Poop in Your Shower Drain? How to Rectify a Messy Situation

Dealing with poop in your shower drain can be an unpleasant and shocking experience.

However, accidents happen, and it’s essential to address the situation promptly and appropriately to maintain a clean and hygienic bathroom environment.

This article will guide you through the steps to safely and effectively handle a messy situation.

1. Stay Calm and Act Quickly

The first thing to remember is not to panic.

While encountering poop in your shower drain can be distressing, staying calm is crucial to handling the situation effectively.

Take a deep breath (preferably away from the poop filled drain!) and then get to rectifying the situation.

Remember that longer you wait, the more challenging it becomes to clean up, unpleasant odors will start to spread beyond the bathroom, and bacteria can start to grow and spread.

2. Put on Protective Gear

Before attempting any cleanup, ensure you protect yourself.

Wear disposable gloves, an apron, and a face mask to minimize exposure to potential bacteria or pathogens present in the fecal matter.

Safety should be your priority during the entire cleanup process.

3. Remove Visible Debris

Using a plastic bag or disposable paper towels, carefully remove any visible debris from the shower drain.

Avoid touching the feces directly and be cautious not to push it further down the drain.

Dispose of the waste in a sealed bag immediately.

3. Unclog the Drain If Clogged

If your drain is clogged, you will need to use a plunger to unclog it. Make sure there is enough water in the shower to create a proper seal around the drain.

Position the plunger over the drain and plunge vigorously to dislodge the blockage.

If this doesn’t work, you may need to resort to a drain snake or call a professional plumber for assistance.

4. Rinse the Area Thoroughly

Once the visible waste is removed, rinse the shower area with bleach and hot water. The bleach and high temperature will help sanitize and disinfect the affected area, reducing the chances of contamination.

Rinse for a few minutes to ensure thorough cleaning.

5. Clean and Scrub

After rinsing, apply a cleaning solution or a mixture of warm water and detergent to the drain and surrounding area.

Scrub the affected surfaces using a scrub brush to remove any remaining residue.

Pay close attention to the drain cover or grate, as well as the walls and floor of the shower.

6. Disinfect the Entire Area

After removing the visible feces and unclogging the drain, it’s time to disinfect and clean the entire area thoroughly.

Use a mixture of warm water and a household disinfectant to clean the shower floor, walls, and drain cover.

Scrub all surrounding surfaces carefully to ensure no residue or bacteria remains.

7. Remove Lingering Odors With Baking Soda and Vinegar

A simple, natural remedy to eliminate lingering odors and disinfect your shower drain is by using baking soda and vinegar. Pour half a cup of baking soda into the drain and follow it up with a cup of white vinegar. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, then pour hot water down the drain to flush it out.

8. Prevent Future Occurrences

To minimize the risk of poop or any other foreign objects clogging your shower drain in the future, consider using drain guards or hair catchers.

These inexpensive tools help trap debris and prevent them from going down the drain.

This OXO Good Grips Silicone Shower and Tub Drain Protector is my recommendation as it fits a variety of drains including flat and pop up, and it fits flush with the ground meaning it traps debris along with hair.

9. Regular Maintenance

Maintaining a clean and functional shower drain is essential to avoid unpleasant situations.

Perform regular maintenance by using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar once a month to keep your drains flowing smoothly and free from foul odors.

In Conclusion

Dealing with poop in your shower drain is undoubtedly an unpleasant situation, but it’s crucial to address it immediately and responsibly.

Remember to stay calm, protect yourself with gloves and a face mask, and remove the visible debris before unclogging the drain.

Thoroughly clean and disinfect the affected area and consider using natural remedies like baking soda and vinegar to eliminate odors.

Lastly, implement preventive measures and conduct regular maintenance to ensure your shower drain stays free from clogs and undesirable surprises in the future.