Ever since the beginning of the worldwide pandemic, more and more people took on pets, mainly dogs. It's currently estimated that about 60% of all households in the UK have pet dogs. Compared to 2020, that's a 15% increase, which is estimated to be largely due to the pandemic.
While dogs can definitely make our lives happier, they can also cause some issues in the form of accidents on carpets. Of course, a dirty carpet is not the end of the world, but it's not a problem most look forward to solve. There are products made specifically for pet stains, as well as tested home remedies. The truth is that the sooner you react, the higher chances you will have of completely removing the problem.
What do to before cleaning dog poop?
- Before you begin removing the poop out of the carpet, you should firstly be aware of what type of carpet you have. The best possible results can be achieved through the use of hot water. Hot water, however, can be damaging to natural carpets, such as wool. For those, the use of cold water instead is necessary.
- Prepare the needed materials:
- protective gloves
- baby wipes or a hard broom and dustpan
- clean white cloths or paper towels
- fairy liquid
- white vinegar
- baking soda
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- oxy cleaner
You may also like: How to Clean Baby Poop off Carpet?
How to remove dog poop from carpet?
- Using baby wipes or a hard broom and a dustpan, remove the solid waste from the carpet. Make sure to pinch the carpet fibers with a wet wipe in order to remove as much of the poop as possible.
- Pre-treat the affected area with an oxy cleaner stain remover, and wait for about 5 minutes.
- Mix two cups of warm water with one tablespoon of white vinegar and one tablespoon of fairy liquid.
- Grab a clean cloth and dip it into the cleaning solution. Start blotting the stain - you should notice some colour being transferred onto the cloth. Then, use the fresh side of the cloth to blot until no more colour is transferred.
- If the stain is quite stubborn, and if your carpet is light-coloured, pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. Continue blotting the stain until you can no longer see it.
- You now have to make sure that there's no cleaning solution residue left in the carpet. You do that by rinsing - pour some cold water, blot again and repeat.
- Lastly, in order to deal with the odour, generously sprinkle baking soda onto the now gone poop stain. Let it sit for 24 hours, then remove it with a hoover.
Important notes
- If you're unsure what your carpet type is, firstly treat an inconspicuous area.
- DO NOT rub the stain in, as that will spread the poo particles deeper into the carpet fibres - only blot.
- In case you do not have an oxy cleaner, any mild carpet cleaning product can be used as a pre-spray. However, said product mustn't contain any more than 5% bleaching agents, as that could discolour the carpet.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after this procedure if you do not have protective gloves.
Check also: How To Get Poop Stains Out Of Carpet
How to prevent dogs from pooping inside the house?
It's quite unpleasant coming back home to dog poop, but it's gets even worse the more often it happens. If you're unsure why this keeps on happening, please go to the vet. It's crucial to rule out any medical reasons as to why this might be happening. Once that is done, follow these simple steps to reduce the risk of any future accidents:
- If your dog is unable to poop after 10-15 minutes of being taken out, do not lose patience. Keep the dog on a leash, and it will do the deed eventually.
- Give them treats after successfully pooping outside. Nearly all dogs associate treats with a "job well done".
- Establish a routine - feed your dog at the same time each day and do not give them treats in between meals. This will make them less likely to want to go poop inside the house. Naturally, taking them out to poop at the same time every day will also help them develop the habit.
- Do not scare or yell at your dog, as that will make it lose its trust towards you.
- Observe your dog - if it's sniffing or circling around, it likely means that it wants to poop.
Read also: Dry Carpet Cleaning vs Hot Water Extraction
Don't be afraid to ask for help
You may not always be able to react on time and deal with a poo stain on the carpet yourself. You also may not have the time or the ability to deal with said issue. Especially if you have a puppy, accidents could occur quite often.
Professional carpet cleaning companies have the needed tools and equipment to properly deal with pet stains. They make sure to inspect the carpet prior to the cleaning, and apply only the most suitable cleaning products. Additionally, professionals can clean the carpet reasonably fast, while also leaving it almost completely dry. This allows for the carpet to be used in no more than 1 to 3 hours once the service concludes.