Dogs are beloved pets that bring joy and companionship to their owners. However, they are not immune to getting sick and vomiting on carpets. Thus you must know how to clean vomit beforehand to avoid further hassles. 

To clean dog vomit from the carpet, home remedies like baking soda and vinegar are the best. Remember not to scrub the carpet but to blot and soak the remains. Saturate the surface with either natural cleaners or chemical cleaners and sponge the area leaving it to dry. 

In this article, I have come up with some ways to clean the carpet after dog vomit. If you have faced such issues, stay with me and get rid of the vomit smell and stains. 

6 Steps To Clean Dog Vomit From Carpet: Get A Fresh Carpet

The struggle in cleaning dog vomit off the carpet remains in removing the odor and stains. However, using the right products in the right way can clean it all. Follow the step-by-step guide below and get rid of the vomit smell and residues. 

Step 1: Gather the Materials

Below is a checklist of the materials you need for cleaning the carpet. Have a look. 

• Rubber gloves
• Paper towels
• A scraper 
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• A spray bottle
• Dishwashing liquid
• Warm water
• A sponge
• Vacuum cleaner

Step 2: Scrape off Residues

Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands from the vomit. Use paper towels to remove as much of the vomit as possible. Use a plastic scraper to gently scrape off any solid matter.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the affected area. Baking soda absorbs any remaining liquid and neutralizes odors. Leave it for 15- 20 minutes. 

Step 4: Use Diluted Vinegar

Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the baking soda, saturating the affected area. Vinegar removes stains and odors. 

Step 5: Blot

Use a sponge to blot the affected area. Do not rub as this may damage the carpet fibers. Repeat this process until the area is clean and no longer smells of vomit.

Step 6: Sponge With Dishwashing Liquid

Mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid with warm water in a bowl. Dip a sponge into the solution and use it to clean the affected area. Rinse the sponge frequently to avoid spreading the vomit around.

Step 7: Vacuum 

After cleaning the space, use a vacuum cleaner to remove any remaining from the carpet. Vacuum the area thoroughly until it is completely dry.

You can use the same steps to clean dog vomit from car carpets as the materials are similar. 

How to Clean Dog Vomit From Couch and Upholstery? 

Cleaning dog vomit from the couch and upholstery requires a good cleaner. You can find several pet-friendly cleaners suitable for couch upholstery. Below are the steps to clean the upholstery after dog vomit. 

• Use a spoon or scrape to remove the solid vomit. 
• With a paper towel, blot up the liquid. 
• Choose a suitable cleaner that eliminates pet odor and marks. Spread the cleaner on the affected area. Blot up the extra liquid and repeat the step until the marks start fading away. 
• Finally, clean it with a damp towel. 
• For best results, keep the cleaner for 12 hours and cover it with a moist cloth to let it work on the surface. 

Do You Have Any Favorite Pet-Safe Cleaning Products?

Pet lovers often worry about the cleaning products they use. Though a legitimate concern, there are various pet-friendly cleaners used for cleaning floors, carpets, and upholsteries. Brands like Sanidate and Nature’s Miracle produce such products. A pet expert, Ms. Leverette (1), has suggested several non-toxic cleaners that are certified and can be used without any worry. 

However, I prefer baking soda and vinegar, natural remedies to clean surfaces. These are safe for dogs and cats, found at home, easy to apply, and very effective. Note which ingredients you must not use. Here is a list. 

• Ammonia
• Chlorine
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Phenols
• Harsh alcohol
• Formaldehyde

5 Tips To Clean Dog Vomit From Carpet: Protect Carpet Fibers

Protecting the carpet fibers is a concern while removing vomit from the surface. Therefore, I have some tips for you so that you don’t end up destroying the carpet while cleaning the vomit. 

• Don’t scrub or rub the carpet. Blotting and sponging are the solutions. 
• Test any cleaning solution you are using on a small spot of the carpet. Check for discoloration. If it looks fine, go ahead. If not, choose some other cleaner. 
• Using hot water or a solution should be avoided as this may discolor or burn the carpet fibers.
• Rinse the carpet after cleaning to remove residues. Otherwise, it can stain the carpet. 
• Use a white towel or cloth to avoid color transfer from the cloth to the carpet. 

FAQs

What Are Some Normal, Non-Concerning Reasons For A Dog To Throw Up?

If your dog has vomited once, there is nothing to worry about. The non-concerning reasons for a dog vomiting can be overeating or eating grass more than required (2). Usually, when your dog eats too much or takes the meal too fast, he may vomit due to instant digestion problems. Another reason is if he chews more grass than usual. These reasons are common and you don’t need to worry. 

What Are Some Concerning Reasons A Dog Might Be Throwing Up?

When your dog vomits several times a day, the cause can be something serious. If the vomit is green, the dog may have got poisoned. Red vomit can be a common reason like gastric, ulcer, or stomach upset (3). More concerning reasons are infection, heat stroke, blood clots, poisoning, and viral infection. If the vomit is dark brown, cancer and accident trauma can be other causes. In case you suspect such reasons, visit a vet immediately. 

Can I Steam Clean Dog Vomit From Carpet? 

Steam cleaning a carpet to remove dog vomit is possible. Quite an easy way, steam cleaning can remove the vomit but may not clean stubborn stains. In that case, you should use a carpet-friendly cleaner that can remove the stain from the fibers. Use a suitable cleaning solution to steam clean the carpet and make sure to follow the manual instructions. 

What To Do If Dog Vomit Smell On Carpet Stays? 

Even after a thorough cleaning, the dog vomit smell may linger. In that case, use an enzymatic solution on the carpet which breaks down the organic stains and odors. Such cleaning materials can be found online or in any pet shop. If you want to try a home remedy, try using vinegar and blotting up gently. Repeat a few times to remove the odor. 

How To Prevent My Dog From Vomiting on Carpet? 

If you want your dog to not vomit, give a healthy diet to him. When the diet is proper, the dog doesn’t get sick and won’t vomit. Give a lot of water to the dog and treat him immediately if he gives signs of nausea. Moreover, even if he vomits, train him so well that he doesn’t vomit on the carpet but in a specific place. This way, you can keep your dog healthy and save your carpet from vomit. 

Conclusion

In a nutshell, there are various non-toxic ready cleaners and home remedies to clean dog vomit from carpets. Following the right steps and tips can help you get rid of the stain and odor. I have elaborated on multiple cleaning methods and you would get excellent benefits after trying them out. 

Use the ways mentioned in the article and have a hygienic carpet. Don’t forget to take care of your dog so that he no more vomits. 

1. Leverette, Mary Marlowe. “The 5 best pet-safe cleaning products for your home” Insider, 29 December 2022, https://www.insider.com/guides/pets/best-pet-safe-cleaning-products
2.  Flowers, Amy. “Dog Vomiting: Causes, Treatment, and Related Symptoms.” Pet’s WebMD, 23 February 2021, https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/vomiting-dogs-causes-treatment. Accessed 28 March 2023.

3. VMD, Erin Downes. “When Should I call the vet for my vomiting dog?” 14 July 2020, https://www.paolivet.com/health/when-to-call-the-vet-for-vomiting-dog/.