How to Remove Bird Poop Stains From Outdoor Furniture

In This Article

Before You Begin
Remove Bird Poop Stains
Additional Tips

Project Overview

Working Time: 15 - 34 mins
Total Time: 1 - 12 hrs

Skill Level: Beginner
Estimated Cost: $0

Bird droppings can appear on anything from flags to outdoor furniture, and while they're certainly unsightly, bird poop stains are not the end of the world. Bird poop stains on outdoor furniture and outdoor fabrics can be removed with laundry detergent, a soft-bristle brush, and some pet stain remover, if necessary.

Read our guide to getting bird poop off of outdoor furniture and fabric so you can get back to enjoying your backyard.

Stain Type	Protein, natural dyes
Detergent Type	Heavy-duty laundry detergent
Water Temperature	Cold to warm

Before You Begin

If the bird poop is on something removable like cushions, an umbrella, or a furniture cover, go ahead and remove it and set it aside. Having it isolated will make it easier to work on and minimize the risk that you accidentally stain a different part of the furniture or another cushion while in the process of the removing the stain at hand.

Equipment / Tools

Dull knife, spoon, or credit card
Spray or squirt bottle
Bucket (if necessary)
Soft-bristled brush
Hard-bristled brush (if necessary)
Outdoor hose sprayer

Materials

Heavy-duty laundry detergent
Lukewarm water
Oxygen-based bleach (optional)

How to Remove Bird Poop Stains From Outdoor Furniture and Fabrics

Scrape Away the Poop

If there's any excess wet or dry poop, scrape it off the outdoor furniture cushions or outdoor umbrella using a dull knife, spoon, or credit card. If the poop looks dusty and light in color, use a hard-bristled brush to sweep it off the fabric. Do not rub or scrub the poop.

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Fill a Spray or Squirt Bottle

Add a couple of drops of laundry detergent to the bottom of an empty spray or squirt bottle. Add lukewarm water to the bottle to create some suds. If you have to clean a large swathe of fabric or an umbrella, use a bucket for the cleaning mixture instead (you'll be pouring it directly on the fabric).

The Spruce / Almar Creative
Gently Brush the Stain
- Spray, squirt, or pour the mixture on the stain left behind by the poop.
- Use a soft-bristled brush to gently brush the water and detergent mixture into the stain.
If the bird's poop has left an extra stain because of its most recent meal (likely a berry stain), treat it with oxygen-based bleach.

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Rinse and Air-Dry

If the stain is no longer visible on the furniture, umbrella or other outdoor fabric, thoroughly rinse away the excess suds with a garden hose. Let the fabric air-dry.

The Spruce / Almar Creative

How to Remove Bird Poop Stains From Clothes and Carpets

Additional Tips for Handling a Bird Poop Stain

Some stains are stubborn and will linger on outdoor fabrics, and you might need a little extra help to get rid of them.

If the bird poop has not lifted out of your outdoor fabrics, you may have to turn to commercial products formulated especially for this problem. Try a pet stain remover from a pet store or specialized cleaning agents for canvas and other outdoor fabrics sold in boat supply stores.
Some bird poop is tough to remove when it's been baked on in the heat (like seagull poop). There may not be much waste to scrape up. Leave a thick paste of laundry detergent and with less water mixed in on the stain for about an hour. After it sits for an hour, scrub it off and rinse clean.