Whether your friends have overdone their tequila or your child has had their first experience of an undigested dinner, now you just have to get that awful vomit smell off the carpet. Read on to find methods that may not help you forget what you saw, but will certainly help you forget the disgusting smell.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Use Laundry Detergent
Step 1. Soak the area with water to loosen any remaining grime
Try to prevent water from wetting other areas of the carpet, because you could spread the stain and it may be difficult to get rid of all the excess water.
Needless to say, you must first remove any residue, even solid, that may have remained after the "accident". And if you want to know how to get rid of vomit stains, read this other article. This tutorial is limited to the odor problem for now
Step 2. Rub a small amount of detergent onto the wet carpet with a stiff bristle brush
If you are concerned about damaging the carpet, you can dilute the product with a little water. Alternatively, you can also use a little hydrogen peroxide, but only if the carpet is white; you don't have to risk aggravating the situation.
At first you may have the impression that the smell becomes stronger, but it is only because the carpet is wet and, rising to the surface, the smell can disperse in the air. Don't panic yet
Step 3. Vacuum the water and soap with a wet vacuum cleaner or a vacuum cleaner that is also suitable for fluids
If you don't have one available, soak up the liquid with a dry cloth. Of course, using the appliance is certainly much more efficient, but a cloth is also fine; you will probably have to work an hour or two on the stain to ensure that the sponge can absorb everything.
Step 4. Wet the area again with water to rinse the carpet of excess soap
Brush gently, so as to lift the cleaning product to the surface if it is rooted in the fibers. You can repeat this step several times to completely remove the detergent from the fabric fibers.
If the detergent remains on the carpet, it may harden over time and cause slight discoloration. Therefore, although this step seems seemingly unnecessary, failing to do so can prevent the carpet from being as good as new
Step 5. Start the wet vacuum again to remove excess water and let the area dry
Don't jump to conclusions yet, you can't know how the carpet will come back until it's perfectly dry. So, if the stain or odor persists, wait a little longer and only then try some alternative methods. It might just be a matter of patience.
Step 6. Finish by spraying a product like Febreze if desired
Why settle for not smelling when you can get a good scent instead? Spray a little on the stained area, if you want, to block any possible foul odor escapes.
Method 2 of 4: Use an Enzyme Cleaner
Step 1. Rub the area with a detergent solution diluted in water
It is not okay to use a 100% pure cleaner for any type of carpet, but you need to prepare a solution consisting of 1 part of detergent and 2 parts of water. Use a brush and gently scrub the cleaner into the stain, moving from the edges to the center of the stain.
Step 2. Absorb the liquid with a dry cloth
Or use the wet vacuum cleaner, if you have one available. But if you only have a cloth, dab it on the stain, keeping constant pressure. Keep applying pressure until the stain is practically dry and the fabric has absorbed everything.
Step 3. Wet the area with an enzymatic cleanser and let it work
You can find this product in any supermarket in the cleaning or pet products department; you will surely be able to see it where other products that remove bad smells are displayed. Its distinctive feature is that it degrades odor-causing proteins and can also help reduce stains.
Make sure you leave it on the stain for at least a couple of hours to allow it to work. When we say "wets" we mean wets. You must thoroughly impregnate the area. Don't think about saving the product for later use. The whole area must be well saturated
Step 4. Suck up the liquid or soak it up with a sponge
Once the resting time has elapsed, dry the area with a cloth or with your vacuum cleaner / wet vacuum cleaner. Again, if you're using a sponge, be patient. You may need to apply constant pressure for an hour or more to completely dry the area.
Step 5. Leave to air dry
If the smell hasn't gone away yet, that's normal. It probably won't go away completely until the area is 100% completely dry. Wait all night and check the next morning if the carpet doesn't smell anymore!
Method 3 of 4: Use a Dough with Sodium Bicarbonate
Step 1. Make a paste of baking soda and water
It should have a consistency similar to toothpaste. If you want, you can also add a drop or two of dish soap or hydrogen peroxide. However, keep in mind that hydrogen peroxide can stain the carpet, so be careful.
Try to distribute a thin layer of dough as evenly as possible over the entire stain. Think of it as if it's a layer of icing on the cake; it doesn't have to be thick and sticky, it just needs to be distributed thinly and evenly
Step 2. Apply a layer of this paste
When it dries, take a stiff bristle brush and scrub the entire area (you can use an old toothbrush if it's a small spot). Make sure you move from the edges to the inside of the stain, sometimes the outer ring is the hardest area to treat.
Step 3. Wait 24 hours and brush off the dough
Once the product has dried, worked on the area and hardened, it's time to scrape it off. Take a butter knife and remove as much of the dough as possible and with it, hopefully, the smell too!
Step 4. Vacuum the remaining residue
What you cannot remove with your hands and the knife will have to be vacuumed. If all the product comes off without problems and the smell is gone, great! You got what you wanted! But if the method was not fully effective, wet the area with a damp cloth and vacuum again. This time it should work!
You can still use an odor-trapping product like Febreze if you prefer. If the smell persists, wait until the stain is completely dry before coming to any conclusions. A wet carpet can have a really unpleasant smell, but the smell of vomit can (and should) disappear once it dries
Method 4 of 4: Use vinegar or a glass cleaner
Step 1. Prepare a solution of water and vinegar or glass cleaner
If you don't have any other cleaning products, both of these solutions can be just as effective on the carpet. Make a solution of 2 parts water to 1 part vinegar or detergent. If you use vinegar, add a drop or two of soap or laundry detergent to the solution to enhance the deodorizing power.
Step 2. Wet the area and brush
Using a brush or sponge, scrub the affected area with the solution. If you are using vinegar, the smells will be strong enough, but all of them will go away over time.
Step 3. Let the mixture work
Once the entire area has been cleaned, wait. You did everything you could. Now let the detergents work for an hour or two to eliminate odors.
Step 4. Vacuum the whole thing up
When the carpet begins to dry, use a wet vacuum or, alternatively, pat the area with a dry cloth. Keep the pressure constant by absorbing the liquid with the fabric.
- If you notice any soap residue, pat the area with a damp cloth and then repeat the action with a dry napkin.
- When the carpet is wet, the smell is still perceptible, but it should disappear as soon as the fabric is dry.
Step 5. Finished
Advice
- Don't give your friends tequila anymore. And don't invite children to dinner anymore.
- The more the vomit stays in contact with the carpet, the worse the problem will be. Act as soon as possible.
- Consider visiting a specialized laundromat.
- You can also try specific odor removal cleaners or fabric deodorants.
Warnings
- Do not use ammonia on wool rugs, otherwise you will stain them.
- Hydrogen peroxide stains the carpet; be very careful if you decide to use it.
