How to Get Vomit and Other Stains Out of Carpets

Updated on May 24, 2008
S.K. asks from Castle Rock, CO
20 answers

To all you veterans out there who don't cringe at the thought of child vomit I need help. We have pretty light carpet and I was wondering how to get all the lovely "sick" stains out. Luckily my kids aren't prone to getting every little tummy bug since I am not good at dealing with that stuff but they get it here and there and I dread those days.

2 moms found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Pocatello on

I use oxiclean. My son used to throw up all the time. He would just gag on things or have a asthma atack and then vomit. He started hitting the toilet and trash can at a very young age though.
People would freak out and tell me that my son was pucking. I would ask if he was hitting the toilet, which was usally a yes answer. They thought it was weired that I did not rush to him, but he hatted us to make a big deal about it.
Oxiclean was the best thing I found. I even put it in my carpet cleaner.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Pueblo on

Hi S.- the product that I found works best is "kids and pets"(or something like that). You can find it in grocery stores and walmart with near the carpet cleaning stuff. I found that it works real good on getting the stains out and it's not too expensive. Good luck!!!
PS After 5 years of hating my white carpeting, we finally put in hardwood laminate floors in the living room and I am loving it!!!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.J.

answers from Salt Lake City on

carpet cleaning, diluted bleach, stain remover, good ol' elbow grease ;)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.G.

answers from Denver on

Hi S.,
I have become a big fan of rubbing alcohol and peroxide. These to everyday items are great. I have found that rubbing alcohol takes out even perminant marker and even indian ink. Peroxide is also a great cleaner and is non-toxic. If its a tough stain I'd try the rubbing alcohol,use a Q-tip or cotton ball and rub in. Then take a carpet cleaner to it. You may have to do it a few times but it will eventually come out. I'm a 38 year old mom of 2 girls now ages 21 & 18 and a boy age 15. And my kids loved and still love to leave stains, especially the 18 yr. old girl who's very into art. The indian ink was the most difficult and I was told by professionals that it would not come out and I'd need new carpet, so naturally I didn't hire them to try and thought hell if rubbing alcohol can take out perminant marker why not indian ink. It took a lot of time and elbow grease but now my carpet is as good new.
Hope this helps
E.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.C.

answers from Salt Lake City on

super cheap solution for you, Borax. you can find it on the laundry aisle. sprinkle that on. then vacuume it up. it gets the stinky smell out of pee too. and when you leave laundry in the washer (I am notorious for this) using some borax and a bit of vinegar gets the stinky smell out. It's about $4 for a large box.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.G.

answers from Denver on

Nature's Miracle is awesome for baby vomit and all kinds of pet stains. You can get it at Pet Smart. I have 3 dogs so already had a bottle and tried it on the vomit stains and it worked perfectly.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.H.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I have this same issue and asked the same question a couple years ago. Of all the responses I got, here's the one I found works best. It's from Janie:

"My Mom gave me a spray bottle of her "miracle stain remover" when my son was born 4-1/2 yrs ago (one part rubbing alcohol, 3 parts water and a small squirt (possibly a 1/4 tsp.) of liquid dish soap. Spay it on till it's not soaked but thoroughly wet; use a small scrub brush on the stain and then blot it up with paper towels. Use the spray (with or without scrubbing) and blotting until the stain is gone. When the carpet is dry, just vaccume. This is also an awesome stain remover for clothes.....just spray when the stain occurs (or even when you find it before putting it in the washer). It won't hurt to spray it and leave it a couple of days in the hamper either. I used (and still use!!) this religously when my son was a baby on all of his clothes, spit-up rags (and you know how smelly and stained they can get!!), bedding, etc. and there are absolutely NO stains on any of his baby things!! I also use it on the carpet when the cats and dogs get sick or have accidents. I pre-mix enough to put into a 1/2 gallon jug and then just fill the spray bottle when I run low. Give it a try and let me know how it works."

