Quick steps
- Put on disposable gloves and ventilate the room.
- Lift the solids with a spoon or scraper.
- Absorb moisture with baking soda, cornstarch or salt, then vacuum.
- Blot with a mild cleaning solution or an enzyme cleaner.
- Rinse lightly with cool water and blot dry.
- Dry completely, then deal with any lingering smell.
Protect yourself first
Vomit can carry germs, especially if the person or pet is sick with a stomach illness. Wear disposable gloves, and a mask if you are sensitive to the smell or the illness may be contagious. Open a window or run a fan. Keep children and pets out of the area while you work and until the carpet is dry, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterwards. Bag cloths and paper towels in a sealed bag, and launder reusable cloths on a hot cycle if the fabric allows it (our guide on whether hot water cleans better than cold explains when that helps). If the whole household is sick, see how to clean your house after the flu.
If the vomit is from a person with a contagious illness, or contains blood or an unusual color, follow guidance from a healthcare professional. If a pet is vomiting repeatedly, contact a veterinarian.
Step-by-step cleanup
1. Remove the solids
Use a spoon, spatula or piece of cardboard to lift solid pieces, working from the outside toward the center so the mess does not spread. Place them in a plastic bag, seal it and put it in the trash.
2. Absorb the liquid
Cover the wet area generously with baking soda, cornstarch or salt. Leave it for around 15 to 20 minutes while it absorbs moisture and helps with odor. Then vacuum up the dry clumps. Do not vacuum while the powder is still wet and sticky; scrape away what you can first.
3. Apply a cleaning solution
Pick one of these approaches, and patch test first in a hidden area:
- Mild soap and vinegar solution: about 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of clear dish soap in 2 cups of cool water. Some guides use equal parts vinegar and water instead.
- Enzyme cleaner: a product made for carpet and pet messes that breaks down organic material. Follow the label directions and dwell time.
Dab or spray the solution on and blot gently with a clean cloth. Do not rub, as that can push the mess into the pad. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, or as the product directs.
4. Rinse and dry
Dab with a cloth dampened with cool water to remove soap, vinegar or cleaner. Blot with a dry towel, press with some weight, and allow the carpet to air dry. A fan helps. If a stain or smell remains once dry, repeat.
Cleaning dog or cat vomit
The method is the same. A few extra points:
- Pet vomit can contain food dye, bile or grass, which sometimes leave a colored mark. Treat promptly with the soap solution and blot.
- Enzyme cleaners made for pet messes are commonly used, and they may help prevent a pet returning to the spot because of residual scent.
- Keep pets away from cleaning solutions and from the damp area, and store all products out of their reach. Be cautious with essential oils and strongly scented products around pets, since some are harmful to animals, especially cats.
- Ask your veterinarian if you have questions about what your pet ate or about repeated vomiting.
Getting rid of the smell
Once the carpet is dry, sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the area, leave it for several hours or overnight, and vacuum. Make sure to remove all of it. If a smell persists, the vomit may have soaked into the pad. In that case, an enzyme cleaner may reach it better, and heavily soaked areas may need professional extraction. See our guide to getting odors out of carpet for more.
How long does vomit smell last in carpet?
There is no fixed time. If you clean it up fully and dry the carpet, the smell may fade within a day or so. If material soaked into the pad or was not removed thoroughly, the smell can linger for days or longer, and may seem stronger when the room is warm or humid. A smell that does not fade after careful cleaning usually means something remains in the pad or backing.
Does baking soda work?
Baking soda is useful for absorbing moisture and some odors, and it is a safe first step. It is not a strong stain remover by itself, so use it before treating the stain, not instead of it. Vacuum it up completely when done.
Old or dried vomit stains
Dried vomit is harder, but it is often still treatable. Scrape off any crust, vacuum, then dampen the area with a mild soap solution or enzyme cleaner and let it sit before blotting. Several gentle rounds usually work better than one heavy one. Our guide on removing old and set-in carpet stains covers other options, including testing peroxide on light carpet.
What not to use
- Do not mix bleach with ammonia or vinegar. Both release harmful gases. Avoid using bleach on carpet in general, since it removes color.
- Do not combine hydrogen peroxide and vinegar in one container.
- Avoid hot water and heat on fresh vomit, since heat can set protein stains.
- Avoid over-wetting the carpet.
- Be careful with ammonia-based cleaners, especially on wool, and never use them together with any other cleaner.
When to call a professional
Consider professional cleaning if vomit soaked through to the pad, the smell does not go away, the carpet is delicate or valuable, or the mess is large. A professional can use extraction equipment and treatments to reach the pad. For general stain steps, see how to clean a carpet stain, and for liquids in general, how to clean a fresh spill on carpet.