Tips for cleaning poop [mom life = LOTS of poop!]
It starts with small squishy poops, to blow outs like a poop grenade went off in their diaper. Then there's examining poop colors, or fishing through poop to see if that small bead your baby put in their mouth passed out.
Then potty training comes around and you're excited because it's almost BYE BYE DIAPER time! BUT...you now have to clean poop out of a potty, and occasional heavy poop stains in their undies. Makes me almost miss changing diapers.
Literally...
The amount of poop I've had direct contact with in these first 3 years of being a mom, is unimaginable.
Everyone knows babies poop a lot and for obvious reasons, we have to handle it. But it doesn't end at diaper days, and the poops get bigger!
Despite it all, I've grown to accept my fate with poop. It's become so standard that stinky poops don't phase me anymore. Is this a new level? I feel like it's a new superpower we acquire after becoming a mom.
Cleaning up poop is still not fun, especially when it gets on things that aren't a diaper or potty. Here are a few tips I've found for cleaning up poop.
How to clean poop off clothes
When poop escapes the diaper and lands on that cute onsie, or messes up your toddler's favorite dress or shorts, don't panic or be too quick to throw it out.
Wash away the solid pieces as best as possible with cold water, then wash the fresh stain by hand using cold water and mild or dish soap. Don't use hot water! This will allow the stain to set! After hand washing, let it air dry or throw it in the washing machine for another wash. If the stain is still there, hand wash it again then air dry. Don't toss it in the dryer without making sure the stain is gone, because this will allow the stain to set.
How to clean poop off carpet
Whether it's runny or solid poop, try to remove as much of it as possible. Use a paper towel to pick up visibly solid pieces, and a blunt object (like a knife, spoon or spatula) to gently scrape up more poop without pressing it into the carpet.
Use a paper towel to blot away any remaining poop and moisture. In cleaning the stain, you also want to get rid of the odor too. You can use basic household ingredients to treat the stain. One method is sprinkling baking soda over the stain, and spraying or blotting hydrogen peroxide over it. This article offers various solutions for cleaning poop stains off carpets.
Hope this small guide helps with those undesirable messes!
For more details, check out these resources:
Dad guide cleaning up baby stains
How to clean poop off the mattress
Poop on the mattress is possibly more common than on the carpet. Be sure to remove the sheets as soon as possible to prevent poop from seeping into the mattress even more.
To successfully remove poop stains off your mattress, you'll need hydrogen peroxide, dishwashing soap, and baking soda, mixed into a spray bottle, along with a clean cloth for blotting and cleaning away the poop stain. For direct instructions, check out this article that gives a full rundown of the process.
How to clean poop off the car seat
Your baby's car seat is probably already dirty with cracker crumbs, cereal, and other dried snacks, but adding poop to the mix is definitely no fun. To clean up poop off a car seat, the first thing to do is check the manufacture's instructions to see if the car seat cover is removable or not. If it's removable, check the washing instructions. Be sure not to toss it in the dryer once washed, because it will shrink and not be able to fit on the car seat.
If the car sear cover can't be removed, use a wet wipe or damp cloth to spot clean. First, gently remove as much of the solid pieces as possible, then proceed to spot clean. It's better to avoid cleaning products with harsh chemicals, including clorox and discinfectant wipes, because it may affect the integrity of the car seat cover. Check out this video with a full on guide for cleaning poop off your carseat.