A mishap of this kind can sometimes happen quicker than we would like. When vomit from a beloved pet, small children or the adult residents of a household lands on floor coverings such as rugs or carpets, quick and efficient action is required.
The good news: With the right approach and the right products, you can remove vomit from the carpet and also effectively combat the resulting smell. In the following guide, you will find helpful information on how to freshen up your carpet and make it odor-free.
Remove vomit from carpet: Eliminate stains and odors with household remedies
Removing vomit from tiles, laminate or wooden floors is quick and the little mishap is gone in no time. However, it is a different story when vomit lands on an expensive carpet. If you react slowly, it will be very difficult to remove the unintentional residue from the pile and the unpleasant smell will stay with you for days.
So if vomit has been spread across your carpet, you need to take urgent action . But don't panic: With the following step-by-step instructions, you can even remove dirt like this from the fibers of your carpet using household remedies.
- Step 1: First, put on your cleaning gloves and ensure that the room is well ventilated.
- Step 2: Now remove all solid parts of the vomit with kitchen paper and dispose of it in the garbage can outside the house.
- Step 3: Now apply salt or baking soda to the affected area and let the home remedy take effect.
- Step 4: After about 10-15 minutes, you can vacuum the product and treat the dirty area with a sustainable cleaner such as the Premium Carpet Cleaner from Emma Grün .
- Step 5: Now use a damp cloth to dab the area. Be careful not to rub too hard.
Image source: Pixabay
- Step 6: Now the carpet should dry overnight. Then you can walk on it as usual.
If you were able to remove all residue from your carpet, your flooring may still smell like vomit. But why is that and what can you do about it?
Why is it so difficult to remove the smell of vomit from textiles?
The smell of vomit is very persistent. The smell is particularly difficult to remove from textiles such as carpets, upholstered furniture or clothing. This is because vomit contains a mixture of stomach acids, food residues and digestive enzymes . These components are responsible for the smell being so intense and being able to eat deep into the fibres . The following reasons reflect why the smell of vomit is particularly difficult to remove from textiles:
- Porous materials: Textiles are often porous and absorb liquids and odors. Once stomach acid and food particles penetrate the fibers, they can become trapped and cause unpleasant odors.
- Stomach acid: The acid in vomit can cause the food residue to react chemically with the fibers of the textile, binding the smell even more strongly into the fabric.
- Bacteria: Warm and moist conditions promote the growth of bacteria. Vomit then provides them with a rich source of nutrients to multiply and release odorous metabolic products.
- Fatty acids: Food components, especially fats, contain long-chain fatty acids, which can develop harmful odors in textile materials when broken down by digestive enzymes or bacteria.
- Incomplete cleaning: Vomit is often not removed thoroughly enough, which increases the smell.
Emma Green Tip: To effectively eliminate the smell, it's important to remove vomit as quickly as possible and use cleaning products specifically designed to neutralize odors rather than just mask them. Methods such as applying baking soda or baking powder, using enzyme cleaners, or washing thoroughly can help break down and remove the odor-causing substances.
How do you get rid of the smell of vomit?
Using sustainable carpet cleaners such as the Premium Carpet Cleaner by Emma Grün , which is based on plant-based surfactants and Panama bark, is an environmentally friendly and effective way to remove vomit stains . The natural ingredients are biodegradable and kind to the environment, while at the same time being effective at removing stains and odors. With the help of the following instructions, we will show you how to get even stubborn stains and odors under control again:
Step 1: Immediate action is required
Once the mishap has occurred, you need to remove as much of the vomit as possible. This will prevent the stain from penetrating deeper into the fabric, making it even more difficult to clean.
Step 2: Pretreatment
To absorb excess moisture and odors, sprinkle the stain with a thin layer of baking soda. Allow the effective propellant to work for a few minutes and then vacuum it up.
Step 3: Applying the cleaner
Apply Emma Green Carpet Foam to the stain and work it into the fibers with a brush.
Step 4. Allow the carpet foam to take effect
Now the cleaner should be allowed to work for a while, as recommended on the packaging. The natural surfactants and Panama bark will act on the stain and dissolve the dirt and the unpleasant smell of gastric juices and vomit.
Step 5: Remove vomit from the fibers
Use a soft brush or cloth to gently work the stain, being careful not to rub too hard to avoid damaging the carpet.
Step 6: Remove cleaning residues & dirt
To remove any cleaning agent residue, dab the area with a clean, damp cloth after treatment.
Step 7: Let the carpet dry
Let the carpet dry naturally. This works best in a well-ventilated room. You should avoid direct heat sources here, as these can damage the carpet.
