Are you tired of the dog poop odor and the stains your puppy keeps leaving around the house? I’m sure you are because I know how it feels to constantly deal with bad smells and unpleasant stains on the carpet. Luckily, I learned how to eliminate dog poop odor using simple techniques that I’ll explain to you in a minute! I’ve spent hours trying to clean up messes and I even had professionals come and take my carpet for cleaning several times.
That didn’t prove effective because, well, the dog kept doing his business where he wasn’t supposed to. Unfortunately, that’s something that every dog owner has to deal with, at least until the dog is properly trained to take his business outside. However, you don’t have to go through the same struggle I went through because I will show you how you can effectively remove dog odor from the house and enjoy living with your pets.
For starters, you never know when your dog is going to leave you a little surprise so it’s always better to be prepared. Planning ahead can make the process much easier, so make sure to check out the list below to learn which items you’ll need to clean dog urine from the carpet or get rid of odor and stains. Read carefully through the step-by-step tutorial and make sure to pay attention to the pro tips I’ll leave around for you!
What You Will Need To Follow This Tutorial
- Disposable rubber gloves
- You can also use rubber gloves that are not disposable but I definitely recommend using disposable ones because you don’t have to wash them and you can always pick up a clean pair (they are very cheap)
- A dustpan
- A scrubbing brush (or two, the more the merrier)
- A paint scraper
- A bucket
- Paper towels (the thicker, the better)
- Pre-wash laundry stain remover + soap or a carpet cleaning solution
If you’re caught by an unexpected surprise, any laundry stain remover will do the job but if you want to be prepared for the intervention, I recommend planning ahead and purchasing some of the professional cleaning solutions. Be on a lookout for pro tips in the step-by-step section to find out which solutions can best remove dog odor from the house!
- Detergent
- Baking soda
- Vinegar or lemon juice as an alternative
- Air freshener (of your choice)
How to Eliminate Dog Poop Odor: Step-by-Step Instructions
STEP 1: Removing the poop
So your dog has done his business. The first step of the cleaning process, also known as the most unpleasant one, is to scoop the poop off the carpet. You may not like this but there’s no one else to do it so you may just go for it and get it done faster! Use the paint scraper to pick up the poop onto the dustpan and dispose of it into the trash. Make sure you’ve picked up every little piece to avoid spreading it around and making an even bigger mess. If there is any residue left that the scraper can’t pick up, use paper towels to gently wipe it off. However, don’t scrape or wipe too hard because you will get the stain even further into the carpet.
STEP 2: Spraying the stain remover
Once you’ve picked up and removed the poop, you need to spray the stain remover directly onto the crime scene.
Pro Tip #1: If you want to effectively remove dog odor from the house, you’ll need to be prepared for the cleaning process. While any stain remover will help if you’re in a rush, I personally recommend using the Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain and Odor Eliminator. This stain remover is completely eco-friendly and it’s safe to use around pets and even children. Besides, it’s one of the Amazon’s best sellers for a reason. The product will be gentle on your carpet and won’t cause any discoloring at all. Another great product you can use to clean dog urine from the carpet is Bubba’s Pet Stain and Odor Remover that features a scientific formula for effective on-the-spot stain cleaning.
STEP 3: Let the stain remover set in
After you’ve sprayed the area, give it a few minutes for the spray to settle in and resolve the stain. Meanwhile, use a bucket to prepare the cleaning solution you will be using in the next step. Use cold water and add some dishwasher detergent (or any mild detergent for that matter) to make the water soapy.
Pro Tip #2: If you want to clean your carpet like a professional, I recommend using a special carpet cleaning solution called Nature’s Miracle Deep Cleaning Pet Stain and Odor Carpet Shampoo. You can get it on Amazon or in almost any retail store. This solution is guaranteed to do the job effectively without causing discoloring on the carpet.
