Dog Diarrhea On Carpet? Here’s How To Deal With It
Every dog owner will occasionally have to deal with messes in their home. And few are as unpleasant as how to clean dog poop from the carpet. However, even though this is a genuinely unsightly and foul-smelling issue, you do not have to throw out your carpets or ban your dog from your home.
Most carpet messes, including those caused by our beloved pets, are easily remedied. Cleaning up this mess and removing the stain and smell from your carpets can be done quickly by following these tips on how to clean up dog diarrhea on carpet and get your carpet looking like new again.
What You’ll Need To Get Dog Poop Out Of Your Carpet
Gloves
Keep your hands and fingers safe! Handling feces with your bare hands is never a good idea. Diarrhea is full of dangerous bacteria, so invest in some nitrile gloves to create an effective barrier against the mess.
Cleaners
A variety of products are available on the market that is specifically designed to eliminate puppy accidents. The best option is to use enzyme cleaners. They accelerate the cleaner’s chemical reactions and can aid in the breakdown of excrement for removal.
*It should be noted that many commercial cleaners have a strong odor and contain strong chemicals that may harm children and pets.
If you want something gentler, you can use items you already have around the house. If used correctly, dish soap, rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, and other products can be effective. Products such as baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are also suggested.
Wipes
You’ll need a lot of soft products to soak up as much of the mess as possible. For many dog owners, paper towels are a tried and true go-to. They are simple to work with and can be discarded in a plastic bag. Baby wipes are also appropriate and may help to mask the odor. If all else fails, a thick cloth can be used. Remember, however, that you must clean up the mess later.
Vacuum Or A Steam Cleaner
Diarrhea is challenging to treat with your hands alone. Powerful cleaning machines can remove any bacteria that is left behind. A vacuum to pick up dog hair is ideal because it is designed to reach deep within the fibers. A steam cleaner is your best option. It will sanitize your carpet with heated water so you can use it again confidently.
Cleaning Up Wet Diarrhea
Take your dog outside as soon as you notice they have had an accident. Diarrhea can strike without warning. Dogs suffering from gastrointestinal upsets frequently have multiple accidents, so keep them secured outside to avoid further messes. After you’ve taken care of your dog, put on a pair of latex gloves and get to work. The first step is to remove the feces that has accumulated on top of the carpet. You must do this carefully to avoid spreading the mess further. Using a paper towel, scoop up some of the mess and place it in a plastic bag. Consider using a paper plate if you need something more firm. Scrap it up gently without pushing the mess deeper into the fibers.
Blot Away
At this point, use a paper towel to absorb as much diarrhea as possible from the carpet. Press the paper towel lightly onto the surface. Rubbing should be avoided at all costs. This will separate the carpet fibers, allowing the mess to sink deeper. Spray the affected area with your cleaning solution and blot any excess moisture. Allow the area to dry entirely once most diarrhea appears to be gone. You may need to repeat the process several times to get rid of everything. Spray your cleaning solution, blot the excess moisture, and repeat. When cleaning up the mess, use your vacuum to pick up any remaining grime and speed up the drying process.
Cleaning Up Dried Diarrhea
So you get home to discover that your dog had an accident several hours ago and that the mess has begun to dry out. There’s no need to be concerned. Cleaning up dried diarrhea is a simple task. It would help if you simply rehydrated the mess to make it easier to pick up.
Begin by removing any large pieces of excrement that have hardened on the carpet’s surface. After that, make a hydrating mixture. In a clean spray bottle, combine equal parts white vinegar and water. The acidic vinegar can help to break down diarrhea, while the water can help to loosen it from the fibers.
Addressing Stains
Even if you spend significant time attempting to remove diarrhea from your carpet’s delicate fibers, you may have an unsightly stain. After drying, the area may appear discolored. If this is the case, you should protect your carpet while removing the stain. There are some commercial stain removers available. However, hydrogen peroxide can also be used.
Apply peroxide on the stain and let dry. Only cover some things. Just cover it and let the peroxide work. Make a cleaning agent for apparent stains—dilute peroxide with water. Spraying the mixture and adding baking soda starts a chemical reaction. Use a hard bristle brush to blend the mixture. Remove and blot after an hour.
Addressing Odors
If you followed the previous cleaning steps, most of the odor should be gone. However, you may still detect faint odors in the surrounding area. This is most likely due to undetectable bacteria and tiny bits of fecal matter. To avoid other messes, you must eliminate all odors once and for all.
- A steam cleaner is truly one of the most effective ways to combat odor. Even a small handheld steamer works well. Heat will sanitize the fibers, loosen any remaining mess, and leave your carpet smelling wonderful. For the best results, use the steamer several times over the affected area, followed by a traditional vacuum.
- Alternatively, soapy water can be used. Spray a few drops of antibacterial dish soap or laundry detergent into cold water and apply it to the affected area. Work the mixture into the fibers with a stiff brush or gloved fingers to create a good lather. Wash the soap away with clean water and blot up any excess moisture.
Conclusion
Dogs aren’t always able to make it outside before experiencing discomfort and needing relief. Following the steps outlined above, you can quickly and easily clean up a mess of diarrhea on your carpet. Having the right tools—and chemicals—on hand will help make this unpleasant task more manageable.