How to Get Cat Poop Out of Carpet: A Complete Guide

30 May 2024 Updated 29 May 2024

Panoramic view of a living room with a Persian cat in the foreground, its long, fluffy fur coated in dried cat diarrhea, and the owner kneeling on the carpet, scrubbing the stained area with a cleaning solution and brush
Panoramic view of a living room with a Persian cat in the foreground, its long, fluffy fur coated in dried cat diarrhea, and the owner kneeling on the carpet, scrubbing the stained area with a cleaning solution and brush

There are few things that can destroy a beautiful carpet as quickly as finding cat poop on it, but with a little bit of knowledge and a lot of hard work, you can get rid of that gross mess.

In this article, we will cover the best ways to get cat poop out of carpet, including cleaning solutions and methods that have been recommended by both veterinarians and professional carpet cleaners. With the right tools, the right techniques, and a little bit of elbow grease, you can get rid of those stains and smells once and for all. By the time you're done, you'll feel confident that you can handle even the most challenging poop messes on your carpets.

How can you clean cat poop from carpet?

66%
Use paper towels to blot and remove solid waste, then treat the area with a vinegar-water solution
86%
Apply an enzymatic cleaner and scrub the stain, then use baking soda to absorb odors
82%
Vacuum up the poop first, then use a pet stain remover and hot water extraction to deep clean the carpet
36%
Blot the area with absorbent cloths, then apply a mixture of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide
Based on a sentiment analysis of 9 sources.

How to Clean Cat Poop From Carpet

If you have a cat, you know that accidents happen. And when they do, you need to know how to clean cat poop from carpet. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get your carpet back to normal.

If you've found cat poop on your carpet, you're probably wondering how to clean it up. The good news is that with a few simple steps, you can remove the poop and the smell from your carpet.

The first thing to keep in mind is that you need to act quickly. The longer you wait to clean up the mess, the harder it will be to remove the stain and the smell. So, as soon as you notice the poop, it's time to get to work.

According to Catster, the first thing you should do is put on a pair of rubber gloves and use paper towels or a butter knife to remove as much of the solid waste as possible. HomeIt suggests using a wet paper towel to remove any soft or liquid feces from the carpet.

After you've removed as much of the poop as you can, use clean, absorbent cloths or paper towels to blot the area. This will help you remove as much of the remaining poop and moisture as possible. Just make sure that you don't rub or scrub the area, as this can cause the stain to spread and make it harder to remove.

Once you've removed as much of the physical mess as you can, you can move on to treating the area with a cleaning solution.

Cleaning Solutions That Work for Cat Poop Stains

After you've gotten rid of as much of the mess as you can, you'll need to clean the stain and smell with a cleaning solution. Catster suggests a mixture of white vinegar and water, which is a common and effective DIY solution for cleaning cat poop stains out of carpet. Good Housekeeping also suggests a mix of bicarbonate of soda and water with a few drops of disinfectant.

Enzymatic cleaners that are made to target pet stains can also work really well because they will break down the organic material in the poop, according to HomeEdit. Some professionals, including those at Good Housekeeping, suggest using a small amount of dish soap or laundry detergent mixed with water to help get rid of the stain. Make sure to test any cleaning solution on a small, hidden part of the carpet to make sure it doesn't cause any damage or discoloration.

How to Clean Dried Cat Poop From Carpet

Dried or set-in cat poop on carpet can be a bit more difficult to clean than a fresh mess. According to HomeEdit, you should first use a butter knife or brush to remove as much of the dried poop or any crusty residue as possible. Then, you should use clean water to wet the area and help break up the dried poop.

After the area is wet, you should apply a pet stain remover or a mixture of 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts water and use a brush or cloth to work it into the stain, according to TMF Store. To get rid of any smells, PetMD recommends using an enzymatic cleaner or sprinkling baking soda on the area, letting it sit, and then vacuuming it up.

If you use the right products and methods, you should be able to get rid of even the most stubborn dried cat poop stains and odors on your carpet.

How to Get Rid of Cat Poop Smell in Carpet

If you have removed the visible stain but the smell still lingers, you may need to take further steps to get rid of the cat poop smell in your carpet. According to Catster, enzymatic cleaners are often the best option for breaking down and removing the organic compounds that cause odors. PetMD also recommends using baking soda to absorb and neutralize odors by sprinkling it over the affected area, letting it sit, and then vacuuming it up.

For more stubborn or strong odors, Chem-Dry explains that you may need to use an odor-blocking spray or treatment that you can purchase from a store. If you have tried everything and the smell still won’t go away, it could be a sign of a bigger problem, such as the urine having soaked through to the carpet padding or subfloor. If this is the case, you may need to take more drastic measures to get rid of the smell for good.

Prevention: How to Keep Cats From Peeing on the Carpet

While it's important to clean up accidents, it's even better to prevent cats from peeing on the carpet in the first place. According to Family Handyman, it's important to make sure that you're cleaning any spots where your cat has peed in the past really well because cats have such a good sense of smell that they're likely to return to the same spot.

To prevent your cat from peeing on the carpet, Reader's Digest says that you should make sure that your cat has a litter box that's the right size and that's in a quiet, easily accessible area. If you have more than one cat, you should also make sure that there's more than one litter box available. Cats like litter boxes that are large, uncovered, and filled with 3-4 inches of unscented clumping litter.

If your cat continues to pee on the carpet, wikiHow recommends that you make sure that you're dealing with any medical or stress-related issues that could be causing the behavior, like bullying from other pets. You can also use deterrents like double-sided tape or aluminum foil to keep your cat away from areas where they're likely to pee.

By making sure that you're meeting your cat's needs and taking steps to protect your carpet, you can make sure that your cat doesn't pee on the carpet and that your home stays clean and odor-free.

Conclusion: How to Keep Your Home Clean and Odor-Free With Cats

While cleaning up cat poop from carpets is never fun, it's a reality for many pet owners. However, with the right cleaning methods and products, you can get rid of even the most stubborn stains and smells.

In addition, by taking steps to prevent future accidents and making sure to address any medical or behavioral issues, you can keep your home clean and odor-free. So don't give up! With a little effort, you can enjoy the company of your cat without the mess.

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