For fur parents, an artificial grass pad has emerged as a convenient solution for potty training their dogs. Also called fake grass or synthetic grass pads, these products are positioned as a low-maintenance and water-free alternative to natural grass.
Artificial grass pads are also made to simulate the look and feel of real grass. Functionality-wise, the design allows dog pee to pass through the grass and collect on the substrate underneath. Both fake and real grass potty pad solutions offer the versatility to be installed in various locations—both indoors and outdoors
However, the question remains: how well does it handle cleaning? Specifically, how do you effectively clean dog urine and eliminate the unpleasant smell from fake grass?
How to Clean Dog Pee From Fake Dog Grass
Artificial grass pads require daily cleaning to keep your environment sanitary.
Remove Solid Waste First
Start by removing solid waste from the surface after every time your dog eliminates on the pad. Avoid letting poop sit on the grass for long because the harder it becomes, the harder it will be to clean up. But in case it happens, loosen the waste by hosing it down.
Salt Water Solution: Mix one part of salt with three parts of warm water. Then, immediately pour the solution onto the soiled area and blot it up with paper towels.
Vinegar Solution: Mix one part of white vinegar with four parts of water to make a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. Pour the solution over the soiled grass and let it sit for 5 minutes before blotting it up.
Baking Soda: Simply sprinkle baking soda over the soiled area to deodorize your grass pad and absorb excess dog urine. Let it sit for 20 minutes before vacuuming. You can also mix it with water to make a baking soda paste to clean your fake grass. Then, hose it down to rinse.
Mild Soap & Water: This solution works for most urine stains and odors. Mix mild soap or dish soap with water, scrub the soiled area, and then rinse.
Enzymatic Cleaner: Enzymatic cleaners are available in liquid and powder forms, designed to break down proteins in pet urine that cause foul odor. In many cases, you'll have to pour it over the soiled area and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing, but for accuracy, follow the instructions on the packaging.
Address Lingering Odor
It's not unusual for the dog pee smell to linger after washing and rinsing your dog's potty grass. If a vinegar and water solution or a sprinkle of baking soda didn't help, try using an artificial grass cleaner designed to remove the foul pee smell.
The Real Low-Maintenance and Water-Free Dog Pee Pad
With all the cleaning involved to keep fake grass pads sanitary, mainly when dealing with pet urine and odors, they seem not as water-free and low-maintenance as they are positioned to be. The reality of their upkeep challenges the perception of effortless maintenance and may just not align with their marketing claims.
Cleaning fake grass can be time-consuming. Over time, it can also hold pet odors that are hard to eliminate. It means, as a pet owner, you'll have to spend more time hosing and cleaning, particularly if it's used as your dog's main toilet.
Meanwhile, as far as maintenance goes with real grass pads, the most effort you will have to do is to scoop up the solid waste daily as you would with fake grass.
The Benefits of Using Real Grass For Dog Potty Tray
Unlike traditional fake grass pads, our Gotta Go Grass® natural grass potty pads are durable, liquid-absorbing, and odor-wicking. They are convenient to use and can last for 1-4 weeks.
Our natural grass refills come with a hard-wearing plastic dog potty tray. Once the grass is soiled, you can easily compost or discard it in a biodegradable bin, clean your tray, and replace it with a fresh one. This ease of maintenance allows for a consistently clean and comfortable potty space for your pet.
Additionally, while fake grass may visually replicate the look of real grass, it falls short of replicating the multi-sensory experience that dogs naturally enjoy outdoors. With the inherent qualities of real grass, it goes beyond mere appearance—it provides a more authentic environment for your furry companion. Read here for a comprehensive comparison between real grass and fake grass.
Final Thoughts
Despite the marketing allure of fake grass pads, the real-life advantages of natural grass potty pads—durability, sensory authenticity, and effortless maintenance—position them as a superior and genuinely low-maintenance potty solution for dogs.
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