Step 8: follow-up treatment
If the smell has not gone away yet, you can sprinkle the area with baking soda again or treat it with your new enzyme carpet cleaner from Emma Grün, leave it overnight and vacuum the next day.
Emma Green Tip: When using carpet cleaners, it is always advisable to test the product on an inconspicuous area first to ensure that it does not cause discolouration or damage. You should also follow the carpet manufacturer's care instructions, especially when dealing with delicate or high-quality materials.
What is Panama bark and what properties make this natural product effective against stains?
Panama bark ( Quillaja saponaria ) is the bark of a tree native to South America . It contains natural glycosides known as saponin, which have foaming properties when mixed with water. Because of this, it has long been used as a natural cleaning agent and even as a soap substitute in some cultures .
Its popularity is growing in the production of environmentally sustainable cleaning products as it offers an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic chemicals.
Panama bark is particularly effective at removing stains because it contains a high concentration of saponins . Saponins are substances found in many plants that act as natural cleaning agents or soaps. They have surfactant properties, which means they reduce the surface tension of water, allowing it to penetrate deeper into textile fibers and loosen stuck particles such as grease, oil and dirt. Here are some reasons why Panama bark is effective at removing stains:
- Surface activity: The saponins contained in Panama bark act as natural surfactants. They can effectively break down dirt and stains by forming a kind of capsule around the particles, allowing them to be separated from the fabric and suspended in water.
- Environmentally friendly: Panama bark is biodegradable and non-toxic, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical cleaning products.
- Gentle on fabrics: Unlike many harsh chemicals, saponins tend to be gentler on textile fibers, meaning they do not attack the colors and material.
Image source: Pixabay
- Versatility: Panama bark is effective on a wide range of stains, including organic substances such as vomit. This is due to the effectiveness of the enzymes it contains, which can break down proteins and fats sustainably.
- Safety: Since it is a natural product, the likelihood of allergic reactions or skin irritation is lower than with synthetic cleaning products.
The combination of these properties makes Panama bark a sustainable and effective option for removing light and stubborn stains . People who value environmental friendliness and naturalness are particularly well served with natural cleaners that contain Panama bark.
Conclusion
Effectively removing vomit from carpets requires quick and cautious action. Start by removing solid particles immediately and then use household remedies such as salt or baking soda to absorb the moisture. For a thorough cleaning, we recommend using natural enzyme cleaners based on Panama bark. Products like these are gentle on the carpet and also work to remove stains.
To prevent the dirt from penetrating deeper into the carpet fibers, you should not rub too hard when removing the stain, but only work on the stain by dabbing it gently. Mechanical aids such as vacuum cleaners and steam cleaners can then help to remove residues and disinfect the floor covering. After treating the affected area, it is advisable to treat the carpet with a mixture of natural lavender oil and water. This will eliminate even the last traces of the smell of the little mishap and there will be no more evidence of its premature existence and its consequences.
FAQ: Questions & Answers
How do you remove vomit from a carpet?
Acting quickly is crucial when removing vomit. First, remove the solid and liquid components with household towels and then treat the stains with a damp cloth and an enzyme carpet cleaner. To avoid working the stain into the fibers unnecessarily, avoid vigorous rubbing.
Can I get rid of the smell of vomit with home remedies?
Products like baking soda can help neutralize the smell. To do this, sprinkle baking soda on the area, let the household remedy work, and then vacuum it up.
Are steam cleaners suitable for removing vomit?
Steam cleaners are ideal for removing stains and odors left behind by vomit. The hot steam loosens dirt in the fabric and kills odors and bacteria.
Is it possible to remove vomit from all types of carpet?
While most carpets can be cleaned, there are some, especially those with long fibers or delicate materials, that require special care. For cleaning of this type of flooring, it is advisable to consult a professional.
How long does it take for the carpet to dry after cleaning?
The time it takes to dry after cleaning depends on the thickness of the carpet and the ventilation of the room. As a rule, however, a floor covering should be dry again within 24 hours.
Sources
1. Remove vomit from carpet and upholstery – https://www.talu.de/erbrochenes-entfernen/
2. Help in an emergency! Remove vomit from carpet and sofa – https://www.mrcleaner.ch/ratgeber/hilfe-im-notfall-erbrochenes-auf-sofa-und-teppich-entfernen/
3. Remove the smell of vomit – https://hausfrauentipps.de/geruch-erbrochenes-entfernen/
4. Remove vomit from carpet – https://praxistipps.focus.de/erbrochenes-aus-teppich-entfernen-so-gehts_130396
5. Remove stains from carpets – https://www.hausjournal.net/teppich-flecken-entfernen-erbrochenes
