Prepare Cleaning Supplies
Before tackling dog vomit on tile, gather the right cleaning supplies to get the job done properly. To clean up the mess, you’ll need the following items:
- Paper towels – Use paper towels to soak up as much of the vomit as possible before scrubbing the tile.
- Bucket of warm water – Fill a bucket with warm water to rinse the area after scrubbing.
- Mild dish soap – A small amount of mild dish soap can help cut through stuck-on messes. Avoid harsh cleaners.
- Grout brush – A grout brush has stiff bristles perfect for scrubbing grout lines.
- Old toothbrush – An old toothbrush is useful for scrubbing into small crevices.
Having these supplies ready will allow you to start cleaning right away. Act quickly to lift the vomit before it has a chance to dry and stain the tile or grout.
Act Quickly
It’s important to clean up dog vomit from tile as soon as possible, before it has a chance to dry and become more difficult to remove. The longer you wait, the more likely the vomit is to stain the grout or leave behind an odor.
Start by removing any solid chunks of vomit with a plastic spatula or spoon and discard them. Next, cover the area with paper towels and apply pressure to absorb as much of the liquid as possible. It’s best to avoid any vigorous scrubbing at this stage, as it may just spread the mess around and rub it further into the grout.
Once you’ve absorbed any excess liquid, proceed to the soaking step. Acting quickly helps prevent the vomit from drying and bonding to the tile and grout.
Soak the Area
To soak the vomited area, first lay down several layers of paper towels over the mess. This will help absorb some of the liquid and make cleaning easier. Next, in a bowl or bucket, mix together warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Using a sponge or rag, wring out the soapy water over the paper towels until the area is fully saturated.
According to home care experts at Shaw Floors (https://shawfloors.com/care/clean/how-to-remove-pet-vomit-from-tile-and-stone), letting the soapy water sit for 5-10 minutes will allow it to penetrate and loosen the dried vomit from the tile and grout. The dish soap helps cut through the fat and protein in the vomit while the warm water softens it up.
Be patient during this soaking time. Resist the urge to immediately scrub the area. Allowing proper soaking time prevents you from scrubbing too hard or using harsh chemicals that could damage the tile or grout.
Scrub the Tile
Use a grout brush and toothbrush to scrub the affected tile and grout. Scrubbing with a brush helps loosen any remaining vomit and lift stains from the porous grout. Scrub gently in a circular motion. Apply a bit of pressure to remove any stubborn stains, but take care not to damage the grout.
As you scrub, the vomit residue will turn into a foam. Rinse this away frequently with clean water and continue scrubbing until all traces of the stain have been removed. Pay special attention to scrubbing along the grout lines, as vomit can seep deep into the grout and linger if not thoroughly scrubbed.
According to GroutShields, using their Grout & Tile Deep Cleaner works well for cleaning and lifting deep, hard-to-remove vomit stains from tile and grout.
Disinfect the Tile
After scrubbing the tile, it’s crucial to disinfect the area to eliminate any remaining bacteria from the vomit. Bleach is an effective disinfectant for this task.
Mix 1 part bleach to 10 parts water in a spray bottle. Be sure to use this dilute bleach solution in a well-ventilated area and avoid combining bleach with other cleaners, as this can create toxic fumes. Wear gloves when handling bleach.
Thoroughly wipe down the affected area with the dilute bleach solution, allowing it to sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing. This will kill any germs left behind after scrubbing. Refer to the bleach bottle instructions for proper dilution ratios and safety precautions.
Once done disinfecting, rinse the area thoroughly with clean water to remove bleach residue. Allow the tile to fully dry before allowing pets back onto the surface.
By disinfecting with diluted bleach after scrubbing, you can ensure the tile is free of harmful microbes that could cause illness in pets or people. Just be sure to take proper safety precautions when using bleach.
Sources:
https://www.rover.com/blog/how-to-clean-dog-vomit/
Clean the Grout
Grout lines tend to absorb liquids and stains, so it’s important to thoroughly clean the grout after removing vomit from tile. Use a small grout brush or toothbrush to scrub the affected grout lines. Apply some dish soap directly to the brush and scrub the grout vigorously to lift out any remaining traces of vomit and odor.
According to cleaning experts, dish soap is effective at cutting through organic stains and residues (source). Scrub back and forth across the grout lines, applying light pressure. The scrubbing motion will help lift out vomit from the porous grout.
After scrubbing the grout lines well, rinse them thoroughly with clean water. Use a cloth or sponge to remove all suds and cleaning solution. Allow the grout lines to dry fully. Thorough rinsing is key to prevent soap residue from being left behind.
Eliminate Odors
Dog vomit can leave behind a very unpleasant odor that may linger even after you’ve cleaned up the mess. Here are some tips for eliminating vomit odors from tile floors:
First, open any nearby windows and turn on fans to help air out the room. This will start dissipating the odor right away. You can also place bowls of white vinegar around the room, as the acetic acid in vinegar acts as a natural odor neutralizer. Let the bowls sit for several hours to absorb odors from the air 1.
Light scented candles or use an air freshener to help mask any lingering vomit smells. Choose fresh, pleasant scents like lemon, vanilla, or clean linen. Avoid using overly strong air fresheners or perfumes, as this may just mix with the odor rather than eliminate it.
With proper cleaning and odor removal techniques, you can get vomit smells out of tile floors and restore the room’s freshness.
Steam Clean
If the stain persists after scrubbing and disinfecting the tile, you can try using a steam cleaner. The heat and pressure from the steam can help lift the remaining stain from the tile and grout lines.1 When using a steam cleaner, be sure to focus on the grout lines where the urine may have soaked in. Hold the steam cleaner nozzle close to the grout and apply steady, even motions to thoroughly clean the area. Scrub the grout lines with a stiff grout brush while steaming to help dislodge any remaining urine. Take care not to hold the nozzle too close or keep it aimed at one spot for too long, as this can damage the tile or grout.
Re-seal Grout
Once the grout stain is removed, it’s important to re-seal the grout lines. This adds a protective barrier and helps prevent future stains from setting in (John Bridge). Look for a penetrating sealer formulated for porcelain tile and grout. Products like AquaMix Sealer’s Choice Gold are recommended for their durability and stain protection. Apply the sealer evenly across all grout lines, allowing it to soak in fully. Let it cure completely before allowing pets back on the floor, usually 24-48 hours.
Re-sealing restores the grout’s stain resistance. It fills in micro pores that open up over time and help block liquids from seeping into the grout. Epoxy grout resists staining better than traditional cement grout. However, it still needs periodic re-sealing to maintain its water-repellent properties (GroutShield). With a fresh seal, you can rest assured knowing your grout is protected if future accidents occur.
Prevent Future Accidents
The best way to prevent future vomiting accidents on tile floors is to monitor your dog’s diet and bathroom habits closely. This includes:
- Watching what your dog eats and avoiding foods that upset their stomach, like rich or fatty foods.
- Taking your dog outside frequently to relieve themselves and prevent indoor accidents.
- Cleaning up any vomit or urine messes right away before the smell sets in, which can encourage repeat accidents in the same spot.
- Using a stain repellent sealant on grout lines, which can help prevent stains from setting in.
Keep an eye on your dog after meals and activities to catch any signs of nausea early. If vomiting becomes frequent, contact your vet to rule out any underlying illness. Staying on top of their diet, potty schedule, and keeping floors clean are the best ways to stop vomit from becoming a common problem.