[Skip to Content]
University of Illinois Extension
Feces and excrement

Feces and excrement

Treat stains as soon as possible after staining. The older the stain, the more difficult it will be to remove.

All stain removal methods should be applied prior to laundering washable garments. Stains that have been laundered and dried are almost impossible to remove.

Washable Fabrics

What you will need

  • Blunt kitchen knife
  • Liquid hand dishwashing Detergent
  • Ammonia
  • Enzyme product
  • Chlorine bleach or oxygen bleach
Caution: Never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia - fumes are hazardous.

Steps to Clean

  1. Scrape off excess material.
  2. Soak for 15 minutes in mixture of 1 quart lukewarm water, one-half teaspoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon ammonia.
  3. Rub gently from back to loosen stain.
  4. Soak another 15 minutes in above mixture. Rinse.
  5. Soak protein stain in enzyme product for at least 30 minutes. Soak aged stains for several hours. Launder.
  6. If color stain remains, launder, using chlorine bleach if safe for fabric, or with oxygen bleach.

Carpet

What you will need

  • Dull knife
  • Diluted carpet shampoo
  • Vacuum cleaner

Steps to Clean

  1. Remove excess material by blotting up liquids with a clean absorbent towel and scraping up solids with the dull edge of a knife.
  2. Sponge lightly with cool water and blot several times.
  3. Apply diluted carpet shampoo (1 part liquid carpet shampoo to 4 parts water) with a brush or towel. 
  4. Let the area dry thoroughly, and then vacuum.
  5. Repeat if needed.

Or


Chemical solvents and supplies

  • Absorbent towels
  • White vinegar
  • Detergent
  1. Remove excess material by blotting up liquids with a clean absorbent towel and scraping up solids with a dull edge of a knife.
  2. Sponge the area with a solution of one (1) teaspoon white vinegar and one (1) teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent in one (1) quart of warm water. 
  3. Let the carpet dry.  If spot remains, try again.

Steps to Clean

Upholstery

What you will need

  • Detergent
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Ammonia

Steps to Clean

  1. Mix one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with two cups of cool water.
  2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution.
  3. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
  4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.
  5. If the stain remains, use an eye dropper to apply hydrogen peroxide; and then apply a drop or two of ammonia.
  6. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.