How to remove diarrhea stains from carpets

For those who have a new member in the family, whether it’s a little bundle of joy, or a new pet, you might be able to relate to this poopy problem. Diarrhea accidents are common and can be a complete disaster, especially if they happen on a light-colored carpet!

Fortunately, it’s simple enough to remove diarrhea stains from the carpet, so they are not a pain in the future.

To get rid of diarrhea stains, you should always start by scraping off the excess excrement. You may want to use paper towels for this. Afterward, take wet wipes or baby wipes and neatly clean the remaining excess diarrhea stain, then real stain removal can begin.

To remove diarrhea stains from the carpet, you can use:

• Distilled white vinegar
• Laundry detergent
• Baking soda
• Dish soap
• Hydrogen peroxide

What type of carpet do you have?

Before you start cleaning, you need to know what material your carpet is. Carpets are generally made of wool, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, and acrylic. All of these materials, except wool, can handle hot water.

Distilled white vinegar and dish soap

Distilled white vinegar is a versatile liquid. It can be used for cooking, cleaning and even gardening. It also has medicinal values. Combined with a dish soap, white vinegar creates a formidable household cleaning agent that will leave your carpet looking as good as new.

You will need the following:

• 1 tablespoon of dish soap
• 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar
• 2 cups of water
• A microfiber cloth

Note: More solution can be used in the same proportions, depending on the size of the affected area

Procedure:

1. After doing the first step of clearing excess excrement and wiping with baby wipes or wet paper towels, mix the two ingredients with two cups of warm water.
2. Dip the microfiber cloth in the solution, then dampen the affected region until the solution is absorbed by the carpet.
3. Let the solution act on the stain for a few minutes.
4. Using the microfiber cloth, wipe the affected area. The diarrhea stains should gradually disappear now.
5. If some of the diarrhea stains are still visible, you can add a drop of hydrogen peroxide to finish off the job. Be sure to conduct a spot test first to make sure it will not discolor your carpet
6. Blot the spot dry with paper towels to clear as much excess moisture as possible and leave to air dry.

Simple liquid detergent and water approach

Normal liquid detergent is a powerful stain removal agent that will also be effective on diarrhea stains. However, make sure that it is a non-bleaching detergent to avoid destroying your precious carpet.

To use the simple liquid detergent method, find:

• ¼ a cup of liquid detergent
• A liter of water
• A microfiber cloth
• A soft-bristled brush

Procedure:

1. Mix the detergent with the water to make a soapy solution.
2. Moisten the affected area with the solution using a microfiber cloth.
3. The stain should gradually disappear. If it doesn’t, take a soft-bristled brush and work on the diarrhea stain gently.
4. Using paper towels or a dry cloth, blot the affected region to dry it.
5. Allow the area to air dry.
6. Once dry, sprinkle baking powder or enzyme spray to completely get rid of any bad odors

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda: an effective combo

Hydrogen peroxide is known for its oxidation properties and is suitable for organic stain removal. It is good for set stains that have left stubborn marks on the carpet. However, be sure to do a spot test first on an inconspicuous part of the carpet to see how it will react to the carpet’s material.

Collect the following:

• ½ tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide
• ½ cup of baking soda
• A cup of warm water
• An old toothbrush
• A spray bottle (optional)

Procedure:

1. Add the hydrogen peroxide to the cup of water to form a solution.
2. Dampen the affected region with the hydrogen peroxide solution. If possible, put it in a spray bottle to spray it onto the stain.
3. Sprinkle baking powder onto the diarrhea stain and let it react.
4. Using an old toothbrush, rub the mixture into the carpet and let it sit for up to an hour.
5. Clean off the area with clean water and blot with paper towels or a dry cloth and let it air dry.

Frequently asked questions

Despite cleaning, I still get an odor coming from the carpet?

If you use the above methods, odors should be a thing of the past. But if the foul odor remains an issue, try cleaning the affected region with soapy water, using antibacterial soap. You can also try steaming the carpet with a steam cleaner for better results.

One of the most effective and easy solutions for dealing with stinky odors and organic stains from bodily fluids is using an enzyme cleaner. Enzyme sprays are natural and effectively work at eliminating the root cause of the odor or stain, not just eliminating. Check out this article to learn all about enzyme cleaners.  

Which method is recommended for dried diarrhea stains?

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda have oxidizing properties that are good for set-in organic stains. However, be careful as they have bleaching properties that might affect the carpet’s fabric. Make sure you do a spot test first on the material to ascertain its reaction to the oxidizing agents.

How can you tell which cleaning agent to use on a specific fabric?

Basically, the safest solution is detergent or a vinegar and water solution. Carpets are, however, made of a wide range of materials, so it is advised first to pre-determine the type and do a spot test on an inconspicuous part of the carpet, before removing the stain to see how the carpet material reacts to the cleansing agent.

Wrapping up

With a new member in a family comes a new set of responsibilities. Before your younglings and pets grow and learn how to use a potty or go outside, you may experience some accidents. Even after they are potty trained, diarrhea accidents can occur if they are sick and it comes on suddenly.

So keep some cleaning supplies on hand, they’ll come in handy when an accident strikes. And remember that a fast reaction is best, as it’s much easier to clean.