What is the effect of drying animal messes on cleaning efforts?

Drying animal messes significantly complicates cleaning efforts for several reasons. When animal waste dries, it tends to harden and adhere more strongly to surfaces, making it more difficult to remove. The moisture present in fresh messes allows for easier scooping or wiping away, while dried messes require scrubbing, scraping, or the use of chemical cleaners to loosen and dissolve the hardened material. This additional effort can also lead to potential damage to surfaces if improper tools are used to remove the mess. Furthermore, dried waste can lead to lingering odors and the risk of attracting pests, which adds to the complexity of the cleaning process. As a result, it's always more effective to clean messes while they are still fresh rather than allowing them to dry.