What should I do in the first minute?
Get the bulk off before anything wet touches it. The CRI's Spot Solver entry for vomit starts: "Act Quickly! Delaying may cause the spill to become a permanent stain." Scrape the semi-solid part up with a rounded spoon, working toward the centre so you do not spread it, then blot the liquid with a dry white cloth or plain white paper towel. Printed paper towels can transfer ink into damp carpet.
What is the CRI's order for vomit?
| Step | Solution | How to make it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detergent solution | 1/4 teaspoon of liquid dish detergent per cup of lukewarm water |
| 2 | Vinegar solution | 1 cup of white vinegar per 2 cups of water |
| 3 | Warm water | Plain lukewarm tap water, to rinse |
| 4 | Spot removal kit | From a carpet store; follow its directions exactly |
| 5 | Ammonia solution | 1 tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water; test a hidden spot first |
| 6 | Call a professional | When the mark is still there after the above |
Move to the next solution only when the current one has stopped lifting anything onto the cloth. The CRI says to "be patient": complete removal may take the same step several times.
What is the spot kit mistake?
Using the second bottle too early. The CRI explains that some spot removal kits contain "(A) a detergent solution and (B) a stain-resist solution", and that using the (B) solution "prior to the complete removal of the spill may cause a permanent stain". Stain-resist locks in whatever is still in the fibre. Finish removing the vomit first, rinse, and only then use the protector, if at all.
Why do I have to rinse so much?
Because what you leave behind attracts dirt. The CRI warns that detergent residue "may cause rapid soiling" and that "many spot removal solutions leave residues in the carpet that may attract soil". Rinse with lukewarm water several times and blot after each rinse. A spot that looks clean today and grey in a fortnight usually had soap left in it, not vomit.
What about the smell?
On a quick clean-up, the smell usually goes with the stain. If it lingers, liquid has likely soaked below the surface of the pile, the same way urine does, and the pet urine guide explains why that is harder. Never reach for bleach: it can strip colour from carpet, and Transport Canada's CANUTEC warns that bleach mixed with ammonia, which is on the CRI's list above, creates harmful chloramine vapours.
When should I stop and call someone?
When you have been through the list and a mark remains, or when the area is large, on a pale wool carpet, or on stairs where it is hard to blot. The CRI's last step for every stain is to call a professional, because professional cleaners "have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills". Point the spot out when you book; see home carpet cleaning and the other pet accident guides.
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