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How to Get Dog Vomit Out of Mattress: 5 Ideas & Tips (With Pictures)

Written by: Genevieve Dugal

Last Updated on November 27, 2024 by Dogster Team

Like any dog lover, you love your pooch madly and accept that occasional accidents around the house are inevitable. However, if your pup is suddenly sick on your cozy bed, you must act quickly to prevent the foul odor from seeping into the fibers of your mattress.

Check out our five ideas and tricks to effectively remove dog vomit from your mattress so that you can fall back into the arms of Morpheus without being bothered by horrid hints of puke.

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Before You Begin: Gather the Essential Tools

  • Rubber gloves
  • Clean cloth or paper towels
  • Spatula and/or plastic bag
  • Detergent
  • White vinegar
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Baking soda
  • Enzymatic cleaner
  • Spray bottle

Effective cleaning starts with having the essentials on hand. Most homes are equipped with the supplies above, but the one many people may not have or realize they need until it’s too late is a pet-friendly enzyme cleaner. These active cleaners were created to break down the compounds in animal messes that cause staining and lingering odors. Being proactive and keeping a bottle on hand will save you from scrambling in a pinch.

If you are interested in an all-natural enzyme cleaner, our favorite is the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray. It does an excellent job of successfully lifting set-in stains and odors the first time without odor masking. It's available in 3 light scent options - Neutral, Citrus Splash, and Floral Fresh. Best of all, it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee - click here to learn more. 

Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
  • ADVANCED ENZYMATIC CLEANER - Penetrates the most stubborn smells and stains at the deepest molecular...
  • FOR ANY MESS, ON ANY SURFACE - This pet odor eliminator cleans your carpets, floors, furniture,...
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At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool pet company!

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The 5 Ideas & Tips on How to Get Dog Vomit Out of Mattress

1.  Remove Any Vomit Residue

cleaning the sofa with a blue microfiber cloth
Image Credit: TFEX_SHUTTER, Shutterstock

The first step is to remove all the dog vomit that is on your mattress. Use a spatula or a plastic bag and get rid of all traces of vomit. Then, dispose of the bag and its contents immediately.

Note: Wear disposable gloves to avoid contact with germs or other bacteria that may be in the vomit.


2. Throw All Bedding in the Washing Machine

white comforter inside the washing machine
Image By: agencies, Shutterstock

It doesn’t matter if your dog spilled his stomach contents on your sheets or not, put everything in the washing machine. This includes sheets, duvets, blankets, pillowcases, etc. Wash the bedding at the highest temperature possible to eliminate odors and germs.


3. Clean Your Mattress Thoroughly

Person cleaning mattress
Image By: Olga Aniven, Shutterstock

Mix warm water and a mild detergent in a container. Soak the soiled area with soapy water and dab with a clean cloth.

Fill a spray bottle with one part water and three parts white vinegar. Spray the area liberally with the diluted vinegar solution, which will help disinfect and deodorize the soiled area. Let dry and repeat the treatment with vinegar if the stain persists.


4. Use Rubbing Alcohol to Disinfect

Spray bottle
Image Credit: Squirrel_Photos, Pixabay

Even if the vomit stain is no longer visible after the previous steps, germs and a slight smell of vomit may still be present. Fill your spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and spray the entire mattress.


5. Ventilate the Room

electric fan
Photo credit: StockSnap, Pixabay

Use a fan and open all windows to help your mattress dry quickly and eliminate any lasting odor.

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Other Tips for Getting the Dog Vomit Smell Out of Your Mattress

  • Sprinkle Baking Soda on the Stain: Baking soda is as versatile in its uses as white vinegar! So, after blotting the soiled area, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda to help absorb any residual liquid and eliminate the foul odor.
  • Replace Baking Soda with Cornstarch: Most homes have baking soda in one cupboard or another, but if you run out, know that you can use cornstarch as a temporary alternative. Keep in mind, however, that cornstarch doesn’t have the same powerful deodorizing properties as baking soda.
  • Protect Your Mattress from Future Accidents: A mattress protector is essential for pet owners, especially if your pooch is used to sleeping in your bed. Indeed, it is much easier to clean a mattress protector in case of accidents, because you just have to throw it in your washing machine. In this case, there is no need to clean your mattress so scrupulously. Mattress protectors are available in all types of materials such as cotton, polyester, polyurethane, vinyl, and down. However, vinyl and polyurethane are better options for pet owners, due to their waterproof properties.
  • Use a Pet Stain and Odor Removal: There are powerful commercial products to help you deal with all types of organic messes, like Simple Solution Oxy Charged Stain & Odor Remover. Simply spray the affected area liberally, blot excess moisture, and allow the mattress to dry completely, which can take up to 48 hours in some cases. It’s not very practical if you don’t have another bed or sofa to sleep on, but it’s an essential step to neutralize any residual odors.

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Conclusion

The solutions presented above are effective and safe for you, your dog, and your mattress. Plus, they don’t just apply to your puppy’s vomit: if it’s you or a loved one who got sick in bed, know that you can use the same methods without a problem. However, keep in mind that these solutions are not miraculous for old vomit stains. In this case, you will probably need to hire a professional cleaner to remove the nasty residual stains and odors.

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Featured Image Credit: cunaplus, Shutterstock

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