Wondering how to get dog poop out of your carpet and other absorbent surfaces? Unfortunately, most dog owners encounter this problem sooner or later.
Our dogs are loyal and loving, but they too can have accidents. So, let’s go through the most effective and safe methods to deal with such doggy messes. The topics we’ll explore include:
- Necessary Tools
- DIY Cleaning Solutions
- Steps for Cleaning the Dog Poop
- Mistakes to Avoid
- Cleaning Other Surfaces
- What Can Cause Your Pet to Poop Inside
- How to Prevent the Issue
What You’ll Need to Clean the Mess
If you have a dog, you’d better be prepared for all kinds of accidents on your carpets and any other surfaces that may soak up stains. Here are some of the tools you may need before learning how to clean dog poop out of the carpet:
- White Cloths — Any absorbent cloth or towel would work for blotting the stain.
- Baby Wipes — You can remove the poop with a baby wipe or a slightly damp paper towel.
- Fork — You may need a fork to assist you in scraping up dried poop.
- Gloves — Always use protective gloves for your hands when cleaning dog poop from a carpet and other surfaces.
- Spray Bottle — You’ll need it for applying the cleaning mixture.
- Vacuum — Vacuums and stain removers that can brush, wash, and use powerful suction to extract poop stains can be useful for dealing with carpet accidents. One such tool is the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser on Amazon, which is portable and easy to use.
Now that we have the tools, let’s look at the various cleaning products and solutions we can use.
Keep It Simple With DIY Solutions
You don’t need to be a chemist and mix up rare or dangerous ingredients to learn how to get dog poop out of a carpet. You’ll find some of the best and cleanest ingredients for removing stains and bad odors in every house.
White Vinegar
Vinegar is the best cleaning partner you can find in your house. It’s also great for neutralizing smells.
To clean the stain:
- Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar.
- Use the spray bottle to apply the solution.
- Leave the mixture to soak for 5–10 minutes before gently blotting the stain.
For the perfect vinegar solution, you can save yourself some mixing and measuring by using a clean product like Aunt Fannie’s Cleaning Vinegar. It’s ready-to-use, natural, and recyclable.
Dish Soap
In most cases, especially when reacting quickly, you won’t need strong chemicals when removing dog poop from a carpet and other surfaces. Also, avoid using bleach and products containing it. Never mix bleach or bleach-based solutions with other products and ingredients. Dish soap is enough for cleaning your carpet.
Baking Soda
If you can still see spots after cleaning and, most importantly, feel the dog urine smell, try some baking soda. You should leave the carpet to soak with it overnight for best results. Don’t forget to vacuum up the soda after that.
Soda + Vinegar
Will vinegar dissolve dog poop and cat poop stains and odors on its own? If it’s not doing a good job, you can remove persistent odors with baking soda and vinegar.
Spray vinegar on the carpet and then sprinkle the baking soda on top. If no foaming occurs, add more vinegar to achieve the chemical reaction. You can gently pat the mixture on the carpet. Let it soak for at least 6 hours.
When cleaning dog feces and pee, always try natural and milder products first. You can also use some non-toxic store-bought odor neutralizers in your home.
Blot, Don’t Wipe — Steps to Clean Dog Poop out of a Carpet
Now, let’s follow our cleaning mission step by step:
- Time is of the essence — The faster you start cleaning, the easier the stain will come out.
- Remove any excess — Start by carefully removing the poo with a baby wipe or a damp paper towel. Scrape off whatever’s left with another wipe. If you’re wondering how to get diarrhea out of the carpet, cover the area and let it dry first.
- Pinch the carpet fibers to pick as much poop as possible — Before applying any dog poop cleaner products, remove as much as possible. You can use a fork for any dried bits.
- Spray your solution — After cleaning up mechanically, spray your DIY solution or a commercial cleaning product. For doggie troubles, you may try the Amaziing Solutions pet stain remover on Amazon, which naturally cleans carpets and hardwood floors. Let it soak for about 15 seconds. If you’re using a vinegar poop stain remover, you’ll need at least 5 minutes.
- Blot and spray to keep the stains away — Use an absorbent cloth or paper towels to blot the stain gently. Always dap with a clean part of the towel. When you’ve done as much as you can, and the area is dry, spray the mixture again and repeat if needed.
- Give the area a good rinse with water — When the stain is gone, pour a little bit of water and blot it up.
- Vacuum and deodorize for a sparkly finish — Use some baking soda to neutralize the odor. You can leave it on between 15 minutes and overnight. After that, vacuum the remains.
