DIYing is often a great way to save money. There are many ways to get rid of our four-legged friend’s messes. But, does white vinegar dissolve dog poop? I will share with you my experiment on whether it works or not.
Here’s my quick answer: Yes, it does. White vinegar is a natural disinfectant and can be used to dissolve and remove pet like dog poop from surfaces such as hardwood floors or carpets.
Stick around as I share the details of the experiment and the results. Unfortunately, I cannot share the images with you as it is not suitable for public viewing!
Pouring Vinegar On Poop, Poop Stains On Carpet, & On Hard Floor
For the experiment, I figured testing out the dog poop itself, dog poop on a porous material (carpet or cloths), semi-porous material (leather), and on a hard floor.
I poured white vinegar on the poop and let it sit for a few minutes.
Vinegar On Dog Poop Itself
- For my first test, I diluted three parts white vinegar with three parts warm water.
- I poured vinegar on the dog poop itself.
The result? It did dissolve it and turn it into a more liquid form.
- While it took about 5 minutes for the vinegar to break down the poop fully, it did dissolve it without extra effort.
- The process of dissolving the dog poop was not pretty so if you ever try this make sure you have a strong stomach.
- While the vinegar dissolve almost all of the poop, I must say that I still had to wash the surface of the remaining residue afterward to ensure it was clean and sanitized.
Vinegar On Poop Stains On Carpet
I also tested vinegar on the poop stains on a carpet (a highly porous material) and leather (a somewhat porous material), and the result was similar.
So next time you have dog poop stains on your carpet or leather sofa, using vinegar can be a great way to get rid of the mess.
To do this experiment, here’s what I did.
- I again mixed equal parts of white vinegar and warm water into a spray bottle.
- Then I sprayed the stained area and let it sit for a few minutes.
The result?
- It did dissolve the stain and remove it from the carpet.
- It generally took about 15-20 minutes for the stain to be completely gone.
- But I scrubbed the area a bit with a cloth and warm soapy water after to ensure it was clean.
- The vinegar broke down the dog poop stains, making them very easy to remove without any extra products.
Vinegar On Poop Stains On Hard Floor
Lastly, I also tested vinegar on the poop stain on a hard floor. This can be your usual concrete floor, laminate, linoleum, and even tile.
The result?
- Just like the rest of the tests, the vinegar broke down the dog poop stains making them very easy to remove without any extra products.
- It generally took around 5 minutes for the stain to be completely gone.
- Again, it took a bit of elbow grease to get the hard floor looking crystal clean, but the vinegar did break down the poop and dissolve it.
Reasons Vinegar Dissolves Dog Poop
Now that we have proven that vinegar can dissolve dog poop, why does it work?
1. The Acidity Of Vinegar
White vinegar is acidic in nature, and the acidity helps break down the proteins found in the dog poop.
Vinegar has a pH of around 2.5, which is strong enough to break down and dissolve the proteins in dog poop.
This makes white vinegar a great and natural disinfectant that you can use to clean your home or remove any pet messes, like dog poop!
With this, you have a trusted friend in vinegar, whether it’s dog poop in the yard or poop stains on the carpet.
2. Disinfectant Properties Of Vinegar
White vinegar also has excellent disinfectant properties.
It can kill most types of bacteria and germs, which is why it’s a popular choice for cleaning and disinfecting in households.
So when you use white vinegar to clean up dog poop, it breaks down the proteins, disinfects the surface, and kills any germs or bacteria that may have been left behind.
This makes vinegar a great choice for cleaning up after your pet!
3. Vinegar Contains Enzymes
White vinegar also contains enzymes that help to break down and dissolve all fecal matter.
These enzymes are useful for cleaning up messes such as pet stains and other organic messes.
So not only does vinegar break down the proteins in dog poop, but it also helps remove any remaining bacteria or germs.
What Type Of Vinegar Dissolves Dog Poop?
On to another important question, what type of vinegar should you use to dissolve dog poop?
The answer is simple: white vinegar.
White vinegar has a higher acidity level than other vinegar; thus, it is more effective at dissolving fecal matter.
As I stated above, vinegar is made up of acids, enzymes, and germ-killing properties, making it perfect for cleaning up after your pet.
White vinegar is also cheaper and easier to find at most home improvement stores, so it’s a great option for cleaning up after your pet.
Final Thoughts
Here’s a quick summary of all that I discussed in this blog post, in case you want a quick refresher:
Yes, vinegar does dissolve dog poop. The vinegar’s acidity helps break down proteins in the fecal matter and disinfects the surface.
White vinegar contains enzymes that help break down and dissolve all fecal matter. And finally, white vinegar is more effective because it has a higher acidity level than other types of vinegar.
So if you ever find yourself dealing with messes left behind by your pet dog, remember that vinegar can be your best friend. It will make the job much easier and help keep your home clean!