How to Clean Norovirus from Carpet - Products and Methods

Are you ready to learn how to clean Norovirus from carpet? With these easy-to-do tips, you can rest easy knowing that your carpet cleaning regime is removing germs for a healthy home or business.

When it comes to carpets, thinking about all the germs that are hiding and living in the carpet threads can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to do. Where there is a will to clean, there's a way.

Let's dive into the top cleaning tips for carpets to get rid of Norovirus.

What is norovirus, and how do you get it and spread it?

Norovirus, also called the stomach bug or stomach flu, is a very common and highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, an inflammation, or vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. Outbreaks of norovirus are common between November and April in the USA. Symptoms start 12-48 hours after exposure and can last up to 3 days.

Norovirus is caused by close contact with someone who has the virus, touching contaminated surfaces with the virus, or eating or drinking contaminated food and drinks. The virus is actually found in feces and spread to surfaces and items by people who don't clean their hands well after using the restroom.

Luckily, getting rid of its effects can be done by cleaning and disinfecting, which we'll dive into more below. If you want to kill norovirus on carpet, you can do so with a few different methods.

How long does norovirus live on the carpet?

Unless it is treated, norovirus can live up to 28 days in the carpet fibers and other dry environments around the house. In order to combat its spread throughout your entire family, it's best to disinfect quickly and thoroughly.

Does vacuuming spread norovirus?

If your first instinct is to get out the vacuum, don't. Using the vacuum to try and clean up the remnants of the norovirus may actually cause the virus to spread.

Instead, you need to use other methods to soak up the liquid portion of the virus before thinking about using any other method to clean it.

What kills norovirus on carpet?

Using a bleach solution is going to be the fastest and easiest way to clean the norovirus. It's important that you measure out the right amount of bleach-to-water ratio to clean the germs ASAP.

Depending on how many gallons of water you plan on using, you'll use 2 teaspoons of household bleach per gallon in your carpet cleaner.

However, you'll want to be careful about bleaching your carpet or other upholstered fabrics with a bleach solution, as it could lighten the fibers or even damage the fibers (especially wool, for example). We advise only using a very diluted bleach solution, and only if you have white or near white carpet. Testing a small area first or on a sample piece of carpet is the smartest way to try out bleach on carpet.

Also, as bleach is a toxic chemical, you'll want to wear gloves and ventilate the room.

What kills norovirus besides bleach?

While bleach is often the best and most effective way to kill norovirus, especially on hard surfaces, that doesn't mean it's the only way. If you don't have bleach or are unable to use bleach on your carpet, you can use a cleaning agent or solution that specifically states "phenolic solution" on the label.

Phenolic cleaning products can clean, disinfect, and deodorize washable surfaces. You'll want to make sure to thoroughly rinse the solution out of your carpet fibers by rinsing with clean water and blotting repeatedly.

Two other options are to spray white vinegar onto the norovirus vomit stain on the carpet or to use a hydrogen peroxide spray. Don't overly saturate the carpet and allow it to dry naturally.

Does Lysol kill norovirus on carpet?

Yes, Lysol can kill norovirus, but it needs to have the ingredients of ethanol, quaternary ammonium, or sodium hypochlorite to do so.

Even then, the directions have to be followed exactly to kill the virus, and the spray shouldn't be used on certain fibers, like vintage or oriental rugs or carpets.

How to clean Norovirus from carpet<

Now that you know the best mixtures and disinfectants to kill norovirus, let's talk about the process of actually cleaning the carpet once it is infected.

Use a paper towel and clean up the affected sick area. Do your best to soak up as much as possible, then throw those paper towels in the trash as soon as possible.

Use a steam cleaner and clean the carpet in the affected area. Use a mixture that is safe for carpet and one that also has the right ingredients to disinfect the carpeted area.

Try and steam clean the carpet at a 170-degree Fahrenheit for 5 minutes or at a 212-degree Fahrenheit for 1 minute.

Alternatively, if you don't feel comfortable cleaning your carpets yourself, or the throwing up has worn you out, hiring a professional carpet cleaner like Zerorez^® is the best way to go.

Zerorez uses a purified, heated, alkalized, and ionized water (called Zr Water^®) is great for removing all sorts of dirt and grime found in your carpet fibers and other surfaces throughout your home, and is fragrance-free.

Once the area has dried, it is safe to vacuum the cleaned area.

Dealing with the norovirus stomach bug may seem like an uphill battle, but these tips can help you clean your carpet easily. Just be sure that you're using the right cleaning methods!