Having little and adorable pets in the house is enjoyable until they have a dog poop-carpet accident; you must learn how to get dog poop out of carpet naturally, ensuring it remains stain- and odor-free. Such accidents can happen even to a well-potty-trained dog, much less a new puppy you have just brought home.
In other cases, you may only notice dog poop walked onto your carpet, leaving behind dog poop stains.
Either way, you’ll need to find solutions for removing poop particles entrenched in the fibers.
For several reasons, like food intolerance, stress, etc., the texture of your dog’s poop may vary; it can be hard or soft, and, other times, it may have already dried on your carpet by the time you uncover it. Some poop stains are easier to clean than others.
This article delves into excellent ways of cleaning different kinds of dog poop from the carpet. We have provided systematic methods to clean soft poop from your carpet and any other type of dog poop, whether you are dealing with dry, soft, or watery stools.
Note: Ensure you get your dog checked by a vet to rule out viruses, parasites, or bowel cancer as the cause of unexplained poop accidents and diarrhea in your home.
Do Not Let Dog Poop Sit On Your Carpet
Dog poop stains on your carpet are an eyesore and pose numerous health risks to you and others in your home. The diseases one is likely to contract from dog feces include ringworms, tapeworms, rabies, scabies, and leptospirosis, among others.
Further, not acting fast enough gives the stain more time to set in, making it difficult to wash it off while exposing your home’s subfloor to the pathogens in the waste, particularly diarrhea-causing germs.
Fortunately, dog poop stains are protein-based waste, and with the right tricks and tips, you can get them off your carpet and completely neutralize the odor.
Dog owners need cleaning methods that stop the spread of excrement before getting rid of the poop stain and odor entirely. Trying some cleaning methods will not work; rubbing the stain off will only make a bigger mess.
On the other hand, using a pooper-scooper (or another appropriate tool) ensures you do not exert force on the poop and push it deeper into your carpet. However, using more than one carpet cleaning technique is best if you want to eliminate the odor long-term.
We will show you how to get dog poop out of your carpet with vinegar and several other cleaning products, ranging from homemade solutions to more advanced approaches like enzymatic cleaners and deep-cleaning machines like steamers or shampooers.
Cleaning dog poop can be frustrating for many pet parents without the proper knowledge. Read on and arm yourself with the best cleaning tips you need to get rid of dog poop from carpets.
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Pro Tips To Use When You Want To Get Dog Poop Out Of Carpet Naturally Or Using Commercial Products
Regardless of the cleaning method you use, you should follow these tips:
- Wear protective gloves when handling dog poop to avoid contracting zoonotic diseases from dog feces. After each cleaning session, clean and disinfect your hands, the reusable tools you use, and all the affected surfaces. Later, we will show you the best products and methods for sanitizing your carpet after dog poop.
- Avoid mixing commercial cleaning products, especially those with chlorine or ammonia, or commercial cleaners with homemade solutions. For example, mixing bleaching agents (sodium hypochlorite) with vinegar (acetic acid) produces toxic chlorine gas, which may cause you to feel dizzy, cough, experience chest tightness, or experience breathing difficulties.
- Ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions on all products and machines you use to clean your carpet when removing dog poop stains. For instance, take note of how long you should allow a chemical product to sit on your carpet. Some cleaning products do more harm than good when left on the carpet for too long.
- Unless you are using eco-friendly products like the pet stain remover Bissel Professional Spot and Stain Plus Oxy Portable Machine Formula (aided by a pet-stain vacuum cleaner such as Bissell 3624 Spot Clean Professional Portable Carpet Cleaner), ensure you are working in a well-ventilated room when using chemical carpet-cleaning products. Also, keep young kids and pets in a different room while using chemical products with toxic fumes.
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Why Does The Type Of Your Carpet Matter?
Wool carpets are susceptible to ammonia and other bleaching chemicals. Cleaning products or enzymatic sprays with a bleaching agent can permanently ruin or discolor your carpet. However, as it happens, most cleaning products on the market are safe for synthetic carpets like nylon, polyester, and acrylic materials.
