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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 once in a while. And that 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, right?
These products are cheap, easy to use, and quite decent at eliminating any traces of dog mess. But what brand(s) do you trust? Which cleaning product will get the job done? You’ll learn all the answers in our reviews! We’ll go over 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 that you’ll find the perfect cleaner for your lawn!
We chose Simple Green’s product as our top pick because it’s the best overall artificial grass cleaner for your lawn right now. First, it does an incredible job of eliminating the very source of the stains and the smell. Equally strong against stool, vomit, and, of course, urine, it uses natural enzymes to break down the mess and make it disappear. Second, once applied, it lasts for 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 use—just connect it to a garden hose, aim, and “shoot”! This is a chemical-free, non-toxic remover—100% safe for dogs and humans. Do keep in mind, though, that for Simple Green to be truly efficient, you’ll have to rinse the lawn and make it wet. Otherwise, the nasty odor will come back in a day or two, especially if it’s hot outside. Still, this is the best synthetic grass cleaner the market has to offer.
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’re looking to get the best value with a synthetic lawn cleaner, look no further! While Simple Green’s product isn’t the cheapest product out there, it does cover lots of ground and lasts for a long time. Along with that, it takes effect immediately: you won’t have to wait for hours for it to kick in. Next, this urine remover dissolves and lifts stubborn stains, and prevents re-soiling. Instead of masking the bad odor, it targets the molecules of the urine.
Eco-friendly and cruelty-free, Skout’s Honor is, indeed, the best artificial grass cleaner for the money. We do have to say that the included hose attachment breaks easily. On the bright side, if you’re not happy with its performance, don’t hesitate to take advantage of the satisfaction guarantee. And one more thing: by purchasing this product, 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. How so? Most importantly, it is extremely 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 also 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, though, 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
Can’t seem to find an all-around solid odor and stain eliminator for your artificial lawn? Then Simple Green’s product certainly deserves your attention. It works indoors as well, by the way, including carpets and softwoods. And when you apply it on the outside, you’ll notice that there are 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: certain dogs are sensitive to it. Make sure to keep your kids away as well (at least before the formula dries). As for longevity, on average, it lasts for 2 weeks. And, 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 Tr10101 Bio-Enzymatic Cleaning Solution for Synthetic/Artificial Turf
Available in big bottles (1- and 5-gallon) and a 32-ounce can, the Simple Green’s product product is non-pathogenic and hypo-allergenic. If you have a sensitive dog and want to keep it from harm’s way, this bio-enzymatic formula will be a decent pick. It won’t cause any allergies, no matter how much of it you apply on the grass. This cleaner comes officially recommended by the CDC, USDA, and NSF, by the way—another big pro.
But how efficient is it, though? Can you trust this product with removing your pet’s urine stains? Yes, this solution has proven to be quite efficient, mainly thanks to the included 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.
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. This is a long-lasting product that doesn’t take long to get into effect. In fact, the noxious dog urine odor will vanish almost immediately after you apply this solution. Speaking of that, Nature’s Pure is to be sprinkled over the affected area, not mixed with water, and sprayed over the lawn.
So, yes, you won’t be able to cover the entire backyard with this cleaner, as 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 really matter if the mess was made by a dog or a cat. 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 hard about applying this fake grass cleaner: simply 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 dealing with synthetic areas and can also be applied to yards, dog runs, and kennels.
However, while it does work, this product isn’t very efficient. It takes a large amount to make a real difference and it doesn’t last for 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. Start Pet does back its artificial cleaner with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, though—keep that in mind.
Do you know why dog urine has such a pungent odor? That’s because it’s rich in uric acid crystals. And the ProVetLogic cleaner is specifically formulated to remove the stains and deodorize the smell. Bacteria enriched, it does a decent job of degrading dog pee (and other forms of organic waste) on artificial grass. Next, this product is GHS compliant: the included chemicals aren’t harmful to dogs, humans, or any organic form of life.
It’s also economic 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. Going back to the composition, this isn’t a 100% natural product, as it is formulated with synthetic detergents. Another downside has to do with the bottle: it’s not very easy to hold or 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 quite as natural grass does. 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 be filled with 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 removes both the smell and the stain. How does it do that? By breaking down the nitrogen that’s contained 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 which has a much worse odor. So, yes, artificial grass cleaners are, indeed, 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 any chemicals (toxic compounds). 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 really limited budget but still want to get rid of the all-consuming dog urine odor and remove the stain, some everyday products can help you with that. We’re talking about vinegar, enzymatic cleaners, and even basic kitchen soda. As long as you’ve got a garden hose, it won’t take much effort to use these products. However, do keep in mind that none of these solutions will be as effective as artificial grass cleaners.
Why Not Combine Different Products?
With that said, it might be a good idea to mix an artificial lawn cleaner with folk remedies to get the best possible result. First, grab that hose and make sure the affected area is nice and wet. Next, you can mix vinegar and soda with water (50/50) and use that formula as your first “layer of attack”. Rinse the area once again and only then use the cleaner as the main remedy against the mess.
Image Credit: DaModernDaVinci, Pixabay
How To Pick the Right Artificial Lawn Cleaner?
Today, we checked out ten best-selling and fan-favored artificial grass cleaners; so, you can just go ahead and 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 for 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 for very long, it still does smell nice and doesn’t leave any lingering pee odors a chance.
Ease of Use: Good news: most modern-day artificial turf cleaners aren’t at all hard to use. All you’ll have to do is 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 work as well. With that said, 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 in this! Like most pets, dogs use urine to mark their territory: it’s all about the odor. So, why don’t they like doing that on artificial grass? That’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 own scent.
How do you train it, then? The good news is—the same techniques that you used to train your dog to do potty outside apply here. The bad news is—that’s going to take some time. Use treats to reward the furry animal, get yourself ready for accidents, and be patient. Take your four-legged friend outside every 30 minutes even if he/she doesn’t necessarily have to go. A leash might also help but be gentle with it. Keep at it, and you’ll get there!
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 will be a worthy alternative. It’s almost as effective as our #1 pick but comes at a lower price.
Finally, if you’ve got extra bucks to spare 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.