With a little bit of patience, you can eradicate pet urine and dog poop on the carpet and absorbent surfaces. Just make sure to follow the steps above carefully.
Don’t Make It Worse — What to Avoid
Before getting to work, you need to ensure that you’re not making some mistakes that can easily create much more trouble:
Wiping
If you wipe or rub across the stain, especially in the beginning, you can easily spread it even more. Try to clean the spot by pressing the paper into the carpet and steadily blotting it out.
Mixing Products
Don’t mix bleach with other cleaning solutions for your DIY dog poop stain remover. Always double-check if your dish soap or other cleaning products contain bleach. Combined with acids (including vinegar), they can produce toxic fumes. Mixing strong products with no bleach may also lead to bad combinations.
Using Bleach-Based Products
Bleach is a corrosive chemical that can easily damage carpet fibers and colors, even if diluted, leaving permanent discolored spots. It can irritate the respiratory system, eyes, and skin. Also, it can cause breathing problems, burns, and migraines. And if you have children and pets, it’s even less advisable.
Overall, be careful with your chemicals and cleaning techniques.
Carpets Aren’t the Only Victim of Pupper Poop
Great news! Now you know how to clean dog poop out of the carpet, but what about other surfaces?
- Wood Flooring — As you do with carpets, you can dilute vinegar in water and add some grapefruit oil. Before scrubbing, soak for a few minutes. Dish soap is also an option. If dampness and odor remain, cover the spot with baking soda and vacuum when dry.
- Upholstery — Apply the same techniques as carpets, but be careful not to wet the fabric too much. You can also use a soft toothbrush.
- Leather — You can use soft cleaning products specialized for leather or saddle soap. If necessary, diluted vinegar is also acceptable as a poop stain remover. If the poo was very runny, it’s best to first to cover the stain with baking soda to absorb the moisture.
- Outdoor Decking — You can proceed as you would with a wooden floor. You can use tougher brushes and rinse thoroughly.
No matter the surface, removing the poop or the pee as fast as possible is crucial. Before using strong chemicals or new mixtures, it’s best to test it first.
Why Your Dog Poops Inside
If your dog is usually well-behaved and potty trained, there might be other serious reasons for doing its business in the house:
- Sickness — You suddenly found that your dog pooped on carpet surfaces or anywhere else in your house. This may be due to incontinence in older dogs or other health conditions, including parasites, food allergies, viruses, bacteria, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, or chronic pain.
- Anxiety — Your pet may need additional care and attention, and supplements for an anxious dog. Dogs with separation anxiety often pee, poop, or damage the house. General anxiety due to loud noises, new family members, or being stressed when outside can have the same results.
- Dietary Changes — Switching diets can easily upset your pooch’s tummy. This makes controlling bowel movements hard. That’s why it’s crucial to find the best popular food for a big puppy breed or a small breed and change the diet gradually.
Before you get upset at your dog and learn how to get dog poop stains out of the carpet and flooring, consider why it could be causing all the stinky mess. Also, look for signs of an unhealthy dog poop.
How to Stop Your Dog From Pooping Inside
Welcome to our short guide to house training a pup. The first tip is to be consistent and reinforce good behavior by praising your dog when it poops outside. Here’s what else you should know:
- Potty training puppy pads are your friend — When using a dog crate, ensure it’s big enough for the puppy to lie down or turn around without having a free corner to use as a bathroom. Puppies cannot hold their pee as long as adult dogs, so you need to let them out more often. If you’re at work for long hours, puppy pads from Amazon are your savior, preventing dog poop on the carpet.
- Learn your pup’s warning signs — If your pup needs to visit the bathroom, it’ll most likely start whining, pacing, barking, or scratching. Also, it may lower itself to the ground and start sniffing it.
- Get into a routine — When you go out, it’s best to always to lead the dog to the same place. You should take out a growing puppy first thing in the morning and the last thing before going to bed. Make an effort to also do that after playtime, naps, and meals. When your dog becomes more independent, implementing automatic dog doors can also help a lot.
Final Thoughts
Having a dog comes with a lot of fun and responsibilities, including some dirty jobs. Fortunately, you now have a good idea of how to get dog poop out of carpet fabrics safely and effectively.
We can deal with many stains and odors using natural products and a little bit of patience. Being careful with the products you use and how you combine them is crucial for your safety. Similarly, understanding the root of the issue and learning how to avoid it is essential for the happiness of your dog and your family.
