Dealing with dog poop accidents on your carpet can be frustrating and messy. But with the right cleaning methods and products, you can get those stains and smells out in no time. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to most effectively clean dog poop out of carpet to restore it to its original condition.
What You’ll Need
- Paper towels
- Rags or small towels
- Carpet cleaner or dish soap
- White vinegar
- Warm water
- Rubber gloves
- Enzyme cleaner specifically made for pet stains
- Bissell Pet Stain & Odor Remover
- Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator
- Baking soda
- Vacuum
Step 1 – Act Quickly!
Whenever you notice your dog has had an accident on the carpet, it’s crucial you act fast. The quicker you can get to cleaning, the higher chance you’ll have of removing the stain and odor entirely.
Immediately after noticing the mess, grab some paper towels and blot up excess poop sitting on top of the carpet. Try to remove as much excess waste as you can before moving onto the cleaning steps.
Tip: Use an old towel or piece of fabric you can throw out to initially blot the area if the mess is very excessive. This will help absorb large amounts of the poop quickly.
Step 2 – Pre-treat the Stain
Once you’ve blotted up any excess waste from the surface of the carpet, it’s time to pre-treat the stain. This will help loosen up and lift the remaining poop particles from the carpet fibers before deep cleaning.
Mix together one part white vinegar and one part warm water in a small bowl. Dip a clean rag or small towel into the vinegar solution and blot the stain. The acidity in the vinegar will help cut through the poop and stain. Allow this mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes before moving onto the next steps.
Tip: If the stain is very set-in or old, consider mixing a higher concentration of vinegar, like 2 parts vinegar to 1 part water. The extra vinegar will provide more stain-fighting acidity to lift tough poop stains.
Step 3 – Lather & Scrub
Now grab your carpet cleaner, dish soap, or enzyme pet cleaner. If using an enzymatic pet stain cleaner, follow the product directions closely. If using a standard carpet cleaner or dish soap, apply a generous amount directly onto the stain and let soak in for a couple minutes.
Then, using a clean rag or scrub brush, scrub the stain in circles to work in the cleaner and lift up the poop. Make sure to scrub both directions for most effective lifting and cleaning.
Tip: For tougher ground-in stains, let the cleaner soak for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing. This extended soak time will allow the cleaner to penetrate deep into the carpet fibers to better break down the poop particles.
Recommended Cleaners
- Bissell Pet Stain Eraser – $8.99
- Hover Rug Carpet Cleaner – $129.99
- Bissell ProHeat Pet Advanced Carpet Cleaner – $249.99
Step 4 – Rinse & Soak
Once scrubbed thoroughly, it’s time to rinse the area. Grab a bowl or spray bottle of warm water. Rinse away all the cleaning solution, poop particles, and excess bubbles the scrubbing created.
Place clean dry towels over the stain and stand on them to soak up as much moisture as you can. Replace towels and repeat soak process until no more moisture is transferred onto the towels.
Tip: For faster drying, use a wet/dry vacuum to suction up all the moisture after rinsing. The powerful vacuum will pull up more water from the carpet fibers.
Step 5 – Deodorize & Disinfect
Next, you’ll want to deodorize the area to eliminate any lingering odors from the dog poop. Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the stain. Allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes. The baking soda will help soak up odors. After time has passed, vacuum up the baking soda.
Lastly, to disinfect, mix together 1 part bleach and 9 parts warm water. Pour a small amount over the stain and dab dry. Let air dry completely before walking on carpet.
Tip: If you have light-colored carpet, skip the bleach and use an enzymatic cleaner again to disinfect the area. The high concentration of bleach may discolor or lighten your carpet.
Tips:
- Act as quickly as possible when discovering stain
- Blot gently – don’t aggressively scrub fresh stains
- Use vinegar to help cut through poop particles
- Follow cleaner directions closely
- Wear gloves to protect hands from chemicals
- Use clean rags and towels to prevent spreading mess
- Repeat rinse process until no more moisture is lifted
- Allow carpet time to fully dry before walking on
- Invest in a portable carpet cleaner for spot stains
- Consider getting carpets professionally steam cleaned yearly
Common Questions:
What if I don’t have cleaner products available?
You can make a DIY cleaner using dish soap, vinegar, and warm water. Just mix together in a spray bottle and apply generously onto the stain. Let soak before scrubbing and rinsing.
What should I do if the stain remains after cleaning?
Try repeating the scrubbing and soaking process. You may need to let cleaners or vinegar sit longer before rinsing. For tough stains, reapply a pet enzyme cleaner and allow several hours or overnight before rinsing. You can also rent or purchase a carpet cleaner machine for stronger suctioning capabilities.
What about old or set-in stains?
The best method is using an enzyme cleaner specifically formulated to eliminate pet stains and odors. For dried, set-in stains scrub thoroughly and make sure plenty of water is used to rinse out all soap and particles lifted from carpet fibers. Letting the enzyme cleaner soak for hours is best for tougher dried stains.
Can I use homemade cleaners instead?
Yes, homemade cleaners using ingredients like vinegar, dish soap, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can effectively remove poop stains. Make sure to rinse thoroughly. Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in particular help lift set-in stains.
Will the stain permanently damage my carpet?
If you act quickly and use the proper cleaning methods, you should be able to get dog poop stains out of carpet effectively. However, staining and damage depends on factors like how soon you clean it and the type of carpet. Lingering stains may require replacement of carpet padding or fibers if severe. But in most cases stains will not be permanent if cleaned properly.
Conclusion
Cleaning up dog poop accidents on carpet quickly and effectively takes the right methods and products. But by acting fast, pre-treating the stain, scrubbing, rinsing, deodorizing and disinfecting you can remove the mess and restore your carpet to a clean state. Be sure to use cleaners made specifically for pet stains whenever possible. With the proper cleaning technique, you can get poop stains out of carpet efficiently. Investing in a portable carpet cleaner and having carpets professionally cleaned can also help keep your carpets pristine.
