Pukey smell

[Pooh's Pixie]

So, if my title got your attention, maybe you can help! We currently have the stomach virus going around my house. DD4 threw up on the rug. It's not a terribly expensive rug, but it's not going anywhere. It smells now. I've tried vinegar & water, Febreze, Lysol and nothing has worked. I now have baby powder with cornstarch on it and I will vacuum it in a little while. Any tried & true tips from DISers? Thanks.

 

[ChristmasElf]

I would have said Febreeze and then put the rug outside to air out for a couple days.
Since you are in Massachusetts and the weather is probably snowy, I would put the rug on the porch or on top of something in the garage for a couple days to air it out!

Maybe a pet store will have something stronger that could help!

 

[jenwolgey]

My kids have puked and peed on our bed already and I poured pure rubbing alcohol on it, let it sit a few minutes, dabbed up excess and let it dry. No more smell. Don't know if that would do anything to the colors in the rug, but if nothing else works, hey, what do you have to lose?!

 

[jenwolgey]

Also wanted to say that our pet store sells something called Nature's Miracle that also works wonders on stuff like this.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Rent a carpet cleaner?

I own a Bissell Little Green Clean Machine...so that would have been my first answer. It gets used ALOT because of my cat.

 

[Cindyluwho]

Also wanted to say that our pet store sells something called Nature's Miracle that also works wonders on stuff like this.

I second this!! Nature's Miracle actually has little organisms that eat the bacteria. The only other thing that will do that is bleach, which of course would ruin the carpet.

 

[XYSRUS]

If it's not too expensive a rug, I would throw it out. Vomit, cat pee...some things are beyond repair and not worth the hassle.

 

[cryssi]

Woolite Oxy. Got the yellow dog pee stains out of my beige carpet! This was after numerous times with an enzymatic cleaner (like Nature's Miracle), spot shot, urine gone, etc. I also had a dog puke spot and this Woolite Oxy stuff got it out. Nice fresh smell, albeit a bit strong. Not sure if it would discolor your carpet, though...maybe you can try it in a corner?

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Sorry for you guys, we experienced it as well this winter. The first thing that came to mind was Febreeze & if that didn't work I would say maybe carpet fresh that was made for pet accidents......I have used Oxyclean on a lot of stains/spills and it has always worked so give that a try. Feel Better!

 

[ToTLaugher]

If it is a removable rug you can send it out to be professionally cleaned. Check with rug stores in your area to find out where.

If it is wall to wall carpet rent a carpet cleaner (like rug doctor). We have had to do with twice with our DD10. It worked like a charm!

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

Thank you all. It actually seemed better after the powder with cornstarch. It is a big area rug, so I can't hang it outside or anything (that is what I would have done if it was smaller). It is not discolored, since I long ago learned that with 3 kids & a dog, my furniture and rugs in my LR need to be earth tones, or more specifically, the color of dirt!
I think I will try to pick up that Nature's Miracle to have on hand. Sounds perfect.

Now, here's hoping no one else gets sick!