- This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.
- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
As most pet parents discover, dogs occasionally vomit—it’s just part of life with a pup. Once you’ve made sure your buddy is okay, it’s time for cleanup. But how do you get dog vomit out of the carpet? What about the couch? Or the car?
To find out, we consulted both vets and professionals from the cleaning industry. We break down how to tackle dog vomit stains on multiple household surfaces and what to do if you only have common household cleaners. We also discuss how to handle old and dried stains, plus tips to prevent future vomiting in the home. Here’s everything you need to know.
- How To Clean Dog Vomit Off the Carpet
- How To Get Dog Vomit Out of the Couch or Upholstery
- How To Clean Dog Vomit Out of the Bed
- How To Clean Dog Vomit Out of a Mattress
- How To Clean Dog Vomit Out of the Car
- What To Do If Dog Vomit Is Happening a Lot
How To Clean Dog Vomit Off the Carpet
“Dog vomit is unpleasant, but it’s way worse when it’s on your carpet,” says Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM, a veterinary consultant at We Love Doodles. “The best thing that can happen in that situation is cleaning it right away, as dried-up vomit stains are much harder to eliminate.”
When dealing with fresh vomit, check your carpet’s label and washing instructions before applying any product. Then try the following steps:
- Remove as much vomit from the carpet as possible. Use a spoon, spatula, or even a paper plate or piece of cardboard to scrape up as much of the mess as possible. Be sure to wear gloves to protect against bacteria and germs.
- Re-wet the area. Douse the soiled spot with cold water or soda water.
- Blot up the liquid. Use paper towels or absorbent microfiber cloths to remove as much moisture as possible.
- Apply an enzymatic cleaner and let it sit. Follow the instructions on the bottle. Generally, you’ll need to let the enzyme cleaner sit for 15 to 20 minutes. “Some of my favorite pet-safe cleaning products are Nature’s Miracle Urine Destroyer, Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain and Odor Eliminator, and Bissell Pet Stain & Odor Remover,” says Lauren Doss, owner of Nashville Maids. “All of these products contain enzymes that break down odors and stains caused by pet vomit. They’re also safe to use around pets and children.”
- Blot up the liquid again. Soak up any remaining cleaner and work your way inward to keep the stain from spreading. Then let the spot dry naturally. You can cover it with an overturned laundry basket or bowl to keep it undisturbed by pets and people.
- Vacuum. In the morning, vacuum the area. If the stain or odor persists, you may need to repeat the process until it goes away entirely.
How to clean dog vomit from the carpet with household cleaners
If you don’t have an enzymatic cleaner on hand, all’s not lost. According to Dr. Sabrina Kong, white vinegar is the best natural cleaner for dog vomit. For the best results, she offers the following steps.
- Remove solid vomit. Scoop up vomit with a dustpan, paper plate, or piece of cardboard, removing as much matter as possible.
- Apply a vinegar solution. “Once you’re left with the carpet stain, rinse it using a cloth or microfiber towel damped with a mix of equal parts water and vinegar,” she advises. Alternatively, you can put diluted vinegar into a spray bottle to liberally douse the vomit stain. Let it soak for a few minutes.
- Blot up the liquid. Soak up the excess moisture with paper towels or clean cloths.
- Apply dish soap (optional). “If vinegar is not working, you can try diluted hydrogen peroxide or dishwashing soap,” Dr. Kong says, adding a quick warning. “But only use one type of cleaning liquid; do not mix!”
- Sprinkle baking soda over the stain. For odors that won’t budge, let the baking soda sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then vacuum it up.
Note: Repeat the process until the stains and smells are gone.
What to do about dried or old dog vomit on the carpet
If the vomit has already dried on your carpet, don’t despair! It can still be cleaned. It just might take a bit more elbow grease.
According to Angela Lee, Content Manager of Hellamaid, your first step should be removing the dried bits as best you can. “If the vomit has dried and is difficult to remove, use a scraper to gently lift it off the surface before cleaning,” she suggests.
For older stains that have seeped into the carpet fibers, your best bet will be an enzymatic cleaner. Multiple applications may be required.
How To Get Dog Vomit Out of the Couch or Upholstery
No, you don’t have to ditch your favorite couch if your dog throws up on it. Here’s how our experts recommend removing dog vomit stains and odor from furniture and upholstery.
- Scrape away the vomit. Use a paper towel, scoop, or paper plate to remove as much vomit as possible. Then blot up the remaining residue.
- Apply an enzymatic cleaner. “These will help break down the proteins in the vomit and remove any remaining residue,” Lauren Doss explains. She also says dog parents can use hydrogen peroxide for this step. Allow the cleaner to dry per the directions on the bottle, usually between 15 to 20 minutes.
- Let it air dry. Once the area is clean, let it air dry before attempting to vacuum or steam clean it. If your couch cushions are removable, consider placing them outside in the sun. This helps to kill bacteria and freshen up fabrics.
How to get dog vomit out of upholstery with household cleaners
No enzymatic cleaners on hand? Here’s what you can do.
- Scrape away the vomit. Use a paper towel, scoop, or paper plate to remove as much vomit as possible.
