How to Clean Up Cat Vomit from Hardwood (Step-By-Step Guide)

If you’re a cat owner, it’s not uncommon to come across cat vomit on your hardwood floors. Accidents happen and your cat may be sick. Thankfully, it’s not that hard to clean your hardwood floors and get rid of the smell in one shot.

For this, you need an effective method that leaves the wood clean and odor-free. The best method in this case is using a pet enzyme cleaner. This works well to get rid of the stain and odor left on the floor by the cat vomit.

Stick around and let’s learn the step by step process of cleaning cat vomit off hardwood floors. Also, we can explore more ways that work using basic ingredients you have at home.

How to Clean Up Cat Vomit from Hardwood Using Pet Enzyme Cleaner

A pet enzyme cleaner is one of the most effective ways to clean cat vomit while removing the satin and odor.

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Step by Step Process of Cleaning Cat Vomit

1. Check if the cat vomit is fresh or not. If it’s fresh, you must start by covering it up.

Pour a generous amount of kitty litter or baking soda over the deposit. This will absorb most of the vomit after a few minutes.

2. Once the vomit has been absorbed, scoop it up using the dustpan and paper towels.

Place the clean cloth in water and ring the excess off. Use the damp cloth to wipe the area after scooping off all the absorbed cat litter. Make sure you get rid of all residue that might have remained on the hardwood.

3. Fetch the pet enzyme cleaner for hard surfaces and spray a generous amount all over the area.

Check the label of the bottle for instructions on the best way to use the cleaner. You must cover the entire area for this to work.

4. Work the pet enzyme cleaner with a brush and leave it on the floor for 5 minutes.

Proceed to take a clean, damp cloth and wipe the cleaner. Your floor should be good as new!

Additional Tip

If cat vomit makes you squeamish, you can wear gloves and a mask. The mask prevents you from inhaling the bad odor of cat vomit. If you still feel the same way, you can ask another person to clean the area for you.

Also, check on your cat. Often, cats tend to vomit because of hairballs. As they try to get rid of the hairballs, you wind up with cat vomit in off parts of your home. The best way to prevent this is to brush your cat regularly.

How to Clean Dried Cat Vomit from Hardwood

It’s best to clean cat vomit as soon as you can. When the vomit is still wet, a simple pet enzyme cleaner will do the job. But, when the vomit had been there for some time, there are different steps to take. Dry vomit sticks to the hardwood and even results in stains.

Step by Step Guide to Removing Dry Cat Vomit

1. Use any kind of scraper (putty knife) to work on detaching the cat vomit from the hardwood.

Take care not to scratch the wood in the process. After the vomit is loose, use a dustpan and broom to scoop it off the surface.

2. Proceed to wet the area with a little water then spray the pet enzyme cleaner.

Work this area with a brush and let the cleaner sit for a few minutes. Afterwards, dip a clean cloth in water and wipe off the excess cleaner.

3. Baking soda and white vinegar are quite effective in getting rid of stubborn stains and odors.

Sprinkle baking soda on the stain and let it absorb any moisture in that area. You can use a soft sponge to rub the entire area with the baking soda.

4. Pour or spray some white vinegar.

Ensure you wear a mask as the two will cause a chemical reaction. As the two react, they will help get rid of the odor caused by the cat vomit on the floor.

5. Give the mixture about 3 minutes to work then wipe it off with a clean, damp cloth.

Can Cat Vomit Damage Hardwood?

Cat vomit is acidic, so it does affect the quality of hardwood floors or surfaces. The longer it sits on the hardwood floor or surface, the more corrosion it causes.

The acidic nature of cat vomit starts by peeling off the sealant that protects the hardwood. After that, it discolors the hardwood leaving it looking dull and unappealing. In worst-case scenarios, you may need tore-stain and re-seal the damaged part of the floor.

When your cat vomits, it’s best to clean it as soon as possible.

Related Read: How to Remove Black Urine Stains from Hardwood Floors: 10 Practical Options

Conclusion

Cats like any other pets can have accidents at home. It’s possible to turn a corner and come across fresh cat vomit. When you do, it’s important to clean it up as soon as possible. That way, it won’t stain or leave odor on your hardwood.

If the vomit has been there for some time, chances are it is dry and has stained the area. For this, you need to work on removing the cat vomit, stain and odor from the wood. There are different reasons why cats vomit, but you always have to ensure you clean the area where the accident happens. With the steps listed above, you can easily deal with fresh or dry cat vomit on your hardwood floor.

Related Read: Cost to Install Hardwood Floors (Cost Per Square Foot)

Featured Image Credit: CapturePB, Shutterstock