How to remove vomit from a rug

Protocol by rug material

On wool (natural, hand-tufted, Persian, berber)

1. Put on gloves, lift the solids with a spoon or the edge of a dustpan working from the outside of the spill inwards, then blot the liquid with white kitchen roll; never rub.
2. Blot with cold water applied to a white cloth rather than poured onto the rug; hot water sets the proteins in vomit and makes the stain harder to remove.
3. Apply WoolSafe's first-choice treatment for vomit, a diluted WoolSafe-approved carpet shampoo, to a cloth and work it from the edge of the stain inwards; its second choice is an approved spot remover for water-based stains.
4. Rinse the area with clean water on a cloth, blot firmly and dry the spot with a hair dryer.
5. Check the label before reaching for an enzyme spray: Simple Solution Extreme's directions say not to use it on wool, so only use an odour remover on wool if the bottle carries the WoolSafe mark, and leave a lingering smell to a WoolSafe Approved cleaner's deodoriser treatment.

On polypropylene (shaggy, budget flatweave)

1. Put on gloves, scrape up as much vomit as possible with a dustpan or spoon from the outside inwards, then blot the rest with kitchen roll.
2. Cover the damp area with bicarbonate of soda and leave it for about 15 minutes to absorb the remaining moisture, then vacuum it up.
3. Shake Simple Solution Extreme, test it on a hidden spot, then saturate an area twice the size of the mess and leave it at least 5 minutes so the enzymes can break down the proteins; Dr Beckmann Pet Stain & Odour Remover is the alternative, worked in lightly without soaking and left for 3 minutes.
4. Blot the excess with a colour-safe cloth, rinse with cold water, and let the rug air dry completely before vacuuming.
5. If an odour lingers once the rug is dry, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the spot again, leave it for a few hours and vacuum.

On jute or sisal (natural fibre)

1. Scrape up the solids from the outside inwards with a spoon, then press a dry towel onto the spot to absorb the liquid without rubbing.
2. Cover the area with a thick layer of bicarbonate of soda for about 15 minutes to draw out moisture, then vacuum it up.
3. Clean what remains with no more than a dab of water and a soft-bristle brush, blotting immediately; never wet shampoo or steam clean jute.
4. Dry the spot at once with a hair dryer or a fan pointed straight at it.
5. Do not saturate jute with an enzyme spray: Simple Solution's directions call for soaking through to the backing, and Dr Beckmann's pet formula is not for surfaces sensitive to water.
6. If a mark or smell persists, call a reputable rug cleaner rather than adding more liquid.

On a machine-washable rug (Ruggable, Tom Tailor)

1. Put on gloves, scrape up the solids and blot the liquid with kitchen roll without rubbing.
2. Blot the stain with cold water on a white cloth; never warm or hot water, which sets the proteins.
3. Detach the cover from the pad; the pad never goes in the machine, so wipe it with a damp cloth if anything soaked through and let it dry completely.
4. Test Simple Solution Extreme for colour fastness, then saturate the stain on the cover and leave it 5 minutes as a laundry pre-wash.
5. Machine wash the cover cold with a mild, non-bleach detergent, design side out, then air dry it completely before refitting it to the pad.

Frequently asked questions

How fast do I need to act on a vomit stain?

Very high urgency – within 30 minutes. The longer it sits, the deeper it sets, especially on wool and jute.

What must I avoid?

hot water (sets the proteins), rubbing (pushes it deeper into the pile), bleach, household washing-up liquid on wool, enzyme sprays labelled not for wool on wool rugs, soaking or steaming jute

One product to buy?

Bicarbonate of soda to absorb, then an enzyme cleaner such as Simple Solution Extreme (not on wool or jute).

When to stop and call a professional

Any vomit incident larger than 30 × 30 cm on a wool or hand-knotted rug; any spot you have already treated with the wrong product (hot water, bleach on wool, ammonia on urine); any repeat incident on the same spot – because pigment or odour compounds accumulate and home cleaning stops working.