How to Clean Dog Poop Out of Carpet in 8 Steps

Even housetrained pets have accidents that require carpet cleaning. Pet owners can clean dog poop out of carpets by following these simple steps:

1. 1. Remove the poo. When you remove feces or treat dog poop stains, always wear gloves. Pick dog poop up as quickly as possible to avoid deep-set stains. Remove the feces by scooping or picking it up with paper towels or baby wipes. Put the poop, paper towels, and baby wipes into a plastic bag and throw them away.
2. 2. Make a DIY cleaning solution. Make a three-ingredient solution with your home cleaning products to remove the carpet stain. Add one tablespoon of dish soap or dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to two cups of cool water. Do not use dish soap that contains bleach, as it creates toxic fumes when added to acids like vinegar.
3. 3. Test your formula. To avoid the risk of the solution damaging your carpet, apply it to a small, inconspicuous area. Treat the stained area if no discoloration or damage is visible.
4. 4. Treat the carpet stain with the cleaning solution. Always blot cleaning or disinfecting solutions into your carpet instead of rubbing. Rubbing drives the stain—and the smell—deeper into the carpet fibers and makes them more difficult to remove. Pour a small amount of the solution onto a clean cloth and blot the area, or use a spray bottle to apply the solution to the poop stains. Wait ten minutes for the carpet fibers to absorb the pet stain remover, and then blot until the cloth absorbs all the liquid.
5. 5. Rinse and dry the stain. Pour cold water over the stained area and blot it with another clean cloth. Absorb any excess moisture with a paper towel.
6. 6. Scrub set-in stains with a brush (optional). If the dog poop stains have set into carpet fibers, use distilled water and two tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent to create a scrubbing solution. Soak the stain for a minimum of ten minutes, and then scrub the area with a soft-bristle brush. Rinse the area with more distilled water and blot it dry.
7. 7. Apply ammonia to stubborn stains (optional). To clean dog poop stains that resist the DIY carpet cleaner and scrubbing solution, apply a drop or two of hydrogen peroxide to the stain and follow it with the same amount of ammonia. Don’t use this technique on wool carpets, as it can discolor them.
8. 8. Deodorize the stained area. To eliminate odors from the carpet, pour baking soda on the affected area and let it sit for anywhere from ten minutes to overnight before removing the baking soda with a vacuum cleaner. You can also spray the stain with a deodorizing solution made from equal parts vinegar and warm water before applying the baking soda.

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