The best way to clean pigeon poop depends on where it is and on the surface: wood, metal and fabric each need a different method.
Please note: this article is general information, not medical advice. If you have symptoms or are worried about your health, see your GP or a doctor.
Take Caution When Cleaning Pigeon Poo
It is well known that pigeon guano carries pathogens, so when cleaning up their mess, it is a good idea to take a few precautions. Most of these pathogens are breathed in as dust or swallowed from dirty hands.
Dry pigeon droppings crumble into dust when they are walked on or disturbed. The dust floats in the air and we can breathe it in, so lightly spray dry droppings with water before you scrape them. Wet droppings that get onto food or into drinks can also make you ill.
When cleaning pigeon poop it is best to cover up.
Overalls or long sleeves and trousers, disposable gloves, closed shoes and a well-fitting dust mask (FFP2/N95 or similar) are sensible, just in case.
Also Read:
Why Do Pigeons Poop So Much?
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Why is pigeon poop white?
Equipment Needed:
Once you are covered up, you can arm yourself with the following:
- a scraper
- scrubbing brush
- bucket
- detergent
- a dustpan and brush
- vinegar
- club soda
- baking soda
Warning: if you have any weakness in your immune system or any respiratory problems it is safer to leave the cleaning job to someone else.
Cleaning Pigeon Poop On Wood:
- Lift off the big bits with your scraper and sweep it all up.
- Sometimes the poop sets like concrete, so you might have to put some effort into it. Take up your trusty scrubbing brush and a bit of water to scour away the residue.
- Unfortunately, some droppings seem to leave stains on wood, even when you’ve got rid of the rest. The thing to do is fill your bucket with a mixture of water and vinegar. About a 50/50 ratio should do the trick. Get a spray bottle and fill it with the mixture and then spray the areas of the stains lightly.
- Leave it to dry for about 30 minutes and then rinse with club soda, scrubbing vigorously. Baking soda also works just as well.
Cleaning Metal:
For some reason it is often more difficult to remove pigeon droppings from metal surfaces, but it is similar to the method used for wood:
- Remove the hard bits with your scraper.
- Clean up the debris with a dustpan and brush.
- Take a tablespoon full of clothes detergent and mix it with 2 cups of water.
- Pour it into a spray bottle and douse the affected area liberally with the spray.
- Allow it to dry for between 10-15 minutes.
- Get a rag and rub away the residue.
- If some bits aren’t moving, blast them with a hose or some sort of power jet wash.
Don’t allow the droppings to remain on metal surfaces for long. Pigeon droppings are acidic and can corrode metal and damage paint over time. Remove them as soon as possible and check for damage.
Removing Pigeon Poop From Fabrics
Fabrics are probably the worst things to remove bird droppings from; how hard it is will depend on the fabric.
Clothes:
- Scrape off as much as you can but use something a lot softer than your scraper.
- Fill a bucket with warm water and laundry detergent. The label on the box or bottle should tell you the correct ratio of detergent to water for this kind of cleaning.
- Let the item soak for a few hours.
- Take it out and spray it with pre-treatment liquid. Put it in the washing machine and wash as normal.
- If that doesn’t work, dab a little hydrogen peroxide on the stain, rinse under cold water and then wash again. Peroxide can bleach coloured fabrics, so test it on a hidden spot first, and never mix any cleaner with bleach.
If the pigeon has been eating anything like blackberries or strong coloured fruit, it is likely that the stain will be permanent, and the garment ruined.
Upholstery:
- Use something soft to scrape off the worst.
- Take two cups of cold water, pour them into a bowl and add a tablespoon full of detergent.
- With a cloth soaked in the mixture, gently dab at the spot.
- Using a dry cloth, dab at the spot until it is dry.
- For really stubborn stains, add a little hydrogen peroxide to the mix and try again, after testing it on a hidden spot.
Pigeon poop is here to stay. It is as inevitable as death and taxes.
As pigeons can’t be potty trained, their droppings will fall where you don’t want them.
Incidentally, if you have a pet pigeon you can invest in pigeon pants, these are basically nappies for pigeons which prevent you from getting covered in poop when you are handling them!
It’s best to accept the fact and learn how to deal with them.
What is pigeon guano used for?
Guano first meant the droppings of seabirds and bats, but people now use the word for pigeon droppings too. For centuries pigeon droppings were valued as manure, and in parts of Europe and Iran dovecotes were built partly to collect them. They were also a source of saltpetre for making gunpowder.
Some gardeners still compost pigeon droppings because they are rich in nitrogen. Wear gloves and a dust mask when you collect them, compost them well, and don’t put fresh droppings straight onto plants or food crops. Dried droppings can carry the fungi that cause histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis, so the cleaning precautions above apply here too.
Last updated 1 November 2026 · Keeping