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Removing vomit stains
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Removing vomit stains
Vomit stains are unpleasant, but they are particularly troublesome because they are more than just “dirty liquid”. Vomit contains acids, food residues, colourings and fats. This can cause it to quickly soak in, discolour and leave a strong odour in carpets, upholstery or on the floor. Especially when it is warm, it quickly starts to smell.
Acting quickly really makes a difference here. The longer you wait, the deeper the residues become embedded and the more difficult it becomes to remove both the stain and the odour. At the same time, you want to avoid smearing the stain or making the surface too wet.
Below you can read what to look out for for each surface and which approach works best.
The same advice applies to these stains: Vomit, cat vomit, dog vomit
Characteristics (anatomy) of a vomit stain
Vomit is a mixture of stomach acid, fluid and solid particles such as food residues. The acid may damage materials or cause discolouration, especially on sensitive floors. The fats and proteins adhere to fibres and leave behind a sticky residue that attracts dirt. The odour is caused by residues that remain and start to break down, even if the stain looks “dry”. If you use too much water, the substances can penetrate deeper into the material, making it more difficult to remove odours. Therefore, careful recording and subsequent targeted cleaning are important.
Vomit stains in carpets and rugs
Vomit is difficult to remove from carpets because it is often a mixture of moisture, acids, food residues and sometimes colourings. It sinks quickly between the fibres and can leave a broad, greyish mark. In addition, the solid particles can adhere to the pool, making the area feel rough and remain visible.
If you leave it, odour can quickly become a major problem. The stain may also discolour, for example turning yellowish or brown, depending on what has been eaten. In carpets, it can also penetrate deeper into the underlay, causing the odour to return later, even if the surface looks better.
Be careful not to spread the stain by rubbing or applying pressure. A large moisture zone may also remain visible later as a circle. With vomit, the risk of permanent odour and widespread discolouration is often greater than with many other stains.
Treat with James Stainwonder
This stain can be treated with James Stainwonder. All you need is a bottle of James Stainwonder!
- Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
- Allow the surface to dry completely.
- Apply James Stainwonder to the dry stain by turning the bottle upside down, placing the opening of the bottle on the stain and treating the entire stain.
- The product works for 12 hours, so the effect does not have to be visible immediately.*
- Is the stain not completely gone after treatment, but it has improved? You may repeat the treatment.
* With wool: in the vast majority of cases, James Stainwonder does not cause any discolouration. You have already established this by testing the product in an inconspicuous area as described above. In that case, you do not need to carry out the following step. If a (slight) discolouration did occur, you should neutralise James Stainwonder as soon as the stain has disappeared. In this case, immediately place a damp cotton cloth on the spot where the stain was and let it dry.
You can treat this stain with James Interior Cleaner.
For this you need a white cotton cloth and James Interior Cleaner. Then follow the next steps:
- Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
- Spray James Interior Cleaner on a dry, white cotton cloth.
- Use this cloth to wipe the purpose area using wide sweeping strokes. If the cloth attracts dirt or grease, you know the treatment is effective.
- Repeat frequently with a clean part of the cloth, until you see the cloth no longer attracts dirt.
Vomit stains on hard floors
On hard floors, vomit seems easier to clean because it is on the surface, but it can remain stuck in the structure and edges. When it dries, it forms a dull film and may cause streaking. Sometimes a shiny film remains, which is particularly noticeable when light hits it.
If you leave it there, it can dry into a crust that is difficult to remove and continues to emit an odour. Residue may remain in seams and along skirting boards. With natural stone, discolouration may remain visible for longer, depending on the type of stone and how porous the surface is.
Be careful not to scrub with grains or hard pieces, as this can damage the top layer. The problem may also become more significant if you spread it over a larger area of the floor. Vomit often involves residues that you cannot see immediately, but which cause odours and leave a film.
Treatment with James Remover
This stain can be treated with James Remover. Before use, always test the surface in an inconspicuous place for colour and material resistance: apply, leave to set for 5 minutes, wipe the tested area with water, allow to dry and assess.
- Spray directly onto the purpose area
- Leave to soak for about 1 to 5 minutes
- Then, use a white cotton cloth to remove the grease
- If necessary, gently treat stubborn stains with a soft brush or plastic spatula.
- After use, always clean the area with water.
Attention: be careful when working near a glue seams. Allow James Remover to soak in shortly. Do not let the product penetrate into cracks or seams.
Treat using a moist cotton cloth
This stain can be treated immediately with water. Use clean water and preferably a white, cotton cloth.
Vomit stains on upholstery
Vomit absorbs quickly into upholstery fabric and can cause both stains and odours. Moisture and acids can cause slight discolouration, especially on light-coloured fabrics. Solid particles can remain stuck in the fibres, leaving the area rough and more prone to attracting dirt again.
