Vomit Stain Removal

By Matt Oden | Comments | Bodily Fluids Stains → Vomit

Few household chores are as challenging as vomit stain removal. Vomit is a stain that must be attacked immediately in order to keep the combination of stomach acids and food dyes from staining fabrics, upholstery and carpets permanently, and that's only half the problem, literally -- vomit stains are notorious for a scent that can linger long after the tell-tale traces are gone. If you move quickly, however, and attack vomit stains with the right tools, that accident can be a thing of the past.

Vomit Stain Removal

Vomit Stain Removal for Washable Fabrics

What You'll Need Before You Start:

  • Heavy Duty Liquid Laundry Detergent
  • Powdered Oxygen Bleach
  • Protective Gloves

The bad news is that vomit stains on your washable fabrics require you to get up close and personal with something that's liable to make you upchuck yourself. The good news is, if you treat a vomit stain on a washable fabric item quickly, you can likely make it nothing more than an unpleasant memory.

Here's how to treat a vomit stain on a washable fabric item:

  1. Scrape any solid vomit material from the fabric.
  2. Rinse the stain well under cool water.
  3. Rub heavy duty liquid laundry detergent into the stain, and allow it to sit for several minutes to deodorize and loosen the stain from the fabric.
  4. Rinse well under cool water.
  5. If any food dye stains remain behind, treat with powdered oxygen bleach using the steps that follow.
  6. Don protective gloves.
  7. Make a paste of powdered oxygen bleach and water, making sure to dissolve the powder completely.
  8. Apply the paste to the stain, and allow it to sit for several minutes. Do not allow the paste to dry on the fabric.
  9. Rinse well under cool water.
  10. Wash according to label instructions.
  11. Allow to air dry to make sure all traces of the stain have been removed.

Vomit Stain Removal for Carpets

What You'll Need Before You Start:

  • Baking Soda
  • Vacuum Cleaner
  • Liquid Dishwashing Detergent
  • White Vinegar
  • Sponge
  • Clean White Cloths
  • Protective Gloves

Parents and pet owners alike know the horror of a vomit stain on carpet. From sick children to sick dogs and cats, carpet is often the place that vomit appears most often.

The problem with removing a vomit stain from carpet is two-fold; removing the stain itself is difficult, but removing the scent that accompanies vomit can be just as challenging. The following instructions can help you mount an attack that will take care of both problems vomit stains pose. Note: these instructions are recommended only for synthetic carpets.

  1. Don protective gloves.
  2. Scrape any solid vomit material from the carpet.
  3. Sprinkle baking soda over the vomit stain to absorb any liquids and odors. Let stand 10-15 minutes.
  4. Vacuum the stain thoroughly to remove baking soda.
  5. Make a solution of one tablespoon liquid dishwashing detergent, one tablespoon of white vinegar and two cups of warm water.
  6. Sponge the stain with the detergent/vinegar solution.
  7. Blot with a clean cloth until the liquid is absorbed.

Vomit Stain Removal for Upholstery

What You'll Need Before You Start:

  • Protective Gloves
  • Baking Soda
  • Powdered Oxygen Bleach
  • Clean White Cloths

Vomit stains on upholstery can be especially difficult to remove. Many detergents can leave residue behind that will attract dirt, making a bad situation worse. However, simply sponging with water does nothing to remove the stain or the lingering odor that comes with a vomit stain. Powdered oxygen bleach is recommended for vomit stains on upholstery because it takes care of the stain and odor without leaving behind any residue to make upholstered items soil more easily.

To remove vomit stains from upholstery using powdered oxygen bleach (note: these instructions are only recommended for washable upholstery; check your item's label for washing instructions):

  1. Don protective gloves.
  2. Scrape any solid vomit material off the upholstery, taking care not to spread or smear the stain.
  3. Blot as much excess liquid as possible from the stain with clean white cloths.
  4. Make a solution of powdered oxygen bleach and warm water, making sure the powder is completely dissolved.
  5. Apply the solution to the stain, and rub in with a clean white cloth.
  6. Allow the solution to sit for several minutes. Do not allow the solution to dry on the upholstery.
  7. Blot with a clean white cloth.
  8. Rinse thoroughly by sponging the stain with a clean white cloth soaked in warm water.
  9. Allow to dry.

Related Cleaning Guides

Comments