How to Clean Up Puppy Accidents

Potty training takes time, and all puppies have accidents at some point. If your pup has made a mess, do your best to clean it up as soon as possible. Whether you’re washing a bare floor, carpet, or upholstery, an enzymatic cleaner labeled for pet stains is your best option. These products contain enzymes that break down waste and kill odors. Don't worry if you’ve got a mess on your hands and don’t have a pet stain cleaner handy. In a pinch, diluted dish detergent, vinegar, and baking soda can do the trick.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Dealing with Messes on Bare Floors

1
Soak up a urine puddle with a thick wad of dry paper towels. Do your best to wipe up an accident as soon as you spot it. If you can get to a puddle while it’s still wet, absorb as much liquid as possible with paper towels. When your first wad of paper towels gets saturated, swap it out with fresh ones.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceThe Humane Society of the United StatesNational organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfareGo to source}
- If a puddle on a bare floor has already dried, skip ahead and wipe down the area with a cleaner.
2
Scoop up fecal matter with paper towels or cardboard. If you’re dealing with feces, scoop it up carefully to avoid spreading it, especially if it’s on the mushy side. Remove solid pieces with paper towels, 2 pieces of cardboard, or a sturdy plastic bag. If there’s any wet residue left behind, wipe it up with paper towels.^{[2]XResearch source}
- It’s a good idea to wear a pair of disposable gloves when you’re cleaning up your pup’s accidents, especially if you’re picking up fecal matter.
Use odor to your advantage: If you’re potty training your puppy, pick up the waste and place it outside in the spot you want your pup to go to the bathroom. It may seem super gross, but it’ll help your dog learn where it should go potty. Dogs like to potty in the same places over and over again to mark their territory.^{[3]XResearch source}
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3
Wipe down the area with an enzymatic cleaner labelled for pet messes. Once you’ve absorbed a urine puddle or removed feces, spray the soiled area with the cleaner. Let it sit for 2 or 3 minutes if the mess was fresh, or for about 10 minutes if some time passed before you could attack it. Then wipe the area thoroughly with paper towels until it’s dry.^{[4]XResearch source}
- An enzymatic cleaner breaks down the substances in pet messes that cause odors and stains. Since dogs like to go in the same spot repeatedly, eliminating all traces of the mess will help lower the chances of future accidents in the same area.
- Find an enzymatic cleaner anywhere household cleaning products are sold. Read your product’s instructions, and use it as directed so you don't damage the fabric.^{[5]XExpert SourceHaim Shemesh
  Carpet & Rug Cleaning SpecialistExpert Interview. 12 May 2020.} If you have hardwood floors, go with a product that’s labeled safe for wood.
4
Use a vinegar solution if you don’t have an enzymatic cleaner. If you don’t have a product labeled for pet messes handy, several household products make good substitutes. Mix 1 part white vinegar with 1 part water, and add a heavy splash of lemon juice to cut the vinegar smell. Transfer the vinegar solution to a clean spray bottle, or apply it using a sponge or paper towels.^{[6]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Kennel ClubThe American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.Go to source}
- Let the vinegar solution sit, then wipe it up with a dry cloth or paper towels.
- Diluted vinegar should be safe for most floors. If you’re concerned, double the solution’s water content and test it on an inconspicuous area, such as under a rug or sofa.
- In addition to covering up the vinegar smell, adding lemon can help deter your dog from pottying in that spot in the future. You can also find lemon-scented vinegar in the cleaning products aisle.
5
Remove lingering odors with baking soda.^{[7]XExpert SourceHaim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning SpecialistExpert Interview. 12 May 2020.} If you don’t have a pet mess cleaner or vinegar, or if the area still smells foul, sprinkle about ¼ cup (130 g) of baking soda over the spot. Let the baking soda sit for at least 2 or 3 hours, then vacuum the area thoroughly.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Kennel ClubThe American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.Go to source}
- If leaving the baking soda on the spot for a few hours didn’t work, sprinkle a fresh layer over the area and let it sit overnight.
- Be sure to keep your puppy away from the baking soda when you let it sit.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning Carpeted Floors

