11 Best Carpet Cleaners for Dog Vomit – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Owning a dog can be a joy, but there are times when it is less than pleasurable. Finding puddles of vomit on the carpet is one such time, and if you are unfortunate enough to be faced with this mess, it’s important to act as quickly as possible to prevent staining and the linger odor that it brings with it. Home solutions can help, and we have included instructions on making your own vomit cleaner at the bottom of this article, but commercial products, including carpet shampoos and spot cleaners, offer a quick and convenient means of attacking the problem.

Below, we have included details of 11 of the best carpet cleaners for dog vomit, so you can find one that best fits your needs.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

The 11 Best Carpet Cleaners for Dog Vomit

1. Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray – Best Overall

We consider Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator the best overall carpet cleaner for dog vomit for a few reasons. First, it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, meaning you will get your money back if you’re not completely happy with how it works.

We also like the fact that this cleaner penetrates, binds, lifts, and permanently removes dog vomit stains and smells so you can clean up the mess once and forget it. However, if you’re using this cleaner on an old stubborn vomit stain you’ve found, you may need to soak the stain well with the cleaner and let it sit for several hours or overnight. This process may need to be repeated several times to get the best results.

Another great thing about this cleaner is its neutral smell. Once you use it on vomit stains, it won’t leave behind any unnatural chemical smells. Plus, in addition to carpet, Advanced Bio-Enzyme can be used on all types of surfaces, including hard floors, fabric, furniture, or wherever your dog happens to vomit.

In addition to working great on vomit stains, this product can also be used to clean up other messes your dog may leave behind, including drool, urine, and feces. You definitely get your money’s worth with this impressive multi-purpose cleaner you can use virtually anywhere around the house.

Overall this Hepper spray is our best overall carpet cleaner for dog vomit on the market today!

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2. Odoban 3-in-1 Odor Eliminating Carpet Cleaner – Budget Buy

Odoban 3-in-1 Odor Eliminating Carpet Cleaner is an extraction cleaner that is designed for use primarioy in deep cleaning machines but can be used as a spot cleaner too. It comes in a large 1-gallon jug, which is beneficial if you have a sickly dog, or one that tends to make messes more often. It is also detergent free, which means that it is gentle on carpets and rugs and minimizes the amount of wear on your flooring. Odoban claims that there is no need for pre-treatments like de-foamer when using their product.

Odoban’s cleaner is cheap, comes in a conveniently large bottle, and it can be used either in a deep cleaner or independently as a spot cleaner. It is our budget carpet cleaner pick for dog vomit. However, the cleaner only has a mild scent, so it doesn’t cover odors, and it can take two passes if the vomit has been allowed to settle before you’ve had chance to tackle it.

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3. Hoover Paws & Claws Spot & Stain Remover Pre-Mixed Carpet Cleaning Formula

Enzymatic cleaners first emit enzymes that break down the molecules in vomit, urine, and other organic messes. They also contain bacteria that consume the resulting molecules, thereby eliminating odors and stains, rather than masking or covering them up.

Hoover Paws & Claws Spot & Stain Remover Pre-Mixed Carpet Cleaning Formula is an enzymatic cleaner that is designed for use in Hoover portable carpet cleaners but can be used in other models. It does have a cotton breeze scent, which will help give the area a fresh scent once the work is done, but Hoover’s cleaner is expensive and Hoover themselves recommend that it be combined with another cleaner for the best results.

Because of the different organic compounds in vomit and other types of dirt, most experts recommend the use of at least two types of enzymatic cleaner to get the best results. Buying this and another cleaner means you need a big budget and is a solution best reserved for tackling really messy incidents.

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4. Nature’s Miracle Dog Stain & Odor Remover Refill

Nature’s Miracle Dog Stain & Odor Remover Refill is a spot cleaner, which means it is meant to be applied, as is, directly to stains and vomit-affected areas. It shouldn’t be used in a carpet cleaner machine because this would mean diluting the solution, thereby reducing its effectiveness, and this is a large 1.3-gallon refill bottle, so you will need a spray bottle of your own to be able to easily spray it.

However, because it is a refill and such a large bottle, it works out to be less expensive than most other cleaners and is an enzymatic cleaner.

Whereas bleach and hydrogen peroxide-based cleaners essentially mask smells and stains, they can return. An efficient enzymatic cleaner gets rid of the odor and stain-producing molecules so once they’re gone, they’re gone for good, but it can take two different types to get the job done properly.

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5. OUT! Oxy Fast Activated Pet Stain & Odor Remover

OUT! Oxy Fast Activated Pet Stain & Odor Remover is a hydrogen peroxide-based spray cleaner that claims to combat stains and odor caused by vomit, urine, feces, blood, and more.

It is safe to use around pets and children, although you should ensure that pets and kids don’t ingest it, and it can be used as a pre-laundry detergent on clothing and other machine-safe fabrics. It shouldn’t be used on woolen carpets, but this is true of most cleaners, whether they are bleach or hydrogen peroxide-based.

