How to Clean Dog Poop Indoors or Outside?

Everyone with a dog knows that poop isn’t always predictable. Here’s how to clean dog poop from any surface in your home, indoors or outside. Even your dog.

There’s a long list of things that can be transmitted via dog poop, which means you need to exercise caution when cleaning it both indoors and out. For the most part, this involves using common sense: wear disposable gloves when you’re cleaning it if possible, wash your hands immediately afterward, and disinfect everything you aren’t discarding.

How to Clean Dog Poop Indoors and Outdoors?

When your dog has an accident indoors, you need to clean up the mess without causing a stain, neutralize the odor, and disinfect the spot to protect against contamination. The best method to accomplish these steps depends on the surface involved but, no matter the surface, you’ll start by picking up the dog poop.

Household Tip

The Best Ways to Pick Up Dog Poop: 

To pick up  dog poop, scoop up as much as you can with a disposable pet poop scooper, then put the poo in the bag with the shovel. 

Finally Knot the end of the bag to contain odors, and discard it in an outdoor trash can.

On Carpeting or Rugs

To clean dog poop on carpeting, combine 1 cup cold water, 1 cup white vinegar, and a couple of drops of liquid dish detergent. Spray the mess and blot it repeatedly with a clean cloth to lift away any residue. Do not rub, or you may spread the stain. Soap is a great way to remove germs. The vinegar also helps disinfect the area and neutralize odors. Let the area air-dry overnight.

To get rid of lingering dog poop odors, sprinkle the area heavily with baking soda and cover it with an overturned bowl or box to keep your pet from disturbing it. Let this dry overnight, then vacuum it in the morning. Be sure to clean your vacuum immediately so you don’t spread bacteria.

Once you’ve cleaned up the dog poop, disinfect the area by dousing it with rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol . Keep your pet and children away from the area until it is thoroughly dry.

On Hard Floors

If your dog pooped on hard flooring, first pick up the mess and then wash the area with warm, soapy water and an old cloth. Scrub as needed to remove the mess then let it air dry. Once the area is dry, wipe the area with a disinfecting cloth or use this homemade floor cleaner with disinfecting properties.

How to Clean Dog Poop on Shoes

Stepping in dog poop is never pleasant. Tracking it into your home or car on the bottom of your shoes is even worse. The best way to get dog feces off your shoes depends on whether it’s fresh or dry, but neither method below requires special equipment.

To get fresh dog poop off of your shoes, scrape it away with a piece of cardboard or paper plate and discard that mess in a plastic bag. Remove the rest outdoors using a strong blast from a hose or spray bottle filled with water. Let the mess dry then follow the next step.

To get dry dog poop off of your shoes, head outside and knock the soles of your shoes together to dislodge as much of the mess as possible. Use an old, dry toothbrush to clean.