A lush green artificial lawn is every pet owner’s dream: low-maintenance, clean, and picture-perfect all year round. But when your furry friends start using it as their bathroom, things can get tricky. Dog urine, if not cleaned properly, can cause bad odors, discoloration, and bacterial buildup.
The guide provides simple steps to remove dog urine from artificial grass through methods that protect pets. This maintains clean turf.
Artificial turf is designed to drain liquids easily; however, dog urine contains ammonia, which can form strong odors over time. Otherwise, the smell leaks into the turf supporting it, making it harder to eliminate.
Considering the smell is a necessity, frequent cleaning helps to avoid the accumulation of bacteria as well as ensure that your outside environment is clean and safe for both pets and children. You can read our article on How to Make Artificial Grass Look New Again, in case you are a beginner to turf maintenance, and to learn the fundamentals of maintaining your artificial grass in a perfect condition.
Once your dog has been digging in the turf, hose down the affected area. The light water spray is used to cleanse most of the urine and avoid the accumulation of odor. This should be a routine, particularly so in hot weather, so that the smell is magnified.
Then use an enzyme-based turf cleaner. These cleaners break down proteins and ammonia compounds in urine, eliminating the source of the smell rather than merely covering it up. Generously spray, leave to dry for 10-15 minutes, and rinse again. To have a natural one, you can make a homemade cleaning solution of half water and half vinegar as a strong, safe odor remover.
When it is clean, brush the grass with a soft-bristle broom or turf rake to stand the fibers up once more. This eliminates matting and allows air to circulate among the blades.
Next, sprinkle baking soda on the cleaned surface in order to remove the remaining smell. Allow it to dry (approximately an hour) and wash it off. To keep the artificial grass fresh for a long time, refer to our blog post tips on maintaining artificial grass, which includes weekly and monthly routines to ease the cleaning.
Your fake turf can also be maintained in excellent condition by rinsing it every month, despite the frequent washing. Apply a combination of enzyme cleaner, deodorizer, and power rinse to go through the turf layers. Use the Evergreen Tech services of professional turf cleaning once or twice a year to make the infill, base, and drainage layers bacteria-free.
Frequency is based on the number of pets and the frequency with which they use the turf. Generally:
If you keep pets in the house, you might have to clean more often to keep the smell off.
It is not only about the appearance when it comes to keeping your artificial lawn clean. Here’s why it matters:
You also have the option to use eco-cleaning products for turf that are made of natural ingredients. They are biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and safe for both kids and pets, which makes them a good fit for the eco-conscious Florida homeowner.
Dog urine does not make it hard to learn how to clean fake grass; rather, it comes down to consistency. Rinse the fake grass lawn daily, use enzyme cleaners weekly, and deep-clean monthly, and your artificial lawn will remain as green and fresh as the day it was installed.
At Evergreen Corner, we help you enjoy a clean, pet-friendly outdoor facility with low-maintenance, durable turf solutions. Get in touch with us today to set up your professional turf cleaning or turf installation appointment!
Washing artificial grass with vinegar is an effective way to neutralize odors. A 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water provides an efficient, environmentally friendly cleaning solution.
Simple Green or Nature’s Miracle are examples of enzyme-based cleaners that are also effective because they do not contain masking agents; instead, they decompose ammonia and bacteria, making the scent disappear.
At least once a month. Deep cleaning helps remove lodged waste and bacteria from the turf infill.
If not cleaned regularly, yes. The urine residual may accumulate, causing unpleasant smells. This is prevented by constant rinsing and enzyme sprays.
