Accidents around the home are very common – and when you’re facing stains on your carpet, knowing the right techniques and cleaning products can keep your home looking as good as new. Whether it’s a pet accident or a baby blowout, knowing how to get poop stains out of carpets is essential.
In this latest article, we thought we would take a closer look at some of the top ways on how to clean faeces from carpets, so you can keep your looking (and smelling) fresh.
Table of contents:
- Gather your cleaning supplies
- How to remove fresh poop stains from a carpet
- How to clean diarrhoea out of a carpet
- How to get dried poop out of carpet
- How to get baby poop out of a carpet
- How to remove poop stains from clothes and other fabrics
- Tips for cleaning poop stains on mattresses and upholstery
- Conclusion
Gather your cleaning supplies
Before we start exploring the methods you need to remember when learning how to get poop stains out of a carpet, there are a few key essentials you’ll need:
- Clean paper towels
- Rubber gloves
- A bucket
- Washing up liquid
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Soft-bristle brush
- Water
- Carpet cleaner
How to remove fresh poop stains from a carpet
Like any form of carpet cleaning, the sooner you are able to act, the easier it is to restore your flooring and carpet to its former glory. If your pet or baby has had an accident and you’re facing fresh faeces on your carpet, here are some top tips to use:
1) Step 1: Remove solid material first
When it comes to knowing how to clean diarrhoea out of a carpet, you need to remove any solid waste first. Wearing gloves, gently pick up any solid poop in a paper towel. Be careful when doing this to avoid rubbing it further into the carpet fibres.
2) Step 2: Blot, don’t scrub
Next, use a clean paper towel to blot up as much of the liquid as possible. This is especially important if you’re dealing with runny dog poo or human diarrhoea. As above, be careful when doing this to avoid spreading it further and whatever you do, do not scrub!
3) Step 3: Clean the spot
Create a cleaning solution by mixing washing up liquid with water in a bowl, and clean the area using gentle blotting motions. If you are facing particularly strong odours, sprinkle baking soda over the stain first and let sit for 15 minutes. This will not only absorb any remaining moisture but also neutralise any smells.
How to clean diarrhoea out of a carpet
Any form of poop cleaning can be tough, but diarrhoea is even more challenging due to its runny texture causing it to soak into the fibres much faster. When tackling these kinds of poop stains, you should:
1) Step 1: Blot the liquid
Using paper towels, blot the area to soak up as much of the liquid as possible without rubbing it into the carpet.
2) Step 2: Apply a white vinegar solution
Once you have absorbed all of the liquid poop, it’s time to tackle the stain. Mix white vinegar with water in a one part to two part ratio, and gently dab this onto the affected area. Before doing so, test the solution in an inconspicuous part of the floor. While white vinegar is generally safe, it can sometimes bleach certain colours.
3) Step 3: Use an enzyme cleaner
For particularly stubborn stains or foul-smelling accidents, then you might want to use a professional enzyme cleaner. There are lots of pet-specific cleaning products available on the market designed to help break down the organic matter in excrement and completely neutralise any odours that otherwise might linger around. When using these products, be sure to follow the product’s instruction label carefully.
How to get dried poop out of carpet
Of course, not all accidents happen while you’re at home! If you have arrived home to find your pet has pooped on your carpet and it’s now dried, here is what you need to do:
1) Step 1: Scrape and loosen the stain
Using a dull knife, carefully scrape off as much of the dried poop as you can. Be gentle when you do this so that you do not cause further damage to your carpet fibres.
2) Step 2: Rehydrate
Once you have been able to scrape away and loosen the poop, rehydrate the stain. To do this, mix some washing up liquid with warm water and spray onto the area before letting sit for around five minutes. This will help to make removing the stain much easier.
3) Step 3: Blot and lift
Using clean paper towels, blot the area until the stain begins to start lifting. Make sure that you are using fresh towels each time to avoid spreading the stains further.
4) Step 4: Try vinegar and baking soda
After lifting as much of the stain as possible, sprinkle some baking soda over the stain to neutralise the smell and absorb any remaining moisture. If your stain is particularly stubborn, then use the white vinegar solution as mentioned above.
How to get baby poop out of a carpet
Are you wondering how to get baby poop out of a carpet? This can be a very common situation for new parents, often at a time when you’re already stressed and tired! Thankfully, the process is very easy:
1) Step 1: Blot the stain
The first step will be to blot the stain with paper towels, taking care to not scrub or rub the area.
2) Step 2: Clean the region
Once you have blotted the liquid, create a solution of washing up liquid and water and begin to gently dab the stained area. If needed, sprinkle some baking soda over the area first to remove any odour.
3) Step 3: Dry
Finally, blot the area dry with clean paper towels to absorb as much of the water as possible before letting the carpet air dry.
For more details on this topic, you can read the full guide: How to Clean Baby Poop off Carpet?
How to remove poop stains from clothes and other fabrics
Of course, accidents will not always be reserved for your carpets! If you are wondering how to remove poop stains from clothes, then thankfully, it’s a simple process. The first step is to pre-treat the stain by applying a dab of detergent directly onto it, being sure to follow the instructions closely. Then rinse with cold water, as hot water can result in the stain setting before washing the fabric.
Tips for cleaning poop stains on mattresses and upholstery
Sometimes, accidents happen on other fabrics and mattresses. This process is much the same as fabrics, and you should begin by removing any solid waste without pushing it further into the fabric. Then, create a solution of washing up liquid and warm water and begin by dabbing the stain. You can use a professional cleaner if you are facing a stubborn stain.
Using a paper towel, blot the area dry and then leave the mattress to air dry, waiting for it to fully dry before using it again.
Conclusion
If you have a pet or a young baby, then accidents on your carpet are a common occurrence. If you are wondering how to get poop stains out of a carpet, then the methods we’ve mentioned above can help you restore your flooring. With the right techniques and cleaning products, you will be able to effectively remove stains from carpets, clothes and even mattresses, keeping your home clean and smell free!