How To Remove Vomit Stains

Learning how to remove vomit stains is never high on someone's list of priorities, until you really need to know how.

Let's face it -- this is a gross topic to deal with, but unfortunately everyone of your family members and friends (and even your pets) will get sick at some point in their lives, and this information will become useful.

This is especially helpful information for parents, because our kids really are so little that they sometimes miss the toilet, and that vomit can get over their clothes, the couch they were laying on, or on the carpet.

Below are instructions for vomit stain removal from fabric, upholstery and carpet.

However, before you read the instructions below please note that this is general information about removing stains caused by vomit.

If you are having trouble getting the stain out using the information below please check the A-Z Stain Removal Guide for specific instructions about the type of food that was contained in the vomit.

(I know that is gross to think about, but unfortunately true.)

Vomit Stain Removal From Fabric

Step 1: Scrape off any excess vomit from the fabric.

Step 2: Run the fabric, inside out, under the cold water to flush out as much of the vomit as possible.

Step 3: Pretreat the stain with a laundry stain remover.

Step 4: Launder in the hottest water the fabric will allow to get out the stain, and either chlorine bleach if the fabric will allow it, or oxygen bleach if not.

Hint: Make sure the stain is gone after washing, but before you place in the dryer or you may set the stain. Repeat if necessary.

How To Remove Vomit Stains From Upholstery

Step 1: Scrape off as much of the vomit as possible from the upholstery without spreading the stain further.

Step 2: Place an absorbent, such as cornstarch or baking soda, onto the vomit stains, and let it soak in for approximately 15 minutes.

Step 3: Scrape or vacuum up the absorbent, which has absorbed some of the liquid from the vomit.

Hint: Depending on the amount of the vomit on the upholstery you may need to repeat this step until no more liquid is absorbed by the baking soda or corn starch.

Step 4: For the vomit still remaining take a clean white cloth and sponge the stain caused by it with a dry cleaning solvent.

Hint: Be sure to test this solvent on an inconspicuous area of the upholstery to make sure it is safe.

Step 5: Next, blot at the stain until the solvent is absorbed.

Step 6: Repeat steps 4-5 until the stains are removed from the upholstery.

If that does not work you can mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid, and using this solution, sponge the stain with a clean white cloth, blotting at the solution until the liquid is absorbed, and the stain removed.

Once the stain from the vomit is gone use plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

Hint: Be sure to get the upholstery only as wet as necessary to remove the stain caused by the vomit.

You can get more information on how to clean upholstery here.

How To Remove Stains From Vomit From Carpet

The instructions for how to remove vomit stains from carpet is the same as for upholstery.

You may also find these additional tips for removing these stains from carpet helpful.

Further, a reader, Angela shared a simple homemade carpet stain remover recipe that worked for her when her son vomited all over her carpet.

Recommended Vomit Stain Removers

Perhaps you don't want to make your own stain remover, but instead want to use something formulated to remove vomit stains. The key is to find products which contain both enzymes and general stain removers, since vomit is a quintessential combination stain.

Here are some articles and reviews on this site which discuss how readers told me they successfully removed vomit stains, along with various products that are formulated to remove them:

Totally Toddle Enzymatic Pretreater

Carbona Stain Devil #8

Oxiclean For Projectile Vomit From Scrubs

Woolite Pet Stain Remover Plus Oxygen For Carpet

Resolve Instant Eraser Pet Stain Remover

Kids N Pets Stain & Odor Remover

Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover

Resolve Pet Carpet Cleaner

Carbona 2 In 1 Oxy Power Carpet Cleaner

Rug Doctor Urine Eliminator Spray

Odoban Removed Smell From Mattress

Removed Strawberry Soda From Car Carpeting With Fels Naptha

You can also share your own stain remover reviews here for other removers that work on vomit, or any other stain.

Do You Have Any Tips To Share For Removing These Stains?

I'm always looking for more tips and ideas for how to remove stains. You can share your stain removal tip here, for how to remove vomit stains or anything else.

For example, here's a tip I received from Mel, a reader, who shared how she uses salt to remove bodily fluid stains, including vomit, from her laundry.

In addition, are you cleaning up because of sickness in your household? I've definitely been there, done that. Check out these 9 things to clean and sanitize in your home when someone's been sick.

Get Even More Stain And Spot Removal Help Here

Are you a stain magnet like me? If so, check out the A to Z Stain Removal Guide which gives directions for how to remove over 100 types of stains from all kinds of surfaces.

Third photo by mollypop

Related Pages You May Enjoy

A-Z Guide: Instructions For Removing Over 100 Types Of Stains

Removing Baby Food Stains

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CAUTION: This website is provided for informational purposes only. It is provided as is, without warranties or guarantees. Some stains and messes just won't come out, and are permanent. Further, some cleaning methods can harm your item, so if what you want to clean or launder is sentimental or expensive call a professional. See disclaimer of liability for more information.