Quick Answer: To clean dog urine from artificial grass, rinse the area well with water, then apply a turf-safe enzyme cleaner to break down uric acid crystals. This neutralises odours instead of masking them. Vinegar and water (1:1) is a good backup for light smells.
If your artificial lawn smells like a dog loo in summer – you’re not alone. Pet urine on artificial turf is one of the most common complaints we hear from new customers. The good news? You don’t need to rip up your lawn or mask the smell with bubblegum spray. With the right method (and a bit of honesty about drainage), you can fix it properly.
Jump to:
- Why Does My Artificial Grass Smell of Urine?
- Daily vs Deep Cleaning: What’s the Difference?
- How Often Should You Clean Dog Urine from Artificial Grass?
- Dog Owners: Dos and Don’ts
- What If My Lawn Still Smells?
- Best Artificial Grass Cleaners for Dog Urine (UK)
- FAQs About Dog Urine & Artificial Grass
- Want Professional Help?
Why Does My Artificial Grass Smell of Urine?
It all comes down to uric acid. When your dog wees on the turf, the liquid drains through – but the crystals stay behind. These microscopic salts don’t dissolve with water alone. Over time, they build up in the fibres, infill, and even sub-base – especially in warm weather or low rainfall.
That’s why hosing alone isn’t enough. Unless those crystals are broken down properly, the smell will keep coming back.
Daily vs Deep Cleaning – What’s the Difference?
We recommend a tiered approach depending on how bad the smell is and how often your dog uses the lawn.
🐾 Light Maintenance (Everyday Use)
- Rinse regularly: Use a garden hose after each wee – aim for saturation, not a light sprinkle.
- Vinegar mix: 1:1 white vinegar and water in a spray bottle helps neutralise odour.
- Brush occasionally: Keeps air flowing and prevents build-up in low spots.
🧪 Deep Clean (When Smell Persists)
- Use enzyme cleaners: These break down uric acid crystals at source. Brands like Odormute, Uricide, and Astro Fresh are all effective (if used properly).
- Apply heavily: Enzymes need saturation and contact time – don’t just mist and hope.
- Repeat weekly: In summer months, weekly treatment can prevent smells from coming back.
How Often Should You Clean Dog Urine from Artificial Grass?
The right schedule depends on your dog and lawn use. As a rule of thumb:
- 🐶 One small dog: Rinse 2–3 times a week, enzyme clean monthly
- 🐕 Multiple dogs: Rinse daily, enzyme clean every 2 weeks
- 🌞 Summer: Increase frequency — warm weather makes smells worse
- 🧼 Annual: Book a professional deep clean to reset the turf
Dog Owners: Dos and Don’ts
We’ve worked with hundreds of pet owners, and we’ve seen it all — from well-trained pups to repeat offenders who treat the whole garden like a loo. If you’ve got dogs, these quick rules will help keep your turf fresh without damaging the surface or wasting time on products that don’t work.
- ✅ Do: Rinse well and often
- ✅ Do: Choose turf with pet-safe backing and infill
- ❌ Don’t: Use bleach or harsh chemicals – they can damage the fibres and harm your pet
- ❌ Don’t: Use pressure washers – they can disturb seams or force smells deeper
What If It Still Smells?
If you’ve rinsed, treated, and nothing’s working – it could be an issue with the installation. Poor drainage is a common culprit, especially if the turf was laid without a proper free-draining sub-base or if sand was used as infill instead of a pet-specific alternative.
Don’t panic. Even badly installed lawns can be saved with the right tools. Our Artificial Grass Maintenance Service includes a deep enzyme clean, power brushing, and drainage assessment – to bring your lawn back to life.
Best Artificial Grass Cleaners for Dog Urine (UK)
Not all cleaners work — some just perfume the smell. Here are proven options UK dog owners trust:
| Cleaner | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Uricide | Hose-on turf enzyme cleaner, breaks down uric acid at source |
| Astro Fresh | Biological spray designed for synthetic grass & pet odours |
| Simple Solution Outdoor Odour Eliminator | Popular UK pet cleaner — enzyme-based, easy to apply |
| White vinegar solution | Cheap DIY fix, neutralises odour but not as strong as enzymes |
Not sure how often to clean or brush your turf? Our maintenance guide breaks it all down.
FAQs
Still got questions? Here are the ones we hear most from dog owners dealing with turf smells – covering what’s safe, what works, and what to avoid.
Is vinegar safe for artificial grass?
Yes – when diluted with water. A 1:1 mix helps neutralise odours without harming your turf. Just avoid overuse on hot sunny days as it may slightly dull some fibres.
Do enzyme cleaners really work?
Yes – but only if you saturate the area and allow time for the enzymes to break down the crystals. One light spray won’t cut it.
How often should I clean my lawn if I have dogs?
We recommend hosing weekly (daily in summer), enzyme cleaning every 2–4 weeks, and a full professional clean once or twice a year.
Does rain wash away the smell?
Heavy rain can help – but it won’t remove the uric acid crystals completely. Routine maintenance is still needed.
How do you neutralise dog urine on artificial grass?
Neutralise it with a turf-safe enzyme cleaner or a vinegar-water solution. These break down uric acid crystals instead of just masking smells.
Can I use bleach to clean pet urine from fake grass?
No — bleach can damage fibres, discolour the turf, and harm pets. Stick to enzyme products or natural solutions.
Does artificial grass sand infill make urine smells worse?
Yes — silica or sharp sand can trap odours. Pet-friendly infill or infill-free installations reduce long-term smell issues.
Will rain wash away dog wee smells?
Rain helps dilute odours, but it won’t break down the uric acid salts. You’ll still need to rinse and enzyme clean regularly.
Want Help With It?
If the smell’s out of hand – or you just want a pro to handle it – our Artificial Grass Maintenance Team can help.
We’ve revived everything from dog daycares to family gardens. You don’t need to live with the stink. Just honest advice and turf that smells as good as it looks.