1
Blot a urine puddle to absorb it from the carpet fibers. Using springy, up-and-down blotting motions, soak up the urine with a wad of paper towels. Do not rub the carpet with side-to-side or circular motions. Once a paper towel becomes saturated, swap it out with a fresh one.^{[9]XResearch source}
- If you’re wiping up a fresh urine puddle on a hard surface, you don’t have to worry too much about the floor absorbing the mess. With carpet, on the other hand, you need to use a careful, nuanced touch to avoid rubbing the mess into the pile.
2
Remove fecal matter carefully to avoid pushing it into the carpet. Scoop up feces with paper towels, a plastic bag, or 2 pieces of cardboard. Take care not to spread the waste into the carpet fibers, especially if it's soft.^{[10]XResearch source}
- If there’s any dampness left behind, carefully blot it up with paper towels. As with urine, do your best to avoid rubbing the residue into the carpet.
3
Dampen a dried stain with wet paper towels. Carefully blot dried or caked carpet stains with paper towels soaked in cool or lukewarm water. If you’re cleaning fecal matter, remove as much solid waste as possible before you blot. Once the area is damp, dab the area with fresh, dry paper towels to soak up waste.^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Kennel ClubThe American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.Go to source}
- After you’ve soaked up residual urine or feces, you can attack the area with a cleaning product.
4
Use a toothbrush and enzymatic cleaner to reach into the pile. Spray the soiled area with an enzymatic cleaner until it’s saturated. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and use a toothbrush to penetrate deeply into carpet fibers. Then blot the area with paper towels until it’s dry.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Remember to brush and blot the fibers with upward motions to avoid pressing the stain into the carpet. When you’re finished, sanitize the toothbrush with bleach or rubbing alcohol, and use it only for cleaning jobs in the future.
- If you’re concerned the cleaner may discolor your carpet, test it first in an inconspicuous area.
5
Go with detergent or dish soap if you don’t have an enzymatic cleaner. In a pinch, dilute 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of laundry detergent or dish soap with 1 cup (240 mL) of lukewarm water. Apply it to the soiled spot with the toothbrush, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub it more with the toothbrush. Blot the spot with damp paper towels if it’s sudsy, then dab it with paper towels until the area is dry.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Laundry pretreatment products will also work, as they contain enzymes that break down the substances in urine and feces.
6
Rent a vacuum-based carpet cleaner if other methods didn’t work. If you can’t remove stubborn odors or stains, head to the hardware store and rent a carpet cleaner. Add warm water to the fill tank and cleaner to the solution compartment as directed. Squeeze the trigger as you pass the machine over a spot forward and backward, then go over the area once more without holding the trigger.^{[14]XTrustworthy SourceThe Humane Society of the United StatesNational organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfareGo to source}
- Holding the trigger as you pass over an area forward and backward injects cleaning solution into the carpet. Then going over the same spot without squeezing the trigger sucks up water and cleaning solution. Specific instructions vary, so check your product’s manual and use it as directed.
- Clear out furniture from the room and clean the entire carpet. If you only clean the accident spot, the rest of the carpet may look dingy in comparison.
Tip: Go for a vacuum-based cleaner instead of a steam cleaner. The heat produced by a steam cleaner could cause stains to set.^{[15]XTrustworthy SourceThe Humane Society of the United StatesNational organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfareGo to source}
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Washing Upholstered Furniture

1
Check your upholstery’s tag for cleaning instructions. You should see “S,” “W,” “SW,” or “X” on your furniture’s tag. “S” means you can only use water-free, solvent-based upholstery cleaners, which you can purchase wherever cleaning products are sold. “W” stands for water only, and “SW” means both water and solvents are safe.^{[16]XResearch source}
- If your tag is labeled “S,” head to the store and purchase a specialty upholstery cleaner instead of taking a chance with other cleaning products. You can also find upholstery and carpet cleaners specially made for “W” upholstery.
- “X” means the upholstery should only be professionally cleaned.
2
Start by blotting up urine or removing feces. If the accident occurred on a removable cushion, take it off before waste can soak through to the furniture’s body. Carefully blot urine or scoop up feces, and do your best to avoid rubbing the waste into the upholstery.^{[17]XResearch source}
- If the spot has dried, remove any solid waste, gently blot the area with damp paper towels, then soak up waste with dry paper towels. Be sure not to use water if your upholstered item is labeled “S.” Just spray it with a solvent-based upholstery cleaner.
Managing a mattress mess: If you have the misfortune of cleaning a mattress mess, remove any solid waste, strip the sheets and blankets, throw them in the laundry, and add ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of vinegar to the washing machine. Then work on the mattress stain using the same steps as an upholstered piece of furniture.^{[18]XTrustworthy SourceConsumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testingGo to source}
3
Treat the stain with a cleaner that's labeled safe for your upholstery. Use a solvent-based or enzymatic cleaner, and make sure the product you use is labeled for your upholstered item’s letter code. Spray the soiled area, let the cleaner sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then blot the area thoroughly with dry paper towels.^{[19]XTrustworthy SourceConsumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testingGo to source}
- If you're cleaning a mattress, or if water is safe to use on your upholstered furniture, you can also blot the area with 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of dish detergent mixed with 1 cup (240 mL) of lukewarm water.
4
Neutralize odors with baking soda.^{[20]XExpert SourceHaim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning SpecialistExpert Interview. 12 May 2020.} After treating the stain and blotting the area dry, sprinkle about ¼ cup (130 mg) of baking soda over the accident spot. Let it sit for at least 2 to 3 hours, then vacuum it up using the bristled hand attachment.^{[21]XResearch source}
- Pet odors can sink deep into soft, upholstered surfaces. The baking soda will help absorb and neutralize foul odors.
- Baking soda is safe for most types of upholstery, but it’s always wise to test any cleaning product on an inconspicuous area first.
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Expert Q&A

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Question
My rugs and carpets when I'm still in the process of potty-training my pet?
Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
Haim Shemesh is a Carpet and Rug Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration, a business based in New York City. Haim specializes in Oriental, Persian, handmade, and antique rug cleaning and repair. He also conducts rug restoration along with fire damage care. He has over 17 years of experience in the carpet cleaning industry. Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration has been awarded Angie's List Super Service Award in 2017 and 2018. Their clients include Staples, Ace Hotel, Momofuku, Banana Republic, and more.
Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
Expert Answer
I would recommend putting up a pet gate until your pet is potty-trained to avoid accidents. Another solution is to put down polyester and nylon rugs since these are easier to clean.
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How do I clean dry poop from the puppy's backside?
Community Answer
Wash the puppy's backside with warm water, using a clean cloth. The water will gradually soften the stool.
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Can I use Clorox spray or a scented spray just for dogs?
Community Answer
Go to a pet supply store and get dog sensitive spray, as other sprays can be harmful to your puppy.
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Tips

Potty training a puppy takes time, and accidents are inevitable. Try not to get frustrated with your furry friend. It won’t understand if you punish it after the fact, so keep your cool, clean up the mess, and work on developing a consistent potty routine.
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Feeding your pup at set meals instead of free-feeding it can help you get it on a potty schedule.
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Warnings

Avoid exposing stains to hot water or steam. High temperatures cause stains to set, and set stains are just about impossible to remove.
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