Removing faeces: pick your surface
Faeces is a protein-based stain, usually from a pet accident, a nappy failure or an unwell child. The chemistry stays the same wherever it lands — but the safe way to treat it changes completely with the surface, which is why each pairing below has its own guide.
Water-soluble
Water-based cleaning can dissolve this stain — method and temperature are what matter.
Heat sets it
Keep hot water, steam and dryers away until the faeces is fully out — heat fixes it permanently.
Fresh vs dried-in
Deal with faeces fresh if you possibly can: it is a biological stain that both stains and contaminates, and the longer it sits the deeper both problems go. Dried residue needs rehydrating with cold water before enzymes can digest it, and the area should be disinfected once the stain itself is out.
Faeces removal guides by surface
Faeces on a wool carpet
hard to remove · pro sometimes needed
Cold water and mild detergent, then an enzyme-based cleaner
Read the guideFaeces on a nylon carpet
moderate to remove
Cold water and mild detergent, then an enzyme-based cleaner
Read the guideFaeces on a polypropylene carpet
moderate to remove
Cold water and mild detergent, then an enzyme-based cleaner
Read the guideFaeces on a fabric sofa
moderate to remove
Cold water and mild detergent, then an enzyme-based cleaner
Read the guideFaeces on a mattress
hard to remove · pro sometimes needed
Cold water and mild detergent, then an enzyme-based cleaner
Read the guideFaeces on a polyester carpet
moderate to remove
Cold water and mild detergent, then an enzyme-based cleaner
Read the guide