Chuck asked, “Does anyone know how to clean up stuck to the floor cat poop?”
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Sometimes dried poop happens. There are two main ways to remove it; either by scraping it off or dissolving it. Use the information in the steps below to clean it up.
Removing the Dried Poop
You Will Need:
- Plastic scraper
- Paper towel
- Enzyme digester
Steps to Remove the Poop:
- Scrape it off with a plastic scraper. If the poop is somewhat clumpy (not diarrhea), it will be easiest to simply scrape it off the surface. However, use caution to prevent scratching the floor.¹
- If the poop is more like diarrhea and has dried very flat, it may be easier to dissolve it. Fold a paper towel into quarters, soak the paper towel and wring it out slightly so that it is still wet but not dripping. Place the folded paper towel over the poop and let it stay there for about 30 minutes. Once the poop has softened, you can then scrape it off or scrub it off the surface more easily. Do not leave the wet paper towel down too long or it could cause water damage on some types of floors.
- If plain water is not working to soften the poop, use an enzyme digester that is safe for the surface, such as Nature’s Miracle Hard Floor Cleaner. If the poop is from a bird, you can use Poop-Off.¹
Additional Tips and Advice
- Disinfect the area after the poop has been removed, as well as the plastic scraper.
- When you are finished cleaning, thoroughly wash your hands.²
- To treat any lingering odor, sprinkle baking soda over the spot and pour a bit of vinegar onto the baking soda. Let the mixture fizz, then wipe up the solution.³
- If you need more scrubbing power, you can use either an old electric toothbrush or a scrub brush attachment for a drill. However, be careful not to scrub the area so much that it damages the floor.
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Sources
- Pet Clean-Up Made Easy by Don Aslett
- Cleaning Plain & Simple by Donna Smallin
- Green Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck
Thank you!
I need to remove diarrhea from porous concrete. Just wanted to add/suggest…
When you are soaking the paper towel, add baking soda in the water you are soaking the towel with. Get a head start. We have an H.R.V so the smell would likely circulate quickly while on.
I love baking soda!
Hi, I have a cat and sometimes she uses her litter box and sometimes she, well, poops on the hard wood floor; and she is driving m nuts. After cleaning as much of the stuff in the bathroom yesterday, she still pooped on the floor. We are going to take her to the vets; there could be something wrong with her, but in the mean time, would you have any suggestions, please?
Linda,
There are a variety of potential causes besides medical conditions.
1) Your cat might not like the litter, either due to it being scented, the texture of it (large pebbles, small granules, powdery, etc.) or the depth. Try putting out several boxes, each with a different kind of litter to determine which litter your cat likes best. You can try those boxes for a few days, see which she prefers, then change the depths of the litter to see if that sways her preference at all.
2) Your cat might not like the litter box. Some cats also prefer covered boxes. You could also try using a larger box, such as a plastic storage container with low sides. (If you can’t find one with low sides, you could cut the sides to be lower, but be sure to file the cut edges with sandpaper so they are not sharp.) You can also try changing the location of the box – try putting it in the location that she normally poops, even if it just one foot to the right. If you think she could be missing the box (standing in the box while pooping, but she’s against the edge so it falls out), get a larger box or one with higher sides.
3) Another thing you can try is making the location she poops outside the box less appealing. This can be done with deterrant scents (available at pet supply stores); just be sure that it is safe for the wood or put it on something other than the wood, like a paper towel. Another option is to make the area physically unappealing, such as by putting aluminum foil on the floor or double-sided tape.
Source: CattleDog Publishing – What To Do When Your Cat Poops Outside The Box
Source: ASPCA – Litter Box Problems
Hi there. Would these methods also work on a wooden deck, outside? Our little dog pooped quite a bit over the winter. Thanks.
Hope,
Nature’s Miracle Hard Floor Cleaner is meant to be used on sealed wood, not unfinished wood. If your deck is sealed, then it should be fine. If it’s not sealed, try the methods in the guide How to Remove Stains from Unfinished Wood.
Source: Nature’s Mirale – Hard Floor Stain and Odor Remover
Hello,
You said “if the poop is from a bird, you can use Poop-Off”. Just what is and where can I get this product – Poop-Off?
I have an old log house that had been broken into by black birds. The floors were a mess with dried poop everywhere. I sprayed the heavy spots with WD-40 and let it soak. I then scraped the spots with a plastic scraper, then rubbed the needed spots with 0000 steel wool and wiped the floor with a cloth. The floor looks amazing and I’m happy to see no stain traces left behind.
Alfred,
The product is “Poop-Off Bird Poop Remover” and it is available as either a spray or as wipes. It can be found at major pet stores, such as PetSmart, as well as online from Amazon or pet store websites. It is also available through Walmart.com.