How to Get Dog Poop Out of Your Carpet
Don’t let messy matters get out of hand
When you're a pet owner, you know accidents are part of the territory. But that doesn’t prepare you for poop—and its smell—on your carpet when it happens. Fortunately, learning how to get dog poop out of your carpet the right way can prevent lingering odors and suspicious-looking (and unsightly) stains. This guide will cover removing poop from your carpet and knowing when to leave the job to a pro.
Some over-the-counter or DIY stain removers can make stains worse. If you are unsure of the material and the stain is over a week old, a professional cleaner will know the correct solution to use.
Scoop and Dispose of the Poop
Photo: zoranm / E+ / Getty ImagesCleanup can’t begin until you ditch the dookie.
Use disposable gloves, then grab a paper towel, baby wipe or similar disposable towel.
Grab and lift the poop. Use a light touch and don’t smoosh down, which could drive the poop deeper into the carpet.
If it’s dried up, pull it slowly off the carpet.
Toss the poop in a plastic bag and put it in the trash, preferably the outside trash.
If there are any remaining poop particles, wipe and blot what you can.
Clean or change your gloves.
Enzyme Cleaners Designed for Animal Messes Break Down Organic Material Found in Dog Poop
Enzyme cleaners designed for animal messes break down organic material found in dog poop, making it much easier to clean stains from the carpet.
Spray the enzyme cleaner thoroughly on and around the poop stain.
Let the cleaner soak in and work, usually around 15 minutes. Read the instructions for exact wait times.
Fully blot the area with paper towels or a new cleaning towel.
Press firmly to soak up all the cleaner, and scrub lightly to remove remaining poo stains.
Make a Homemade Cleaner
If you woke up at 3 a.m. because your four-legged family member had an accident, you probably just want to clean up the mess as best you can with what you have. If that’s the case, the next best way to clean dog poop from a carpet is to make a DIY carpet stain remover.
Combine 2 cups of water, 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap (non-bleach versions) and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar.
Using a cleaning cloth, apply the cleaner liberally to the poo area.
Let it sit for 12 to 20 minutes.
With a dry cloth, blot the area and scrub to remove the cleaner and stain.
Avoid using this cleaning solution on wool carpets, since vinegar can potentially damage them.
How to Clean Dog Diarrhea Out of Carpet
Diarrhea is a different, messier problem, and requires a different approach. First, resist the urge to let the diarrhea dry out first. That’s very bad for your carpet and not great for the air quality in your house. Tackle these cleaning tasks ASAP:
Pull on cleaning gloves: Things are going to get gross, you’re handling a biohazard, so put on cleaning gloves.
Scoop the runny poops into a plastic bag with rags: Use old cleaning rags and towels or wads of durable paper towels to scoop the diarrhea into a plastic bag. Toss the bag and throw the rags into the washer for a quick clean (or, if they’ve finally reached the end, toss the rags too).
Scrape the remaining poo: A durable paint scraper, garden trowel, or spatula-like tool can help get more diarrhea out of carpet.
Dap the spot with paper towels: Soak up as much remaining material as you can with paper towels.
Coat with baking soda or baking soda paste: Work the baking soda as deep into the carpet as possible. Wait for around half an hour to an hour, then vacuum or scrape the paste up.
Apply an enzyme cleaner: Spray an enzyme cleaner or powder on the stain, let it sit, and then blot it fully out. Consider vacuuming the spot if possible. Wait for the spot to fully dry so you can see how it looks.
Soak with a carpet cleaner if necessary: If there’s still a diarrhea stain after the enzyme clean, apply a dose of dedicated carpet cleaner or spot remover. The water-based cleaner Folex is a popular choice, but these types of cleaners can be strong so if your carpet is delicate, you may want to test it in a hidden area first to make sure it doesn’t cause any damage.
Cleaning Dog Poop Out of Carpet: DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Getting poop stains out of your carpet is a fairly straightforward DIY job. Most homeowners can take care of these accidents on their own with everyday household products. However, if you have an old or natural fiber carpet or used both methods repeatedly and there’s still a stain and smell lingering, you might need to call a carpet cleaner near you. These pros have experience removing stubborn stains, and have the necessary products to do the job without damaging your carpet. Carpet cleaning costs $180 on average.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you shouldn’t let dog diarrhea dry before cleaning it. While cleaning the stain when it's dried sounds less messy, it can cause more harm than good. Old stains have a chance to dry into your carpet, and the smell can go deeper into the fibers. This makes removing old dog poop more of a headache to clean than dealing with diarrhea while it’s fresh.
Yes, vinegar can remove poop stains. How long the poop sits on your carpet will determine how many rounds of solution you’ll need and the length per round. One round should be enough if you’re dealing with a fresh stain, but more stubborn stains might require longer rounds. If you prefer a more effective way to remove dog poop, consider an enzyme cleaner that can break down both stains and odor.
Age, medical, or stress-related issues can be why your four-legged friend pooped on your carpet. Medical-related issues like parasites can also cause your pet to vomit (though if you also have that problem, learning how to remove vomit from your carpet is similar to removing poop). Consult your dog's veterinarian if you’re unsure what’s causing these accidents.
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