You’ve just brought home your new puppy and everything has been super exciting so far. They’re a sweet little bundle of energy that can do no wrong – well, that is until you step right into their poop!
We’ve all been there, and it’s one of the worst parts of having a dog. The annoyance only multiplies if you’ve stepped in someone else’s dog’s poop. Most shoes have ridges on the bottom that can seem impossible to clean thoroughly. So, how do you get dog poop off your shoe without losing your mind with all the scrubbing? In this article, we will guide you through different methods to clean dog poop off of your shoes effectively.
Method One: Use a Hose
If you step in poop outdoors, the easiest way to clean your shoe is to use a hose. Unfortunately, this method isn’t available to everyone. If you don’t have a hose, it’s too cold outside, or your shoe will be damaged by getting wet, skip ahead to method number two. Here’s how to use a hose to clean your shoe:
- Take off your shoe. You don’t want to be cleaning it while it’s on your foot, or you’ll soak yourself and possibly fall over while you try to balance!
- Rinse as much of the poop off as possible using a gentle setting (or your hose without an attachment). Set the shoe on the ground and point the hose toward it. It’s important to use a gentle setting initially so that the poop doesn’t spray back at you. You may need to use a paper towel or brush to knock some of the poop off.
- Use a “jet” setting to get between the grooves. Remember that this setting will bounce off the shoe, so don’t get too close. If you need to hold your shoe, try to spray it with the hose facing sideways instead of directly away from you. This should get the shoe mostly, if not fully, clean.
- If your shoe isn’t completely clean, use a small brush to finish up. An old toothbrush is great for this job! Simply scrub the poop loose and use the hose to wash it away.
Method Two: Scrub it Clean
If you don’t have a hose, the process to clean your shoe is pretty simple – just a little more up-close and smelly! Here’s how you get your shoe squeaky-clean:
- Remove most of the poop with a paper towel. Start with a dry one to remove clumps, then use a wet one to wash the rest off on any outer edges.
- Use a toothbrush or other small brush to clean the creases. Add some regular dish soap, point the sole of the shoe away from yourself, and scrub away to loosen all the poop. Do this outside or over a sink so that you don’t make a mess. If there’s any other dirt or debris on your shoe, it may be worth it to clean that up too.
- Rinse in the sink if possible. If you can, rinse your shoe in the sink to remove loosened poop more easily. I recommend using a bathroom or laundry room sink rather than the one in the kitchen. If you can’t or don’t want to use your sink, wipe the poop away with a wet paper towel.
- Repeat steps two and three as needed. You may wash away the loosened poop only to see some you’ve missed buried beneath. Keep going until your shoe is all clean.
- Clean and disinfect the sink once finished. Of course, if you use your sink, it needs to be cleaned thoroughly after. Don’t forget to disinfect as well!
Method Three: Wash in the Washing Machine
If your shoe is machine washable, you can try washing it in the washing machine instead of scrubbing. But wait – don’t put it in there with a clump of poop attached! Here’s how to use the washing machine method:
- Remove most of the poop. You can do this with a paper towel or a hose as discussed in step one of each method above.
- Run it through a cycle in the washing machine. If your shoe comes with washing instructions, follow them to prevent any damage. Otherwise, place your shoes in a garment bag, add in a couple of old towels for balance, and run a delicate, cold cycle.
- Air dry your shoes. Don’t put them in the dryer, as this could wreck them. Instead, stuff them with paper towels to absorb moisture and place them in a dry location such as outside in the summer sun or near a heat vent.
Method Four: Use a Handheld Steamer
Handheld steamers are rising in popularity as an easy way to clean various areas of your home. They break up dirt and grime extremely well and are great for hard-to-clean areas like the grooves on the bottom of your shoes. Here’s how to use a handheld steamer to clean your shoe:
- Bring your shoe outside, to a sink, or lay it on a towel to avoid mess. You don’t want to be looking up how to clean dog poop off of other surfaces after reading this article!
- Remove most of the poop. Rub your shoe on the grass outside or scrape the poop into the trash can with a paper towel.
- Hold the shoe away from yourself and use the steamer to clean the nooks and crannies. The steamer will break up the poop between the cracks of your shoe and push it away, so be sure it’s not pointed toward you.
- Wipe with paper towels. As the steamer breaks down the poop and gets it out of the grooves of your shoe, wipe it away.
- Repeat steps three and four as needed. You may have to wipe away the broken-up poop a few times until it’s all off.
Method Five: Freeze your Shoe
This one may seem kind of wacky – and I admit I’ve never been desperate enough to put a poo-covered shoe in my freezer. However, it’s a pretty straightforward method if you’re willing to try. Here’s how to freeze your shoe to remove the poop:
- Put your shoe in a plastic bag. Don’t place it in the freezer bare!
- Freeze your shoe. Wait until the poop has frozen completely to remove your shoe from the freezer.
- Chip off the frozen poop. Use a pen, wooden skewer, or another blunt object to get into the creases and chip the poop away. Hold it at arm’s length, sole facing away from you, preferably outdoors.
- Use a toothbrush or scrub brush to clean the remaining poop. If any poop is left between the cracks, scrub with a toothbrush and some regular dish soap.
Method Six: Grass and Sticks
If you had a dog as a kid, you might have tried this method before. It’s low-tech and allows you to keep running around outside instead of going in to clean or change your shoes. Here’s an enhanced version of the grass and sticks method:
- Wipe your shoe on the grass. This will remove most of the dog poop, which you can pick up later with a pooper scooper (assuming it’s your own dog’s mess!).
- Use a stick to clean the creases. It won’t work perfectly, but it’ll get the bulk of the poop out of there.
- Scrub or wash the remaining poop. It’s up to you whether you choose to scrub the remaining poop with a toothbrush and some dish soap or run it through the washer following the steps in method three. Just make sure they’re machine washable so that they don’t come out ruined!
Removing Odor
Nothing’s worse than smelling like dog poop whenever you put on your favorite sneakers. If your shoe still smells after cleaning, first ensure it’s entirely clean. Check every groove on the bottom of your shoe and the sides, front, and back where the poop may have landed as well. The most likely reason your shoe still smells is that you’ve missed a spot. It’s also possible that the poop soaked into the fabric of your shoe. In this case, try a pet enzyme cleaner to break down the cause of the odor.
Careful Where you Step!
Of course, no one steps in dog poop on purpose. Sometimes we just aren’t watching where we step. Dog poop can also be harmful to dogs and humans alike. It’s especially a risk to your furry friend if the poop you stepped in wasn’t theirs, as you never know what parasites or illnesses it may contain. To avoid problems, remove your dirty shoe or shoes before entering the house and wash them thoroughly. If they still smell, they aren’t completely clean yet!
Clean up After your Pup
Lastly, remember that you’re not the only one at risk of stepping in your dog’s poop. Never leave dog poop in public areas or on sidewalks. Not only is it gross, but it’s also a public health hazard for both humans and dogs. Scoop poop from your yard at least once weekly, if not daily, so that it doesn’t pile up too badly.