My cat is undoubtedly one of the most precious things in my life. Even though I love her to bits and pieces, there’s nothing quite as revolting as cleaning her poop off the furniture, or the blankets, or any other inappropriate place that she treats as her litter box.
Cat poop on the blankets is very unhygienic as it could possibly be harboring bacteria and parasites. It also leaves a foul odor which is hard to drive out.
But, after a lot of trial and error, I have found the most effective and thorough way of dealing with this mishap that is sure to leave your blankets in exactly the same condition that they were before your cat decided to get down and dirty.
Read the rest of the article to know more!
Give Your Cat the Perfect Day
Get the Free Ebook!
Preparing For The Clean-up
Before you start doing the deed, you need to suit up first. Wear gloves to avoid contact with the excreted waste. Cat poop could contain parasites and bacteria which are highly transmissible.
So take all precautions, and cover your hands properly.
For removing the stain, you could either use a store brought stain remover, or make one yourself. You can do this by mixing ½ tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar into 2 cups of warm water.
You could also use an eyedropper to apply hydrogen peroxide and then 1-2 droplets of ammonia.
You would also be needing an enzyme cleaner, some paper towels, and baking soda powder for the cleaning process.
Now that you have gathered all the necessary equipment, let’s get started!
Removing The Solid Waste
The very first step is by taking out the poop and throwing it out. You are going to want to be wearing gloves for this, and also put your gloved hands in a plastic bag to avoid all contact.
Pick up the waste and put it in the garbage bag. Tie it up and throw it in the trash can.
Treating The Stain
1. Remove The Stains
Before giving the stained blanket for laundry, you should apply a stain-fighting solution to ensure that the stain isn’t long-lasting.
You could either make a homemade solution, as has been taught above or buy one from a local dispensary.
Dabble some of the solutions on the stained areas and wait for 5-10 mins for it to soak in.
2. Apply enzyme-cleaner
You will need to disseminate the enzyme molecules in the poop stains by applying an enzyme cleaner.
An enzyme cleaner destroys the molecules that the blanket will have absorbed from the poop. You can purchase it from the store or DIY by mixing sugar, yeast, water, and citrus peel. The cleaner will work great for removing any residue odor from the blanket also.
3. Wait for a few minutes
Wait for 5-10 mins to allow the cleaner solution to sink into the blanket. Once the cleaner starts bubbling up or frothing, remove it with a paper towel. If an enzyme cleaner is not readily available, you could use ammonia or hydrogen peroxide as substitutes.
4. Blot the poop stains
After the enzyme cleaner has set in, quickly rub it with a paper towel to remove the stain. Take a clean paper towel or cloth and start applying light pressure to blot the stain. Start from the outside and move in to avoid spreading the stain.
Repeat the enzyme cleaning procedure as and when necessary. If the staining still persists, then apply the cleaner again and blot it out. Keep repeating the whole process until the stain has been eliminated entirely.
Washing The Blanket
Wash the blanket with hot water in order to kill the remaining water. Hot water is extremely effective in eliminating all parasites and bacteria.
After soaking the blanket for an appropriate amount of time, throw it in the washing machine.
Add bleach to get rid of the lingering blemishes. Choose the suitable setting and cycle that will be most conducive to the color, texture, and material of your blanket.
After the blanket has been washed, dry it out under the sun.
If stains can still be found, repeat the entire stain removing and enzyme cleaning process once again
To drive out the odor, apply a natural solution of white vinegar. Even after the stains have been removed, the sour odor of poop can be hard to eliminate. Damp a clean cloth with a solution of white vinegar and dab it onto the affected areas.
You could also use a spray bottle instead.
“If you’d like to use a spray bottle instead, mix 1/4 cup (59 mL) of vinegar with 3/4 cup (177 mL) of water and spritz the solution onto the affected areas,” says WikiHow.
Wait for the vinegar to fully settle in and then blot it out with a cloth. Use another wet cloth to remove the vinegar solution from the sheets. Drive out the excess moisture or mildew.
Afterward, you can spritz some essential oils to make the blanket fragrant.
