Summertime is upon us! We know you’ll want your artificial turf in your backyard to look and smell 100% for those backyard gatherings throughout the next few months. Dog urine certainly is not the ‘must have’ fragrance of summer 2019! That being said, you’ll probably want to learn how to clean artificial grass for dogs.
Artificial grass for dogs has many advantages. For one, it requires less attention as it maintains its lushness and color throughout the seasons and doesn’t need mowing come summer. Regardless, artificial grass still needs upkeep, especially if you own a pooch. Follow these simple steps and your artificial turf will be smelling fresh for all those upcoming barbecues this season!
Installation of Drainage Systems for Artificial Grass for Dogs
Getting the installation right is the first step to conquer the unpleasant odors of dog urine. During the installation of artificial grass, a high-quality drainage system must also be set in place. The drainage system should be designed to allow water to percolate through the backing of the artificial turf and drain through the base layer of the water table.
Some dog owners have found that by laying the weed membrane beneath the foundations, instead of directly under the artificial grass, prevents dog urine from being trapped between the layers which could otherwise sit and create a stench that may send your outdoor guests running. A drainage system is also something you can discuss further with our synthetic turf fitters.
Removing Hair from Artificial Grass for Dogs
Even with a high-quality drainage system, dog urine could still be an issue. Your fur-baby may be shedding that uncomfortable winter coat over the next few months. During this time, it’s important to keep an eye out for dog hair that may block your drainage system. A blocked drainage system could cause a backup of the dog urine as it will have nowhere else to filter.
If hamburgers with a side of urine aren’t really your thing, we suggest sprucing up your artificial grass by brushing it (with a stiff brush), weaning out any dog hair. Remember to brush gently, as if you use too much force you could end up misshaping the turf. Some people find it more efficient to use a leaf blower to rid their synthetic turf of dog hair.
General Maintenance for Artificial Grass for Dogs
For general maintenance, you can use a leaf blower to get rid of any sort of debris that sits in your artificial grass (i.e: leaves, branches, rocks, etc.) With a leaf blower, it’s best practice to blow all the debris towards one specific corner of the turf. Once all debris is grouped together, collect it for removal.
The next step is to hose down your artificial grass to get rid of any remaining debris and to reduce any lingering smells (in the case that your turf is frequently being used as a dog toilet). If there is an area on your turf where you know your dog has tinkered, sprinkle the spot(s) with baking soda before dabbing the area with a diluted solution of water and vinegar. This solution should kill bacteria and prevent smells and molding in the area.
A routine of general maintenance once a month should be sufficient. In the summer, upkeep should be done more often as the heat can intensify odours and accelerate the process of molding. Also, warmer weather usually brings more people and pets into your backyard, bringing in pebbles from hikes and sand from the beach!