How do you get vomit out of carpet?
Short answer
Put on gloves, scoop up the solids, and blot up as much liquid as you can. Blot with plain water, then mist a few drops of dish soap in a cup of water and blot again. Rinse and blot dry. Move fast, because the IICRC says stomach acids and dyes can permanently stain carpet.
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Part 1 of 4
Clean it up safely
Put on gloves, keep kids and pets away, and open a window if you can. If it may be a stomach bug, the CDC's norovirus steps say to wipe up with paper towels, seal them in a plastic bag, and use a disinfectant as its label directs.
The CDC lists a bleach mix or an EPA registered disinfectant that works against norovirus. Bleach strips carpet color, per the IICRC, so for carpet pick a registered product whose label allows carpet, and test it first.
Part 2 of 4
Getting the stain and smell out
Work fast. The IICRC says stomach acid and dyes from food or medicine can set permanent stains. After the soap and water steps, 3% hydrogen peroxide can lift leftover color on synthetic carpet, but skip it on wool.
If a smell hangs around after the spot dries, vomit likely reached the pad. The IICRC notes pads and cushions may need treatment below the surface, or replacing.
Part 3 of 4
When a pet keeps getting sick
If it keeps happening, check with your vet. For spots that stain or smell after you've cleaned, our pet stain and odor treatment can help, with results depending on the source, depth, and condition we find. Pet treatment typically runs $25 to $75 per room.
Part 4 of 4
How to clean vomit off carpet
Put on gloves and keep kids and pets away.
Scoop up solids with a spoon or dustpan. Don't press them in.
Blot the liquid with paper towels or a dry white cloth, or use a wet or dry shop vacuum for a big mess.
Blot with a cloth dampened with clear water.
Mist a few drops of dish soap in a cup of water, blot, and repeat.
Rinse with clear water, blot dry, and wash your hands.
Related questions
How do you get the vomit smell out of carpet?
Clean the spot fully first, then rinse and let it dry. If the smell comes back, vomit likely reached the pad, and the IICRC says the pad may need treatment below the surface or replacing.
Does vomit stain carpet permanently?
It can. The IICRC says stomach acids and food or medicine dyes can permanently stain fibers, especially the longer they sit.
What if it was a stomach bug?
Follow the CDC's norovirus cleanup steps: gloves, paper towels sealed in a bag, then a disinfectant used as its label directs. Pick one whose label allows carpet, since bleach strips carpet color.
Sources
- Consumer Floor and Furnishings Care Information IICRC, February 2023
- Spot Solver: Vomit Carpet and Rug Institute, Accessed September 29, 2026
- Preventing Norovirus CDC, Updated January 13, 2025
- Carpet and Rug Care Guide Carpet and Rug Institute, July 2024
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Want us to handle it?
We use a low-moisture, hydrogen peroxide clean, so most carpets are dry in an hour or two, depending on the carpet and the weather.