How to clean dried dog poo off floor?

Question

My wife's elderly grandfather has two dogs. He has dementia and its progressing to the point where he no longer understands how to properly care for these dogs, or himself for that matter. He doesn't let them out to use the bathroom, so they poo all over the floor and then he refuses to clean it up. We are looking into re-homing these dogs because of this whole situation and also finding him a caregiver. His daughter is actually a trained veterinarian. She's handling the situation. But I need to get this floor cleaned. It's all over the place. What I'm looking at has been there for weeks. Its as hard as concrete and basically glued to the floor. After two hours of scraping with a putty knife and using a floor buffing machine with a scrubbing wheel. I've still barley put a dent in this mess. What can I use on this dried on poo? I'm thinking there must be some sort of chemical that can dissolve this stuff and unstick it from the floor. But I don't want the chemicals to damage the hardwood. What should I use? I considered maybe a natural solvent like mineral spirits or something. I'm just not sure what that would do to the hardwood underneath. Any suggestions?

bluebellbkk · Answer

If the problem is that it's dried hard, and stuck to the floor, wouldn't it be worth trying plain water to soften it up? Soak a thick cloth and lay it over a turd. Leave it for a while, check and replace as necessary. As the poo softens, scrape it away.

drip · Answer

I would try a steam floor cleaner. I have gotten dried cat vomit, jam, dried urine, stickers, pretty much everything off my wood and tile floor with my steam cleaner. 
Keep the steam cleaner moving, don’t let it sit on one spot move repeatedly back and forth.

You may find you need the floor professionals sanded and revarnished.   Even if you get it all up, I would think all of that would leave a mark in the wood.

Spock (rhp) · Answer

please ask your question of the salespeople at a) the local pet store and b) your local home improvement store.  and, a flat shovel of the kind used for roofing work may begin the job.  As for a chemical ... ordinary water may be sufficient if left there for several hours [and then the flat shovel].  -- grampa

Anonymous · Answer

dip a rag in boiling water, set it on the poo till it's cool enough to handle, scrub, repeat. and install a dog door if you have a yard

. · Answer

If you got it wet, let it dry and maybe it will crack off in time.  
Liquid hand soap seems to be antibacterial and makes it smell clean.  
Apple cider vinegar may be all you need to clean floors. 
The discoloration may be permanent - I guess it proves that the house has been lived in.

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How to clean dried dog poo off floor?

5 Answers