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Home > Geckos > How to Clean Gecko Poop Stains: 4 Ideas and Tips

How to Clean Gecko Poop Stains: 4 Ideas and Tips

hypo leopard gecko

Geckos are interesting little pets that are growing increasingly common in the pet trade. One thing all pet owners need to be aware of is how to clean up after their pets.

Normal gecko poop should have three parts to it. There are typically two elongated brown pieces that resemble rodent droppings sometimes tipped with a white or yellow substance. The poop should be solid and well-formed and dark in color.

The good news is that gecko poop is tiny and typically solid, making it easier for cleanup. That doesn’t mean you won’t run into the occasional gecko poop stain. So, here are some ideas and tips on how to clean those pesky stains.

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Top 4 Ways to Clean Gecko Poop Stains

1. Dish Soap

dishwashing detergent dispenser on a woman's hand
Image Credit: ViDI Studio, Shutterstock

Dish soap has more uses than just cleaning those dirty dishes. If you end up with a poop stain on your clothing or other fabric, you can head to the kitchen and get the dish soap and even a pinch of baking soda.

  • To Wash Fabric: You simply mix one tablespoon of liquid dish soap with two cups of cool water and use a clean cloth to sponge the stain with the solution. If the stain is already set-in or being stubborn you can try to use a bit of hydrogen peroxide by using a dropper. Be careful with hydrogen peroxide though, it can lighten fabrics if not properly diluted.  The dish soap can even be used as a pretreatment before starting the laundry cycle. Just use a dab of dish soap and a pinch of baking soda and rub it into the stain. Allow it to sit for a few minutes before throwing it in the wash. As with any fabric, make sure to check the item’s washing instructions to ensure this method is compatible.
  • To Wash the Enclosure: Not only does dish soap do a great job washing gecko poop stains out of fabric, it’s also ideal for cleaning up the enclosure. If you have found yourself needing to get some feces stains off the walls of the enclosure, dish soap is a safe and effective way to clean a gecko enclosure. You just mix a small amount of soap into some warm water then wipe it down thoroughly. Of course, after cleaning the enclosure with soapy water, you need to rinse thoroughly with clean water to ensure no residue or suds are left behind.

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2. Stain Removing Spray/Pre-Treatment

spraying a cat repellant in the house
Image Credit: Squirrel_photos, Pixabay
  • For Fabric: There are many great stain removing sprays and laundry pre-treatments on the market. When you’re faced with a poop stain, whether it be from your gecko, another pet, or even a human, you need to make sure you get the excess feces off the fabric that needs to be cleaned. Once that’s taken care of, the quicker you use a stain remover or pre-treatment, the better. You will first need to read the instructions on the product of your choosing to ensure you complete the process correctly. Generally, you will spray the stain and let it sit according to instructions then place the fabric through the wash. For more sensitive fabrics that cannot be thrown in the washing machine, you can try gently spot cleaning the stain with the product then rinsing thoroughly.
  • For Furniture and Carpets: You must be careful getting any kind of stain out of furniture, as different materials will require different types of care. Make sure you know how to properly wash your furniture type. A high-quality upholstery furniture cleaner should work just fine, as should regular carpet cleaner for those carpet stains. Thankfully, gecko poop is very small and may be harder to notice on larger surfaces.

3. Use a Reputable Laundry Detergent With Stain-Removing Power

scoop of detergent
Image By: karunasanghvi, Pixabay

If you got some gecko poop on a fabric that is machine washable, make sure you have a stain removing laundry detergent that is well known among consumers for being effective. This kind of laundry detergent is great to have on hand for any occasion that involves a difficult stain.

For poop stains, it’s ideal to use some pre-treatment or at least try to rinse the fabric prior to throwing it into the wash. The longer a stain is allowed to sit untreated, the harder it will be to fully remove. Again, make sure to read the washing instructions on the fabric you are needing to clean.


4. Vinegar

vinegar
Image By: NatureFriend, Pixabay

Vinegar isn’t ideal to use on all fabrics, but if you are needing to clean your gecko’s poop stains off the walls of their enclosure, vinegar is a safe and non-toxic option that will take care of that caked on feces. Thankfully, poop stains will wipe off relatively easily when on the wall of an enclosure. Getting stains out of fabric can be a bit trickier.

Make sure to dilute white distilled vinegar (or apple cider vinegar if you prefer) with water and wipe it down thoroughly. Make sure to concentrate on any dried, caked-on poop stains. Rinse thoroughly after wiping down with this solution.

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Additional Tips for Cleaning Gecko Poop

It is important to remember that geckos do have the potential to carry salmonella, though it is very unlikely that your captive-bred specimens would carry the bacteria. Regardless, it is always better to be safe than sorry, especially when cleaning up poop. If nothing else, it’s best to keep sanitary.

  • Wash Your Hands Thoroughly: Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling reptiles or any other household pet. This includes encountering their enclosure or even their food. It’s best to keep sanitary practices as a priority for both your health and your geckos.
  • Always Wear Gloves: Let’s be honest, you’re dealing with poop so you should be wearing gloves. This minimizes the risk of any kind of bacteria speaking from the feces onto you and your household surfaces. It also keeps you from having to come in direct contact with feces, so it’s a win-win.
  • Don’t Let Young Children Clean Up Gecko Messes: Young children under 5 years of age should not be responsible for cleaning up after reptiles. Again, captive-bred animals typically do not carry salmonella and it’s safe to allow gentle and supervised handling but keep them away from the cleanup process. Young children have weaker immune systems, so if there is bacteria involved, you want to keep them safe.
  • Keep Away From the Kitchen: This may be obvious, but it’s a good idea to keep your gecko’s poop or poop-stained items far from the place where you cook, prepare, and eat food. Not only do you need to do this for overall sanitary purposes, but this will prevent any bacterial contamination near your food.

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Conclusion

A gecko’s poop is small, elongated, and typically solid. In terms of vicious poop stains, your gecko probably won’t be a pet that gives you a lot of concern. However, when there is poop, there can be poop stains. If you do happen to require a gecko poop stain removal, try one of the above tips to help you get rid of that unwanted stain. As with any stain, it’s best to act quickly.


Featured Image Credit: BANK lloyd LIGHT, Shutterstock

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