OUT! is easy to apply, modestly priced, and does a good job of combating stains, making it the best overall carpet cleaner for dog vomit. However, it could be better at getting rid of strong odors, and you will need to wipe the area with a damp cloth ten minutes after application to get the best results.

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6. Carbona Oxy Powered Dog & Cat Stain & Odor Remover

Hydrogen peroxide is said to oxidize stains, which means that it effectively changes the structure of whatever is causing the stain and odor in a carpet, making it easier to remove the particles through scrubbing, blotting, or hoovering. The peroxide needs to have a low concentration when used as a carpet cleaner, however, because anything over 6% is likely to discolor the carpet design.

Carbona Oxy Powered Dog & Cat Stain & Odor Remover contains hydrogen peroxide, effectively lifting the offending particles from the carpet. The active foam cleaner comes with its own applicator head, too, with bristles to lift up deep-rooted particles and a foam that sucks up the treated liquid from the surface of the carpet. It is quite an expensive cleaner compared to most on the list, but the applicator head is a useful addition, and the formula has proven effective at getting rid of smells and unsightly stains.

It can’t be used in carpet cleaners, however, and if you want to spray the liquid, you will have to remove the applicator and add your own spray head.

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7. Biokleen Bac-Out Stain & Odor Remover

Biokleen Bac-Out Stain & Odor Remover is an enzymatic cleaner that is free from artificial fragrances and colors but does contain lime to apparently give it a citrus scent. The large bottle is designed for spot cleaning and not for use in carpet cleaners, and you will need your own spray bottle or smaller, more conveniently sized bottle for application.

Biokleen is on the expensive side and, despite claiming to offer a citrus-fresh smell, it doesn’t have any real scent. The enzymes do a good job of eliminating smells, but the cleaner could do a better job of getting rid of difficult stains. The lack of chemicals is also beneficial for pet owners, especially if your dog is one that is likely to return to the area to investigate.

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8. Simple Solution Extreme Stain & Odor Remover

Simple Solution Extreme Stain & Odor Remover is an enzymatic cleaner that can be used on any water-safe area of the house, including carpets and rugs. It is designed as a spot cleaner so cannot be diluted and used in a carpet cleaner machine. It comes in a choice of bottle sizes. The small bottle does include a spray top but there are some leaking problems with this, and the large bottle is effectively meant as a refill but works out cheaper than the small.

Simple Solution’s cleaner is moderately priced when bought as a gallon bottle, and is effective against most odors and stains, but it has a somewhat harsh chemical smell and doesn’t deter dogs from going back to the area afterwards.

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9. Skout’s Honor Professional Strength

Skout’s Honor Professional Strength is a professional-grade surfactant based cleaner. It comes in a spray bottle and is designed for spot cleaning, so should not be diluted and isn’t for use in carpet cleaner machines. It is a vegetable-based cleaner that relies on surfactants to lift stain and odor molecules from the carpet before breaking those molecules down, which means that it aims to completely eradicate the smell and stain, rather than try to mask it.

The cleaner is expensive, and the small spray bottle lid doesn’t fit well, which means that it will leak if knocked over and can’t be laid down when stored. It also has a strong smell, although this usually dissipates after a few days and may be considered an improvement over the smell of dog vomit.

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10. Nature’s Miracle Deep Cleaning Carpet Shampoo

Nature’s Miracle Deep Cleaning Carpet Shampoo is an enzymatic cleaner that is designed for use in carpet cleaner machines. It is reasonably priced and comes in a decent size bottle. It can also be used directly on the vomit stains to lift odors and staining and is low foaming so it won’t take as long to dry.

The cleaner can work well if you can get to the stain quickly, but has proven less effective against older stains, and the cleaner itself has a strong smell that will prove too strong for some owners, as well as their pets. There are no instructions on how to dilute the cleaner if you are using it as a spot, spray cleaner, rather than in a carpet cleaning machine.

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11. Nature’s Miracle Advanced Dog Stain & Odor Remover

Nature’s Miracle Advanced Dog Stain & Odor Remover is an enzymatic spray cleaner that contains surfactants to help lift stains and smells from the carpet fabric before removing them.

The cleaner is not designed for use in carpet cleaners, and it is an expensive option compared to others. It has a strong perfumed smell that lasts for days and there are some problems with the sprayer top bottle that can cause leaks if laid down or knocked over. It also tends to be more effective against urine than it does against more solid problems.

How to Choose the Best Carpet Cleaner for Dog Vomit

Dog vomit is a nasty but sometimes unavoidable component of dog ownership. Whether your pup is old, ill, or has become over-excited, cleaning up the mess left afterwards is down to you as their owner, rather than the dog itself. Initially, this means picking up the solid mess and then finding some solution to get rid of the smell and to prevent any staining from occurring. As well as tackling the problem as soon as you spot it, using the right cleaner or cleaning solution will go a long way to help ensure the best results. But what makes the best carpet cleaner for dog vomit, and what should you look for when buying a cleaner?

