How to clean/remove cat/dog/pet puke/vomit/stains/odors from carpet/fabric
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The basics:
We have a cat that vomits at least a few times a week and sometimes several times a day. So, this is site is written based on that. These stains could just as well be kid puke or food stains.
The pat method recommended on most of the pet stain cleaners doesn't work that well. The stains usually come back when the area starts to grow due to the remaining vomit left in the fibers of the carpet. Yuk!
Assuming you don't want to buy a barrage of fancy equipment and chemicals, the best way to clean the vomit/stain from carpet or fabrics is to use a wet/dry shopvac and liquid dishsoap in a sprayer. Don't use a regular vacuum or it will stop up the bag.
As soon as the cat does his deed, pick up the really big stuff with a paper towel. If you think it is too nasty to pick it up, then maybe you can hose it out of the shopvac after it has been splattered into a thousand bits. ;-)
If it is in the middle of the night or as you are walking out the door, blot up the juices to keep them from soaking further into the fabric or carpet. Then put a paper towel over it so you don't step in it and to help mark the spot.
If it is a really nasty stain, it is probably best to just go ahead and suck up the chunks with the shopvac. That way you are not fighting with more vomit than necessary. Next, spray some cleaner on the stain. If you use too much or let it sit too long, it will transport the puke/vomit deeper into the material, so just use enough to break up the chunks and then suck it up. You may have to repeat this a few times for the really chunky stuff. Once you think you have it all up, then wet it really good with the cleaner. This is the time to let it set a little to help break up anything that is stuck in the fibers of the carpet or fabric. Then suck it up again with the shopvac. It should be pretty darn clean now.
More details/tips:
When you purchased a shopvac, choose a small version (unless you are cleaning up after a Saint Bernard) so that it(the shopvac) is easy to clean. Also, check on the price of replacement filters. Some even have a reusable foam filter.
You don't need to shove the hose into the carpet. Until the last step, you should probably try to use as little pressure as possible. Maybe even hover over the carpet if you have a really strong shopvac. On the last step, you can press the hose to the fabric to try and get any leftovers that may be in the underlying material.
If it is just a little cat spit, you can usually suck that up and then skip to the last soak and vac step.
You can use resolve or some special cleaner if you like. I sometimes just put a 1/2 teaspoon of liquid dishsoap or liquid clothes detergent in a small spray bottle. Be sure to try any concoction in an inconspicuous spot first, like a closet, incase it removes the color.
Move the shopvac slowly. If you are really rough, you will end up with a very clean area that is much more fuzzy than the surrounding materials.
Don't pickup the shopvac and let the hose hang as you marvel at how well it removed the stain. If you do, you will have a new stain to clean approximately 3 feet from the old stain. In case you don't get it, hold the hose up so the gunk doesn't run out.
After you finish cleaning the filter and case, hose out the shopvac hose also.
Be sure to leave the shopvac open when not in use so that it can air out. If you don't, the next time you use it you will have a terrible smell come from the exhaust.
The only problem we have had with using a shopvac is in high traffic areas. At first, I thought the shopvac or cleaner was taking the color out of the carpet. In reality, the shopvac cleans the carpet so well that it makes the rest of the carpet around it look bad. Maybe it is time to rent a big carpet cleaner!
If you liked this page and you are one of those wonderful people who like to donate a buck or two to help someone build useful pages on the web, click on my donate button. If you don't have extra cash, but you liked the page, let me know at MBradley1968@yahoo.com (subject:catpuke).