How to Clean Dog Poop and Diarrhea Out of Carpet

Dog poop on the carpet is unpleasant at the best of times, and diarrhea is worse: it soaks in, spreads, and stains fast. Done right, though, most accidents come out completely. The keys are removing as much as possible before you add any liquid, using cool water, treating the residue so no stain or smell is left, and cleaning up hygienically, because pet waste can carry germs.

This guide covers solid poop, diarrhea, dried stains, upholstery and hard floors. It is about cleaning; at the end there is a short note on when to call your veterinarian.

Clean up hygienically

The CDC advises cleaning up any dog urine, poop or vomit in the house immediately and disinfecting the area well, using disposable gloves, and washing your hands thoroughly afterwards with soap and running water. The CDC notes that dog poop can carry germs, including parasite eggs, that can make people and other animals sick. Keep children and other pets away from the area until you are done.

What you need

Disposable gloves
Plastic bags
A dull scraper: a plastic spatula, putty knife or stiff cardboard
Paper towels or white cloths (colored cloths can transfer dye)
Cool water
An absorbent powder
A pet stain and odor product made for organic messes
A brush

Solid poop on carpet

Pick it up whole. With a gloved hand inside a bag, or with a scraper, lift the poop in one go. Do not press down on it.
Scrape off what is left. Gently scrape any residue toward the center of the spot and into the bag.
Blot with cool water. Dampen the area lightly with cool water and blot with paper towels. Repeat until the towels come up clean.
Treat the spot. Apply a pet stain and odor product, following the label and testing on a hidden area first. Work it in gently with a brush, let it sit for the time on the label, then blot.
Dry and vacuum. Let the area dry completely, then vacuum to lift the fibers.
Bag, bin, wash. Tie off the bag, put it in an outside trash bin, and wash your hands.

Diarrhea on carpet

Diarrhea needs a different start, because it is mostly liquid and rubbing it spreads it fast.

Do not wipe. Wiping pushes it deeper and wider.
Lift what you can. Use a scraper or spoon to scoop up the thicker parts, working from the edges toward the center.
Cover with absorbent powder. Pour a thick layer of absorbent powder over the whole area. It soaks up liquid and firms up the rest so you can lift it. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes (or longer for a large mess), then scoop it into a bag. Repeat if the area is still wet.
Blot with cool water. Mist lightly with cool water and blot with paper towels, pressing straight down. Repeat until the towels come up clean. A wet vacuum or carpet extractor helps here.
Treat and disinfect. Apply a pet stain and odor product made for organic messes. If you also want to disinfect, use a product labeled for use on carpet, follow the label exactly, and test it on a hidden area first, since many disinfectants can bleach or damage carpet.
Let it dry fully, then vacuum. Check for any remaining stain once dry and treat again if needed.

Dried poop or old stains

Pick off and bag any dried pieces (with gloves).
Rewet the spot with cool water or your stain and odor product and let it soften for several minutes.
Scrape gently and blot.
Treat with your stain and odor product, let it work, blot and dry.
If a brown mark remains after drying, use a carpet stain remover labeled safe for your carpet, testing it first.

Upholstery, couches and beds

Check the care tag first. W means water-based cleaners are fine, S means solvent only, WS means either, and X means vacuum only (call a professional).
Remove and wash covers if the tag allows.
Use as little liquid as possible on the cushion so the mess does not soak into the foam. Apply cleaner to a cloth rather than spraying the fabric.
Dog beds and blankets: remove solids, then machine wash if the label allows. The CDC suggests cleaning pet bedding and the areas where your pet spends time, and, when pets have certain infections, cleaning pet items outside so germs do not spread to surfaces in your home.

Hard floors

Hard floors are easier, but the same hygiene applies. Pick up solids, wipe with paper towels, then clean and disinfect with a product suitable for your floor type, following the label. Pay attention to grout lines and gaps between boards, where residue can collect.

Mistakes to avoid

Rubbing or scrubbing hard, which spreads the mess and frays carpet.
Hot water or steam on fresh organic stains. Heat can set organic stains; cool water is safer for the first clean-up.
Mixing cleaning products, especially bleach with ammonia, which can release dangerous fumes.
Ammonia-based cleaners, which the ASPCA notes can draw a pet back to a soiled spot.
Skipping the hand wash. Wash with soap and running water even if you wore gloves.

When to call your veterinarian

An occasional loose stool can happen, but some signs need a vet. The veterinary charity PDSA advises contacting your vet if your dog has bloody diarrhea, diarrhea without blood that lasts more than two to three days, low energy, a painful belly, or signs of dehydration such as sticky gums or sunken eyes.

Repeated accidents in a house-trained dog are also worth mentioning to your vet. For dogs that are still learning, see our potty training basics.

Did it come in on someone’s shoe? See how to get dog poop off shoes.

Diarrhea that keeps coming back can be giardia. See how to clean your home after giardia and talk to your vet.

Keep a cleanup kit ready

Having gloves, an absorbent powder, a stain and odor product and a brush in one place makes a bad moment much faster to fix. Our Pet Cleanup Kit includes all four plus a black light. For other messes, see pet urine smell in carpet and pet vomit on carpet.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get diarrhea out of carpet without spreading it?

Do not wipe. Scoop up what you can, cover the area with a thick layer of absorbent powder, wait, lift it, then blot with cool water and treat.

Can I use a steam cleaner after cleaning up poop?

Not for the first clean-up. Remove the mess and treat it with cool water and a stain and odor product first. Heat on a fresh organic stain can set it.

How do I get rid of the poop smell in carpet?

The smell usually means residue is still in the fibers or backing. Treat the spot again with a pet odor product, a little wider than the stain, and let it dry completely.

Is dog poop dangerous to touch?

It can carry germs and parasite eggs, according to the CDC. Use gloves, keep children away from the area, and wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.

Sources

CDC: Dogs (Healthy Pets)
CDC: About Giardia and pets
PDSA: Vomiting in dogs (includes diarrhoea warning signs)
ASPCA: Urine marking (on ammonia cleaners)

This guide is general cleaning information, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog’s health, contact your veterinarian.