With the above in mind, do not clean your wool carpets using cleaning products with bleaching agents like chlorine, ammonia, or oxygen-based bleaching agents. Instead, use stain removers suited for wool carpets like Emergency Stain Rescue Stain Remover or Woolite.
All the same, make sure you spot-test all commercial and homemade cleaning solutions on a hidden section of the carpet before applying or dousing them on your soiled carpets and rugs.
How To Get Dog Poop Out Of Carpet Naturally
Cleaning dog poop naturally is popular because pet owners acquire most of the supplies they need locally or within the house. Notably, the cleaning supplies are ‘green’ and do not leave behind chemical residues harmful to humans or dogs.
For example, a solution of white vinegar, water, and a little dish soap is one of the most common and effective ways of dealing with dog poop stains and odors on carpets. That being said, if you opt for homemade solutions, you ought to learn how to get dog poop out of carpets with baking soda as well. Baking soda is effective in getting rid of the odor and freshening your carpet.
How To Get Dog Poop Out Of Your Carpet With Vinegar
Vinegar has strong germ-fighting abilities and can be more effective than some commercial cleaning products. For instance, acidic vinegar can help eliminate the stain by disintegrating the poop particles and making them easier to wash.
What You Need
- Latex (or another protective) gloves
- A spatula or pooper scooper
- Paper towels, baby wipes, paper towels, or microfiber cloth with high absorbent qualities such as Grove Co Microfiber Cleaning Cloths, E-cloth General Purpose Cleaning Cloth E-Cloth, or Buff’s All-Purpose Microfiber. (Many pet owners find paper towels easy to work with and dispose of)
- Cool or distilled water
- White vinegar-like Aunt Fannie’s Cleaning Vinegar
- Dishwashing soap like Dawn (has three times more grease-removing power than most dishwashing liquids) or Mrs. Meyers Dish Soap
- A soft-bristled brush
Procedure
Step #1: Lift the solid poop particles from the carpet using either gloved hands or an appropriate tool like a spatula, pooper scooper, or a broom and a dustpan, and flush them down the toilet. You may need to use baby wipes or slightly damp paper towels to scrape and pinch carpet fibers and remove as much poop as possible.
If the stain has already dried on the carpet, use an old fork, knife, or spatula and use a scooper to collect as many poop particles as possible and discard them appropriately. For any liquid poop, use paper towels to blot dry the stain without rubbing it.
Step #2: Prepare your carpet cleaning solution. When cleaning synthetic carpets, combine one part white vinegar, two parts cool water, and one tablespoon of non-bleach dish soap. However, mix one-part white vinegar, one part water, and one tablespoon of non-bleach dish soap when cleaning carpets made from natural fibers like wool.
Step #3: Put the solution in a spray bottle and mist the solution on the stain. Allow your homemade solution to sit on the stain for 10 minutes and start blotting it dry using paper towels.
Depending on the stickiness of the stain, you may have to repeat this step a few more times to remove everything. If you need to, gently brush off the stain to remove the poop particles that will not come off easily and blot dry.
Useful tip: Remember, the trick is to blot the stain dry until the stain clears, not rubbing.
Step #4: Blot dry the spot after rinsing it with cool or distilled water to remove the cleaning solution from your carpet. You may need to repeat this step to ensure you absorb all the remaining cleaning solution from your carpet.
Step 5: It is time to deodorize the area using baking soda. This is how to get dog poop out of the carpet with baking soda: Apply baking soda to cover the recently washed area and allow it to sit for ten minutes or overnight. After application, cover the spot with a laundry basket to keep your pets or kids from treading over the baking soda.
Baking soda is a favorite odor-removing agent because it is tough on greasy stains, gentle on fabric, and eco-friendly, among other reasons. It consists of hydrophilic starch (a starch attracted to water) that helps absorb wetness from surfaces like home carpets. It also fights bacteria.
Step 6: Vacuum up the baking soda, and you’re done up to this point. However, while a DIY vinegar cleaning solution is effective, there are other ways you can get rid of dog poop from your carpet, like using enzymatic cleaners.
Enzymatic cleaning products are your best bet when dealing with dog poop because they eliminate the smell and are effective disinfectants. This is how to get dog poop out of carpet without vinegar.
