How to Clean Dog Vomit from Carpet

Becoming a fur parent is a very exciting moment, but one that comes with a lot of responsibility and work. And by work, I mean cleaning up dog vomit from the carpet.

Yes, it goes without saying that you have to clean up after your pet.

You must understand that dogs don’t get to tell how they feel.

So, if they’re feeling a bit under the weather or ate something they shouldn’t have, it’s almost certain that it will end up on your carpet.

Most dog owners go through it at some point or another.

Once you bring one home, that would be a lifelong commitment. But don’t worry, it sure is always worth it.

And with the right tools and a pair of rubber gloves, you can get rid of even the leftover puke that clings to the carpet fibers and the stench that lingers.

In this article, we look at several ways to remove fresh dog puke from carpets.

We also go over how to clean old vomit and stains you missed until they have dried.

Why Do Dogs Vomit?

When your dog vomits, the contents of its stomach or upper intestine are ejected firmly.

Dogs who are throwing up could exhibit nausea and belly heaving.

Vomiting in dogs can occur for a variety of causes.

Your dog may have eaten more than it could handle, eaten too quickly, or consumed too much grass.

Sometimes, the cause could be more serious. It's possible that your dog ingested something harmful, or it could be an indication of a serious sickness that calls for a trip to the clinic.

Regardless of the reason, it is common for dogs to vomit. You just have to know the difference between an occasional instance of vomiting and chronic vomiting.

There are several options for cleaning up, giving you a wide range of choices.

You can go one of two ways:

1. mix cleaning supplies you already have at home
2. use cleaning supplies from the market made specifically for removing stains and pet vomit

How to Clean Dog Vomit from Carpet with Homemade Carpet Cleaner

Act quickly to clean up any mess that your pet may have left on the carpet to prevent stains.

If the stench and discoloration have a chance to penetrate deeply into the fibers, they are more likely to last over time.

Be careful not to squish the granules into the carpet while you pick up most of the vomit with a few dry, folded paper towels.

Start blotting and dabbing the area to absorb as much liquid as possible until the moisture is nearly gone.

Now that most of the vomit has been cleaned up, it’s time to prepare your homemade carpet cleaner.

Alcohol, Baking Soda, Detergent, Salt, and Vinegar Method

1. In a sizable bowl or cup that is microwave-safe, warm up about 2 cups of water.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of salt, and stir continuously until it dissolves.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol, 1 tablespoon of detergent, and ½ cup of white vinegar to the salt and water mixture.
4. Dampen a clean kitchen sponge with the solution and use it to wipe away any traces of the vomit.
5. Generously sprinkle the baking soda over the carpeted area, covering it completely. This will get rid of any odors and help the carpet dry.
6. Once completely dry, use a vacuum cleaner to remove all of the baking soda.

Ammonia Method

1. When using ammonia, it's important to ventilate the area, wear a mask, and never combine it with bleach.
2. Add 1 spoonful of ammonia to 1 cup of water.
3. Dip a white cloth into the mixture, then blot the vomit-covered carpet with it. Be careful not to get the carpet too wet.
4. Use a clean, white cloth dipped in cold water to blot.
5. Repeat as necessary until the stain is removed.

Baking Soda, Dish Soap, and Vinegar Method

1. Sprinkle the area with cornstarch or baking soda.
2. Vacuum the baking soda after 10 minutes.
3. Mix 2 cups of warm water with 1 tablespoon each of dish soap and white vinegar to disinfect the area.
4. Rub the mixture into the carpet with a cloth.
5. After a few minutes, remove the solution with a clean cloth dipped in cold water. You can then blot the area dry.

Club Soda

1. Simply pour it directly into the stained area.
2. Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes
3. With a gentle brush or sponge, scrub the wet area.
4. Rinse with clean water, then dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.
5. Repeat if necessary.

