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Home > Cats > How to Clean Up Cat Vomit: 3 Ideas & Tips

How to Clean Up Cat Vomit: 3 Ideas & Tips

veterinarian is holding cute cat Burmese cat

If you’re a cat owner, cleaning up vomit is at the top of the list of unpleasant tasks that you must do. It may seem daunting, but it is possible to clean up the mess with the right tools (and maybe a pair of rubber gloves). How you clean up the mess will depend on where your cat vomited and the stained object that you need to clean. Here are three different methods for successfully cleaning up cat vomit to help you get that mess cleared up as quickly as possible.

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The 3 Ideas & Tips to Clean Up Cat Vomit

1. Removing Vomit From a Washable Fabric

grey cat in bed
Image By: milivigerova, Pixabay
What You’ll Need:
  • Prewash laundry stain remover, like Shout or Resolve

If your cat has vomited on your clothing or your bedding, don’t fret. Check the care tag of your item first to get the washing instructions. Then, follow these simple steps:

  • Scrape off excess vomit.
  • Treat the stain with a prewash stain remover.
  • Wash the item in the hottest water safe for the fabric.

Important Tip: Check your fabric when it comes out of the wash, and don’t immediately put it into the dryer. If the stain hasn’t come out completely from the wash, you can re-treat and re-wash the fabric until it’s gone. Once you have run the stain through the dryer, the heat will set it for good and make it extremely difficult to remove. If you are unsure whether you got the stain out, always air dry the item, so you have the option of re-washing it.


2. Removing Vomit From Carpet

woman cleaning carpet
Image By: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock
What You’ll Need:
  • Dawn dish soap
  • Baking soda or cornstarch
  • White vinegar
  • White cloth
  • Warm water
  • Pet stain remover (optional)

Start by scraping as much vomit off the carpet as you can using a paper towel and rubber gloves. Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch onto the stain to soak up as much of it as possible. Baking soda has the added advantage of neutralizing odor, so this is the best option if it’s a particularly smelly spot! Leave this on for 10 to 15 minutes before continuing.

Mix 1 tablespoon of Dawn dish soap with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and 2 cups of warm water. Use a clean white cloth to put the solution on, and blot it until all the liquid has been absorbed. You can use a paper towel for this step if you need to, but microfiber cloths work best because they are more absorbent.

Finally, sponge the stain with cold water, and blot it to dry. As a follow-up, use pet stain remover for carpet, and vacuum to ensure that no stains or smells are left behind.


3. Removing Vomit From Upholstery

hand cleaning leather couch
Image By: Daleen Loest, Shutterstock
What You’ll Need:
  • Pet stain and odor remover for upholstery
  • White cloth

If your cat has vomited on your couch, your best bet for cleaning is to use a pet stain and odor remover designed specifically for upholstery. This type of product contains enzymes to break down the stain and odor-causing molecules within the vomit to leave your upholstery clean and smelling fresh.

Follow the manufacturer’s directions on your cleaner for the best results. Scrape off any excess vomit, and blot the stain with a clean, white cloth. Repeat application of the stain remover, alternating with blotting, until it is fully removed.

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Conclusion

Cleaning up cat vomit is a dirty job, but it can be made easier when you have the right tools in your arsenal. Regardless of where your cat vomits, there is a way to clean it. As with most stains, the sooner you get to it, the better, so it’s best to be prepared and know what to do when it happens.


Featured Image Credit: ANASTASIIAKU, Shutterstock

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