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Other Than White Vinegar, What Takes Poop Stains Out Of The Carpet?
As earlier mentioned, we recommend pet owners use more than one method to get rid of the stains on their carpets, particularly when dealing with severe marks. For instance, you can combine DIY and commercial cleaning methods. The best carpet cleaners for dog poop (commercial cleaners) will help eliminate any stains and odor remaining after using natural cleaners. Additionally, some commercial cleaners can sanitize your carpet to ensure your home is safe.
Employing additional cleaning methods like using enzymatic cleaners ensures you thoroughly eliminate the odor and deter the dog from going on the carpet or marking the spot again. Enzymatic products are oxygen-based cleaning products that help break down the protein stains into harmless, colorless, and odorless substances, thereby getting rid of the odor entirely.
Below is a brief list of the eight most popular commercial cleaning products and other general information about their use.
1. Nature’s Miracle
Many people ask, “Does Nature’s Miracle sanitize carpets?” Yes, it does. Many pet parents swear by this product because it is a capable pet stain and odor remover and is suitable for sanitizing your carpet after dog poop accidents.
When cleaning your carpet, it uses bacterial action to produce enzymes to break down poop particles on your carpet or other surfaces. You can use Nature’s Miracle on surfaces such as hardwood floors, carpets, furniture, and other fabrics. It is not suited for use on silk, wool, or untreated hardwood surfaces.
Nature’s Miracle foams only a little. You can use it for steam cleaning or other water-based carpet cleaning equipment. It has the unique ability to infiltrate deep into carpet fibers to get rid of deep-rooted poop stains, odors, and allergens in your carpet.
2. Biokleen Bac-Out Odor & Stain Remover
This cleaning product uses living enzyme cultures to wash off dog poop stains and remove dog poop odor from your carpet. You do not need to dilute or prepare it before using it on your carpet. Also, you do not have to rinse the washed area after applying Biokleen Bac-Out Stain & Odor Remover to your carpet. After application, allow this pet stain remover to sit on the stain for at least 5 minutes to disintegrate the poop stain and smell fully.
3. Hoover PetPlus Stain & Odor Removal Solution
Hoover PetPlus For Stain And Odor Removal Solution is easy to apply by hand, and you can use it in carpet deep-cleaning machines. It is also safe for rugs, fabric, and car upholstery. For the best results, you should combine it with Hoover PreTreat Spray to achieve the best results with this cleaning product.
4. Rocco and Roxie Stain and Odor Eliminator
The Rocco and Roxie Stain and Odor Eliminator is an enzymatic carpet cleaning spray effective on stubborn dog poop odors and stains. It works by using bio-enzymes to break up poop stains and odors and will wash off diarrhea, feces, and vomit stains on your carpet. The Carpet and Rug Institute has approved the use of this cleaning product.
5. Hoover Paws and Claws Deep-Cleaning Carpet Shampoo
One of the best qualities of Hoover Paws and Claws Deep-Cleaning Carpet Shampoo is its stain-guarding abilities that keep future stains away. This cleaning product has high stain removal capabilities, especially when used in combination with Hoover stain remover. You can use Hoover Paws and Claws Deep-Cleaning Carpet Shampoo in full-size deep cleaning machines.
6. Spruce Pet Stain and Odor Remover
Spruce Pet Stain & Odor Remover is an enzyme-cleaning product effective in washing off dog poop and diarrhea on your carpet. It is safe for use on tiles, hardwood surfaces, and most fabric types.
7. Simple Solution Pet Stain and Odor Remover
Simple Solution Pet Stain and Odor Remover contains an enzyme and a pro-bacteria formula, making it twice as powerful as most products. It works well on tough and dry poop stains and leaves a fresh scent on your carpet to stop your dog from pooping or peeing on the spot again. It is safe to use on various surfaces such as carpets, fabric, and your dog’s bedding.
A notable feature of Simple Solution Pet Stain and Odor Remover is that it comes in a spray bottle with a 3-in-1 nozzle sprayer that enables the application of this cleaning product using a stream, foam, or mist. That way, you have greater versatility when dealing with dog poop stains on your carpet. The mist setting is suitable when applying the cleaning solution to a relatively large spot on your carpet.