If you leave it, the odour can settle in the filling and return later, especially in warm conditions. The fabric may also feel stiffer or look duller in that area. With cushions, the problem may be greater than you can see, because liquid is absorbed into the interior.
Please note that rubbing will enlarge the stain and may damage the fabric structure. A larger moisture zone may also cause a ring to appear later on, which remains visible longer than the original stain. When dealing with vomit, it is very important to control its spread and prevent prolonged moisture.
Treat with James Stainwonder
This stain can be treated with James Stainwonder. Always test for colour fastness and material perpetuation in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry and evaluate.
- Allow the surface to dry completely.
- Apply James Stainwonder to the dry stain by turning the bottle upside down, placing the opening of the bottle on the stain and treating the entire stain. Spread a little James Stainwonder on a clean, dry cotton cloth towel and use it to cover the stain. This is to prevent circles from appearing after drying.
- The product works for 12 hours, so the effect does not have to be immediate. Do not remove the cotton cloth until it is dry to see the result.*
- Is the stain not completely gone after treatment, but it has improved? You may repeat the treatment.
* With wool: in the vast majority of cases James Stainwonder does not cause any discolouration. You have already established this by testing the product in an inconspicuous area as described above. In that case, you do not need to carry out the following step. If there is a (slight) discolouration, neutralise James Stainwonder with water as soon as the stain has disappeared (to do this, however, lift the cotton cloth in between to be able to assess whether the stain has already disappeared). In this case, immediately place another damp cotton cloth on the spot where the stain was and let it dry.
Immediate treatment with water
This stain can be treated immediately with water. For this you need a white, cotton cloth and water. Follow the steps below:
- First remove, as far as possible, any loose substances using a spoon.
- Immediately hold a white cotton cloth under the cold tap, wring it out and place it flat on the stain.
- Leave the cotton cloth in place to dry completely, no peeking. Should the cloth become saturated, replace it with a fresh one as described above. Then leave the cloth until it is completely dry.
Note: Do not perform the above instructions if water causes aspect loss or discoloration on the material to be treated.
Would you also like to benefit from James’ effective stain removal? Discover our full range and order your James products easily online. You’ll soon be enjoying a clean and stain-free interior again!
Frequently asked questions and myths
There are all sorts of stories circulating about how to remove these vomit stains. From granny’s remedies to persistent tips from the internet – but what really works? In this section, we answer frequently asked questions and debunk a few myths. This allows you to get started with confidence.
Does soda help against vomit stains and odours?
Soda is often mentioned, but it is not a miracle cure. It can help loosen dirt, but it can leave a haze on textiles or make the fabric dull if you don't remove it properly. In addition, soda does not always completely eliminate the cause of the odour, especially if there is grease and protein in the fibres. It is better to choose a cleaner that is designed to remove organic residues and odours, and that is suitable for your material.
Is vinegar a good solution for the smell?
Vinegar sometimes temporarily masks odours, but it does not always solve the problem. If there are still residues in the carpet or upholstery, the smell will keep coming back. Furthermore, vinegar is an acidic agent and therefore not suitable for natural stone. On some floors, it may damage the top layer or cause differences in gloss. If you want to do something about odour, you must remove the source. A suitable cleaner is often safer and more effective than vinegar.
Can I ‘steam away’ vomit stains with a steam cleaner?
That seems logical, but it is risky. Heat can cause proteins to coagulate and actually fix the odour in the fibres. In addition, you introduce a significant amount of moisture into the carpet and upholstery, allowing residues to penetrate deeper. Steam can become trapped in joints and edges on floors, potentially causing damage. Steam can be useful as a supplement, but only if the stain has been properly removed first and you can then dry the surface again. Otherwise, you often make the problem worse.
Does baking soda help if you leave it on?
Baking soda can absorb odours to some extent, but it does not address the cause if there are still traces of vomit present. It can also remain on carpets or fabrics as a white powder, which in turn creates a new haze. It can also clump together with moisture, which actually creates extra work for you. It is better to clean the stain thoroughly first. Afterwards, you can do something about any residual odour, but cleaning remains the basis for lasting results.
Is it sufficient to just dab it and let it dry?
No, not usually. Dabbing removes moisture, but often leaves behind fats, proteins and odours. It is precisely these residues that later cause rings and odours, even if the spot looks dry. If you just leave it to dry, the residues will remain in the fibres or pores and attract dirt. For a truly clean solution, after dabbing, you should also clean with a product that can remove organic residues and grease, and then dry thoroughly.
Deal with any stain using the right approach from James
Vomit stains require a quick, calm approach: first absorb without spreading, then remove the residue and source of the odour. With the right products and James’ expert advice, you can safely tackle both the stain and the unpleasant odour on carpets, hard floors and upholstery. This prevents rings, sticky spots and recurring odours. The sooner you act, the easier it will be to get everything fresh and tidy again.