How to Remove Dog Saliva Stains

Co-authored by Raymond Chiu

Last Updated: June 15, 2024 References

Owning a dog is as rewarding as it is messy. If doggy drool is an unavoidable part of your life, you're familiar with those unmistakable saliva stains on clothing, furniture, windows, and other objects. Fortunately, household items like vinegar and rubbing alcohol can easily remove drool spots from almost any surface. Before attempting to treat any stain, check tags for care instructions and test your cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area.

Quick Guide: DIY Dog Saliva Stain Remover

Mix ¼ cup (59 mL) of white vinegar, 1 tsp (5 mL) of dish soap, 1 tsp (6 g) of baking soda, and 1 cup (240 mL) of cold water in a spray bottle. Apply to stained water-safe clothing, upholstery, and hard surfaces and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse the fabric with a new, damp cloth and blot or air dry.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Stains with a Vinegar Solution

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1
Mix together vinegar, water, baking soda, and mild dish detergent. Combine 1/4 cup of white vinegar with a teaspoon each of dish detergent and baking soda. Sprinkle in the baking soda slowly so the solution doesn't fizz too violently, then top it off with a cup (240 mL) of cold water.
- Combine the ingredients in a clean spray bottle so you can easily apply the solution to the stain.
- Hot water can cook the proteins in dog saliva and make it set, so use cold water instead.
2
Use the solution on water-safe clothing, upholstery, and hard surfaces. Your vinegar solution will work well for washable fabrics, water-safe upholstery, carpeting, windows, floors, and walls. However, stay on the safe side and check your tags for care instructions before attempting stain removal. You should also test the solution on an inconspicuous spot before treating the stain.
- Furniture tags typically include letter codes. W stands for water-safe, S means solvent cleaners only (no water), WS means either will do, and X means vacuum only or have the piece professionally cleaned.^{[1]
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- If your furniture tag has an S, use alcohol or a store-bought solvent cleaner. If you can't find a letter code, don't use water just to stay on the safe side.
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3
Spray the cleaning solution onto the stain. If your item is water-safe, spray it lightly with the solution without soaking it. When treating a fabric stain, let the solution sit for up to 15 minutes. For hard surfaces, there's no need to let the solution sit.
- If you don't have a spray bottle, dab the stain with an absorbent white cloth soaked in the solution.
- The vinegar solution could case a colored cloth's dye to bleed onto your fabric, so use a white one instead.
Wet a clean white cloth with cold water, then wring out excess water. For fabrics, blot the stain with it to flush out the vinegar solution. For hard surfaces, just wipe away the vinegar solution.^{[2]
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Allow the spot to air dry or dab it with a cloth to quicken the drying process. Once it's dry, inspect the stain. If necessary, repeat the process until the stain has disappeared.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Rubbing Alcohol

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Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol to the stain. If your item isn't water-safe, lightly spray the drool spot with rubbing alcohol. Apply the alcohol with an absorbent white cloth if you don't have a spray bottle.
- Microsuede or microfiber, for instance, have the look of suede, but are easier to clean. However, these and other upholstery fabrics often fall into the S, or solvents only, category.
- If you have them handy or feel like running to the store, you could also just use alcohol-based furniture cleaning wipes.^{[3]
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- Rubbing alcohol creates a lot of fumes, so make sure that you're using it in a well-ventilated space. It also helps to dilute it with a little bit with water.
Use a white cloth instead of a colored one to prevent dye from bleeding onto your fabric. Try not to rub hard into the stain. Instead, blot the spot gently to lift the stain out of the fabric.^{[4]
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You might find that microfiber or microsuede fabric feels stiff after you've cleaned it. A quick, gentle fluff with a soft bristled brush, nail brush, or toothbrush will do the trick.^{[5]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cleaning Delicate Fabrics

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1
Blot silk carefully with a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Apply a tiny amount of alcohol with a dry white cloth, and dab the spot slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the fabric. Cleaning silk can be tricky, and you'll need to check the care instructions and test first in an inconspicuous area.
- If your silk garment is labelled dry clean only, it's best to bring it to a professional.
2
Clean velvet with lemon juice and baking soda. Pour two tablespoons of baking soda into a bowl, then add enough lemon juice to create a foamy paste. Wet a soft, white cloth with the foam, then use it to lightly blot the stain. Use the gentlest touch possible, and don't rub the solution into the velvet pile.^{[6]
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- Give the spot three to five hours to dry. You can also use a fan to quicken the drying process.
3
Use a commercial cleaner for leather and suede. Store-bought cleaning wipes or solutions are your best choice for leather furniture and car seats.^{[7]
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Research source} Cleaning suede is even trickier than leather, so commercial products and professional cleaning are the safest choices.
- If you're feeling bold, you can lightly dab suede with white vinegar, let it dry, then brush it with a suede brush.^{[8]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Where can I find a soft, fine, chamois type cloth to clean dog drool stains on varnished timber floor?

Community Answer

Go to your nearest pet store and ask for Clear Scentless Wipes. That way your dog doesn't have to get used to a new smell.

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How do I remove dog saliva on a comforter in a washer?

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Try cleaning it with some regular dish soap and water before putting it in the washer.

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My dog has a cold and keeps sneezing on the hardwood floor. How do I clean this?

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Use special hardwood floor bleach as that won't damage your floor. No other special steps are needed.

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Tips

Check tags for care guidelines and read them carefully before attempting to remove a stain.

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Always test a cleaning product on an inconspicuous area, especially when treating delicate fabrics.

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