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8 Best Artificial Grass Cleaner for Dog Urine in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks
Pete Ortiz
Last updated:
Are you tired of the nasty dog urine stains and smell ruining your artificial grass? We feel your pain! Even the most trained and disciplined four-legged friends like to do their business on the lawn occasionally. It leaves a horrible, lingering odor and yellow marks that are almost impossible to remove with everyday products. So, you’re probably looking for an artificial grass cleaner for the lawn.
The cleaners are cheap, easy to use, and effective at eliminating any traces of dog waste. But which cleaning product will get the job done? You’ll learn the answer in our reviews! We’ll discuss eight market-leading artificial cleaners and focus on their pros, cons, and best uses. Take your time, check out our detailed Buyer’s Guide, and we’re confident you’ll find the perfect cleaner for your artificial lawn!
We chose Simple Green’s product as our top pick because it’s the best overall artificial grass cleaner for your lawn. First, it does an incredible job of eliminating the source of the stains and the smell. It uses natural enzymes to break down the mess and make it disappear and is equally strong against stool, vomit, and, of course, urine. Second, once applied, it lasts several weeks or up to a month, which can’t be said about most cleaning solutions.
It’s very user-friendly, too, and doesn’t take much effort to connect it to a garden hose, aim, and “shoot”! This chemical-free, non-toxic remover is 100% safe for dogs and humans. Remember that for Simple Green to be truly efficient, you’ll have to rinse the lawn and make it wet. Otherwise, the nasty odor will return in a day or two, especially if it’s hot outside.
Pros
Eliminates odors at the source
Very easy to use
100% non-toxic
Lasting effect
Cons
Poor performance on dry areas
2. Skout’s Honor Outdoor Urine & Odor Destroyer Spray – Best Value
If you want the best value with a synthetic lawn cleaner, look no further! While Skout’s Honor’s product isn’t the cheapest product out there, it does cover lots of ground and lasts for a long time. It also takes effect immediately; you won’t have to wait hours for it to kick in. Next, this urine remover dissolves stubborn stains and prevents re-soiling. Instead of masking the foul odor, it targets the urine molecules.
The eco-friendly and cruelty-free, Skout’s Honor is the best artificial grass cleaner for the money. We have to say that the hose attachment breaks easily. On the bright side, if you’re unhappy with its performance, don’t hesitate to take advantage of the satisfaction guarantee. Also, when you purchase Skout’s Honor, you’ll help a starving rescue dog get a nice meal!
This is one of the most expensive synthetic lawn cleaners available, but it is well worth it. Most importantly, it is incredibly efficient against stubborn stains. If you’ve been disappointed by other cleaning solutions, try BioTurf, and you’ll see the difference. Besides, with TurfFresh, you’ll get a generous package. Along with a standard 32-ounce bottle, the kit includes a 1-gallon canister.
Specifically formulated to remove pet stains and smells in artificial turf, this odor eliminator is biodegradable and enzymatic. That means it is safe not only for dogs, cats, and humans but also for plants. Once you apply BioTurf, you’ll see the results almost instantly. And, thanks to the extra gallon, you’ll always have enough cleaner to handle your dog’s mess. However, the cleaner’s scent doesn’t last long, especially in dry climates.
Pros
Strong against stubborn stains
2-in-1 product
Safe to use around plants
Commercial-grade industrial formula
Cons
Rather expensive
Scent doesn’t last
4. NaturVet Yard Odor Eliminator Plus with Citronella
If you can’t find an all-around solid odor and stain eliminator for your artificial lawn, NaturVet’s product certainly deserves your attention. It also works indoors on carpets and softwoods. When you apply it outside, you’ll notice fewer bugs (especially gnats) around—a nice bonus. The added citronella, in turn, scares garden pests away and leaves a refreshing smell. On the downside, it doesn’t have any disinfecting properties.
Furthermore, NaturVet is NOT safe for pets or kids (at least before the formula dries). As for longevity, on average, it lasts for 2 weeks. Since the odor eliminator comes packed with a reliable hose attachment, spraying it over your lawn won’t take much time or effort.
