If the garment is labeled as dry clean only, use the edge of a credit card or plastic knife to scoop away as much of the moist poop as possible. Wet a paper towel with plain water and starting at the outside edge, blot the stain away moving to a clean spot on the towel each time. Do not rub. Allow the garment to air-dry.
As soon as possible head to your dry cleaner and point out and identify the stain to a professional cleaner. If you decide to use a home dry cleaning kit, treat the stain first with the provided stain remover before putting the garment in the dryer bag.
Let the Droppings Dry
Though this isn’t very appealing, the easiest way to get rid of the waste is to let the bird droppings dry on the fabric. Rubbing the droppings while wet will cause the matter to smear and the scrubbing motion will push the poop deeper into the fabric.
Remove the Dry Droppings
Once the droppings are dry, scrape off the solid matter from the fabric using a dull knife or spoon.
If the droppings are wet, move to the next step.
Removing Wet Droppings
If you can’t remove your clothes or don’t have the time or stomach to let the poop dry, use the edge of a credit card or plastic knife to scoop away as much of the moist poop as possible. Be careful not to smear the droppings.
Blot the Stain
Wet a paper towel with plain water and starting at the outside edge of the area where you just scooped up the poop, begin to blot the stain away. Move to a clean spot on the towel each time some of the stain is transferred. Do not rub; just blot until no more waste is transferred to the paper towel. Allow the fabric to air-dry.
Flush the Stain With Cold Water
As soon as possible, remove the garment and flush out the waste with water. Hold the fabric with the wrong side facing up under a cold water faucet running at full force. The force of the water will push the poop away from the surface of the fibers. Do not use hot water because the protein in the droppings will “cook” onto the fibers. If the fabric is not discolored, wash the entire garment as usual.
Removing Dye Stains From Droppings
If any coloration remains after flushing the stain away, it could be a natural dye from whatever item the bird consumed. Mix a solution of warm water and oxygen-based bleach (brand names are OxiClean, Nellie’s All-Natural Oxygen Brightener, or OXO Brite) following package directions. Submerge the stained item entirely and allow it to soak at least four hours or overnight. Then wash the garment.
Wash as Usual
Wash the garment following the care label instructions. It’s important to wash the item or take it to a dry cleaner as soon as you can, because some bird droppings are highly acidic and can cause discoloration. This is especially true for droppings from birds that may have consumed fruits like berries that can stain fabrics.
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