How to Get Sick Out of Carpet: Stain, Smell and Hygiene

If the sick came from a stomach bug, you also need to clean in a way that stops it spreading round the house. Below is how to get vomit out of carpet, whether a child, an adult, a dog or a cat was sick.

Your sick clean-up kit:

• Disposable gloves and a plastic bag
• An old spoon or a stiff piece of card
• Plenty of kitchen roll and a few white cloths
• Mild laundry detergent and a bowl of cool or lukewarm water
• Bicarbonate of soda, or an enzyme carpet cleaner
• A spray bottle and white vinegar (optional, for the smell)

Here is how to clean vomit out of carpet without spreading it. Work from the outside of the patch towards the middle, and never rub. Speed matters, but so does keeping the mess small.

• Open a window and put gloves on. An NHS England leaflet on cleaning up after norovirus starts with ventilating the room and wearing disposable gloves.
• Scoop up the solids. Slide the spoon or card under the sick and lift it towards the centre. Pressing down pushes it deeper into the pile.
• Cover and blot. Lay kitchen roll over what is left and press gently. Swap to fresh sheets until no more liquid comes up.
• Bag it straight away. Put the solids, used kitchen roll and gloves in a plastic bag, tie it and put it in the outside bin.
• Dab with mild detergent. Which?'s carpet cleaning advice suggests a little laundry detergent mixed with water, blotted onto the stain. It warns that a lot of water, or hot water, can make some stains worse.
• Rinse with clean water. Dab with a cloth dampened in plain water to lift any detergent left in the pile.
• Blot dry. Press with dry kitchen roll and leave the window open so the patch dries.
• Wash your hands with soap and water. Do this even if you wore gloves.

If you use a shop-bought carpet spot remover instead, test it somewhere nobody looks, such as under a bed, and follow its label.

The clearest NHS advice we found on carpets is an NHS England norovirus leaflet for health and social care staff (published in 2015, reviewed in 2017). It says:

• Norovirus can survive for several days on surfaces.
• Contaminated carpets may be cleaned with a carpet shampoo or a steam cleaner, if you have one. Without that equipment, thorough cleaning with hot water and detergent will do.
• Always rinse with clean water and let the carpet dry before anyone uses that area again.
• Horizontal surfaces within two metres of the sick, such as floors and tables, should be cleaned and disinfected too, because the virus can land several metres away.

So lift the sick and the stain first with cool or lukewarm water, as in the steps above. Once no mark is left, do the hygiene clean with hot water and detergent, rinse, and let the carpet dry. Keep any bleach-based product for the hard surfaces nearby.

Hands matter more than gel. The NHS says alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus, so wash with soap and water.

Keeping children off school. The NHS says to stay off school, nursery or work until 2 days after the sickness or diarrhoea stops.

When a Child's Sickness Needs Medical Help

This is not medical advice, just a pointer to what the NHS says. Its norovirus page says to call 111 if, for example:

• you're worried about a baby under 12 months
• a child under 5 years has signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies
• your child keeps being sick and cannot keep fluid down
• vomiting lasts more than 2 days

The NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E if a child has yellow-green or green vomit. Check the NHS page for the full list.

Dog Sick on Carpet

The PDSA's guide to vomiting in dogs says dogs often eat grass, especially when they feel sick, so expect green bits to scoop up first.

Contact your vet if your dog keeps being sick or there is blood in the vomit. The PDSA lists these and other warning signs, such as low energy or a painful tummy.

Cat Sick on Carpet

Fur balls are one of the common causes the PDSA lists in its guide to vomiting in cats. The PDSA says most cats vomit from time to time.

It also says to call your vet for advice if your cat is sick more than once. Contact them straight away if the vomiting goes on for more than 24 hours.

If the same corner keeps getting hit, a professional pet odour treatment starts from £30 per room.