HOW TO GET POOP STAINS OUT OF YOUR CARPET

It doesn't matter how hard you've tried – the poop stain just won't come clean. Let's face it, poop stains in your carpet become an eyesore and can even pose a health risk. Whether you're sharing your home with a new baby or a new puppy, read through these simple steps to find out how to get poop stains out of carpet, so that you can have a happy home again.

Carpet Fibers

Carpets are made from wool, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, and acrylic. All except wool can handle hot water on their fibers, but wool requires cold water to avoid damaging the fibers.

Use the following method to remove diarrhea pet stains from all carpets except wool.

It’s More than Just Picking it Up

Dog poop can easily cause stains and spread odors and harmful bacteria into your living space— not exactly a warm and comforting feeling. Unfortunately, if you’ve got wall-to-wall carpeting like many apartment dwellers, you’ll need to make sure you follow the proper procedure to a T.

Remove the Excess

The first step to removing the dog poop smell and bacteria from your carpet is, of course, carefully getting rid of the excess. Wearing washable or disposable gloves, take a large paper towel and pick up as much of the poop with the paper towel as you can. If you have dog poop sacks that you use on walks, those would be a good option as well.

Be careful not to dig too deep into the pile, as it can drive the feces into the fibers and make the rest of the job that much more difficult. If the waste is a little old, it may be dry, and this part may be more difficult, but you should still try and get the excess away. Start keeping an old spatula or paint scraper in your apartment expressly for this purpose.

Dispose of the waste in a plastic bag, tie it up, and throw out the bag. If possible, take it directly to the dumpster outside so you don’t have to keep worrying about the scent inside your apartment.

Use a Laundry/Pet Stain Remover

Once you’ve removed the poo, your next step will be to spray the stain with either a laundry stain remover or a product made expressly for getting pet stains off of the carpet (you can pick these up at your local grocery or pet store). The laundry stain removers with oxi-action work especially well on dog poop. Once you’ve sprayed the spot on the carpet, let the stain soak for a couple of minutes, or as long as directed on the back of the bottle.

Blot with Cold Water and Detergent

After the stain remover has soaked for the required number of minutes, fill a small tub or bucket with cold water, add in three to four teaspoons of laundry detergent, and stir. The mixture should be soapy. You’ll need to soak a non-abrasive sponge in it and ring out the excess. Carefully blot the stain with the soapy sponge.

Scrubbing the Stain and Removing the Moisture

Scrub with a Bristle Brush

After you’ve blotted the stain with the sponge, take a bristle brush and scrub the stain vigorously, but be careful not to wear the carpet down. You should see soap suds lifting from the carpet as you do this. If you don’t, blot the stain again with the soapy sponge. Continue using the brush and sponge until you can no longer see the dog poop stain.

Remove the Excess Moisture

The last steps in this process are all about eliminating the odor and bacteria. Use a towel or paper towels to absorb as much of the moisture in the carpet as possible. Don’t skip this step — once the carpet is wet, it can pick up really bad odors that are really hard to get rid of.

Deodorize with Vinegar

Next, make a mixture of half-cup distilled white vinegar and half-cup warm water. Carefully pour the mixture over the area where the stain was and allow it to soak in for a few minutes. Then rinse the area with cold water and again remove the excess moisture with a towel.

Soak with Baking Soda

Once the stain is completely dry, sprinkle it liberally with baking soda to freshen the carpet. You may choose to use another bristle brush to work the soda into the carpet fibers. Allow the baking soda to soak into the carpet for 10 minutes then vacuum it up.

Removing dog poop from carpets is simple once you know how to do it correctly. When you have a new puppy who still needs some training or your dog has had the inevitable occasional accident, you’ll be ready to step into action right away.

Wool Carpets or Oriental Rugs

Step 1: Remove the Solids

scoop up the solid using a plastic spatula into a trash bag.

Step 2: White Vinegar Cleaning

Combine 2/3 cup of cool distilled water and 1/3 cup of white distilled vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the affected area and blot with a white paper towel or cloth without rubbing or scrubbing the spot. Continue patting the area until the stain has thoroughly been lifted from the rug.

Step 3: Safe-for-Wool Spot Remover

Apply a spot cleaner approved for use on wool to a clean white cloth and continue blotting the area. As a final measure, set a clean cloth over the wet area of the carpet and stand on it to soak up any remaining residue.

Step 4: Odor Absorbent

Sprinkle baking soda or an approved-for-wool absorbent product on the wet area of the rug and let it dry overnight. Once dry, vacuum the area thoroughly.