Pros
Equally efficient indoors and outdoors
Keeps mosquitos and gnats away
Leaves behind a fresh scent
Cons
No disinfecting properties
Sensitive for some dogs
5. TURF RENU Bio-Enzymatic Cleaning Solution for Synthetic/Artificial Turf
Available in big bottles (1- and 5-gallon) and a 32-ounce can, the TURF RENU’s product product is non-pathogenic and hypo-allergenic. Turf Renu’s bio-enzymatic formula is decent if you have a sensitive dog and want to keep it from harm’s way. It won’t cause allergies, no matter how much you apply on the grass. This cleaner is officially recommended by the CDC, USDA, and NSF.
The solution is quite efficient, mainly thanks to the Bacillus strains. Just be gentle with the bottle, as it tends to get clogged when used regularly. Also, sometimes, the product takes a while to arrive at your doorstep.
Since it’s free of solvents, harmful bacteria, and bleach, Nature’s Pure is one of the safest and most user-friendly synthetic lawn cleaners on the market. It is a long-lasting product that doesn’t take long to get into effect. The noxious dog urine odor will vanish almost immediately after you apply this solution. Speaking of that, Nature’s Pure must be sprinkled over the affected area without diluting it with water.
You won’t be able to cover the entire backyard with this cleaner, and you’ll run out of it fairly quickly. On the bright side, it is the perfect remedy against the most stubborn stains. It doesn’t matter if a dog or a cat made the mess; the trademark crystalline structure will do short work of it.
Pros
Crystalline structure
Equally strong against dog and cat urine
Cons
Only covers a small area
Runs out quickly
7. Stuart Pet Supply Artificial Turf Cleaner and Outdoor Pet Odor Eliminator
There’s nothing complicated about applying this fake grass cleaner; you dilute it with water, spray it over the grass, and the formula will do the rest. Like most odor eliminators on the list, Stuart Pet’s cleaner breaks down the mess through enzymes (or, rather, naturally occurring microorganisms) and gets rid of the source of the smell, not just the aroma. Plus, it specializes in synthetic areas and can be applied to yards, dog runs, and kennels.
However, while it works, Stuart Pet’s cleaner isn’t very efficient. It takes a large amount to make a real difference and doesn’t last long (just a day or two). Furthermore, it doesn’t “come into force” immediately—you’ll have to give it some time—and the bottle leaks when not used carefully. However, Start Pet backs its artificial cleaner with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Do you know why dog urine has such a pungent odor? It’s rich in uric acid crystals, and the ProVetLogic cleaner is specifically formulated to remove stains and deodorize the smell. Since it’s bacteria-enriched, it eliminates dog pee (and other organic waste) on artificial grass. Next, ProVetLogic is GHS-complaint; the chemicals aren’t harmful to dogs, humans, or any organic form of life.
It’s also economical and dilutes 2–4 ounces per gallon of water (always a big pro). Add an above-average size (1/2 gallon), and you’ll instantly see the appeal. Returning to the composition, it isn’t a 100% natural product, as it is formulated with synthetic detergents. Another downside is the bottle; it’s difficult to hold and carry around. As for the smell, it reminds us of cheap perfume.
Pros
Recommended by leading manufacturers of synthetic pet turf
Fully GHS compliant
Economic concentrate
Cons
Includes synthetic detergents
Poor bottle design
Smells like cheap perfume
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Artificial Grass Cleaner for Dog Urine
Are Artificial Grass Cleaners Worth It?
Synthetic lawns are great in more than one way, but they don’t absorb pet mess like natural grass. When your dog pees on it, the urine “sits” in the substructure of the artificial grass. And once it builds up, your entire backyard will have a nasty odor. In other words, it goes right through the fake grass instead of getting soaked by it. And if you’ve got a weed barrier lying underneath the grass, the urine will stay there for an even longer time without evaporating.
A high-quality artificial grass cleaner includes bacteria that successfully remove the smell and the stain. How does it do that? By breaking down the nitrogen in large quantities in dog urine, grass cleaners prevent the smell from taking over the garden. Without the bacteria, the pee will quickly turn into ammonia with a much worse odor. So, yes, artificial grass cleaners are highly effective at eliminating dog mess—both the yellow stains and the “aroma”.
What About Safety? Will These Products Harm My Dog?
