How to Clean Dog Pee on Concrete, Patios and Artificial Turf

Dog pee outside seems like it should take care of itself. On grass, rain and soil usually do. On concrete, pavers, a patio or artificial turf, it does not: the urine soaks into the pores of the stone or collects in the turf backing and infill, and after a few warm days the whole area smells. This guide covers garage floors, patios and decks, and artificial grass, plus what not to use on each.

It follows guidance from Humane World for Animals on pet stains and odors, and the care instructions that artificial turf makers ForeverLawn and Realturf publish for pet areas. When a surface has its own care guide (your turf, your sealer, your pavers), follow that first.

Why outdoor urine smells so strong

• Concrete and stone are porous. Urine runs into tiny holes in the surface. Once it dries, the residue stays inside, and every time the slab gets damp or warm the smell comes back.
• Artificial turf holds it underneath. The plastic blades do not absorb urine, but the backing, the infill and the base below can. Without rain or rinsing, it builds up there.
• Repeat spots get worse. Dogs tend to go where they smell they have gone before, so one corner of the patio can collect weeks of urine.

Concrete, garage floors and pavers: step by step

1. Find all the spots. Old urine is hard to see on gray concrete. Check after dark with a UV black light, where dried urine often glows. See how to find pet urine with a black light.
2. Clear and rinse. Pick up any solids, sweep, then rinse the area with plenty of water to dilute what is near the surface. Make sure the water drains away from the house, not toward a doorway or under a garage door seal.
3. Soak with an enzyme product. Humane World for Animals recommends enzymatic cleaners for pet urine, because they break down pet waste odors. On concrete, use enough that it soaks in as deep as the urine did, not just a light mist. Follow the label for dwell time.
4. Keep it wet while it works. Enzymes stop working when they dry out. On a hot or sunny slab, cover the area with plastic sheeting or work in the shade or the evening, if the product label allows it.
5. Rinse and let it dry fully, then check the smell the next day. Deep or old spots often need a second or third round.

Sealed or painted floors: an epoxy or sealed garage floor does not absorb much, so a wipe, an enzyme cleaner and a rinse are usually enough. Check the coating maker’s instructions before using any strong cleaner on it.

Prevent it next time: once the smell is gone, sealing bare concrete in the area your dog uses makes the next cleanup far easier. Use a sealer made for your surface and follow its instructions.

Patios, stone and decks

• Pavers and natural stone: treat them like concrete. Urine also collects in the joints, so work the enzyme product into the gaps between stones. Test any cleaner on a hidden spot first, since some stone (marble, limestone) can be damaged by acidic products.
• Wood decks: rinse, apply an enzyme cleaner, and rinse again. Avoid a high-pressure jet, which can gouge soft wood. If the stain and smell stay in bare wood, see our hardwood floor guide for why urine is hard to lift from wood once it soaks in.
• Outdoor rugs and cushions: rinse from the back, treat with an enzyme product and dry them in the open air.

Artificial turf: step by step

1. Pick up solids first, every day if your dog uses the turf daily.
2. Rinse often. Realturf’s care page says to rinse urine areas frequently with a hose. ForeverLawn’s pet turf care sheet advises rinsing between cleanings if you do not get regular rain. A weekly rinse of the whole pet area keeps buildup down.
3. Use an enzyme cleaner made for turf. Realturf recommends enzyme-based cleaners designed for artificial turf, because they break down organic compounds without damaging the fibers or the infill. Make sure the product reaches the infill and backing, not just the blades.
4. Rinse again after the product has worked, to flush the residue through the drainage.
5. Brush the fibers. Realturf suggests brushing once or twice a month, or weekly in heavy-use pet areas, to keep the blades upright and the infill even.

Watch the infill. Infill moves and compacts over time, especially in pet zones. Top it up with the type your installer specifies. ForeverLawn says to use only infill it has approved, so check with your installer before adding anything.

What not to use

• Bleach, vinegar and harsh chemicals on turf. Realturf lists bleach, vinegar and harsh chemicals as things to avoid, because they can discolor the turf or damage the backing. ForeverLawn also warns against harsh chemicals and solvents, and says they may affect warranty claims.
• High-pressure washing on turf. ForeverLawn says not to use it. Realturf says a wide, low-pressure fan spray is fine but not to aim at the seams.
• Ammonia-based cleaners anywhere. Humane World for Animals advises avoiding ammonia and vinegar for pet urine, because strong chemical smells may encourage a pet to mark the same spot again.
• Mixing products. Never mix bleach with ammonia or with acids such as vinegar. If you use more than one product, rinse well between them.
• Fragrance alone. A scented spray covers the smell for a day, but the urine is still in the concrete or the infill.

Keeping it fresh

• Give your dog one potty area and rinse it on a schedule, more often in hot, dry weather.
• On a patio, a small patch of real grass, gravel or a dedicated turf pad can keep urine off the stone near the house.
• Deal with new spots the same day, before they dry into the surface.
• If the smell is inside the house too, see how to get rid of dog smell in the house.

If your dog has a kennel run or dog house outside, see how to clean an outdoor dog house and kennel run for the full routine.

Keep cleanup supplies ready

Our Pet Cleanup Kit puts gloves, an enzyme odor product, an absorbent powder and a UV black light in one pouch, so you can find and treat spots on the garage floor or patio the same day. Check the product label to confirm it suits your surface, and test it on a hidden area first.

Frequently asked questions

Will rain wash dog pee off concrete?

Rain dilutes what is on the surface, but it does not reliably clear urine that has soaked into the pores, which is why a patio can still smell after a storm. An enzyme soak followed by a rinse treats what is inside the slab.

Can I pressure wash dog urine off a patio?

Pressure washing moves surface dirt, but it does not break down urine residue in the pores, and it can damage soft stone, wood and the joints between pavers. On artificial turf, ForeverLawn says not to use high-pressure washing at all. Rinse, then use an enzyme product.

How often should I clean artificial turf my dog uses?

Pick up solids daily, rinse urine spots often and the whole pet area about weekly, and use a turf enzyme cleaner when you notice odor. Increase this in hot weather or with several dogs.

Why does my garage still smell after cleaning?

Usually because the cleaner did not reach as deep as the urine, or there are spots you have not found. Use a black light to find them all, soak each one again and keep it wet while the product works.

Sources

• Humane World for Animals: How to remove pet stains and odors
• Realturf: Artificial turf maintenance and pet care
• ForeverLawn: K9Grass maintenance recommendations (PDF)

This guide is general cleaning information. Follow your surface maker’s care instructions and the product label, and test cleaners on a hidden area first.