How to Clean Fake Grass from Dog Urine [Must-Read for Pet Owners]

If you’ve invested in synthetic grass and you have a dog – congratulations!

You won’t have to be dealing with those dead, brown spots every time your dog goes to pee on the grass. That said, dog urine can be destructive no matter what. And it smells. These mean you’ll need to know how to properly clean your synthetic grass without taking hours of your free time, damaging the blades, or spending big.

So that’s exactly what we’ll show you how to do.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to clean your fake grass from dog urine and keep your yard in tip-top shape.

If you want to learn more, check out our other resources:

1. How Much Does Synthetic Grass Cost in Perth?

2.How To Buy The Best Artificial Grass

3. Lifespan Of Fake Grass

4. 7 Things You Should Know Before Purchasing Artificial Grass

How to prepare your grass for dog urine

Ready for some good news?

High quality artificial turf is already installed to let liquid pass through the grass to the substrate underneath. This prevents both liquids and solids from getting trapped in the grass, which already provides significant protection against lingering odours.

Additionally, artificial lawn can also be installed with:

• Turf deodoriser or a membrane that helps provide more airflow between the substrate and the turf
• Small rocks underneath the turf that help filter liquids and solids through the turf

These measures can help prevent lingering odours caused from dog urine – and with the average dog going to the bathroom 3 to 5 times a day, you’ll need help to keep your outdoor space under control. It’s helpful, then, that you tell your installer that you have pets. That way, they can take extra measures to set you up for success.

7 simple steps to cleaning dog pee from your fake grass

Accidents happen.

If you’ve come home and found Fido has had an accident, there’s no need to go into panic station. To clean dog urine from your artificial grass, you should start by being proactive. If you see your dog pee on the turf, immediately dab it dry with a paper towel or towel and hose down the area to prevent the urine from drying and seeping into the ground below.

If you’re already dealing with accumulated urine and odour, you can also follow our simple 7-step process to get rid of it:

Step #1 – Clear the area

First, it’s important that you totally clean the area, meaning that you should:

• Remove any furniture, toys, or other items from the area
• Remove any solid waste
• Make sure that pets and children stay out of the area

Step #2 – Hose down the area

Next, thoroughly hose down the area. Running water will help wash away any standing urine. Be liberal with water application – remember, you’re already saving a ton of water by purchasing synthetic grass instead of real grass turf – to rinse away as much as you can. If you want, you can let the area dry out in the sun.

In many instances, particularly if the urine is more fresh, this may be all you need to do. We recommend, then, that you start by thoroughly hosing down the area and seeing if that is enough.

Up your skills and keep your grass clean for longer with our Ultimate Synthetic Grass Maintenance guide

Step #3 – Apply your cleaner of choice to the area

If it isn’t enough and you still notice a stain or bothersome odour, we recommend that you apply your cleaner of choice to the area. There are a few options here:

• First, you can use a vinegar mixture: Simply mix equal parts vinegar and water in a bottle, and spray the area with the vinegar solution. This is a great option because vinegar is a totally non-toxic, natural deodoriser. This makes it especially safe for children and pets.
• You can also mix warm water with mild dishwashing liquid or laundry detergent: We recommend that you use approximately one teaspoon of soap or detergent in each bottle.
• Finally, you can use a designated turf cleaner for tougher jobs: We specifically recommend turf cleaner made from plant-based enzymes. These enzymes will cause a natural chemical reaction, breaking down stains and odours until there are no particles left.

Step #4 – Let the cleaner sit for at least ten minutes

No matter what cleaning solution you want to try, we recommend that you spray the area liberally and let it sit for at least 10 minutes.

If you have a really stubborn area, you can also scrub the affected area with a scrub brush after you spray the solution. This will help break down odours and allow the product to really penetrate the synthetic grass.

Step #5 – Hose down again

Don’t let the solution dry on the grass. After approximately 10 minutes, hose the area down again. This will help wash away any lingering particles, along with any cleaning solution that you’ve used.

Step #6 – Repeat if necessary

Let the area dry. If you still notice any issues, repeat the process as necessary. It may take 2-3 applications to fully get rid of dog urine odour, particularly if it’s accumulated over time.

Step #7 – Apply a turf deodoriser for lingering odour

Finally, you can apply turf deodoriser to help trap any lingering odour. Here, too, you have a couple of different options to choose from.

First, you can simply sprinkle baking soda onto the grass once a month. Baking soda is all natural, and it can help eliminate odours and extract extra moisture from your fake grass. This can even be helpful if you have artificial turf around your pool and you’re worried about standing water.

Alternatively, you can apply a designated turf deodoriser. There are many options that work by neutralising ammonia, the chemical in dog urine that causes unplesant odours. And, if you choose a biodegradable synthetic turf deodoriser, it will be safe for your family and pets.

Additionally, this kind of eco-friendly deodoriser won’t harm any local wildlife or trees, providing a sustainable lawn-care option.

What you can do to avoid urine-related damage in the future

The best thing you can do is train your dog to urinate somewhere else. That said, we know that sometimes things happen, and you’ll need to respond accordingly. In these instances, we definitely say that the sooner you clean up the urine, the better. Immediately hosing down effectively areas will stop the urine from settling underneath your grass and getting stuck in the fibers.

The more proactive you are, the better.

We’re proud to be Perth’s synthetic grass experts

Synthetic grass is a low-maintenance, pet-friendly, budget-friendly alternative to real grass. It is easy to keep synthetic grass clean and well-maintained. If you have any more questions about keeping your grass clean – or you would like some professional help – feel free to call us directly on (08) 9303 2310.

You can also contact us directly using the form here.