How to Get Poop Smell Out of Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You have poop smell in clothes and want to remove it. Maybe a baby blew out, a pet had an accident, or you’re dealing with a bathroom mishap. Poop smell is caused by bacteria and organic matter that bond with fabric fibers. Here’s how to get poop smell out of clothes without damaging the fabric.

Poop smell in clothes is caused by bacteria and organic matter (proteins and fats) that bond with fabric fibers and produce a persistent odor. The key to removing poop smell is killing the bacteria (vinegar, Lysol, hot water), breaking down the organic matter (enzymes, baking soda), and deodorizing (baking soda, vinegar).

To get poop smell out of clothes, rinse with cold water, apply Dawn dish soap, soak in vinegar for 30 minutes, apply baking soda paste, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water with baking soda and OxiClean, add Lysol to the rinse, add vinegar to the rinse, and dry in the sun. Don’t use hot water for the initial rinse, don’t use fabric softener, and don’t put smelly clothes in the dryer without checking.

Step-by-Step: Removing Poop Smell from Clothes

Step 1: Rinse with Cold Water

Rinse the soiled area with cold water. Cold water removes the waste without setting protein stains.

Step 2: Remove Solid Waste

Remove any solid waste from the clothes. Flush it down the toilet.

Step 3: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the soiled area. Let sit for 15 minutes. Dawn breaks down the fats and organic matter.

Step 4: Soak in White Vinegar

Soak the clothes in white vinegar for 30 minutes. Vinegar kills bacteria and neutralizes odors.

Step 5: Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and water. Apply to the soiled area. Let sit for 30 minutes. Baking soda absorbs odors.

Step 6: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 7: Wash in Hot Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Add half a cup of baking soda and 1 scoop of OxiClean to the wash.

Step 8: Add Lysol to the Rinse

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse for disinfecting.

Step 9: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser for the rinse.

Step 10: Dry in the Sun

Dry the clothes in direct sunlight if possible. UV rays kill bacteria and remove odors.

Step 11: Clean the Machine After

Clean the washer with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner to kill any remaining bacteria.

Additional Products

Use Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam for food stains.

Use Amodex Ink and Stain Remover for ink.

What Not to Do

Don’t use hot water for the initial rinse. Hot water sets protein stains permanently. Use cold water first.

Don’t use fabric softener. Fabric softener coats fibers and traps odors. Use white vinegar instead.

Don’t put smelly clothes in the dryer without checking. Dryer heat can set odors. Check first.

Don’t wash soiled clothes with other clothes. Bacteria can spread. Wash separately.

Don’t let soiled clothes sit. The longer waste sits, the harder the smell is to remove. Rinse immediately.

FAQ

How do you get poop smell out of clothes? Rinse with cold water, apply Dawn dish soap, soak in vinegar for 30 minutes, apply baking soda paste, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water with baking soda and OxiClean, add Lysol to the rinse, add vinegar to the rinse, and dry in the sun.

What kills poop smell in clothes? White vinegar, baking soda, Lysol Laundry Sanitizer, hot water, and sunlight kill poop smell in clothes.

Should you use hot or cold water for poop stains? Use cold water for the initial rinse to remove waste without setting protein stains. Use hot water for the wash cycle to kill bacteria.

Does vinegar remove poop smell from clothes? Yes. White vinegar kills bacteria and neutralizes odors. Soak soiled clothes in vinegar for 30 minutes before washing.

References

1. Tide. “Odor Removal Guide.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Remove Poop Smell from Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Odor Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Lysol. “Laundry Sanitizer Guide.” lysol.com.