- Mix a solution of water and dish soap. “If the couch is waterproof, you can use a combination of warm water and mild detergent to scrub the area gently until it’s clean,” says Doss. Alternatively, Angela Lee of Hellamaid suggests dipping a clean cloth in the solution to blot the affected area gently.
- Rinse with clean water. Rinse the cloth with clean water and repeat the blotting process until the stain is gone.
- Blot dry. Use a dry cloth to remove excess moisture from the couch.
- Deodorize with baking soda. If the smell persists, sprinkle the stain with baking soda, leave it for 15 to 30 minutes, and vacuum it up.
What to do about dried or old dog vomit
Dried vomit on the couch is best handled with a strong enzyme-based cleaner. First, spray some cool water onto the stain to help loosen up particles and make them easier to remove. Then follow the steps above for using an enzymatic cleaner on fresh vomit.
How To Get Dog Vomit Out of Other Household Surfaces
Cleaning dog vomit out of dog beds
If your pooch had an oopsie on their bed, not to worry. Our experts have a few tips.
“For dog beds, remove all of the vomit with a scoop or spoon, and then either hand-wash or machine-wash the bed,” Doss advises. “If the bed is waterproof (but won’t fit in the washing machine), use a combination of warm water and detergent to scrub it clean in the bathtub.”
Angela Lee suggests following this step by rinsing the area with clean water and then mixing a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Apply this solution and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly, and let the bed air dry.
If your dog’s bed is machine-washable, toss it in a separate load using a pet-safe detergent, like Puracy Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent. You can also add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to fight tough odors. A pre-treatment with an enzymatic cleaner, like this laundry booster by Skout’s Honor, is also a good idea.
Cleaning dog vomit out of mattresses
But what if your dog throws up on your bed? Toby Schultz, CEO of Maid2Match, offers the following guidelines.
- Remove as much vomit as you’re able from the sheets. “Be careful not to wipe the vomit since this could push it further into the fibers,” Schultz explains.
- Rinse the stained sheets. “If you’re able, run the stain under cold water upside-down to push the vomit out of the fabric. Strip the bed and toss the stained sheets into the washing machine,” he says.
- Move on to the mattress. “Mix up a mild detergent with warm water, then use a sponge to work it into the stained area gently,” says Shultz. Afterward, rinse with a clean sponge dipped in fresh water.
- Use a vinegar solution. Shultz recommends mixing a solution of one part water with three parts vinegar. Spray the affected area. Then let it air dry, ideally outdoors in the sun. If moving the mattress outside isn’t feasible, ventilate the room by opening windows and using a fan.
Note: Repeat the vinegar treatment if the smell and stain persist.
Cleaning dog vomit out of the car
Car cleanup starts like any other surface. First, scoop or spoon all the vomit you can, then blot up any leftover moisture with paper towels.
Lauren Doss recommends using an enzymatic cleaner specifically made for car upholstery, since many enzymatic cleaners aren’t meant to be used on leather. She also notes that even with the proper cleaner, leather seats may need a leather conditioner applied after you clean up the vomit to protect them from cracking.
For an enzyme-free method, Toby Schultz offers the following take.
- For non-leather upholstery, sprinkle baking soda on the remaining mess to absorb the odor.
- Vacuum it up after 30 minutes. Mix one part white vinegar to eight parts water, then use a soft-bristled brush or a lint-free cloth to work the mixture into the affected area.
- Rinse with water, then dry the area with a lint-free cloth.
- Leave your car open to air dry.
Note: For a deep car clean, consider renting or purchasing a handheld steam cleaner, like the Bissell Little Green ProHeat Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner.
What To Do If Dog Vomit Is Happening a Lot
It can be stressful and worrisome when your dog vomits. But veterinarian Sabrina Kong says it can often be due to a harmless event.
“Sometimes dogs overeat too quickly, eat some human food that upsets their stomach, or even eat too much grass,” she says. “In these cases, vomiting is usually infrequent, and the dog appears healthy and behaves normally.”
However, Dr. Kong says a dog frequently or regularly throwing up in the house could indicate a more serious underlying problem. “Common causes for chronic vomiting include food allergies or intolerances, inflammatory bowel disease, parasites, or other gastrointestinal disorders,” she says.
According to Dr. Kong, if your dog is showing the following signs, it’s time to visit the vet or emergency vet:
- Frequent or persistent vomiting
- Blood in vomit
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
If your dog is showing any of the above signs along with their vomiting, seek veterinary attention immediately. The faster you act, the faster you can get your pup back on the road to better health.
How We Chose
The cleaning products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews, and interviews with veterinary experts and cleaning professionals. We prioritized cleaners with pet-safe ingredients that effectively remove visible stains and odors. Additionally, we considered the various lifestyles, homes, and cleaning concerns of different pet parents.
We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated dogs, who are never stingy with their feedback.
Further Reading
- Say Goodbye to Pet Stains with the Best Carpet Cleaners for Deep Cleaning
- How To Get Dog Pee Out of the Carpet and Other Household Surfaces
- The Best Stain Removers for Pet Messes of All Kinds, on All Surfaces
- Do Enzymatic Cleaners Work on Pet Stains? What the Science Says
- How To Get Dog Poop Out of the Carpet—Stain, Smell, and All