The stream setting helps improve the accuracy in tight spaces, while foam allows you to use the most powerful cleaning products; for many, it is the ideal way to discharge the pet stain-removing solution.
Useful Tip: When selecting the right cleaning product, consider one that comes in a spray bottle to make it easy to use. Otherwise, you have to invest in a suitable spray bottle.
8. Bissel Professional Spot & Stain Plus Oxy Portable Machine Formula
Bissel Professional Spot and Stain effectively clean your carpets and rugs because it has over 30% more enzymatic power than most cleaning products. Another reason this cleaning product is popular is that it is safe for kids, pets, and the environment – it contains biodegradable detergents. Crucially, it has no heavy metals, dyes, or phosphorous products likely to harm human or animal life.
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How To Get Rid Of Dog Poop Using The Best Carpet Cleaners For Dog Poop (Commercial Cleaners)
Since you know where to start your research for the best commercial pet stain removers, here is the general procedure to wash off poop stains using enzymatic sprays and other commercial cleaners. Ensure you follow the specific manufacturer’s instructions when using each cleaning product.
Procedure
Step #1: Spray or apply the cleaning product to your carpet and allow it to sit for a few minutes.
Step #2: Blot dry the patch with a clean cotton cloth or paper towel, absorbing as much solution as possible.
Step #3: Rinse with cool water, blot dry until the stain remover is gone, and vacuum the spot clean and safe.
How To Get Dog Poop Out Of Carpet With Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent cleaner when you want to clean organic stains. It also helps to stop the browning of your carpet’s fabric.
Apart from domestic uses, hydrogen peroxide is a super cleaning agent used at home, in industries, and by orthopedic surgeons for its effectiveness as a super cleaning agent. The Center for Disease Control acknowledges hydrogen peroxide’s ability to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeast when you use it to sanitize your carpet after cleaning dog poop.
Nevertheless, how does hydrogen peroxide work as a cleaning agent? A hydrogen peroxide oxidizer is powerful because, compared to water, it has an extra oxygen molecule. It causes the odor-causing stain to disintegrate and decay much faster and kills bacteria and viruses on the carpet.
It has many uses because it is safe on many surfaces—many people consider it safer than chlorine. It is also affordable around the house because you only need a solution with 3% hydrogen peroxide to clean stains and remove odors from your carpet. A good option is Swan’s Hydrogen Peroxide Topical 32.
Procedure
Step 1: Apply a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to the stain using an eyedropper like the Ezy Dose Calibrated Glass Eyedropper and allow a few minutes to pass.
Step 2: Rinse with cool water, add baking soda to deodorize your carpet, and vacuum up the baking soda. You may have to repeat this step a few more times. On the downside, hydrogen peroxide loses its efficiency rapidly, and you must reuse it repeatedly for the best results.
How To Get Diarrhea Out Of Carpet / How To Clean Soft Dog Poop From Carpet
As earlier noted, acting fast is key in dealing with these messy accidents, notwithstanding the texture of your dog’s poop. This procedure is also helpful for pet parents seeking to learn how to clean soft dog poop from the carpet. The trick is the same: scooping as much of the solid poop as possible and blotting the wetness dry without rubbing the mess deeper into the carpet or spreading it further.
Procedure
Step 1: Collect any solid bits of poop and dispose of them appropriately. You may use a gloved hand or a scooper to collect as much as possible without pushing the poop into the carpet.
Step 2: Blot dry the entire liquid poop with a paper towel, baby wipes, or an old towel, and avoid rubbing the stain. Place the dirty and soaked paper towels in a plastic garbage bag. You may have to blot the spot repeatedly until the liquid mess is absorbed from the carpet.
Step 3: Apply your homemade or commercial cleaning solution and wait a few minutes. Blot dry until all the stain disappears. You may need to repeat this step until you are happy with the results.
Step 4: Rinse your carpet with cool or distilled water to remove the cleaning solution. If you used a homemade solution only to clean the poop stain, consider applying baking soda to freshen your carpet. Vacuum up your carpet and allow the recently cleaned area to dry.
