how do you clean up cat vomit? (carpet, throwing up, food)

[KittenSparkles]

My elderly cat has been throwing up fairly often lately (will be going to vet to checked out soon) - and I am trying to figure out the best way to clean the carpet.

I'm considering buying a steam cleaner, but I'd like to avoid that if I don't have to.

So, I'm open to hearing other methods that are effective.
Thanks!

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by E E

My elderly cat has been throwing up fairly often lately (will be going to vet to checked out soon) - and I am trying to figure out the best way to clean the carpet.

I'm considering buying a steam cleaner, but I'd like to avoid that if I don't have to.

So, I'm open to hearing other methods that are effective.
Thanks!

We remove the solid matter with a paper towel and then clean the carpet with a little dish soap in hot water. The secret is to do it quickly before the dye they put in the cat food stains the carpet.

If there is any residual odor (as evidenced by cats trying to "cover up" the spot), we spray some Petastic on it (better than Nature's Miracle, IMHO).

We have three cats and on the average clean up 5 - 6 barfs a week. Gotta love em.

20yrsinBranson

[Wilson513]

Gather: vinyl or latex disposable gloves, paper towels, plastic wastecan liner, small bucket with hot water and Dawn, clean rag.

Put on gloves, scoop all with paper towels and put in bag, scrub spot with Dawn and water rinsing often, blot with paper towels. Everything in the bag and everything in the trash.

If there is a stain i.e. dark vomit on light rug, spray with Resolve, blot, repeat, repeat, repeat until stain is gone.

Remember, nothing can permanently stain polyester carpet. It's just a matter of how many times you spray and blot with Resolve or similar product.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by Wilson513

Gather: vinyl or latex disposable gloves, paper towels, plastic wastecan liner, small bucket with hot water and Dawn, clean rag.

Put on gloves, scoop all with paper towels and put in bag, scrub spot with Dawn and water rinsing often, blot with paper towels. Everything in the bag and everything in the trash.

If there is a stain i.e. dark vomit on light rug, spray with Resolve, blot, repeat, repeat, repeat until stain is gone.

Remember, nothing can permanently stain polyester carpet. It's just a matter of how many times you spray and blot with Resolve or similar product.

Wish ours was polyester and not wool, because it stains like crazy.

20yrsinBranson

[KittenSparkles]

thanks for the suggestions -

question: does using hot water cause the stains to set in more? and is there a way to disinfect the area? I'm concerned about germs remaining in the carpet

[jasper12]

I don't think that there is alot of "germs" in cat vomit. I changed my cat's food, because some are more staining on the carpet than others. I went to Royal Canin, and give small portion sizes. I also give very small portion sizes of Fancy Feast. I feed my cat about 4 times a day. Tablespoon in morning, After work, again around 7pm, and before bed, at 11 pm.

If you are worried about germs, go with a steam machine.

[Wilson513]

Originally Posted by E E

thanks for the suggestions -

question: does using hot water cause the stains to set in more? and is there a way to disinfect the area? I'm concerned about germs remaining in the carpet

Stains do not set in polyester. If you have wool carpeting, you are in .1% of the population. I am assuming that you do not.

Germs do not survive in carpet. And, they do not grow. You wear gloves to avoid any active viruses or having bacteria enter little cuts or scrapes in your skin.

[Ohiogirl81]

Dish soap, rags and lots of elbow grease.

[Dogmama50]

The dog always got to it before we did. Sorry, it's gross, but it was reality.

We also used a small hand held carpet cleaner that worked great.

[KittenSparkles]

thanks folks!

I've got clean carpet now!!