Pet owners know how quickly dog poop can accumulate. Picking up regularly after Fido can go a long way in keeping your backyard clean, but some areas like a concrete driveway can be more challenging to clean.
What can you do if your dog poops on concrete? You can keep your driveway clean with a mix of hot water and baking soda. If feces have been sitting on the concrete surface for a while, pressure washing can be another option to explore.
Read on to learn more about cleaning dog poop on concrete surfaces and about preventing the issue in the first place.
How to Get Dog Poop Out of Concrete
On average, dogs can produce 0.5 to 0.75 lbs. of waste daily. Ideally, your companion should know to poop somewhere on the lawn, but accidents can happen.
If your dog poops on concrete, you need to act quickly. Concrete is a porous material that can absorb feces and urine. It can become a problem since waste will get into the pores of the concrete and cause bacteria to grow.
Dog poop contains millions of bacteria and can even contain E.Coli or campylobacter, two bacteria strains that can transmit diseases to humans.
The best way to clean fresh dog poop from concrete is to wash the area with hot water, sprinkle with some baking soda and rinse again with hot water. You can also use detergent to clean the concrete if the feces has sat on the driveway.
Is It Safe to Clean Concrete With Bleach?
Bleach is a great way to kill any bacteria. It can also remove dog poop stains on your driveway and help with the odor.
Use oxygen bleach instead of chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach can be harsh on vegetation and ruin your nearby lawn.
Create a diluted bleach solution by mixing half a cup of oxygen bleach in a bucket of warm water. Pour the solution over the concrete and let it sit for a few minutes. You can use a sponge to scrub the areas with stubborn stains. Rinse the area thoroughly with a garden hose.
How to Get Rid of Old Poop Stains in Your Driveway
If your pet turned pooping in the driveway into a daily habit or if you moved into a new home with a driveway that needs some TLC, your best option is to rent a pressure washer.
Look for a pressure washer with a pressure of at least 3,000 PSI and a flow of at least four gallons per minute to get good results on concrete.
You can have a professional do it, or follow these steps to deep clean your driveway:
- Start by swiping your driveway to get rid of any debris.
- If your driveway has stains, apply a degreaser to these areas. It will start lifting the stains and make them easier to clean.
- Fill your pressure washer’s tank with a concrete cleaner.
- Turn the pressure washer on and start cleaning where your driveway is at its highest point.
- Once you’ve cleaned the driveway with the concrete cleaner, fill the pressure washer’s tank with fresh water and rinse the surface.
- You can apply a sealant to the concrete to protect it from future stains.
This video is a great place to get started if you’re new to using a pressure washer:
Follow These Training Tips if Your Dog Poops on Concrete
Now that you have a clean driveway, you can take steps to keep it this way.
Instead of deterring your dog from pooping in the driveway or other concrete surfaces, you should work on establishing where your dog can poop.
It’s easier if you designate a small area that your dog will associate with pooping since teaching your dog a generalization like pooping on grass is acceptable, but concrete is not can be confusing.
Positive reinforcement is the best way to teach your pup to poop in the right spot. Take your dog outside on a leash and lead him to the spot where you want him to poop. Reward your dog for pooping in this spot with praise or a treat.
You can also use an attractant or training aid spray to create an area where your dog will want to poop.
If you’re not correcting the unwanted behavior after a few weeks of rewarding your dog for pooping in the right spot, ask yourself why your dog keeps returning to the driveway.
Other areas of the yard might be too exposed or have the scent of another animal.
If your pet poops on the concrete surface, don’t punish your pet or yell at them. Instead, say ‘no’ in a firm voice and take your dog to the spot where you want them to poop.
Potty training your pet can take some time. Be patient and avoid letting your dog out without supervision so you can prevent it from pooping in the driveway.
Conclusion
Cleaning dog poop from concrete is easier if you pick up the feces immediately. Rinsing the area with hot water is a good option if the waste doesn’t sit on the concrete surface for too long. You can deep clean a dirty driveway with a cleaning solution or some oxygen bleach, but a pressure washer is your best option if you have a stained driveway. Teach your dog where to poop, so it doesn’t become a recurring issue.
