How to Get Cat Poop Stains & Smells Out of a Carpet: 4 Practical Options
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If you are a cat owner, you know that sometimes they do their business outside the litter box. It’s easy to clean cat poop from hard floors and other hard surfaces, but what if it gets on your carpet?
If you have ever been unfortunate to discover a poop stain on your carpet, it was one of those times you wished your cat would “go” like a wild animal and leave poop outside. Whether the mess is right there, or you have to search around on your carpet until you find it, dealing with cat poop can be a hassle. But, it doesn’t have to be that way.
This article takes you through four practical options for getting rid of cat poop stains and odors. Read on to learn more!
The 4 Ways to Get Cat Poop Stains and Smells Out of a Carpet
Before you start cleaning poop stains, put on some rubber gloves. You’ll need them when scraping the leftover solid pieces from the carpet and for any of the cleanup methods below. Also, gather all the tools and items you need. The tools you’ll use depend on the method you choose.
It’s not too challenging to remove cat poop stains and odors. But it’s crucial to do it right so that you don’t end up with a lingering poop smell. If you smell cat poop, use a black light to confirm your suspicions. Black lights illuminate organic substances that wouldn’t be visible in other lighting conditions.
When you find the area where your cat has defecated, clean it. The longer you allow cat poop to sit on a surface, the more difficult it will be to remove.
Now moving right ahead, here are four practical options for getting rid of cat poop stains and smells.
1. Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Soap
One of the best methods to use is hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. This combination works well for stains and odors on a carpet.
- Paper towels
- ¾ cup of hydrogen peroxide
- One tablespoon dish soap
- Water
- Place some paper towels over the stained area to soak up poop wetness. Apply pressure on the spot to soak up as much of the wetness as you can before beginning the stain removal process.
- Combine one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts water in a spray bottle.
- Mist the solution onto the area that needs cleaning until it’s thoroughly saturated.
- Allow it to sit for approximately three minutes. It will begin loosening up the stain.
- Prepare a solution that consists of one teaspoon of liquid dish soap with two cups of warm water.
- Use this solution to wash the area where the stained part of the carpet.
While this option is potent on its own, it might not be enough to remove the stain completely. If you see any remnants of the cat poop stain left over after blotting up the mixture, add baking soda to the mix in the second method below.
2. Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
The most effective method is to use a combination of natural ingredients that you already have in your kitchen. Baking soda and vinegar work in tandem to eliminate cat poop stains and odors.
- One tablespoon baking soda
- Two cups vinegar
- Two cups lukewarm water
- Rag
- First, remove the cat poop from the carpet by scooping it with a paper towel. If the poop has dried, use a spoon or dull knife to scrape it off the carpet.
- Take a clean rag and run it under cool water.
- Squeeze out any excess liquid so that the rag is damp but not dripping wet.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the stain until it’s completely covered.
- Pour a small amount of vinegar onto the baking soda and allow it to foam up like a science project.
- Use the damp rag to blot up as much vinegar and baking soda as possible.
The vinegar will react with the baking soda and help lift it (and the stain) out of your carpet fibers. It disinfects the area and neutralizes the cat poop smell.
3. Use a Commercial Carpet Cleaner
Commercial carpet cleaners are a great way to remove cat poop stains and smells from your carpet. The advantage of commercial carpet cleaners is that they are convenient and easy to use.
- Scrubbing brush or sponge
- Commercial carpet cleaner
- Vacuum cleaner
- Water
- First, get a good commercial carpet cleaner. Do not use one that you would use on clothes or upholstery as this will not work. You need to get a good commercial-grade carpet cleaner designed to remove cat poop stains and odor from your carpet.
- Next, mix the commercial carpet cleaner with water in the recommended ratio according to the instructions on the package.
- Put the mixture in a spray bottle.
- Spray the entire area where the cat poop stain is. But do not saturate it with water as this can cause more problems.
