Dog Owners and Artificial Grass Installations

Published: 21 September 2021

Dog Owners Artificial Grass and ‘The System’

“I’d love an artificial lawn, but I’m concerned my dogs will cause it to smell!” – Mrs Jacobs
“What happens when my dog urinates on my synthetic lawn?” – A Crabtree

… regular questions posed by dog owners who wish to have a synthetic lawn

Dogs bring so much joy and happiness to your life, but not so much sometimes when it concerns an artificial lawn. Allowing a dog to use the artificial grass as a toilet, without some preventive measures and regular cleaning, can leave the garden less than pleasant to be in, especially during warm months. Urine can be absorbed into artificial grass backing, weed membrane and subbase creating uric acid and subsequent smells.

Here is a brief overview of three important products to consider if you wish to have an artificial garden and a dog:

Artificial Grass with Polyurethane Backing

Infinity and Mulsanne have a PU backing which means that it is less absorbent than the conventional latex backing. Latex is still an ideal backing for artificial grass, but it does have absorbent qualities, allowing urine to crystalise and smell if not regularly cleaned through, particularly in a spell of dry weather. Note: all artificial grass should be washed through and cleaned where a dog has done its business!

It’s still fine to use latex backed grasses for dog owner households but it’s even more important to ensure that the ‘toilet area’ is hosed or jet washed on a regular basis. Note: we recommend that your sub base should be approx 50mm compacted Type 1 MOT with a top surface of 10-15mm compacted Granodust. Avoid sharp sand as the top surface as this will absorb dog urine and smell.

Envirofill Premium Artificial Grass Infill

Key Points:

• Inhibits pet urine odour by up to 99%. Microban® technology reduces ammonia odour from urine by up to 99%. Microban® has been scientifically proven to disrupt the bacteria process that coverts pet urine into ammonia odour.
• Microban® antimicrobial protection is infused into Envirofill® during the manufacturing process to help prevent the growth of bacteria, mould, and mildew that can cause stains, odours, and product deterioration.
• It’s reusable. Because of its superior durability, Envirofill coating and colour are warrantied for 16 years. A single application product, no need to reapply!
• Each 22kg bag will cover around 3m2 - use more if the artificial grass has a long pile height

Envirofill has some key advantages over other, lesser products:

Clean and safe, rounded so won’t compact, great performance, low maintenance, highly durable, promotes good drainage, proven and established, cooler temperatures.

Enzyme Technology Cleaners

Too many ‘cleaning products’ are just fragrances which ‘mask’ smells, but ultimately create a far worse problem! You need Enzyme based products for a real and full effect! Enzyme technology breaks down the uric acid which creates the pungent smells, this is critical for effective cleaning.

Enzyme technology dog cleaning products - Designed to remove dog urine deposits from the blades of the grass and from the sand and sub-base below the artificial grass. The most effective enzymatic odour remover on the market which resolves issues relating to dog urine odour, uric acid crystals, mould and algae. Fully bio-degradable and safe for pets.

Wee Free - Artificial Grass Cleaner for Dog Owners
A sub-base soaker designed to remove dog urine deposits from the blades of the grass and from the sand and sub-base below the artificial grass. The most effective enzymatic odour remover on the market.
Resolves issues relating to dog urine odour, uric acid crystals, mould and algae. Fully bio-degradable and safe for pets.