How to Tackle Baby Vomit Stains on Carpet

Babies are little bundles of joy—until they open their mouths, and instead of a giggle, you’re met with a mess of baby vomit all over your carpet. Yeah, not so joyful now, right? 

As carpet cleaning specialists, we see baby vomit stains all the time. Whether it’s just a bit of milk or full-blown baby spew, the key is to act fast. 

Why? Because stomach acid in vomit can actually break down carpet fibres, leading to discolouration. Plus, the proteins in it can set into the fibres, causing a lingering odour. And if it’s a milk-based vomit, the fats in the milk coat the fibres, attracting dirt and oxidising over time—meaning it could leave a permanent stain. 

DIY Baby Vomit Stain Removal

What You’ll Need:

• Baking soda (bicarb soda) 

• Dishwashing detergent 

• Peppermint essential oil (optional but helps with odour) 

• White vinegar 

• Old towels 

• Sponge 

• Warm water 

Wet Cleaning Method (For Fresh Stains)

1. Mix a couple of squirts of dishwashing detergent with a tablespoon of vinegar and two cups of warm water. If there's milk in the mess, use warm water, not hot—otherwise, you’ll end up with curdled milk in your carpet (yep, that’s a thing). 
2. Grab a sponge and gently blot the stain with the solution. Don’t scrub! Pressing too hard will just push the stain deeper into the fibres. 
3. With a fresh sponge, blot the area with cold water to remove the detergent. You might need to repeat this step a couple of times. 
4. Fold an old towel a few times and press it into the carpet to absorb excess moisture. Standing on it will help soak everything up. 

Dry Cleaning Method (For Set Stains or If You Prefer Less Mess)

1. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the stain. 
2. Add a few drops of essential oil if you have it—peppermint is great for neutralising odours. 
3. Cover the area with an old towel and leave it overnight. 

Bicarb soda is a powerhouse when it comes to stain removal. By morning, the vomit should have dried into powdery clumps that you can easily vacuum up. Plus, baking soda is excellent at neutralising smells, so that lingering baby spew odour should be gone. 

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Still Seeing the Stain?

No matter which method you use, it’s a good idea to keep a fan on the spot or a window open for a few days to help air it out and ensure everything dries properly. 

If the smell or stain is still hanging around, it’s likely soaked into the carpet underlay. That’s when you might need to call in the professionals. At Electrodry, we’ve got the right products, equipment, and know-how to tackle even the toughest stains. 

Call us on 13 27 13 or book online today!