This stuff really works fantastically and is much cheaper making than buying some other product. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.C.

answers from Pueblo on

HI S.,
You know I love the resolve carpet cleaning machines that you can rent from Safeway or Kingsoopers. They are awesome. I would recommend one since it seems like you have several spots to clean up. I've used them to get jelly, vomit and rust out of my carpet before. Another product I've recently tried and love is Scotch Gaurd Pet Care fabric and upholstery cleaner. I found it at Walmart in the pet care section. Its a foam that you spray on, leave for a few mins, then wipe off useing a damp rag. It worked great on my couch! I hope I've helped you. Good luck!

C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.B.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Good ole milk....it breaks up protein. Of course you must make sure you get it out of the carpet to prevent souring smell. Let the milk soak then scrub it up and rinse more than completely.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.N.

answers from Denver on

I use a product called pro-tek and it works great, you have to order ir online and it is tax deductable. the website is www.protekchemical.com the phone number is 1-888-776-8351.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Pocatello on

Go to your local pet store and get a bottle of Simple Solution, not only with it take out the stain it deodorizes, it works ao almost any stain or odor.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.J.

answers from Boise on

Dear S.,
Hydrogen Peroxide it AMAZING... and cheep. you poor it on and the oxidizing adjets clean and disenfect... leave it on of one minute then blot with a withe towel... if you have a carpet cleaner, you can suck it up with that...

This is a live saver at my house with two hids and four pets... it cleans up blood, vommit, urine, fecal matter... breaks up the proteins... and is less than #1 per bottle HOw cool is that? Good luck hun

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.B.

answers from Denver on

I've used "pet stain remover" for lots of kid messes. It really works on alot of stuff...even on the bathroom floor to remove the stains and odors caused by "directionally challenged" boys. :)

J.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Fort Collins on

Spot Shot works pretty good. Or that oxygenated stuff works good cant remember the brand.. The best thing {although this may not be helpful now} Is to get one of the steam cleaners they make nice small ones in lots of price ranges, and have that on hand for when these things happens so you can run that thing over it a couple times right away. Sometimes these things are really hard to get out especially if its at all greasy. If the smell wont go away - I actually tried armenhammer on my carpet once sprinkled some on waited a bit and vacuumed it off it really helped.
Good Luck,
S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.W.

answers from Provo on

My neighbor has light carpet and very active kids. She uses hydrogen peroxide gel to keep her carpets looking new.

Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.W.

answers from Boise on

Three things to clean icky stains:
a good microfiber towel (PM me and I'll tell you a great source), Breeze (when you can find it, also takes out red wine and grape juice stains), and my personal fav is: mix 2T white vinegar + 2T liquid laundry detergent + 2C water. Blot on any stain and wipe (one direction, don't rub). Rinse and repeat until stain is gone. This one saved me when we got a puppy who had bowel problems.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.P.

answers from Denver on

My mom's husband is a carpet cleaner. Wipe up the excess vomit with a paper towel. Then pour sparkling water or tonic water or soda water or any carbonated water on the area. Let it soak. The bubbles will bring the stain up. Then dab and twist with a towel. Don't rub because you will only rub it in. Do this over an over. We were even able to get wine out of a carpet with this strategy.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.K.

answers from Denver on

We had almost white carpets at our last house. Capture does wonders on stains. You can get it at carpet exchange.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Colorado Springs on

If you're into using non toxic more natural cleaners, I have a great store you can shop at. they make wonderful products that work better than any other i've ever used...and NO toxic fumes. They have at least 2-3 products I can think of for stain removal. I have used them to get blood out, food coloring, pet stains, etc and you can't even tell there was anything there to begin with.
-J.
____@____.com

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Hi S.,
I use oxy clean. The powder you get for the laundry mixed with a little water or you can get a spray oxyclean. I have cleaned up dog poop, vomit, mouse blood left from the cats spring hunting.... It works every time. If you use the powder mix it with a little warm water and wait at least 10 minutes then clean up with wet rag and vacuum when dry. If it leaves a white residue this comes out easily but you have to wet it again and vacuum. The great thing is there is no oder left of the vomit or of the cleaner. My dog had a problem in my husbands car that almost had us throwing up it smelled so bad however the oxy clean worked so well and left no odor at all that my husband never new.
Peroxide is also good.
Good Luck,
SarahMM

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches