How to Get Dog Poop Out of Carpet: A Guide for Professional Cleaners

In an ideal world, dogs would be pre-programmed not to poop inside. But the reality is, whether it’s a new puppy, a healthy adult dog, or an elderly companion pooch, accidents happen.

Dogs on a proper diet that have healthy feces may be easier to clean up after. Even so, dog poop can create quite the cleanup challenge — especially on carpet. If not treated professionally, pet poop on the carpet can create other problems, such as lingering odors that will require additional removal.

The experts at Jon-Don have prepared the following tips to help carpet cleaning professionals tackle this common situation in homes, rentals, and pet care facilities.

Why Dog Poop Can Be Challenging to Remove from Carpet

Pet poop can be a complicated topic for cleanup because feces can vary greatly from dog to dog — and person to person — depending on their diet, age, and overall health.

In general, however, dog poop is composed of a variety of substances, including undigested food, bacteria, enzymes, and other waste materials from the digestive system. Furthermore, the following variables can make dog waste more challenging to remove:

• Texture and consistency: Dog feces can have a sticky or adhesive texture, making it adhere to carpet fibers. This can make it more difficult to clean compared to solid material.
• Staining: Some components in poop, such as food dye pigments or other compounds from the dog's diet can cause staining on the carpet. The longer it remains on the carpet, the higher the likelihood of staining or permanent damage.
• Absorption: Carpets are porous, and when dog poop is not promptly cleaned, excess moisture can be absorbed by the carpet fibers. This absorption makes it more challenging to completely remove both the feces stain and odor.

Removing Dog Poop from Carpet: Step-by-Step

The following steps for cleaning fecal matter are meant for professional carpet cleaners who have been called to treat fecal spots caused by a family pet, young child, or even an adult. 

When cleaning poop stains, always wear personal protective equipment such as gloves, eye protection, and a mask, as flying debris can cause pink eye or other diseases. If the staining is severe and was caused by a human, you may need to wear coveralls and take extra precautions since human waste can be contaminated with microscopic germs and bacteria.

NOTE: The IICRC recommends that any carpet and pad that has been contaminated with fecal matter from a water loss, such as toilet overflow situations, be replaced. Due to health and safety reasons, cleaning carpets with this type of severe contamination is not advised.

Method 1: Matrix® All-in-One Pet Stain & Odor Remover

1. While wearing gloves and eye protection, remove and dispose of all solid waste.
2. Vacuum the area to remove any remaining dirt, debris, and dust.
3. Shake the product well before use. For best results, use the product at room temperature.
4. FOR NORMAL CLEANING/DEODORIZATION: Dilute 1 part Matrix® All-in-One Pet Stain & Odor Remover to 4 parts warm water (160°F) into a pump-up or inline sprayer. FOR SPOT TREATMENTS OR SEVERE URINE DEPOSITS: Dilute 1:1. Pour the desired amount of Matrix® All-in-One Pet Stain & Odor Remover into a container, add an equal amount of warm water on top, and cover with a warm cotton towel to trap moisture. Liberally apply the prepared solution to the affected carpet, concentrating on areas of heaviest soiling to force the cleaning solution into the padding.
5. Allow to dwell for 30 minutes. A warm, damp towel may be placed over the area to increase product performance. For severe odors, Matrix® All-in-One Pet Stain & Odor Remover can dwell for longer periods. The product will continue working as long as it remains moist.
6. Extract the area with a non-peroxide-based detergent, such as Matrix® Finish First or Matrix® Confidence. A pre-spray is generally not required; however, one may be applied before extraction for heavily soiled areas.

Method 2: Matrix® Spotters and Tannin Stain Remover

1. While wearing gloves, remove and dispose of all solid waste.
2. Vacuum the area to remove any remaining dirt, debris, and dust.
3. Apply Matrix® Spot Out undiluted. Tamp and blot with a tamping brush and spotting towel.
4. Apply Matrix® Release undiluted to a clean white spotting towel. Tamp and blot the towel against the spot with a tamping brush.
5. Apply Matrix® Target Tannin Stain Remover undiluted. Tamp and blot with a spotting brush and spotting towel.
6. Rinse the carpet with water.
7. Dilute 32 oz of Matrix® Bottom Line Odor Eliminator per gallon of water and apply it to the affected area with a pump-up sprayer.
8. Apply Odorcide 210, Fresh Scent diluted per label instructions.

Home Remedy for Dog Feces Removal

Because dog feces can easily stain carpet, Jon-Don recommends that homeowners contact a professional carpet cleaner for advice and the best results.

In a pinch, here is a home remedy you may try to remove stains caused by dog feces:

1. Remove as much of the solid waste as possible without spreading it further.
2. Blot the affected area with a paper towel or cloth to absorb as much excess moisture as possible. Avoid rubbing, as this can push the feces deeper into the carpet.
3. Apply a pet-friendly enzymatic cleaner or a mixture of water and mild detergent to the stained area. Follow the product's instructions for the best results.
4. Use a soft brush or cloth to scrub the stained area gently. Avoid aggressive scrubbing as it can damage the carpet fibers.
5. Rinse the area thoroughly with clean water and blot it dry. Make sure the carpet is completely dry to prevent the growth of mold or mildew.

If you're dealing with a pet stain that’s accompanied by urine, learn how to remove urine stains from the carpet with our dedicated guide.

Dog Poop in Carpet FAQ

Still have questions? Find quick answers to some of the most common queries asked by pet owners and professional cleaners.

Should You Let Dog Poop Dry Before Cleaning?

No. Whether diarrhea or solid, dog poop should be cleaned as soon as possible to reduce the chance of permanent staining and odor. While some online guides instruct homeowners and professional cleaners to let dog diarrhea dry before treating, that can cause further complications by giving it time to soak deeper into the carpet, padding, and subfloor.

Why Does My Dog Keep Pooping in the House?

If your dog has been house-trained but keeps having accidents inside, they may have an underlying medical issue and should be seen by a veterinarian.

How Do You Neutralize Dog Poop Odor?

Proper cleaning of the affected area on the carpet will remove the odor-causing materials, which in turn will neutralize the odor. However, if your client is having continuous odor problems, see the following FAQ for further information.

Why Does My Carpet Still Smell After Cleaning?

If the client calls saying that an odor is still present even after cleaning, there could be a few root causes, such as:

• Enzymatic digestion needs more time: If an enzyme-based product has been used, it can take a few hours for the enzymes to digest the odor-causing bacteria. The odor may even temporarily worsen as the digestion process continues, but over time, the odor should fade. If the odor continues to persist, a professional should be called to re-clean the area.
• Poop / fecal material has penetrated through the carpet to the padding: In some situations, such as a dog with diarrhea or poop that has been left on a carpet for a long period, the fecal matter may have traveled deep into the carpet padding or even into the subfloor. In this situation, a more intensive cleaning will be required to reach deep into the padding. Or the carpet may need to be pulled up, the subfloor sealed, and padding replaced. A professional carpet cleaner can help determine what may be needed.
• Continued soiling: If an animal is allowed to continue pooping in an area after it has been cleaned, the pet stain and odors will continue to be a problem. Professional cleaners should never guarantee the complete removal of dog poop stains and odors, particularly if the dog is still in the building.

Become a Pet Odor Pro!

Treating a dog poop stain, or even one caused by a person, is one of many tough carpet cleaning challenges that professionals may encounter. Be ready for carpet cleaning challenges big and small with the proper training and IICRC certification. Attend the next Carpet Cleaning Technician (CCT) Seminar at Jon-Don where you’ll learn how to properly and professionally clean and remove dozens of spots and stains from carpet. To register, visit our course page.

Tackling a tough odor removal job? Jon-Don also offers a 1-day Odor Control Technician (OCT) Seminar to teach you how to find the source of odors and remove them effectively. View upcoming classes and register on our course page.

For more spot-removal tips and advice, visit our spotting library.