Cleaning Solutions Comparison
| Cleaning Solution | How to Make | Effectiveness | Precautions |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Vinegar | Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water | Very effective in removing odor and stains | Avoid using on delicate fabrics, as it may damage them |
| Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide Solution | Mix 1/4 cup of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of dish soap, and 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide | Effective in removing stains and odor | Test on a small area first to make sure it doesn’t damage the fabric |
| Enzymatic Cleaner | Follow the instructions on the bottle | Very effective in breaking down organic matter and eliminating odors | May not work as well on older stains or heavily soiled areas |
| Commercial Stain Remover | Follow the instructions on the bottle | Effective in removing stains, but may not eliminate odor | Test on a small area first to make sure it doesn’t damage the fabric |
| Bleach Solution | Mix 1/4 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water | Effective in removing stains, but may damage some fabrics | Use with caution, as bleach can be harmful if not used properly |
Deodorizing The Blanket
Use baking soda to remove any lingering odor. Pur it through a sifter and distribute it evenly across the blanket. Let it stay for some time and then vacuum it.
Afterward, take the blanket outside and spread it out under the sun. This should further eliminate any sour scents and will also work well for killing the bacteria.
If this is not possible, then keep it under the fan and let the air circulate till the blanket fully dries.
Preventing Future Stains
If your cat is pooping on the blankets, then that means her litter box regime has not yet been fully established. Train your fur baby to litter in the waste box, and waste box only.
Cats are picky, so choose a box that she likes and is comfortable with. Clean it regularly and keep it inaccessible places.
Establish boundaries between where your cat sleeps and where she litters. Keep the two places separate and allocate distinct regions for the same.
If her litter habits still refuse to change, then contact the vet.
To protect your blanket from any such surprises in the future, invest in blanket covers and tuck your mattresses and sheets with protective toppers. This will prevent your blanket in case your cat repeats such behavior.
Even cleaning the covers can be a hassle, but it is still a better alternative than the stains on your blanket.
Precautions and Tips
| Precaution/Tips | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Wear gloves | Protects your hands from bacteria and germs |
| Test cleaning solution on a small area first | Prevents damage or discoloration to the fabric |
| Use cold water | Hot water can set the stain and make it more difficult to remove |
| Avoid using bleach | Can damage or discolor the fabric |
| Hang the blanket to dry | Avoid putting it in the dryer to prevent shrinking or damage to the fabric |
Quick Recap: How To Clean Cat Poop Off The Blanket?
Learn how to effectively clean cat poop off your favorite blanket with our step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Remove the poop
Using a disposable glove, gently remove any solid pieces of poop from the blanket. If the poop is still wet, use a spoon or spatula to scrape it off.
Step 2: Soak the blanket
Fill a bucket or sink with cool water and add a small amount of mild detergent. Submerge the blanket in the water and let it soak for 10-15 minutes. This will help loosen any remaining poop and stains.
Step 3: Hand-wash the blanket
Gently scrub the blanket with your hands, focusing on any stained areas. Rinse the blanket thoroughly with cool water.
Step 4: Spot-treat any remaining stains
If there are still visible stains, apply a stain remover or a mixture of water and vinegar to the affected areas. Let it sit for a few minutes before washing the blanket again.
Step 5: Machine-wash the blanket
Place the blanket in the washing machine and add a small amount of mild detergent. Wash the blanket on a gentle cycle using cool water.
Step 6: Dry the blanket
Once the washing cycle is complete, remove the blanket from the washing machine and hang it up to air-dry. Avoid using a dryer, as the high heat can damage the fabric.
Interesting Read: Why Is My Cat Pooping On The Couch?
Frequently Asked Questions
How to clean cat poop from its fur?
Pick out the sold waste from the fur using gloved hands and throw it in the garbage. Blot out the affected fur areas using enzyme cleaner to break down the molecules. Cats are fussy about being held or restrained, so let your cat clean herself after a point. Give her a bath if you feel the need to.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, even though cat poop on the blanket is quite an unsightly situation, it can be easily rectified without a lot of difficulty or effort on your part.
After removing the solid waste, apply a stain remover to drive out the stains. Dab enzyme cleaning solution onto the blanket to break down the enzyme molecules.
Use white vinegar and baking soda to remove the sour smell of poop and then throw in the sheets for a good washing. Finally, let the blanket dry out.
To avoid this mishappening in the future, potty train your cat to litter in the waste box or invest in mattress covers.
