How to Get Throw Up Out of Carpet With Simple Items at Home

From commercial cleaners to white vinegar, they can prevent the damage caused by your pets, kids, or your big night out. Read on to not just stop the vomit from crumbling into a permanent eyesore but also ensure no lingering smell.

How To Get Throw Up Out Of Carpet
 

Remove The Solids

Put on disposable or latex gloves first to protect your hands from the mess. Vomit doesn't just contain all the unpleasant substances, but you may also run into a wide variety of harmful germs.

Try to scrape off the vomit right after you see it first, as much as you can. If you don't have a scraper on hand, any flat-sided object can do. Scrape any thick pieces that can be removed into a plastic bag or a dustpan.

Any flat object can work

These are common items that you can use to pick up the vomit right away.

Towels

Gather all the vomit with a towel before placing it into your washer. You can also use paper towels instead.

Remember to throw them into your trash can. If you wash towels, keep in mind that the chunks in the vomit can get stuck in your washing machine.

Cardboard

You can cut old soda or cereal boxes for the job. The thick back of your notebook can also get the trick done. You can use two pieces, which can act like a combination of a disposable dustpan and broom.

Slide your self-made paper scoop under the vomit. You may find the thickest sections are the easiest to deal with. If you have two pieces of cardboard, hold one of them and push the vomit with the other. When you have got all the vomit on the cardboard, toss it all together into your trash can.

Plastic bags

Turn it inside out and put it on your hands as a plastic glove. Ensure no holes exist on the bag, or you may end up with vomit on your hands.

Carefully maneuver the bag to pick up as much vomit as you can. When you are done, turn it side out again and tie the bag's handles. Dump the plastic bag into your trashcan.

Spatulas

If you don't mind using a spatula and a spoon to clean up this mess, it works too. Slide its flat side under the vomit and slowly lift it up away from the carpet. Use the spoon to scoop up the vomit when necessary.

Avoid spatulas with slits. Otherwise, the vomit will end up on your floor again. Also, clean and disinfect the spatula and spoon before reusing them.

Sand

Sand can clump the vomit and form a more solid substance, which is easier to sweep up with your dustpan and broom. Cover the vomit with sand as soon as you find out about it. Leave it there for a few minutes to form the clumps. Clean it with your dustpan and broom.

Once you have gotten rid of the vast majority of the vomit, it is time to deal with its excess moisture, stain, and smell.

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Dry The Moisture

Depending on what is available in your home, many options can be used to remove the excess moisture from your carpet.

Baking Soda

This baking ingredient is known for its versatile uses in the household, and it is an important part of learning how to clean throw up out of carpet. Its antibacterial properties can help with the liquid left behind in the vomit too. When covered in baking soda, the moisture will form small clumps that stick less into the carpet, making it easier to pick them up.

Baking soda is a versatile cleaner

Leave the baking soda on the stained spot for at least 10 minutes or until you see dried clumps. Sweep them up with a broom or a vacuum cleaner. If you vacuum, suck the clumps with the hose tube instead of the regular cleaner head. Repeat this several times if you deem it necessary.

If there aren't many thick chunks in the vomit, you may need to spread the baking soda and leave it there overnight. The cleaner needs more time to soak into the moisture and form clumps.

Cornstarch

As with baking soda, knowing how to clean vomit from carpet with cornstarch can come in handy too. It is another common food ingredient that can dry up the moisture of the vomit that your first step has left behind.

Sprinkle it over the stained area and leave it there for about 10-15 minutes. When the liquid has turned into clumps, use the hose tube of your vacuum to suck them up.

Water

Warm water can work wonders with the remaining vomit too. Pour some of it into the stained area and use a rag to blot out the moisture.

Press the rag down hard and use some force to get the water out. But avoid scrubbing because all it does is push more debris into your carpet.

When the rag becomes dirty, replace it with a clean one and repeat. Use only clean white towels so they don't transfer any dyes or patterns into the carpet. Paper towels also work.

Get Rid Of The Stain

In a similar manner, there are many options for removing the stain and freshening up your carpet.

Club Soda

Pour some carbonated water into the stained area. You can also fill it into a spray bottle for easier application.

Let the water stand for about 30 seconds, and use a clean towel to blot the stain out until it is removed. Replace the dirty towel and add more club soda when needed.

Dry Cleaning Solvent

Sprinkle dry solvent over a clean towel. Blot the stain with it until the solvent is completely absorbed.

Vinegar

Vinegar is useful with vomit too

Make a mixture of vinegar and water with a one-to-one ratio. Pour it into a spray bottle and spray the solution over the stained area on your carpet. Let it sit there for about 15 minutes before dabbing at the stain with a clean cloth.

Soak up the vinegar and rub at the area with a brush until it gets loose. Use a dry cloth to clean the stain.

To control the odor, you can add some essential oil to the vinegar mixture. Apple cider or white vinegar can be used for this as well. Don't overspray - you just need to cover the carpet with vinegar, not soak it.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and dish soap or water. Carefully pour the solution into the stained area and let it sit there for about half an hour.

Use a clean towel to rub the stain until you see a lather. Use another dry towel to blot the moisture.

Rinse the soap with some water when you are done. This important step makes sure that there is no soap left holding dust and dirt on your carpet.

