How Do I Clean Vomit Stains from Carpet with Houshold Items?

You don't always need to buy products from the store to clean a carpet.

Vomit is a mixture of food, stomach acid, and bacteria that comes back up from the stomach. When this substance comes in contact with carpeting, it can become ingrained in the fibers and is sometimes difficult to remove.

Tools

To properly clean vomit stains from a carpet, you need a few simple tools: a roll of paper towels (or a couple of clean cloth towels), a scrub brush similar to a brush you might use for a bathtub, and a bottle of white vinegar.

Solutions

Remove the excess vomit from the surface with your towels. Mix 1 part white vinegar with 2 parts warm water. Spray it on the stain, and allow it to sit for about 20 minutes. Use your scrub brush to lightly work the vinegar solution into the stain, then use more towels to pat the area dry. If necessary, dampen a few of the towels and leave them on top of the area for a few hours--the towel will lift out any remaining stains from the vomit as it dries.

Warning

The longer you allow the vomit to stay on the carpet, the harder it will be to remove it, so start removing the stain as soon as you notice it. Also, it's a smart idea to test a small area of the stain with the vinegar to ensure that it won't change the color of the carpet.

References

• KidzWorld: Puke
• Healthy Child: Clean Carpets Without Dangerous Chemicals