There aren’t many downsides to replacing your natural lawn with realistic-looking synthetic grass. However, one issue that some might encounter, especially if they have dogs, is how to keep artificial turf from smelling. Nothing is more embarrassing than an unseemly odor emanating from your lawn while you’re trying to entertain guests!

There are several reasons your artificial grass might smell, most notably pet urine and mold. Fortunately, there are ways to manage and prevent these smells.

With that in mind, we’ve put together these FAQs to address the common causes of turf smells and provide solutions to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What typically causes artificial grass to stink?

There are two main causes of smells associated with synthetic grass. One is excessive rainwater. When it pours, water can overwhelm drainage systems and build up on your lawn. This provides an ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow, leading to a smelly, unhealthy area.

The other, much more common cause, is pet urine. The benefits of artificial grass for pet owners are well-established, but unfortunately, it can come with the occasional odor problem due to the ammonia in the urine being released back into the air.

What should I do if my turf smells after rain?

Most artificial grass lawns are equipped with a drainage system that’s capable of handling standard rain showers, but when there’s excessive precipitation, it’s possible that your turf smells after rain. This is due to bacterial growth in pooled water. The solution, once you’ve eliminated any excess water, is as simple as using a common household product such as vinegar to kill the mold and mildew and eliminate the associated smell.

How often should I clean my artificial grass of dog urine?

In terms of how often to clean fake grass from dog urine, weekly rinsing will go a long way in helping keep your lawn smelling fresh. Many manufacturers of artificial turf advise using a non-foaming or low suds enzyme cleaner that doesn’t contain alcohol and is biodegradable. You can also use a simple 5-10% solution of bleach and water, although it’s imperative to rinse the lawn thoroughly after the application.

I’m wondering how to keep artificial turf from smelling completely?

If your pet urine problem has lingered for too long, and you’re trying to figure out how to keep artificial turf from smelling, it’s always possible to start from scratch by replacing the infill and deep cleaning the turf. It’s a four-step process that includes the following:

1. Cleaning Out the Old Infill

It’s time-consuming, but vacuuming up the old smelly infill and replacing it with an odor-fighting infill is the best solution to fighting lingering odors. And you can’t just dump the new infill on the old—it’s crucial to remove everything that might be contributing to the smell issue.

2. Deep Cleaning the Artificial Turf Fibers

Once the old infill has been removed, it’s good to give the synthetic grass a deep cleaning with an enzyme-based solution. Water alone won’t wash away dog urine. The enzymes in the cleaner, which can be hooked up to your hose and blended with the water, will cause the remaining stench to evaporate more quickly.

3. Installing Odor-Fighting Infill

There are several different odor-fighting infills for artificial turf available on the market. Essentially, they act to absorb pet urine quickly while disrupting the production of odor-causing bacteria, making sure that your pet urine problem won’t return.

4. Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

As laid out above, using an enzyme-based cleaning agent on a weekly basis will help ensure your artificial grass remains odor-free over the long haul.

As frustrating as it can be when your turf smells after rain or from pet urine, now that you know how to get mold and urine smell out of synthetic grass, you can take the steps necessary to deodorize your lawn and once again enjoy its lushness and beauty!

If you’re in the Arizona area and you have any questions about synthetic turf or are looking to get an artificial lawn installation quote, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts at Arizona Luxury Lawns and Greens.