Who pooped on the rug? DIY stain and odor remover that works

Any pet owner knows that not every accident is avoidable. Whether it’s an upset tummy, a few too many visits to the water dish before bed, or just the realities of the housetraining process — poop (and pee) happens. Even the best, most well-trained dog is likely to have a potty mishap at some point.

We’ve gathered our top cleaning tips for pet accidents and easy DIY cleaners you can whip together the next time your pup leaves a special present on the living room rug.

Reasons why dogs poop and pee on rugs

Non-house-trained or partially-house trained puppies or dogs will poop and pee indoors — that much is a given.

However, what could cause a fully trained dog to start suddenly “going” on the rug? Here are a few things to look out for.

• They have a uti
• They are going too long between bathroom outings
• They are marking their territory
• They’re stressed
• They’re stick
• You recently changed their food
• There’s been a big change in the home or their routine
• They are getting older
• It’s bad weather, and they don’t want to go outside

If your dog starts regularly using the bathroom indoors along with any other behavioral changes, such as a lack of desire for food or water or decreased energy, take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. They may have an undiagnosed health condition that needs to be addressed.

What to do if your dog pees or poops on the carpet

Once you notice a fresh pet mess (after you’ve taken your dog to go potty, of course), you must get to work immediately. The longer you let an accident sit (especially pee), the harder it will be to get clean.

Tackling the stain as soon as possible is particularly important if your dog decides to go in a carpeted room. Urine can quickly soak into the backing and stay trapped under the carpet — causing the stench to linger for years.

Step 1: Get as much of the mess cleaned up as possible. If your dog pooped on the carpet, use a plastic bag or paper towels to clean up as much as possible. If they peed, layer paper towels or newspaper over the accident and step on them.

Step 2: Saturate the area with cool water and blot it up with more paper towels. Remember: blot, don’t rub. If you have a wet vac on hand, you can also use that. This helps soak up the urine and will improve the chances of you getting the smell completely out.

Step 2: Use a DIY cleaning agent of your choice. What you use will depend on what you have on hand and how severe the stain is. If you’re cleaning poop, you will want to scrub the stain with a stiff-bristled brush after applying the cleaner.

Note: Avoid scrubbing pee spots, as this could rub the pee into the carpet fibers and make it harder to get out.

Here are the best DIY pet cleaning solutions you can use to keep your carpet looking and smelling great — even after a pet potty accident.

DIY stain and odor removers that work

As we mentioned above, timing is vital when it comes to cleaning up pet accidents. Have the ingredients on hand and be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Just like a fire extinguisher or plunger, you won’t need it until you really need it.

While you can use store-bought products to get out pet stains, many contain harmful ingredients and chemicals that could hurt you or your pet. These natural DIY options are safe, effective, and easy to make.

Ingredients to keep on hand for DIY cleaning solutions:

• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Dish soap
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Paper towels (lots and lots of paper towels)
• Carpet-safe scrub brush (for poop)

Don’t forget to test!

The one thing you don’t want to do when cleaning up a pet stain is create an even worse stain by mistake. Choose an inconspicuous part of the rug, such as the part under a couch or table, and test your DIY solution before using it to clean a stain.

It’s good to do this ahead of time to let it dry thoroughly and ensure that it doesn’t cause any damage or discoloration to your carpet. That way, you’ll be ready to jump into action if (it’s probably safe to say when) your furry friend lets it rip on the rug…

One-and-done baking soda solution

Baking soda is a proven stain and odor remover — which is why many people keep an open container in their refrigerator. This simple solution is a great quick fix if you don’t have any other ingredients on hand or the mess isn’t too severe.

This baking soda trick is also a good first step before using the other DIY cleaners on this list. If you’re using it with another cleaning method, let it sit for around 20 minutes before vacuuming.

What you’ll need:

• Baking soda
• A vacuum

What to do:

1. Sprinkle the baking soda over the stain. You will probably use about ¼ cup for average-sized stains. Don’t use too much, or you’ll have trouble getting it out.
2. Let the baking soda sit on the carpet for a few hours or overnight.
3. Vacuum it up. You might have to vacuum multiple times to remove the residual baking soda from the carpet.
4. Empty the vacuum canister right away and clean the vacuum. The baking soda harbors odor and bacteria, so you don’t want that sitting in your vacuum.  

Odor-be-gone natural carpet cleaner

Vinegar and baking soda combine in this classic DIY solution for a potent cleaner that can tackle even the worst pet messes. Unlike many store-bought “carpet deodorizers” that mask the smell, vinegar is a powerful acidic agent that neutralizes the odor for good.

Note: Mix this up right before you need it, as the vinegar and baking soda will be more effective when still bubbling.

What you’ll need:

• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• Spray bottle

What to do:

1. Add all ingredients to a spray bottle and mix thoroughly. Remember, vinegar and baking soda will bubble up when combined, so keep that in mind as you mix up this solution.
2. Spray on the stain, making sure to saturate the whole area.
3. Let sit for about five minutes.
4. Using paper towels (or an old cleaning towel or rag), blot the area until it is mostly dry. You might have to repeat this process multiple times.

Advanced odor buster

Hydrogen peroxide works to fight stains and keep your pet’s poop from leaving a permanent brown streak on your carpet. Dish soap contains enzymes to help support this process and eradicate the mess.

What you’ll need:

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Dish soap
• Spray bottle
• Water

What to do:

1. Using a funnel, add one part hydrogen peroxide, three parts water, and a few drops of dish soap to a spray bottle.
2. Shake to combine and spray over the affected area to saturate it.
3. Let it sit for about 10 minutes and blot dry with clean paper towels or rags.

Can you remove old poop and pee stains?

Getting out old pet stains and odors is a much trickier task. In fact, in severe instances, it may be impossible. But don’t despair! You can still try a few things before you write off your carpet altogether.

If none of the methods listed above were successful, these tips might help save your carpet.

• Rinse the area with cold water and vacuum with a wet-dry vacuum cleaner. Do this as many times as needed and repeat until the stain or odor is lessened. Rinsing with water rehydrates the carpet fibers and gives you a shot at removing it.

• Use an enzyme cleaner. For some really old stains, the DIY route just might not cut it. Invest in a natural enzyme cleaner specifically designed for pet messes. Enzymes cleaners break down stains and odors at the molecular level — eradicating many tough messes.

• Hire a professional. This will likely be your last resort before replacing your carpet or rug. If you’ve tried everything else and you can’t get that stain out, hire a professional carpet cleaner with experience dealing with pet accidents. They have powerful tools and solutions available that could help save your carpet. Try to find a professional that uses natural/safe cleaning products.

What not to put on a pet stain

Avoid using ammonia-based products on pee or poop spots. Many cleaning chemicals, such as carpet cleaners and even pet accident cleaners, contain ammonia. It is not only potentially harmful, but it could also encourage your dog to potty in that same spot again. These strong cleaners simply mask the smell; they don’t remove it.

Accidents happen: get a plan in place

By following these tips and utilizing DIY cleaning solutions, you’ll save your carpet the next time your furry friend can’t make it to the great outdoors. Here’s to a stain-free, odor-free home, and a happy, healthy pooch!