How to Get Poop Stains & Smells Out of Clothes

A toddler girl in a red polka-dot dress crawls away on a green lawn, her diaper visable underneath.

Poop stains can be tough to remove because they contain proteins, fats, and pigments that bind quickly to fabric fibers. The sooner you treat the stain, the easier it is to remove both the visible mark and lingering odor. Whether it’s clothing, underwear, baby clothes, bedding, or even unwashables like carpets and couches, the right steps and cleaning and laundry products can help restore fabrics to clean.

Why are poop stains so hard to remove?

Poop stains are especially stubborn because they’re made up of organic matter like proteins and enzymes that quickly absorb into fabric. Once they dry, they can set deeper into fibers, making them harder to lift in a normal wash. Heat can also make the problem worse. Washing or drying stained clothing in hot water or high heat can lock the stain in, which is why cold water treatment is so important at the start.

What to use to remove poop stains

How to get poop stains & smell out of clothes & sheets

  1. Rinse excess waste

    Avoid rubbing, which can push the stain deeper into the fabric.

  2. Rinse with cold water

    Flush the stained area under cold running water as soon as possible.

  3. Pretreat the stain

    For small stains, apply Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover directly and let set for 5 to 10 minutes. For large stains, dilute Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover with water and soak garment for up to 60 minutes. Do not let the product dry on the fabric.

  4. Wash as directed

    Wash the item using your regular detergent in the warmest water recommended on the care label. For colored clothing, you can add Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover to the wash as well. For white, bleach-safe fabrics, add 1/2 cup of Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach in standard machines or ¼ cup in HE machines to help sanitize.

    Tip

    For odor removal, pour the appropriate amount of Clorox FreshGuard™ Laundry Odor Remover to your machine’s fabric softener dispenser or directly to rinse cycle.

  5. Check before drying

    If any stain remains, repeat the pretreat and wash steps. Avoid heat until the stain and odor is completely gone.

Tips for removing poop stains from baby clothes

These same steps work for baby clothes. Because these fabrics often have larger or more concentrated stains (like diaper blowouts), they may need an extra round of pretreatment and washing to fully remove both stain and odor.

How to remove poop stains from carpets, couches & car seats

Carpet stains need quick treatment since they can’t be machine washed. Start by removing any solid waste, then blot (don’t rub) the area with a clean cloth to absorb moisture. Apply Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover, let stand 5 to 10 minutes, and blot again with a clean damp towel to remove product residue. It can also be used on odor and tougher stains on color-safe rugs, following label directions. Repeat as needed, then blot dry and allow to air dry completely.

What to avoid when removing poop stains

  • Don’t let the stain dry – treat it as soon as possible.
  • Don’t rub the stain – remove solids gently and rinse instead.
  • Don’t use hot water before the stain is removed.
  • Don’t overload the washer, which can reduce cleaning performance.
  • Don’t machine dry until the stain and any lingering odor are gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover to pre-treat before placing my clothing in a High Efficiency washing machine?

Yes, Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover can be used with both standard and HE washing machines.

Can Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover extend the life of my clothes?

Yes. Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover can help your colors avoid looking dull from stains and from washing, extending the life of your clothes. Pretreat for best results.

What’s the best way to remove poop stains?

The best way to get poop stains and smells out of clothes and sheets is to pretreat stains and wash fabrics with products made for their color and care needs. Use Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach on white, bleach-safe laundry to help remove stains and sanitize fabrics. For colored clothes, sheets, carpets and couches, use Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover to tackle stains while helping keep colors bright, and add Clorox FreshGuard™ Laundry Odor Remover to the wash to help remove lingering odors.

Should you use hot or cold water to remove poop stains?

Start with cold water to rinse away as much of the stain as possible. Hot water can cause protein-based stains to set, making them more difficult to remove, so wait until after the stain has been treated and washed before using heat.

Can wet toilet paper help get poop stains out?

Wet toilet paper can help lift solid waste in a pinch, but it won't effectively remove stains or odors. For best results, rinse the fabric with cold water, pretreat the stain, and wash according to the care label using the appropriate laundry products.

Does poop smell stick to clothes?

Yes, poop odors can linger in fabric if clothing isn’t cleaned thoroughly. Treat the stain as soon as possible and wash the item according to the care label, checking that both the stain and odor are gone before drying. Add Clorox FreshGuard™ Laundry Odor Remover with detergent to neutralize the source of odor.

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