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What Takes Old Poop Stains Out Of Carpet
It may have already dried and caked in when you discover a poop stain on your carpet. The steps for removing old poop stains from your carpet are as follows:
Step 1: Begin by scrubbing the dried poop using an old knife, fork, or brush and discarding the solid poop properly.
Step 2: Spray or apply your preferred cleaning solution to the stain and let it sit for ten minutes to an hour. You may need to cover the spot with a laundry basket or old towel while you wait for the passage of this time.
Step 3: Blot dry until the stain is gone. Consider gently scrubbing out the dried particles using a soft-bristled brush. Repeat the tasks in this step until you clear the stain and remove the excess liquid solution.
Step 4: Rinse the area with clean water and blot dry the excess water with paper towels or clean cotton towels. Continue blotting up the dampness using paper towels or clean cotton cloths, allowing the spot to dry.
If you used a homemade solution only to clean the poop stain, apply some baking soda to freshen your carpet and allow the baking soda to sit for some hours or overnight. Then, vacuum the area, and the process is complete.
How To Sanitize Your Carpet After Dog Poop
Sanitizing your carpet after dog poop is key to stopping the spread of disease-causing bacteria in your house. Here is how to sanitize your carpet after getting rid of dog poop:
Step 1: Remove the entire poop with a scooper, spatula, or paper towel and flush it down the toilet. If you are dealing with wet poop, use paper towels or cotton cloth to blot the area and eliminate the extra wetness.
Step 2: Apply the appropriate commercial cleaning product for pet stains and allow the cleaning agent to sit for some time or according to the product’s instructions.
Step 3: To remove the dampness, rinse the area with cool, clean water and blot it with paper towels or a cotton cloth.
Step 4: Apply an appropriate pet stains sanitizer like Rocco and Roxie Stain and Odor Eliminator to eliminate the dog poop odor and kill germs and bacteria. You may use hydrogen peroxide if you are looking for a readily available solution in the house. If you used a homemade solution only to clean the poop stain, apply some baking soda to freshen your carpet.
Step 6: Apply some baking soda to deodorize. Let the baking soda sit for a few minutes or hours before vacuuming. At this point, your carpet will be clean and safe for your family.
If your dog tracked in the poop on its feets, you may also use a disinfectant spray such as the PawZ SaniPaw Dog Paw Sanitizer and Odor Eliminating Spray on your dog’s feet.
Consider A Carpet Steam Cleaner Or A Deep Cleaning Machine
Other ways of cleaning different kinds of dog poop from carpet include using a steam cleaner (like the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Max Clean Pet Pro) and a traditional wet vacuum (like the Hoover SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner with Spot Chaser Stain Remover Wand) or contracting professional carpet cleaners to do the job. These alternative methods are necessary if the dog poop stain will not come clean, however hard you go for it.
A hand-held steam cleaner like the Bissell SteamShot Hard Surface Steam Cleaner with Natural Sanitization can do you a lot of good when cleaning your carpet after dog poop accidents. You may have to go over the stain with the steam cleaner repeatedly to achieve the best results.
Additionally, using a traditional vacuum cleaner afterwards will give you results that are more impressive. Ensure you follow the instructions on your steam cleaner when getting rid of dog poop stains from your carpet.
Also, consider investing in a good home carpet shampooer.
Finally, to keep your carpet clean and sanitary, you need a high-powered and effective vacuum cleaner. If you’re on the market a carpet cleaner that can help keep your carpets poop-free and you’re your entire home clean you should consider the following vacuum machines:
- Bissell’s TurboClean machine, which comes with a strong deep-cleaning power brush to get rid of stubborn stains on your carpet.
- Hoover’s PowerDash carpet cleaning machine if you are looking for a balance between power and portability,
- Rug Doctor’s Spot Cleaning machine if you’re looking for portability and versatility in your vaccum machine.
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Conclusion
Cleaning dog poop is not a glamorous task, but it is sometimes an inevitable concern for pet parents. Aside from the dog poop that’s walked into your carpet, you should consider addressing the issue of carpet soiling at its root. Investigate why your dog has increased the frequency of pooping in your home. In the meantime, use our cleaning tips to get rid of dog poop on your carpet.