Ammonia

Mix together ammonia (1 tablespoon) and water (1 cup). Spray the solution into the stained area. Dab the mixture over your carpet with a towel or sponge. Rinse the area with water and blot the moisture with dry towels.

Don't use this method if you have pets, who might get the wrong idea and end up urinating there due to the attractive smell of ammonia.

Additionally, ammonia should only be used in a well-ventilated space. Its toxic fumes can be life-threatening.

A Custom Vomit Cleaner

Make a mixture of rubbing alcohol (2 tablespoons), laundry detergent or dish soap (1 tablespoon), white vinegar (1/2 cup), salt (1 tablespoon), and warm water (2 cups).

Spread this mixture into the stained area with a sponge. Use a dry towel to blot the moisture until the stain is gone.

Rinse the affected area after you are done with the stain. Spray some water and blot it up with a dry towel twice.

Dish soap makes a great cleaning solution for vomit

Fabric or Carpet Cleaners

You can pick up a commercial cleaner, such as an enzyme-based stain remover. Follow the instructions printed on the label.

Carpet Cleaners

Consider using a carpet cleaner when you have to face a severe stain. You can rent it from many stores. Use the wet mop over the affected area.

Ironing

Create a mixture of white vinegar and water (with a ratio of 1:2). Wet a white rag and place it over the stained area.

Turn on your iron and switch to steam mode. Iron the area several times, each for about 30 seconds. This process can transfer the stain from your carpet into a damp towel.

Don't keep the iron in one place or it may burn or scorch the towel. Slide it over the stain in gentle back-and-forth movements. Even if you are in a rush, don't iron your carpet directly. Always use a towel to protect its delicate surface, which is prone to high heat.

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Remove The Smell

Most of the time, the steps above should remove all the solids and liquid caused by the vomit and prevent them from staining your carpet. However, you may still notice some odor lingering behind. It is likely to occur when the vomit has plenty of time sitting on your carpet and soaks into its fabric. In those scenarios, knowing how to get throw up out of carpet isn’t enough.

You can reapply cornstarch or baking soda again to remove the horrible smell. Not only can they remove the vomit's moisture by turning it into solid clumps, but these food ingredients also have a deodorizing effect. Other options you can try include commercial deodorizers and steam cleaning.

Cornstarch / Baking Soda

Sprinkle a few tablespoons of cornstarch or baking soda on your carpet, making sure it covers the entire affected area. Let the cornstarch/baking soda sit there overnight and soak up the smell.

If the odor is too strong, you may need to let the cornstarch or baking soda sit on your carpet for a few days. Over the area with the area if you have kids or pets at home so it won't be disturbed. Consider blocking off the area in the meantime as well if necessary.

When the vomit smell is no longer there, vacuum the excess cornstarch or baking soda from your carpet. Make sure the model you use is safe for carpeted surfaces.

Commercial Carpet Deodorizers

You can also buy a deodorizer for carpets online or from your local hardware/home improvement store. It should work well with vomit odors.

Prefer products with only natural ingredients. Look at online reviews to see whether the product you want can mark or stain carpets. It is a good idea to ask for recommendations from the store's salesperson as well.

Follow the directions of the deodorizer. Most of these products have a powder form, which you can sprinkle on your carpet. Apply as much as necessary to cover the affected area.

Give the carpet deodorizer enough time to soak up unpleasant vomit smells by letting it sit there overnight. A full 24 hours or a few days might be even needed if the smell is too strong. When you are done, remove the powder with a vacuum cleaner.

Wet-dry vacuums can clean up the vomit

Steam Cleaning

Buy, borrow, or rent a steam cleaner made for carpets. This machine provides deep cleaning abilities that can get rid of stubborn stains and odors, such as ones caused by vomit. The machine creates hot steam, which kills bacteria and germs in the process.

Apply a suitable detergent to your carpet and run the steam cleaner over it. Read the manuals and choose the correct temperatures as high heat may melt some fibers.

Move the cleaner in a back and forth motion. Let the carpet air-dry completely when you are done.

If you aren't confident in your steam cleaning skills, consider contacting carpet cleaning services. They may cost a bit, but these professionals can save you a lot of hassle.

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Tips On How To Clean Up Throw Up On Carpet

Follow these suggestions to reduce the damage caused by the vomit.

• Act fast: don't let the vomit sit on your carpet for too long and stain it. The acid in the vomit can damage the fibers and create permanent stains. The liquid also has more time to soak into the carpet and makes it harder to pull it up. Use any object that can remove at least a large portion of the vomit as soon as possible before you deal with the rest of it.
• Rinse and blot: always rinse the stained area with water after treating it with a cleaning solution. Your carpet may suffer from discoloration if you leave some residues behind. This applies to natural ingredients like vinegar as well.
• Don't rub the vomit: whichever method you opt for, never rub the mess into your carpet. It doesn't help with anything besides pushing the vomit further into the fabrics of your carpet.

Conclusion

We hope you have learned how to get throw up out of carpet through this guide. There are plenty of options to choose from, depending on which item you have in the house.

Make sure to deal with every aspect of the vomit, including the solids, the moisture, and the smell. This way, your carpet won't suffer from any damage that can ruin its look forever.