The answer is no, artificial grass cleaners are NOT harmful to dogs or humans as long as they don’t include toxic chemicals. Most cleaners are formulated from natural elements. On top of that, they are biodegradable, which is always great news for the environment and the safety of your pets and family members (including children).
Maybe I Should Use Vinegar Instead?
If you’re on a limited budget but still want to eliminate the all-consuming dog urine odor and remove the stain, some everyday products can help, such as vinegar, enzymatic cleaners, and basic kitchen soda. Using these products won’t take much effort as long as you have a garden hose. However, remember that none of these solutions will be as effective as artificial grass cleaners.
Why Not Combine Different Products?
It might be a good idea to mix an artificial lawn cleaner with folk remedies to get the best possible result. First, grab the hose and ensure the affected area is nice and wet. Next, mix vinegar and soda with water (50/50) and use the formula as your first “layer of attack”. Rinse the area once again, and then use the cleaner as the primary remedy against the mess.
Image Credit: DaModernDaVinci, Pixabay
How To Pick the Right Artificial Lawn Cleaner?
Today, we checked out ten artificial grass cleaners, so you can pick the one you like. Or, if you prefer to learn your way around the topic and make an educated pick, here are the key factors to keep in mind before committing to any brand’s product:
Coverage: The first thing to check is how much ground (or, rather, grass) the cleaner can cover. The best products can treat thousands of square feet of turf, which should be more than enough for the average lawn. Check the bottle/container. There, you’ll find all the necessary info on coverage, like “8 gallons out of one bottle”, “covers up to a thousand square feet”, etc.
How Long Does It Last? Some cheaper grass cleaners lose their efficiency after hours; others last a day or two. And then, there are concentrated formulas that digest dog waste for up to a week after application. We also recommend buying a fake grass-cleaning product that prevents re-marking. Without this component, your dog will (most likely) come back to the same spot and “refresh” it.
Freshly Cut Grass Fragrance: Looking for a cleaner that doesn’t only eliminate the bad smell but also adds a lovely aroma? Then you need to get a product that says “freshly cut grass fragrance” on the bottle. While it doesn’t last very long, it still smells nice.
Ease of Use: Good news: most modern-day artificial turf cleaners aren’t hard to use. You’ll have to shake the bottle, point the nozzle away, and attach the hose to the rear end. Next, set the hose to low or moderate pressure, turn the nozzle to “On”, and spray away. Rinse the area with clean water, leave the turf to dry, and that’s it!
Is There a Way To Make My Synthetic Lawn Urine-Resistant?
If you’re just planning on having artificial turf installed, make sure the substrate underneath it prevents liquids from getting trapped. This can be achieved if the substrate is made from a porous backing. Also, ask the installers to add a special membrane that allows for more airflow. Crushed rocks under the lawn and antibacterial surfaces also work. However, the best remedy against dog pee is a cleaning product, and the sooner you find the mess and treat it, the better.
How Can I Make My Dog Pee on Artificial Grass?
Are you struggling with “tricking” your dog into peeing on the synthetic turf outside instead of floors, carpets, and couches in your home? You’re not alone! Like most pets, dogs use urine to mark their territory. So, why don’t they like doing it on artificial grass? It’s because it doesn’t smell anything like natural grass. More importantly, it doesn’t smell like other dogs that your pup might want to “overthrow” by adding their scent.
The good news is that the same techniques you used to train your dog to potty outside apply here. The bad news is that will take some time. Use treats to reward the furry animal, prepare for accidents, and be patient. Take your dog outside every 30 minutes, even if they don’t necessarily have to go.
Conclusion
Alright, that is it for the reviews! Our all-time favorite artificial grass cleaner is Simple Green. It is incredibly efficient, easy to use, non-toxic, and long-lasting. If you’re on a somewhat tight budget, Skout’s Honor is a worthy alternative. It’s almost as effective as our #1 pick but comes at a lower price.
Finally, if you have extra bucks and are interested in a top-tier cleaner, go with BioTurf BioS+ Artificial Turf Pet Odor Eliminator. This 2-in-1 product is perfect against stubborn stains and 100% safe for plants.
Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. Fascinated by all sort of tools, Pete loves reading and writing about all the latest gadgets and accessories that hit the market. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing.
As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden.
