What To Do With Dog Poop Until Garbage Day?

It’s no secret that dogs are man’s best friend. They provide us with companionship, love, and loyalty. and make great walking buddies. They also help to keep us active and engaged with the world around us.

Dogs don’t ask much of us in return. They need a safe place to live, two hearty meals a day, ear scratches, tummy rubs…and we have to deal with their poop.

Really, when you look at the big picture, dealing with dog poop isn’t so bad, but still, it’s poop and it stinks.  Ideally, you scoop it up, toss it in the garbage and it is picked up by your garbage service that afternoon.

But what happens when your weekly service is days away? What do you do with dog poop until trash day arrives?  You probably don’t want it sitting in a box in your garage, especially in the summer.  And leaving it sitting outside could pose other problems. 

Ideally, you can store your dog’s waste in a way that will eliminate odors (or at least keep them to a minimum), doesn’t attract other animals or insects, and doesn’t create a mess due to leaks or spilling. 

Fortunately, there are many different options for dealing with dog poop until trash day arrives. So, what to do with dog poop until garbage day?

• Put it in a container
• Use sealable bags to store it
• Dispose of it in the ground
• Use a deodorizer

Put The Dog Poop In A Container

I know, this seems obvious.  “Put it in a container (trash can)” is probably the most basic advice there is.  However, it is important to keep in mind that there are many more containers than simply using your garbage bin in the garage. 

Compost Bin

Just like most organic waste, dog poop is compostable.  The catch here is you don’t want to use dog poop compost or any compost that may have been contaminated with dog poop in your vegetable garden.  It’s best to use it elsewhere like in flower beds or on trees and shrubs that don’t produce anything edible. 

Some people opt for a dedicated compost bin to compost only dog poop and other things they don’t want to add to their vegetable garden.

A Dedicated Bucket Or Trash Can

Another option is to have a small trashcan or bucket that is only used for dog poop.  If your garage doesn’t get hot that can be a good spot to store it.  Outside if you don’t mind it being visible. 

A dedicated trash can works best because you’ll only remove the lid when you’re already dealing with poop.  Be sure to use a lid to keep smells contained as much as possible.

This method works well if you often take your dog on walks and need a place to dispose of the poop when you get home.

Diaper Pail

What better way to store dog poop than in something that was specifically designed to keep the smell of poop contained?   Diaper pails work great for this and can be found fairly cheaply.

Just like with a regular trash can, you’ll want to use some type of bag inside the diaper pail.  A liner or grocery bag works well.  You may also want to consider using a deodorizer like baking soda to help keep smells contained.

Bag Up The Poop

You can store dog poop in bags until trash day. This is probably the most common method people use. It’s quick, easy, and doesn’t require any extra containers. Just be sure to use bags that seal or are easy to tie so smells don’t escape and make sure these.

As a perk to bagging, many bags come with perfumes to cover up or even deodorizers to get rid of nasty smells.

Sealable Bags

Another option is to use sealable bags like large Ziploc bags. As long as your garage doesn’t get crazy hot, these can be stored in your garage, where if sealed correctly the smell should be too bad.  Just make sure to seal them tightly so smells don’t escape.

Regular Trash Bags

Another option is to use regular trash bags. Just be sure they’re sealable or can be easily tied so smells don’t escape.

Biodegradable Bags

If you’re concerned about the environment, you may want to look for biodegradable bags made specifically for storing dog waste. These will break down over time and won’t add to the landfill problem.

Be sure to research the brands you have available and what materials those brands use to make biodegradable bags. Unfortunately, some of these biodegradable bags are much, much less biodegradable than other biodegradable bags.

Bury The Dog Poop

This is a good option if you have room on your property and don’t want to have any above-ground containers available.  Be sure to bury it at least six inches deep and away from any water sources so you don’t contaminate the water.

Dig A Hole

This is probably the simplest method. Just dig a hole, drop the dog poop in, and fill the hole back up. Be sure to dig the hole deep enough and in an area other animals can’t easily dig it up.

DIY Dog Poop Bin

If you have some basic skills, this is a relatively easy project.  You’ll need a safe place to dig, a shovel, and an old trash can or bucket with a lid.  It doesn’t need to be fancy but should be something you don’t mind seeing as it’ll be in your yard for quite a while.

Video Tutorial For DIY Underground Dog Poop Disposal

Here’s a quick video showing how one man made his own dog poop compost bin.

Commercially Available Dog Poop Composting Bins

There are also commercially available dog poop composting bins.  These specialty bins are often more expensive than a regular compost bin, but they may offer some additional features to make them worth the investment. 

Some of these features might include:

• built-in deodorizers
• airtight lids to keep odors contained
• leak proof bottoms

Determine if one of these features is worth the extra expense for you.

Other Tips

Storing dog poop until trash day can bring up other issues.  Fortunately, if you’ve followed one or more of the methods above the rest of the problems should be pretty easy to handle.

Keeping The Smell Down

One of the worst parts of storing dog poop until trash day is the smell. Depending on you store it, there are a few things you can do to help keep the smell down.

For instance, if you use bags, many come with deodorizers to help keep smells down or nice fragrances to try to cover up the smell.  Adding a couple of drops of essential oils can also help.

If you’re using a container, you can try adding some charcoal filters. This will help absorb some of the smells.  You can also add a layer of newspaper or even coffee grounds.

Insects

Another thing to be aware of is that dog poop can attract insects.  If you’re using any type of container, you’ll want to make sure it has a tight-fitting lid to keep them out.

Diatomaceous earth can also help keep insects away. This is a natural product made from the fossilized remains of algae and it’s safe to use around pets and children.

You can sprinkle it around the perimeter of your storage area or even inside the container.  Just be sure to reapply after it rains.

You may also want to consider where you’re storing the container. If it’s in a shady spot, it may attract more insects than if it were in direct sunlight.

Summary: How To Deal With Dog Poop Until Trash Day

There are many different ways to store dog poop until trash day.  The best method for you will depend on your personal preferences, finances, and the limits of your property.

Be sure to keep the smell down by using deodorizers or adding charcoal filters. You may also want to keep insects away by using a tight-fitting lid or sprinkling diatomaceous earth around the perimeter.

With a little bit of planning, you can find a method that works best for you and your family.