Dish Soap and Hydrogen Peroxide

1. Mix hydrogen peroxide and water 50/50, then add a few drops of dish soap.
2. Apply the solution until the carpet is damp.
3. Gently lather it up with a clean cloth after 30 minutes.
4. Be careful not to let the stain spread.
5. Clean again with fresh water to get rid of any soap residue after wiping away the excess with a dry cloth or paper towel.

Vinegar Method

1. Fill a spray bottle with warm water and white vinegar.
2. Spray the solution generously, completely covering the area fully and getting the carpet damp.
3. Use old rags or towels to blot the area dry.
4. Continue doing so until the stain is gone.
5. You can vacuum the area once it has dried.

How to Clean Dog Vomit from Carpet With Store-bought Carpet Cleaner

Commercial cleaning solutions are easily accessible in your local store's cleaning or pet supplies sections.

Stain and odor remover sprays are among the best when it comes to pet mishaps.

They are safer to use around kids and pets because many of them are organic.

Use the spray after clearing up most of the vomit. Check its usage and follow the manufacturer’s instructions since each cleaner varies.

Also, choose products with enzymes.

Throw-up and other pet messes, like feces, pee, and more, can be removed using an enzyme-based carpet stain remover because it can take on all the problems at once.

A lot of enzymatic formulas are manufactured with substances that are harmless for both you and your pet.

With that said, make sure to always check the contents list before using a product around pets, and steer clear of substances that can be hazardous to your animal companions.

The following are some examples of carpet stain removers.

Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator

Find on Amazon: $19.97

For the most challenging stains and odor issues, Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator works incredibly hard.

For all colorfast carpets, it is approved as safe and efficient by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), and also works well on most upholstery.

Natural enzymes in this spray are activated by odors and stains, feeding on organic debris and ammonia crystals until the odor and stain are gone entirely.

Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover

Find on Amazon: $10.75

Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover works to get rid of dog accidents like pee, feces, vomit, drool, and more.

On contact, the enhanced odor control solution breaks down organic stains and aromas through enzymatic action.

After the product has lifted and broken down the trash, drying reduces the stench and leaves you with a clean, fragrant space.

Simple Solution Extreme Stain and Odor Remover

Find on Amazon: $13.79

Use Simple Solution Extreme Stain & Odor Remover to protect your house from difficult pet stains.

Extreme stains like those left by urine, feces, or vomit can be permanently removed with the use of this potent pet stain and odor remover.

With a multipurpose three-in-one nozzle sprayer with foam, mist, and stream settings, it is designed to deter repeat incidents.

Amaziing Solutions Pet Stain and Odor Remover

Find on Amazon: $19.97

Looking for a solution to effectively remove cat or dog stains from furniture, fabrics, and other surfaces in your home?

By neutralizing the particles at the source, Amaziing Solutions Pet Stain Carpet Cleaner and Deodorizer is precisely intended to remove embedded stains and odor from your carpet or floor, guaranteeing that the disagreeable smell doesn't stay.

Sunny & Honey Pet Stain & Odor Miracle

Find on Amazon: $19.99

Pet Stain & Odor Miracle makes cleanup quick and simple so you can get back to enjoying time with your furry friend right away.

Organic wastes, such as urine, feces, vomit, blood, and drool, cannot be entirely removed by any other cleaning solution than one that is enzyme-based.

It is intended for use on any surfaces around your home, including carpets, upholstery, beds, rugs, and mats.

Other Methods of Cleaning Dog Vomit from Carpet

Commercial Carpet Cleaner

For some stains, homemade or store-bought cleaning solutions are insufficient.

The worst stains can be removed from carpets by using a professional carpet cleaner.

You can employ carpet cleaners, or you can rent the equipment and clean the soiled spots on your own. Grocery stores and rental facilities both have carpet cleaners.

Portable carpet cleaners are becoming more and more popular.

They come equipped with a sprayer and a tank to collect the filth, allowing you to use nearly any cleaning you want. There are even scrubbing brushes built right in.

Steam Cleaner

You might need to steam clean your carpet to remove the toughest odors and stains

In addition to removing the stain, this will sanitize the carpet and get rid of any odor.

