Help! Need cleaning advice for doggy spit up

[sanford]

I just discovered a very small spot, (about 2" in diameter) where Ruffy spit up on a fairly expensive grey wool blanket. By the time I found the spot, it had dried, with a crust of dried food on it. It doesn't smell.

I'm hoping to avoid the expense of having the whole blanket cleaned. Does anyone have a suggestion for the best way for me to clean the spot myself? I don't wan't to botch the job and make it worse and be left with a ring that won't wash out. I'm told not to us water or Oxy Clean which will both leave rings. One thing that is supposed to work is to spray the spot with rubbing alcohol and rub with a white sponge or towel. Has anyone tried this?

[Lynn in TN]

I don't know of anything to clean wool that is not washable. I have 2 sons I don't allow anything in the house that can't be washed.

If it could be washed I would recommend De-Solv-it, that even takes Sharpy marker out of fabric.

I have used alcohol on regular fabric to remove ink pen and it work great.

[Ivy & Lucy's Mom]

Try using diluted vinegar-that is less harsh on wool than alcohol..Hope this helps

[hheldorfer]

Try using diluted vinegar-that is less harsh on wool than alcohol..Hope this helps

I have done this before and it seemed to do the trick on upholstery. Place a dry towel under the spot on the blanket and spray it with a solution of vinegar and water. Immediately dab the wet spot with another dry towel. Repeat as needed until you don't see any soil on the "dabbing towel" and let dry.

Don't you hate it when the evil deed has already dried? Good luck!

[MegsMom]

The problem with 'dog toss' is that it has bile mixed in with it, the yellow stuff, often not yellow if mixed with something else, like food. Bile is strong enough an acid to bleach anything--including my carpet if not treated immediately. So, I'm not sure if you have a 'saving' window here since you said dried. I haven't dealt with wool in years (highly allergic). The vinegar I'd have some doubts about, it's an acid you'd be mixing with acids. I believe I'd try to find something made for use on food stains, that should have components capable of handling/neutralizing acids.

This stuff has been around almost as long as I have http://www.k2rbrands.com/products/original.htm (hmm, might want to look for the 'marine' variety; everything's been so 'watered-down' today, that may be the 'real original' formula I've used) I used to use it on non-washable fabrics and it worked, sometimes a patient re-app was needed. Used to be found in hardware and fabric/craft stores readily. They make a travel/purse size you might find in a fabric/craft store more easily, now.

[Ivy & Lucy's Mom]

I will add that vinegar is only 5% acid. I have used it on dried vomit many times and always with success. Ivy tends to throw up underneath my dining room table so I don't find it for awhile. My expensive rug has been abused by Ivy, etc..other dogs....and vinegar seems to do the trick.

[Tuesday]

Yup - vinegar!

Works on the most expensive of places we've had dog vomit!