Having a dog or, as many like to call them, a ‘fur baby’, brings so much joy and entertainment into a home. They show us what unconditional love really is, and can be a source of great comfort when life gets us down.

With that said, however, every pet owner will attest to the fact that having a dog also comes with some not-so-great aspects to it, especially if you have a young pup or an older dog. One area of difficulty is learning how to get dog pee and dog poop out of carpet. Hard floors are obviously easier to clean, so when you’re dealing with pet mess on carpeting, there are a few things you need to know.

While there are several ways to remove dog poo and wee from carpets, we have put together a few methods that will also help eliminate stains and lingering odors. What’s more, you can get the job done using some basic home supplies. Let’s begin!

Safety Precautions When Cleaning Up After Your Dog

• Use gloves when you clean dog poop and dog urine to avoid picking up pathogens like bacteria or parasites.
• Wash your hands well with soap after the clean-up.
• Dispose of the waste in a separate garbage bag and secure it well to prevent leaks or odor.
• For your pet’s safety, avoid using products that contain ammonia, chlorine, or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as these can be harmful.
• Apply the below solutions on a small, inconspicuous area first to test the carpet’s color fastness. Wait until the carpet is completely dry before you observe the area.

How to Get Dog Poop Out of Carpet

Step 1

To clean dog poop, start with picking up the solid poo with a few paper towels or a bunch of toilet paper by lifting it upward. Avoid rubbing or pushing the dog poop further into the carpet fibres when attempting to remove it.

Step 2

Dispose of the dog poop and papers immediately by transferring them to a garbage bag. Wash your gloves and hands with soap after.

Step 3

Make a DIY carpet cleaning solution of warm water and washing detergent; keep it mild by adding roughly 5-10 drops to 1 cup of water.

Step 4

Take a clean sponge or white, absorbent cloth, soak it in the carpet cleaner, and squeeze out the excess water. Wipe the area to remove any remnants of the dog poop. Again, do this carefully to avoid rubbing any bits into the carpet. Rinse the cleaning tool and continue wiping.

Step 5

Gently blot with toilet paper to absorb excess moisture, and spray with a disinfectant. Allow the carpet to dry.

 

How to Remove Dog Diarrhea From Carpets

Step 1

Put a barricade around the dog poop to prevent anyone from stepping into it, and allow the diarrhea to dry.

Step 2

After the diarrhea has dried, remove the dried bits by lifting with paper towels. You can also use a designated dustpan to scoop up the poop. Dustpans make good scraping tools too, provided that you do not use too much force.

Step 3

After removing the dried dog poop, vacuum over the area.

Step 4

Make a carpet stain remover with water and distilled white vinegar (1:1 or a more diluted ratio of vinegar if the stain isn’t too severe), and spray over the area. Use paper towels to blot the water off, and repeat until the dog poo stain is removed. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing techniques at all costs as this will only spread and push the stain further into the carpet.

Step 5

To remove dog poop odor from your carpet, wait for the carpet to dry, and then sprinkle a layer of baking soda on the area; use a carpet brush or old toothbrush to work it into the fibers for best results. After a few hours, vacuum up the baking soda.

Step 6

After you clean dog poop from your carpet, spray a disinfectant over the area and allow it to air-dry.

How to Get Fresh Dog Urine Out of a Carpet

Step 1

Place an absorbent dry cloth or paper towels over the wee, and press down gently with your hands or feet to absorb as much liquid as possible.

Step 2

Rinse the area with clean water using a spray bottle, and blot dry.

Step 3

Sprinkle baking soda onto the damp patch, enough to cover it. Leave it to sit and absorb the moisture and dog urine smell for several hours or overnight.

Step 4

Vacuum the affected area to remove all the traces of the baking soda. This will help deodorize the carpet.

How to Get Dried Dog Urine & Poop Stains Out From Carpet

While the methods above will clean and deodorize the carpet, and take care of mild pet waste stains left by an “accident” from your pooch, there are times when you will be dealing with stubborn or older pet stains that don’t come out as easily.

Below, we have two effective ways to remove dog urine and dog poop stains from a carpet.

The Vinegar Method

Step 1

Make a spray of 1 cup distilled white vinegar, 1 cup warm water, and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Stir it well to combine the ingredients before pouring it into the bottle.

Step 2

Spray liberally on the stained area (after blotting away the wee or removing the solid poop), and make sure it reaches all the affected fibers of the carpet.

Step 3

Use a soft bristle brush to gently work the solution into the fibers using circular motions. Start from the end of the stain and work your way inward.

Step 4

Blot with a cloth or paper towel to lift the stain, and allow the area to air-dry.

Step 5

Vacuum up residue from the cleaning solution to finish off.

The Hydrogen Peroxide Method

One crucial component of cleaning dog wee (which contains uric acid) is to use a bio based or enzymatic odor neutralizer spray. If the vinegar method above does not work sufficiently, you can try using hydrogen peroxide together with baking soda which will kill bacteria, absorb smells, and break down carpet stains caused by dog mess.

Step 1

Sprinkle generous amounts of baking soda on the stained area.

Step 2

Mix ½ cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 2 cups of water, and (for extra cleaning strength) a teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid. Add these to a spray bottle and shake well to combine.

Step 3

Spray over the affected area that’s covered in baking soda without saturating the carpet. That said, be sure to cover all the affected carpet fibers to remove the pet stain in its entirety.

Step 4

After the bubbling dies down, use a soft bristle brush and work the solution into the carpet.

Step 5

Allow the combination to dry for 1 – 2 hours, and then vacuum the carpet.

3 Ways to Eliminate Dog Pee Smell From Your Entire Carpet 

(If you cannot locate where the odor is coming from)

1. Use an Enzyme Cleaner 

These enzyme-based carpet cleaners break down the molecules of the pee and remove the pet urine stain and smell. Read and follow the manufacturers’ cleaning instructions to clean your carpet with the commercial product of your choice.

2. Use Baking Soda

Liberally sprinkle baking soda all over the carpet (you might need a box or two). After 6 to 8 hours, vacuum the carpet until all the baking soda has been removed along with the dog urine smell.

3. Use a Carpet Cleaning Machine

If none of the above work to remove dog pee odors or urine stains, you can rent a carpet cleaning machine that helps flush out dirt from carpets using steam and water. Read and follow the guidelines set by the manufacturers for using the machine. It is advisable to clean the whole room, and perhaps other rooms while you have the machine at your disposal.

Tips to Help Avoid Pet Waste on Carpets

• Identify the signs for when your dog needs to relieve themselves and take them out immediately.
• If your dog goes in the same place, that means it was not cleaned properly the previous time, or there is a lingering smell that is attracting them to it.
• One way to track previous messes you cannot see is to use a UV black light flashlight. In the dark, this will highlight the stains and help to tackle it using an enzyme-based cleaner.
• If your dog is relieving themselves in the home, they may need more frequent toilet breaks outside or they could have an undetected health problem. Take them to the vet if this becomes a concern.
• Use a pet stain enzyme spray on the patch where your dog urinated to break down the smell of urine. Do this immediately after cleaning and drying the area as dogs will use the same spot repeatedly even if it means just ‘marking’ the spot.
• Keep all your toilet cleaning tools and equipment handy so that you can tackle the clean-up as soon as possible.

CONCLUSION

As a pet owner, you have to accept the fact that accidents happen. Even toilet-trained pets can leave an unwanted gift on your carpet for some reason or the other. So, instead of wasting time in complaining, spring into action using all the tips above where suitable, and you won’t have much trouble to get dog pee or dog poo out of carpet!