Most hardware and pet stores provide reasonably priced steam cleaner rentals.

Compared to the usual carpet cleaner, most variations are smaller. Many even provide heating features to dry the area after cleaning.

How to Remove Vomit Smells from Carpet

Sometimes, getting rid of a vomit stain is only half the struggle. Even after the stain is gone, the odor still lingers.

This only indicates the presence of odor-producing bacteria that are still present and feasting on some vomit residue.

To get rid of lingering or overpowering scents, use an enzyme-based carpet and upholstery cleaner made for pet stains as instructed on the package.

After rinsing, cover the area with a damp cloth and leave it moist for up to 72 hours to keep the enzymes at work eliminating the stain and odor completely.

There are some supplies at home, though, that you may use if you'd rather save money or opt for a safer option for your children, pets, and the environment than utilize chemicals.

Baking Soda

1. Try sponging the area with warm or hot water to dissolve and eliminate any leftover particles.
2. After the fabric has dried, use a soft brush to gently rub some baking soda into it.
3. Vacuum after about 30 minutes of letting it sit.

If this doesn’t do the trick, cover the area with baking soda and leave it overnight before vacuuming.

Another method is to sprinkle the surface with a mixture of baking soda and borax in equal parts. Vacuum after an hour has passed.

Vinegar

1. Fill a spray container with a solution made of vinegar and water in equal parts.
2. Spray the area until it's damp but not drenched.
3. Let it dry naturally.

Although vinegar is an effective natural deodorizer, it does have a distinct smell that will stay for a while.

Apple cider vinegar works similarly to white vinegar in terms of cleansing and deodorizing but has a more pleasant scent.

Cleaning Old Vomit Stains

There are situations when you can't immediately remove dog vomit stains.

The incident can happen while you're away from home, and you might not realize it for days.

Other times, your pooch might vomit as you leave the house, but there is nothing you can do about it at that moment.

Luckily, there is a way to remove the vomit and get rid of the stain.

1. Sprinkle baking soda over the entire dried stain and leave it for at least 15 minutes.
2. Clean up all the baking soda and any accompanying vomit with a vacuum. If you don't want vomit in your vacuum canister, use a broom or scrape up the vomit and baking soda by hand.
3. In a spray bottle, mix equal parts of warm water and vinegar. Although you may also pour this solution straight onto the carpet, using a spray bottle will allow you to evenly cover the area without completely soaking the fibers. This makes the vomit wet enough to be blotted off.
4. Use old clothes or towels to blot the stain until it is dry.
5. You might need to repeat this process several times to get rid of all the vomit stains if they still exist.

FAQs about How to Clean Dog Vomit from Carpet

When should you be concerned about your dog throwing up?

Sometimes dogs will throw up, and this normally doesn't mean anything serious.

The vomiting should stop right away if they have a stomach bug, and they should soon return to normal.

However, frequent vomiting could be a sign of many disorders, including serious ones.

Contact your veterinarian if your dog has been throwing up repeatedly or if you frequently need to clean up the puke.

Will dog vomit come out of the carpet?

Yes, if you do something about it.

You can either make your homemade solution or buy cleaning supplies from the market or online.

How does baking soda clean dog vomit from the carpet?

Baking soda is a weak alkali or base, that can aid in neutralizing the vomit's acidity.

Since cornstarch has a pH of 7, it can also be used to neutralize vomit.

How to Clean Dog Vomit from Carpet: Final Thoughts

The easiest approach to prevent stains and odors on your carpet is to be ready for the inevitable dog vomit.

You can quickly and simply clean up the mess if you have the necessary supplies on hand.

Although it's desirable, it's not always possible to get to the stain right away.

We hope that these suggested techniques have assisted you in learning how to permanently remove both fresh and old dog vomit stains, as well as any related odors.

Consult your vet straight away if you find that your dog is frequently throwing up or displaying any other symptoms.

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