How to Get Rid of Dog Poop and Poop Smell in Your Yard
Written by Tim de Jong
Dogs are adorable. We love them, we nurture them, and when they do something wrong, we usually forgive them with a sly smile on our face.
But sometimes even the cutest of creatures do things that can be quite unpleasant; such as leaving smelly piles of poo in your backyard!
Cleaning up after your pup can be a daunting task, but it’s an important one. Not only does leaving dog poop in your yard create an unpleasant atmosphere for you and your family, but it can also be hazardous to the environment.
Below, we’ll explore the best ways to get rid of that pesky poo, and then how to get rid of the dog poop smell it leaves behind in your yard — so keep reading if you’re ready to tackle the job.
Best Ways to Pick Up Dog Poop
Before we throw away dog poop, don’t forget that it all starts with picking it up! Fortunately for us, there are numerous methods on how to pick up dog poop:
1Scooping with a Bag or Shovel
Sure, scooping pet waste with a bag and shovel may not rival going to the beach or taking a spin on a rollercoaster for excitement, but you can make it fun.
Why not fill your playlist with your favorite tunes and pretend you’re in an action movie – all while disposing of those piles of poo in your yard!
With the right attitude and supplies, like trusty spatula-shovel hybrids that make the job easier and faster, scooping pet waste doesn’t have to be painful.
Read More About The Best Dog Poop Bags Guide
2Purchase a Pooper Scooper
If you’re seeking an easier way to manage the ‘business’ left behind after a fun day outside with your pet, then pooper scoopers are your ultimate saviour.
No need for cumbersome manual pick-up or tedious hosing down that muddy lawn! Pooper scoopers come in all shapes and sizes, conveniently designed for every breed and size of pet imaginable.
And while we can’t promise it’ll be enjoyable, at least you can make clean-up quick, easy and dare we say it – a bit fun!
3Plastic Gloves
Funny enough, the best way to pick up dog poop isn’t always a scoop or pooper scooper — sometimes it’s a good pair of plastic gloves! Put them on and grab those piles with ease – just make sure you don’t forget to take off the gloves when you’re done.
After all, no one wants to be in a situation where they’re waving goodbye to friends with the same pair of gloves they used to clean up dog poo just moments ago.
4Rinsing or Pressure Washing the Area
If you’re feeling too icky to pick up those smelly piles, why not rinse or pressure wash the area instead? Just turn on that hose and your garden will be looking brand new in no time.
Not only will it get rid of any Fido-leftovers, but it’s also a great way to give yer plants an extra boost – fertilizing and helping them grow nice and lushy. And hey, with how buff your garden is gonna look after you clean it, maybe you can invite everyone over for a picnic?
4 Best ways to dispose of dog poop
Now you may know how to pick up the poo, but what to do with dog poop until garbage day? Here are 4 easy methods for dog poop cleanup:
At a glance
3 picks, each best at something different
1Buy an outdoor dog poop trash can
Having an outdoor dog poop trash can is kind of like having your own poo-catching superhero… without the spandex!
Seriously, this genius purchase keeps your yard looking pristine and will make your nose so grateful. The best feature? You don’t have to worry about dodgy doggy deposits in your house trash cans – they can stay outside where they belong.
Ours is the AnimoGoods 5L Outdoor Dog Poop Trash Can, about $37. Three things make it work day to day: an activated-carbon filter in the lid for the days waste sits waiting, a removable inner bucket so emptying is lift-and-tip, and a foot pedal so you can open it with both hands full. The UV-resistant body means it lives by the back door year-round without fading.
Read more about the best outdoor dog poop trash cans
Composting The Dog Poop
If you’re an avid gardener, then you may want to try composting! Getting your gardening goals off the ground this season doesn’t have to be expensive. With composting, you can let nature – and your pup – do your dirty work for you!
Collecting their poo in a compost bin is one surefire way to guarantee that it won’t stick around for too long and that you’ll have a steady supply of nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden. And, hey, it’s about time someone puts those piles of poo to good use!
Read more about composting dog poop for fertilizer
Flush it Down the Toilet
Flush it down the toilet is a strategy used by many owners of small pups. It can seem like the easiest solution when you don’t have access to an outdoor compost bin, but sometimes it’s more trouble than it’s worth!
Trust us, cleaning up dog poop in a tiny bathroom isn’t nearly as enjoyable as going for a leisurely walk with Fido outside. That said, if you don’t have any other option- flush away!
Read more about the safety of flushing dog poop
Bury the dog poop
Burying your pup’s poo can be a great way to quickly get it out of sight. Just be sure to bury it deep enough so that it won’t end up surfacing later on – perhaps an enticingly scented surprise for your next barbeque party?
If you’re feeling extra fancy and don’t want to deal with all the effort of manually covering, there are even in-ground systems designed specifically for this purpose. What a world we live in!
2Use a yard deodorizer for dog poop
If the smell has built up because poop was missed one too many times, a commercial dog poop odor eliminator is the quickest fix. Most are safe for grass, which makes them a good option for lawns. Follow the directions on the package and use only as much as recommended.
3Sprinkle lime powder on problem spots
Lime powder helps absorb dog poop odor in garden beds and lawns. After picking up the poop, sprinkle it directly on the spot
Plant fragrant, odor-masking plants
Fragrant plants like lavender and jasmine around the potty area help keep the yard smelling fresh, and they add a touch of beauty too. See this list of fragrant plants for ideas, and check that anything you plant is safe for dogs.
Clean patios and decks with diluted bleach
If your dog goes on a porch, patio or deck, wash it with a diluted bleach solution to kill the bacteria causing the smell. Keep it diluted so you don’t damage your porch or deck, and let it dry fully before your dog walks on it. Pet-friendly enzyme cleaners are a good alternative if you’d rather avoid bleach.
Keep collected poop from becoming its own smell
A sealed outdoor can by the back door makes pickup a ten-second job, and a carbon-filter lid like the one on the AnimoGoods can mentioned above stops the collected waste from becoming a new yard smell while it waits for bin day.
Conclusion – How to clean dog poop from the yard
No one ever said having a pet was easy, but that doesn’t mean you have to live in a pile of poo! Keeping your yard clean and free from dog waste is totally doable, no matter how large or small your pup may be.
Whether you choose to invest in an outdoor dog potty, try composting, flush it down the toilet, or bury it in your backyard – you’ll be reaping the benefits of a poo-free yard in no time! Plus, with the help of fragranced bags, regular walks, a weekly hose-down and an odor eliminator for problem spots, you can make sure that the smell never becomes an issue either.
So, don’t forget: scoop the poop! It really is so simple. Love your pup and keep your yard neat, and you’ll be able to peacefully co-exist with them in no time at all!
