rugs.”^{[9]
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  Expert Source
  
  Haim Shemesh
  Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.}
2
Mix water, dish soap, and white vinegar for a natural cleaning solution. Spray the area with a mixture of 2 cups (470 mL) of water with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of dish soap and ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of distilled white vinegar. Use a dry, clean cloth or sponge to dab at the stain and soak up the excess liquid.^{[10]
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Research source} Use a clean damp cloth to blot the area until no soapy residue remains. Allow the carpet to air dry.^{[11]
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- Optionally, use a soft-bristled brush dipped in the vinegar mixture to work from the outside edge of the stain and scrub towards the center. Blot with paper towels as you scrub.^{[12]
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- You can also add a couple of drops of an antimicrobial essential oil like lavender, cajuput, cinnamon, eucalyptus, sage, or tea tree.^{[13]
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  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
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- Try to avoid rubbing the carpet with the mixture.^{[14]
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Apply hydrogen peroxide and dish soap for stubborn stains. Mix 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of hydrogen peroxide with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of dish soap. Pour the mixture over the stained area and let sit for a few seconds. Gently work in the mixture with a rag. Rinse the area with water, blot with a dry clean towel, and repeat this process until the stain is gone.^{[15]
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- Alternatively, spray with hydrogen peroxide and cover the spot with a damp white towel. Slide an iron back and forth over it on the lowest setting for 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat until the stain is gone.^{[16]
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Use steam cleaner to kill viruses and bacteria. Steam cleaning machines and wet vacuums can thoroughly disinfect carpets and upholstery. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to set up the carpet cleaner and what cleaning solution to use.^{[17]
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- Hold the trigger to release the solution and move back and forth over the stain. Release the trigger to suck up the solution. Repeat until the liquid coming out of the carpet is clean.^{[18]
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- To kill noroviruses and other harmful bacteria, set the steam cleaner to 158 °F (70 °C) and pass over the area for at least 5 minutes.^{[19]
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  US Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for setting and enforcing workplace safety standards
  
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- Some supermarkets also carry carpet cleaners that you can rent for 24 hours. These can cost between $30 to $50 per day.^{[20]
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Use ammonia and water to clean natural fiber rugs. Mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of clear household ammonia with ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of lukewarm water.^{[21]
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Research source} Spray the mixture over the area and use towel to dab at the stain. Rinse the area with water and blot with clean towels until it’s dry.
- Natural fibers include wool, sisal, jute, seagrass, and hemp.
- Avoid using ammonia if you have pets. It might attract them to the spot and encourage them to urinate there.^{[22]
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  The Humane Society of the United States
  National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
  
  Go to source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Eliminating Odors

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Sprinkle the freshly cleaned area with baking soda. Carpet and rug cleaning specialist Haim Shemesh says that baking soda can help “absorb the smell” in carpets.^{[23]
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Expert Source

Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.} Create a layer of baking soda that’s about ¹⁄₄ inch (0.64 cm) thick. Allow the baking soda to remain on the carpet overnight or for at least 4 to 6 hours. Vacuum it up the next day.^{[24]
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- The baking soda can also help absorb any leftover moisture.
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Spray the carpet with equal parts water and vinegar. Spray 1 cup (240 mL) vinegar and 1 cup (240 mL) water onto the stain and let it sit for 30 seconds. Vacuum over the stain with a wet or dry vacuum or blot the stain with a clean dry cloth. Repeat until the smell is gone.^{[25]
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- Try to avoid saturating the carpet with the mixture. Only spray enough to wet the stain.^{[26]
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- Apply an odor neutralizing spray to get rid of any lingering vinegar smell.
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Use an odor-neutralizing spray, powder, or concentrated liquid. The best carpet deoderizers eliminate smells without damaging the carpet and leave your house smelling fresh and clean. Do a patch test on a small bit of carpet in an unseen area to make sure it won’t damage the rug before using it on the stain.^{[27]
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- Rug Doctor’s Odor Remover can be sprayed directly on carpet and attacks mildew, smoke, and vomit smells.^{[28]
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Get your carpet cleaned professionally to remove lingering odors. When it comes to getting rid of vomit smells, carpet and rug cleaning specialist Haim Shemesh says that “there’s nothing better than to get it cleaned professionally.” Most cleaning companies “use a deodorizer built in the shampoo that they use” that not only gets the stain out but neutralizes any smell.^{[29]
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Expert Source

Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.}
- Haim Shemesh says that “there are a lot of companies who use fake reviews.” To make sure the cleaning company is reputable, Haim Shemesh recommends seeing “if there's a pattern in the reviews.”^{[30]
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  Expert Source
  
  Haim Shemesh
  Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.}

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you neutralize the smell of vomit?

Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
Haim Shemesh is a Carpet and Rug Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration, a business based in New York City. Haim specializes in Oriental, Persian, handmade, and antique rug cleaning and repair. He also conducts rug restoration along with fire damage care. He has over 17 years of experience in the carpet cleaning industry. Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration has been awarded Angie's List Super Service Award in 2017 and 2018. Their clients include Staples, Ace Hotel, Momofuku, Banana Republic, and more.

Haim Shemesh

Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

Baking soda is an alkaline and will neutralize odors instead of covering them up.

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A combination of these methods might be needed. Try cleaning with vinegar or detergent, then finishing up by covering the spot with a baking soda and water paste.

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Before placing these products on your carpet, test a small area. Leave the product on the carpet for 5 to 10 minutes to make sure no bleaching occurs.

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After vacuuming over the vomit area, replace the bag or clean out your vacuum to prevent odors and bacteria.

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If you don't want to use baking soda, try pouring a little bit of dishwashing detergent and hot water on the stain. Scrub the stain with a hard sponge or a towel.
If there's vomit on the carpet in your car, get the car wash to shampoo and detail the interior. The vomit will be gone and you'll have a shiny clean car!

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Warnings

Before you start cleaning vomit, cover your hands, mouth, and skin to prevent exposure to harmful viruses or bacteria.

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Carpet and rug cleaning specialist Haim Shemesh says to avoid using bleach to clean stains—it “could damage the rug” and not only “take the stain but also take away the color that the rug has.”^{[31]
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Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.}

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