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Many dog owners have not-so-fond memories of housebreaking their pets. Like humans, older animals may be prone to incontinence. In addition, pets recovering from some types of surgery may void in inappropriate places. It’s certainly a nasty job, but delaying cleanup will only increase the chances for a permanent stain or persistent odor.
Solid stools: Pick up the stool with plastic bag, secure tightly and discard in the trash, or flush the stool (but not any plastic) down the toilet. Disinfect the site or apply a pet-accident product, sold in pet-supply stores. Follow all label instructions carefully for best results. When finished using any product, blot the area thoroughly with moistened white paper towels, and then blot dry, also using white paper towels. Ink can and does bleed from colored or decorated towels, complicating cleaning.
Diarrhea: Put on rubber or latex gloves and, using paper towels, soak up as much waste as possible. Have a plastic trash bag at hand to dispose of soiled paper towels immediately. Spray a pet-accident product containing digesters or enzymes on the site, following all label instructions carefully. Be prepared to allow the product to work for several hours – even overnight, if necessary. Depending on the instructions, you may need to follow up by disinfecting the spot. Don’t use household bleach as a disinfectant. Bleach will permanently remove color from almost all fabrics. Use white paper towels as instructed above to blot the area until dry.
Reference:
Jeff Bredenberg, editor, in Clean It Fast, Clean It Right: The Ultimate Guide to Making Everything You Own Sparkle & Shine.
