ASK MR. SUN:

How do I remove the smell of dog urine from fake grass?

Conservationists: Go ahead, wash it with water.

Friday, April 24, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Ask Mr. Sun

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Dear Mr. Sun,

To help conserve water, I took up the offer from the Southern Nevada Water Authority to remove my water-gobbling grass and get reimbursed $2 per square foot. I used that money to put in artificial turf, and everyone loves it, including my dogs. But on hot days I can smell the buildup of dog urine in the perfectly green blades. What can I do to remove the smell of dog urine on my fake grass? I suppose I can drench it with water, but then I’m back to square one.

Fake grass experts say the evergreen blades are made of nonporous materials. After a dog has its way with the turf, hosing it down — the grass, not the dog — is usually all that’s needed.

And there’s nothing wrong with it, from a water conservation perspective, officials say. There is a big difference between watering real grass and cleaning up after a dog has watered fake grass.

“It takes 72 gallons per square foot, per year to keep fescue (Southern Nevada’s most common grass) alive,” authority spokesman J.C. Davis said. “Even if you have to hose artificial turf down frequently, you’re not going to use but a tiny fraction of that amount of water. And if you use a high-pressure washer, you’ll use even less.”

Three gallons of water is enough to clean 100 square feet of artificial turf, Davis estimates.

Also, veterinarians and pet supply stores sell enzymes that break down particularly potent pet messes.

Questions for Mr. Sun should be sent to page8@lasvegassun.com.

Discussion: 8 comments so far…

By nednougat

4/24/09 at 6:28 a.m.

Suggest removal

Better answer. Throw the dog out of the car in Logandale. Drive off. Problem solved..
By vegasj

4/24/09 at 6:57 a.m.

Suggest removal

OMG, I can't believe this question.

a) get rid of the dog or lock it up and NEVER let it on the turf again.

b) Call the turf company or do a web search on how to clean it (preferably the same type you have). I'm quessing you wash and rinse (just guessing though)

NOTE: I'm not a rocket scientist, but I play one on the internet.
By Harley

4/24/09 at 12:43 p.m.

Suggest removal

Doggie Dipers?
By 2zero

4/26/09 at 10:24 a.m.

Suggest removal

Answer: "the same way Oscar Goodman gets it out of his under pants".......
By jimmyjamman

4/27/09 at 1:14 p.m.

Suggest removal

Simple Green and water
By Sassyfrolet

4/28/09 at 10:23 a.m.

Suggest removal

There is a product sold at Petsmart that attaches to your hose. You rinse your synlawn with it and have it smelling like a country road after a spring rain! Shay lawn douche!
By GimmeABreak

7/30/09 at 10:48 a.m.

Suggest removal

The two posters above have the right idea. Any environmentally safe cleaner (more seem to be entering the market every day) can be sprayed onto patches, then rinsed, or diluted in a lawn sprayer, the same type you can use to fertilize, etc.

Where I live, we get frequent enough rain that I only have to rinse every couple of weeks. In your area, probably need to rinse weekly, maybe more often in the summer.