- Then, allow it to sit for an hour before vacuuming it back up with your vacuum cleaner.
- Check the area and make sure all the stains and smells are gone.
- If there is still a stain or smell, repeat steps four and five to ensure that the cat poop stain and odor are completely gone.
Commercial cleaners are often advertised as pet-friendly, but it’s crucial to read the label first. Also, ensure that the commercial carpet cleaner is non-toxic. You can buy carpet cleaning solutions that are free of chlorine.
4. Using Enzymatic Cleaner
Enzyme cleaners are special cleaners that help remove cat poop stains and smells from carpets. They come in various forms, some of which you can make with products around your home.
The most common drawback of enzymatic cleaners is that they’re more expensive than other cleaning products. But if you go with the powder version, it can last for a long time, so your investment will pay off in the end.
- Carpet brush or broom
- A vacuum cleaner
- Enzymatic cleaner
- Lukewarm water
- Use a carpet brush or broom to scrub the area where the stain is located. It will help loosen the cat poop stain and make it easier to remove.
- Remove any loose debris that may have stuck on the spot. It is also crucial to vacuum any remaining dirt particles before applying any cleaning solution.
- Apply an enzymatic cleaner. It breaks down the proteins found in cat poop. This way, you can remove them from the surface of your carpet without leaving behind an odor.
- Allow the cleaner to sit for about five minutes before rinsing off with warm water or vacuuming up any remaining residue.
- If you have a household pet, take them outside for an hour after cleaning up their mess so that they don’t track any of it back inside.
Not only do enzyme cleaners remove smells and stains but also discourage your cat from going back to that spot again. Since the enzymes break down waste products into non-toxic components, they are safe for kids and pets.
Also, if you use an enzyme cleaner, your cat won’t use your carpet as a bathroom.
Are you looking for an enzyme cleaner that can keep your house clean and your pet happy? We recommend the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray, which permanently gets rid of the most stubborn stains and smells. There’s even a 100% satisfaction guarantee so you can try this cleaner risk-free! Click here to order your first bottle.
At House Grail, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool cat company!
Odor-Removers You Can Use To Get Rid Of Cat Poop Smell
Let’s now look at several other odor removers that you can use to combat cat poop smells out of your carpet.
Candles
Candles are a great way to remove the odor from your house, especially in areas where it’s hard to get rid of the smell. The best candle for this purpose is one that is made with enzymes. It’s because it can break down the odor molecules.
Also, it helps to hide the foul odor with a pleasant smell. You can use it in any area of your home that needs an odor neutralizer. It can include places such as your car, bathroom, or kitchen.
Scent Diffusers
Scent diffusers are like perfume for your room. But instead of making things smell good, they mask the smell of your cat’s poop by emitting a stronger scent into the air.
Scent diffusers are an excellent choice for cat poop smell. They are inexpensive and easy to find online or in stores. You can also buy refills. So, you don’t have to buy a new diffuser each time.
Absorbing Gels
These products often take the form of scented crystals or granules and can absorb odors. You can place them near pet beds or areas where accidents usually happen.
It’s an excellent tool if your pet has an accident while they’re alone at home. The only downside is that you need to replace them after a certain period.
Related Read: How To Get Rid of Cat Smell In The House: 5 Practical Options
Conclusion
Cat poop stains and odors are a problem that many of us have experienced before. No one wants that awful smell or unsightly mess on their living room floor!
Luckily, there are proven ways to get around this problem. You can use natural or commercial products to remove your cat’s poop stains and odors from a carpet. But, be prepared to put in a little time and effort to get rid of the stains.
If you’re a cat owner, apply any of these practical options in this article, and your problem will be gone. If you don’t have pets, you can still share this article with someone who does have one. They’ll appreciate it!
You might also be interested in: How to Get Cat Poop Stains and Smells Out of a Couch: 8 Potential Methods
Featured Image Credit: Andrey_Popov, Shutterstock