STEP 4: Scrub the area
Use the scrubbing brush to thoroughly scrub the stained area of the carpet. Make sure to rinse the brush in the soapy water regularly to make sure the cleaning solution is applied well. If you’re dealing with a stubborn stain, you might need to repeat the scrubbing process a few times until the stain is no longer visible. To speed up the process, you can spray the stain remover a few times while scrubbing as well! This step is crucial for the stain and odor removal process so don’t rush it.
STEP 5: Absorb the moisture
Once the stain is no longer visible, your carpet will be wet from the cleaning solutions. This is where the paper towels jump in, as you have to absorb as much moisture as possible. To do so, place the paper towel onto the wet area and press gently. Keep pressing around the area and replace the damp paper towels with fresh ones regularly. Repeat this process until the paper towel you use no longer gets damp. That means the majority of the moisture is absorbed and you can move onto the next step of the process.
STEP 6: Prepare the mixture for odor removal
At this point, it may seem like the stain is gone and your problem is solved. However, once the carpet dries off, it might still have that awful dog poop odor, which can sometimes even get worse when mixed with cleaning supplies. Therefore, you need to make a special vinegar and water mixture that will completely remove the odor from the carpet. I recommend making half a cup of the mixture but, if the stain is larger, feel free to make more, as long as you’re following the 50:50 ratio. Add 50% of white vinegar and 50% water into the cup and mix it together.
Pro tip #3: If you don’t have any vinegar at home or if you think it’s going to be too harsh on the carpet, you can use lemon juice as a safe alternative. It has similar acid properties to vinegar and it will work as effective.
STEP 7: Pour the mixture onto the carpet
Apply the water and vinegar mixture you prepared onto the stained area of the carpet. If you have a spray bottle, you can use it to spray the mixture evenly onto the surface. Scrub the mixture into the carpet to allow it to sink in nicely. You can do so using a clean scrubbing brush or by simply scrubbing it in with your fingers. Let the mixture sink in for a few minutes and if there is any excess moisture, absorb it with paper towels just like in step #5.
Pro Tip #4: Before you go ahead and spill the mixture on the carpet, you should test it on a carpet area that’s not so visible (behind the couch or under the table). This way you can test the mixture to see if it will cause any damage to the carpet, such as whitening. If the mixture proves safe on that little portion of the carpet, feel free to use it on the actual stained area.
STEP 8: Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet
With the vinegar and water mixture settled in, you can move onto the baking soda. Take a handful of baking soda and sprinkle it over the stained area. This is one of the best ways to clean dog urine from the carpet and it’s guaranteed to remove the odor as well. However, simply sprinkling it over the stain won’t work that well. You need to scrub it in with your fingers to make sure it sets in nicely. Now you need to let the baking soda dry off. It’s best to leave it to dry overnight but make sure to secure the area so your dog can’t get to it and accidentally lick it, as that can be harmful. If you cannot let it dry overnight, at least give it a few hours. You can speed up the drying process by using a fan or a heater.
STEP 9: Vacuum the soda
When the baking soda dries off, you will be able to vacuum it off the carpet. Make sure to vacuum thoroughly in order to ensure there’s no baking soda left on the floor. The residue of the substance can be harmful to your pet or children so take your time to clean it all up.
STEP 10: Freshen up the air
With the stain gone, the soda will absorb all the remaining odor from the carpet. Once you vacuum it, you will be left with a clean, odorless carpet without stains or traces of your dog’s mess. To complete the process, use an air freshener of your choice to freshen up the room!
To Wrap It All Up
Being prepared for surprise messes and knowing how to eliminate dog poop odor is going to make living with pets much easier. I’ve struggled with dog poop disasters for months until my dog finally learned the trick of doing the business outside but knowing these cleaning techniques has certainly made the struggle a lot less difficult.
Let me know if you’ve found this tutorial helpful. And if you have any extra tips/advice on how to clean dog urine from the carpet and remove dog odor from the house. Feel free to share the article if you liked it and help your friends and family who have pets!