Cleaner Types

There are various types of cleaner on the market, including enzymatic and bleach-based cleaners. You will also need to choose between spray or spot cleaners and those that are designed for use in carpet cleaner machines. Your main options, when choosing a carpet cleaner are:

Enzymatic Cleaners

Enzymatic or bio-enzymatic cleaners contain good bacteria. These bacteria produce an enzyme that first break down molecules that cause stains and odors before consuming the smaller molecules that are produced. Their effectiveness is based on their ability to break down organic matter into small enough molecules and their ability to be able to consume all of the molecules produced. An enzymatic cleaner aim to completely eliminate the odor and stain producing molecules, naturally, rather than using harsh bleaches and instead of masking them with chemicals. They can be very effective and are generally considered safe for use around pets and children, but most experts agree that it takes at least two different types of enzymes to work efficiently. These cleaners can be expensive and they need to be left to do their work.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide consists of hydrogen and oxygen. It is water with an extra molecule of oxygen. This extra molecule oxidizes, which kills germs but can also bleach color and may damage fabrics. This potential discoloring and destruction mean that you should only use hydrogen peroxide that is lower than 6% strength, with an ideal concentration being 3%, especially for sensitive fabrics. If the concentration is any higher than this, it not only runs the risk of damaging fabric but can be toxic if inhaled.

Bleach

Bleach is a disinfectant. It kills bacteria and eliminates viruses, but it doesn’t really clean. It is not considered suitable for use on carpets and rugs because it will bleach or discolor the fabric, so it can only be used on white or nearly white carpets. It is not recommended to use bleach-based cleaners on carpets.

Surfactants

Once vomit gets into the carpet, one of the most difficult aspects of cleaning it is getting it out of the fibers of the carpet itself. Scrubbing can help, but this can also damage the carpet itself and isn’t always effective because small odor and stain causing molecules stick to the carpet fibers. Surfactants create activity on the surface and this activity helps to lift dirt from the base of the carpet and makes it easier to remove from the fabric strands. These are often contained in other types of cleaner to help give a more effective cleaning solution.

Carpet Cleaners

Carpet cleaners are designed for use in carpet cleaning machines. They are more diluted than spot cleaners and they may not be effective if used as a spray. They come in larger bottles, should be less expensive per gallon than the less concentrated spot cleaners, and are essential if you are using a deep cleaning machine.

Spot Cleaners

Spot cleaners, or spray cleaners, are stronger and less diluted than machine cleaner solutions. They may contain similar ingredients but less water. Typically, available in a spray bottle they are useful for cleaning smaller areas, rather than entire floors or large patches of dirty carpet. Some can be diluted for use in carpet cleaners, but you will usually find that the manufacturer does not recommend them being used in this way.

Other Considerations

As well as the type of cleaner, you should look at the following when choosing the best carpet cleaner to get rid of dog vomit:

Bottle Size

Bottle sizes vary from 32oz bottles to 1 gallon or larger. Spot cleaners are usually available in smaller sizes while mechanical cleaner solutions come in gallon jugs. If you are looking for a cleaner for a one-off need, choose a smaller bottle, but if you have a persistent and ongoing problem, a larger bottle will save you money and prove more convenient than having to regularly buy new bottles.

Spray Top

Applying a spot cleaner can be tricky, which is why some bottles have their own spray top, although the Carbona cleaner above has a unique brush applicator. The spray top makes it easy to apply the cleaner to the desired area, but we have found that a number of spray tops do not fit well or are not designed well, and they tend to leak when the bottle is laid down or knocked over. An alternative to relying on these spray bottle tops is to use your own spray bottle and add the solution before use.

Smell

One of the aims of using a carpet cleaner on dog vomit is to get rid of the smell, but that doesn’t mean you want a strong or chemical smell in your room for the next however many days. Natural cleaners might use citrus, while other cleaners may use perfumes or have a chemical smell. Typically, enzymatic cleaners do not include any additional scent because they aim to completely eradicate the molecules that cause the smell, but some hydrogen peroxide cleaners especially can have a strong smell especially when first applied.

Make Your Own Carpet Cleaner

If you have an urgent need to clean vomit out of your carpet or rug, or you want to try other options before buying commercial cleaners, you can make a homemade cleaning solution from ingredients that are found in most kitchen cupboards.

Dilute white vinegar with water, spray it onto the area, leave it to work for an hour or two and then blot this up with a rag or cloth.

Generously sprinkle the area with baking soda and allow this to dry for 24 hours before vacuuming it up. You can repeat the process if the smell and stain are still there but have reduced somewhat.

Another alternative is to use hydrogen peroxide if you have this in the cupboard. Ensure it is suitably diluted, apply to the area, and leave it for about 15 minutes before blotting or dry vacuuming the area thoroughly.

Conclusion

Commercial carpet cleaners can effectively help prevent stains and remove the odors that are associated with dog vomit. For the best results, you need to act quickly, but there are a good number of carpet cleaners available to help with the problem. We believe Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray is the best overall because it is effective at cleaning and modestly priced, but if you’re on a tight budget or only have limited cleaning needs, Odoban’s 3-in-1 Odor Eliminating Carpet Cleaner is cheap and effective.

• See also: How to Clean Dog Diarrhea from Carpet

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Featured Image Credit: Sonja Rachbauer, Shutterstock