This Is the Least Gross Way to Get Rid of Poop Stains, According to Experts (2024)

Babies, puppies, kittens ... all so cute and also frequently the culprits behind the last type of stain you want to clean up. While unpleasant, it's possible to get rid of poop stains from clothing, carpets, rugs, and more. The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab has two tried-and-true methods depending on the location of the stain, and you probably already own most of the necessary supplies to get things back to looking (and smelling) the way they should.

What You'll Need

How to Get Poop Stains Out of Carpet and Upholstery

For furniture and rugs, you can stir up a three-ingredient homemade solution to remove the mess:

1. Start by mixing ½ tablespoon of dishwashing liquid like Dawn and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar into 2 cups of warm water.
2. Using a clean, white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent-vinegar solution and then blot until the liquid is absorbed.
3. Continue applying the solution and blotting until the stain disappears or is no longer absorbed into the cloth.
4. If the stain remains, use an eyedropper to apply hydrogen peroxide, and then apply a drop or two of ammonia. (Skip the ammonia on wool carpets — it can discolor them.)
5. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.

LAB TIP: Good Housekeeping Seal holder Bissell Professional Pet Stain and Odor has an enzyme-containing formula that tackles stains and the lingering odors that keep pets returning to soil the same spot again and again. It works on carpets, upholstery, mattresses, and even in your car.

How to Get Poop Stains Out of Fabric

Luckily for new parents, the process for removing poop from clothing is a lot simpler:

1. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover, like Shout Advanced Gel, or soak the item in warm water with an enzyme-containing laundry detergent, like Gr Persil ProClean.
2. Launder with chlorine bleach like Clorox, if safe for the fabric, or oxygen bleach like OxiClean.

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