Imagine your poor pup had an accident and left a gross, runny mess all over your new carpet. We’ve all been there – one minute, our dog is happily playing, and the next, he’s squatting and letting loose. Before you know it, there’s liquid poop seeping into your carpet, leaving unsightly stains and making the whole room smell like a barnyard.
Try not to get too frustrated with your four-legged friend. Diarrhea happens, especially when dogs get into people’s food or eat something they shouldn’t have.
Cleaning up after a dog’s runny poop accident may not be how you wanted to spend your weekend, but it has to be done!. Don’t worry – I’m here to walk you through how to get rid of those nasty stains and smells completely. Let’s clean that crap up and get your home back to normal.
Cleaning Runny Dog Poop From Carpet: Step by Step
Step 1: Remove Solids Immediately
- As soon as you notice the runny poop on your carpet.
- Grab some paper towels and scoop up as much of the solid waste as possible.
- Try to remove all the solids from the affected area before moving on to the next step.
- The longer the poop sits there, the more likely it will soak deeper into the carpet fibers.
Be sure to wear gloves during this process to avoid contact with bacteria from the feces. It’s also a good idea to use an old towel or rag you can throw away when finished to hold under the paper towel as you scoop. This prevents transferring messes onto your hands.
Step 2: Blot Liquids with Paper Towels
Once you’ve removed the solid poop, it’s time to start soaking up the remaining liquids from the accident spot.
- Get some more fresh paper towels and press them firmly onto the area.
- Apply pressure to blot and lift the moisture.
- Try to work from the edges of the stain towards the center.
- This helps prevent spreading any moisture further across the carpet.
- Keep using new paper towels until they come up dry.
Step 3: Sprinkle Baking Soda Generously on Stain
Now that you’ve absorbed any excess liquids, coat the entire stain area with a thick layer of baking soda. Not only will the baking soda help soak up any leftover moisture, but it will also help neutralize those unpleasant odors thanks to its deodorizing properties.
- Use a spoon or empty shaker bottle to sprinkle the baking soda evenly over the stain.
- Make sure you completely cover the discolored area and at least 2 inches around it.
- Let the baking soda sit for at least 15-20 minutes. The longer it has to work on the stain, the better.
Step 4: Vacuum Up the Baking Soda
Once the baking soda has had time to do its job absorbing liquids and odors, you can vacuum it up.
- Use your vacuum wand attachment to thoroughly remove all baking soda residues from the carpet.
- Make sure not to spill the collected baking soda in your vacuum canister.
- Vacuuming up the baking soda serves two purposes.
- First, it lifts up and removes loosened poop particles and bacteria.
- Second, it allows you to move on to using a carpet cleaner that can reach deep down into fibers.
Step 5: Mix Enzyme Cleaner Spray Solution
To fully sanitize and remove poop stains from carpet, you’ll need an effective enzymatic cleaner. The enzymes in these cleaners work to digest organic waste particles and bust up lingering odors.
- Look for an enzymatic cleaner made specifically for pet messes and check that it’s safe for use on carpets.
- Mix up the cleaning solution based on the label directions. Opt for warmer water when possible to aid cleaning power.
Step 6: Spray Carpet Stain with Enzyme Cleaner
- Once mixed, transfer your enzyme-cleaning solution to a spray bottle.
- Thoroughly coat the affected area with the solution until damp. However, take care not to completely soak the carpet.
- Let the enzyme cleaner dwell for 5-10 minutes. This allows time for the active enzymes to break down poop particles and lift them from the carpet for removal.
- Just a light misting should suffice – no need to drench the carpet.
Step 7: Blot Stain Again With Clean Paper Towels
- After allowing dwell time, blot the carpet stain again with fresh paper towels. The towels will absorb and lift away poop residues loosened by the cleaner.
- Use a pressing and lifting motion to remove as much liquid as possible.
- Continue blotting with new paper towels until they come up clean after contacting the carpet.
Don’t scrub or rub aggressively, as this could grind stool particles further down into the carpet pile.
Thorough blotting ensures no residues get left behind to promote re-soiling of the area. It also helps speed up dry time.
Step 8: Rinse With Clean Warm Water
Once you’ve blotted up all of the cleaners, it’s time to rinse.
- Fill a clean spray bottle with only warm water.
- Mist the stain area with water and blot again with towels. This helps remove any traces of cleaning solution residue.
- Repeat the rinse and blot process until towels come up free of suds or discoloration. It’s important to remove all residue because cleaner left behind could actually encourage re-soiling.
- The rinse step neutralizes the area.
Step 9: Treat Carpet With Vinegar
For an extra anti-odor treatment, consider misting the stain area with some household white vinegar after rinsing. The vinegar will help neutralize and deodorize the area, removing any lingering poop smells.
- Just mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water in a spray bottle.
- Lightly mist the carpet and let the air dry. The vinegar smell will dissipate as it dries.
This step is especially helpful for removing odors from the soiled carpet pad beneath.
Step 10: Sprinkle on More Baking Soda & Vacuum
Once the carpet is completely dry, you can continue deodorizing by sprinkling on more fresh baking soda.
- Cover the entire stain area and let sit for 15-30 minutes. The baking soda will keep working to soak up odors from deep in the carpet pad and fibers.
- After allowing time for the baking soda to work, simply vacuum it up again. This will leave your carpet fresh, clean, and free of runny poop stains and nasty odors.
- Dispose of the baking soda promptly.
Step 11: Speed Dry Time With Fan
To help speed up carpet drying time, set up a fan to blow air directly over the affected area. The air circulation will speed up evaporation. Just make sure to point the fan away from any other furniture or carpeted areas.
Keep the fan running until the spot is completely dry. The carpet should regain its normal color once dried.
Avoid walking on the carpet until it’s 100% dry. This prevents poop residues from getting tracked to other areas of your home.
Step 12: Consider Using a Carpet Cleaning Machine
For especially troublesome dried poop stains, a carpet shampoo machine may be necessary. The water jets and suction power can reach deeper down into carpet fibers to lift out poop particles.
- Spot clean just the affected areas or do a thorough, full carpet cleaning session based on the extent of stains.
- Be sure to use an enzyme cleaner intended for use in carpet shampoo machines for best results.
Step 13: Hire a Professional Carpet Cleaner for Severe Stains
If the accident covers a very large area or you have multiple spots affected, it may be worth hiring a professional carpet cleaner. They have industrial-strength equipment, cleaners, and the know-how to remove even severe poop stains.
Professionals can also treat the carpet padding and move furniture if needed. Often, the cost is reasonable considering the equipment and effort needed to properly clean extensive messes at home.
Tips for Preventing Future Carpet Poop Stains
Once you’ve conquered the runny poop in your carpet, it’s a great idea to take steps to prevent it from happening again in the future:
- Take your dog out for potty walks more frequently to avoid accidents
- Consider crate training dogs when you’re away from home
- Feed dogs probiotics to improve gut health and firm up stool
- Avoid suddenly switching dog foods or giving table scraps
- Schedule a vet visit to check for underlying illness causing diarrhea
- Place runners or rugs over high-traffic areas for the dog
- Keep dog confined to non-carpeted rooms when unsupervised
Bottom Line
There you have it, my friend! Now you’re armed with all the inside tricks for vanquishing runny dog poop from carpets. I know it feels icky dealing with these kinds of accidents, but take it from me; you got this! Just remember to act quickly.
Meta Description: When your pup has a runny poop accident, learn how to quickly clean carpets using the right products and techniques to remove stains and eliminate odors.