Summer is finally here, but families across the country are getting out grilling (opens in new tab) and paddling pool (opens in new tab) To soak up the heat wave, many experience their artificial grass smelling.
The number of people who had artificial turf planted increased because it helped them create a low-maintenance garden. But since the hot weather arrived – with temperatures in most parts of the UK hitting 30C – many pet owners have reported about their bad odors emanating from their artificial turf.
One artificial turf owner shared on Facebook: “My beautiful, very expensive garden really scares me. He smells horribly like dog poop even though we hose down and disinfect him every day. We tried numerous different methods to clean it. Nothing helps. Make the garden unusable. My poor neighbors!!! It’s terrible for them too. We tried everything to get rid of the smell. So now we’re going to try to fence the lawn. Although because of the dogs, it was the main reason.”
And if you’re one of those people who want to sit in your yard without the gross stench of lingering dog pee or other nasty smells, then fear not, like the team of experts at WeThrift (opens in new tab) have shared tips on how to neutralize and clean your artificial outdoor grass.
How to stop artificial grass from smelling
There are a few simple ways you can prevent artificial grass from smelling – aside from making sure that spilled food or drink or trips to the pet toilet are cleaned up quickly;
- Pet owners are urged to find a part of their yard that they are happy to use as a toilet for their dog. Make sure that the surface is not on the artificial grass, but on earth, stones or other natural materials. Create a designated area with a small fence to create a perimeter and lay out some cheap, dog-proof rocks or wood shavings. And if your dog uses the area, reward him with a treat.
- Create a bi-weekly cleaning schedule to keep odors under control. A weekly wash requires no products and can be done with a pressure washer, hose or watering can. WeThrift’s Nick Drewe advises: “Before using any cleaning product or water on your artificial grass, use an outside brush or vacuum to remove any loose leaves, dirt or debris – this will help simplify the process and reduce clutter.”
- An easy way to remove odors is to mix a solution of water or vinegar and baking soda. WeThrift’s Nick Drewe tells us, “Start by testing the mixture on a small area to make sure it won’t damage your artificial turf.” Mix the solution in a separate bowl and spread evenly over the artificial turf. Leave on for a few hours and rinse off thoroughly with warm water. It’s important not to let your pets anywhere near the grass until it has been rinsed off, as the baking soda can be toxic if ingested.
(Image credit: Getty)
How to clean artificial grass
You can clean artificial grass use a gentle, pet-friendly disinfectant to remove odors. First, dilute your sanitizer with water, transfer to a spray bottle, and apply to your artificial grass. Leave the product on for about five minutes before rinsing the solution off with a hose. It’s important that when using a sanitizer on your artificial grass you find a product that is pet friendly and will not harm your pup if ingested and that you rinse it out thoroughly to protect sensitive paws from irritation.
WeThrift’s Nick Drewe warned: “A TikTok trend has emerged for users to pour dishwashing powder on their artificial grass and although this will remove the odor it could cause serious health problems if your dog ingests it and cause skin irritation. So avoid this method and instead find a pet-friendly cleaning product, such as Zoflora.”
Homeowners are advised to use an enzymatic cleaning product to break down the molecules found in materials like urine, feces, and food that cause odors and stains. While enzymatic cleaners can be used for all stains around the home and garden, they are most commonly found in a pet parent’s household as they are excellent at eliminating odors. Nick explained: “Enzyme cleaners work amazingly well at cleaning artificial grass and removing the odor of dog urine because unlike most scented cleaners they eliminate the odor rather than just covering up bad smells.”
If you’re looking for an inexpensive and eco-friendly way to get rid of the bad odors from artificial grass, you can mix your own citrus spray as an eco-friendly alternative. Simply mix two tablespoons of lemon juice and four cups of water in a spray bottle and coat the artificial turf in a light coat that acts as a natural deterrent. After application, leave the spray on and rinse off with warm water to remove any residue.
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