It’s not uncommon to find artificial grass in many homes these days. Whether you’re looking for a way to keep your dog from getting muddy, or just want that perfect lawn to feel without the maintenance, it can be a great solution. But what about those dogs who like to pee on everything? Can dogs pee on artificial grass? The answer might surprise you!
Yes, dogs can not only play and roll to their heart’s content but they also have the freedom of urinating wherever it pleases. But unlike natural grass, synthetic turf does not absorb or break down all the components of dog waste which leaves an unpleasant smell that lingers for days on end!
That is a quick and simple answer but let’s look at this answer in more detail. We tackle the smells to cleaning.
Can dogs pee and poop on artificial grass?
One of the biggest misconceptions about artificial grass is that dogs can’t poop on it. This just isn’t true! It is fine for your dog to poop on artificial grass. The truth is, the surface of any outdoor carpeting or flooring can be can’t be damaged by your dog’s urine and feces. However, it can cause smells that need to be talked about and we will down below.
The fact is that dogs will still pee on it (even though they’re not supposed to) but because most synthetic lawns are made from recycled plastic bottles, their urine doesn’t damage the surface.
Does dog pee ruin fake grass?
The answer to this question is “it depends”. It’s true that some dog owners have found success in using pee pads on their artificial grass and others swear by always putting their pup outside. The only way to know for sure what works best for you and your pet, after all, is trial and error.
However, the truth is that many carpets or floors can be damaged by your dog’s urine and feces. It smells, it could stain the flooring if not cleaned up right away and will eventually ruin carpet fibers.
The dog pee in nearly all instances will not ruin your fake grass but will leave it smelly. You will need to clean it regularly unlike real grass that will wash away the smell with any rainfall.
Can You Jet Wash Artificial Grass?
No, you cannot jet-wash artificial grass. It is not recommended to use any power washer for cleaning purposes on your artificial grass because it will most likely cause the plastic backing of the carpet to deteriorate and start coming up out of the lawn or matting down which will look terrible in a few short months. That being said, if it is just dirt and mud that are stuck in the artificial grass, you can use a broom to clean it off as much as possible.
If you have a jet wash that can be turned to low powered then you may be ok but you will need to tread carefully. If the power is too great it could cause irrecoverable damage.
Dealing with Pet Odor in Artificial Grass
If the urine does not have time to seep through to the plastic backing of your artificial grass for dogs matting, you can often just scrub it off with a stiff brush and some water. This might be easiest if you use a garden hose for pressure rather than trying to spray down the area with an overhead nozzle because that would likely cause too much water to accumulate in one place.
If the urine has soaked through the mat and into the plastic backing, you will need a more involved cleaning process.
First off, if it is still wet then soak up as much of the liquid as possible with towels or an absorbent cloth before attempting to remove what remains by rolling them out onto the lawn in the sun.
If it has dried, then you will need to use artificial grass cleaner and apply it with an artist’s brush into the tiny cracks where urine can get trapped inside your artificial grass matting.
Once that is done, roll out as much of the material onto your lawn as possible so that the sun can get to any remaining areas and then allow it dry.