As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
It is a pretty gross task to clean dog poop from a carpet. It’s not something you want to do, but your home and family must be healthy and safe. Apart from the apparent need to clean up the mess, how do you get rid of that smell? There are many methods to remove dog poop stains and odors from carpets. Dog urine can also leave behind an unpleasant odor in your home or car rug, so how can you get rid of this too? The following article will give you tips on removing dog poop from a carpet without having any side effects such as headaches or allergy symptoms.
Gather the Necessary Supplies
The first step is to gather the necessary supplies. This includes a plastic bag, paper towels, carpet cleaner, a scrub brush, white vinegar, and baking soda.
You may need rubber gloves, depending on how slick your hands are. For pets that eliminate large stools, a pair of tongs and scooper will be necessary to remove the waste from the carpeting.
You can use any spray bottle for this purpose. It is essential not to clean up dog waste with bare hands, or you will have bacteria all over your hands which could probably cause some serious health problems, so always wear a rubber glove before cleaning.
Once you have all of the supplies gathered, it’s time to begin the cleaning process.
Step 1: Scrape the Dog Poop Up
Before you do anything, scrape up as much of the poop from your carpet that possible. This will prevent it from sticking/smearing to other parts of your carpet and save a step in the process. Then collect all papers towels you used to remove dog waste from your flooring so you can dispose of them in a plastic bag.
Step 2: Spray with Vinegar and Water Mixture
Take a spray bottle and add equal parts water and white vinegar. Fill about halfway full, then add four drops of liquid dishwashing soap and baking soda to the mixture. Shake well before using this solution on your carpets for cleaning purposes because there should be no suds after you shake it up.
Step 3: Clean with Baking Soda and Water Solution
Now use this solution to scrub the carpeted areas where the dog poop was of your car or home carpeting. Keep in mind that you should do one section at a time. Don’t try to clean multiple places at once everything could get smeared around creating a larger mess.
You can also use hydrogen peroxide solution, similar to how you clean blood out of a carpet. If possible, use paper towels instead of rugs/towels for this step. What works best is to use white paper towels that you can throw out after use.
Step 4: Clean Carpets with Vacuum
After you have completed all the cleaning, now you should remove any excess liquid left behind by vacuuming each area thoroughly. The downside of using paper towels for this step is they will absorb liquid and leave it on your floor. If possible, use a white cloth or towel to suck up liquids instead of paper towels. Also, make sure to change the bag in your vacuum every time you switch areas because if not, it will spread pet waste throughout your home or car using airborne particles.
Step 5: Use Odor Neutralizer Spray for Last Step
Last but not least, after completing these steps, give each section of your carpet a thorough misting with an odor neutralizer spray. This will help get rid of any leftover pet waste odors and leave behind a fresh scent in the areas you clean. You can use essential oils, such as lavender or lemon, for this step if you want the finished look and smell to be more pleasant.
Step 6: Get Rid of Smell With Baking Soda
Finally, one last way to remove dog poop smells from carpets is to purchase an anti-bacterial baking soda product at your local grocery store or pharmacy. Take some water and baking powder and mix it until it becomes soapy looking, similar consistency to shampoo without creating bubbles. Then apply this paste mixture to the specific areas that can still be smelled. Leave it on for two hours before rinsing away with water and drying with a towel or cloth.
However, the simplest way to remove dog poop from your carpet is to use plastic gloves and some paper towels to pick up as much of the mess as possible before it gets an opportunity to soak into your flooring. Then, spray some white vinegar on more difficult areas to clean with soap and water solution.
Remember that you should never try cleaning this type of carpet material with boiling or hot water because it can ruin the fibers and leave a permanent stain mark no matter what kind of commercial products you try later on.
As far as using a steam cleaner, it depends on what type of flooring you have. If the area is a carpet or rug, this solution will probably work well to remove stains and odors from your home carpets without causing damage to them.
How To Remove From Hardwood Flooring
However, if it’s hardwood flooring or tile, I would not recommend using a steam cleaner. This is because excessive heat could damage the varnish on these floors. Most steam cleaners are labeled with warning labels that specify the type of floor you should for due to the potential risk of damages caused by excess humidity and water vapor. Also, always make sure your pets aren’t lingering around during cleaning procedures because too much noise may startle them and cause accidents.
For the most part, any type of carpet material should be okay to use a steam cleaner. It is always recommended that you test an area hidden and inconspicuous location. Afterward, you can complete steam cleaning over the entire area.
Final Thoughts
You should now have a clean and fresh-smelling carpet following these six easy steps. These steps can be used on any area of carpeting where your dog has soiled it with his waste. Try the baking soda paste method shown above if the smell is still there after following this process.
If that fails, use a professional cleaner to resolve the issue. You may also want to consider investing in an odor-neutralizer spray that is safe enough around children and pets. Good luck!