Most treatments fail on the application, not the bottle: too little liquid, at the wrong time of day, rinsed off too soon. Here is the right amount, timing and setup.
How much to mix
Ready-to-use spray per pass, and what it costs at $10 a finished gallon of Urine Zero 10X ($99.95 for a jug that mixes to 10 gallons).
| Area | Light | Moderate | Severe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.3 gal ($3) | 0.6 gal ($6) | 1.2 gal ($12) |
| 250 sq ft | 0.8 gal ($8) | 1.6 gal ($16) | 2.9 gal ($29) |
| 500 sq ft | 1.6 gal ($16) | 3.1 gal ($31) | 5.9 gal ($59) |
To mix 10X: 12.8 oz of concentrate plus 115.2 oz of water makes a gallon of spray, and 3.2 oz plus 28.8 oz fills a 32 oz bottle. Shake the jug first. Water only, nothing else in the tank.
Pick the right sprayer
A 1-gallon pump sprayer gives the most control on spots and small runs. For big areas a hose-end sprayer is faster: fill it with ready-to-use solution, or use one with a fixed 1 to 9 setting. Either way, set a coarse stream. A fine mist wets the blade tips and evaporates.
Timing: at dusk
Apply within 2 to 3 hours of sunset, or in deep shade. In the sun, artificial turf can run 62°F hotter than the air (UNLV), and a treatment sprayed at midday dries before it soaks in. At dusk it stays damp overnight, and that is when it works.
Soak, then leave it alone
Soak until the infill darkens and feels evenly damp, and go 6 to 12 inches past the edge of the spot, since urine wicks along seams. On a dense lawn, brush it in. Then leave it: do not rinse it off. If it starts to dry before morning, mist it again. Keep pets and children off the turf until it is completely dry.
Repeat, then keep a schedule
Fresh smell often clears in one treatment. Old or heavy-use spots usually need two or three passes, 12 to 24 hours apart. After that, treat heavy-use areas weekly, moderate every other week and light use monthly. In a heat wave, treat hotspots every 7 to 10 days.
Mistakes that waste product
- Misting the blades instead of soaking the infill.
- Spraying at midday in the sun.
- Rinsing it off right after.
- Treating only the visible spot and not the edges.
- Mixing it with vinegar, bleach or other cleaners.
- Stopping after one pass on months of buildup.
Disclosure: Urine Zero publishes this page and sells one of the products in it.
FAQ: Applying it
Should I rinse the turf before treating?
A light rinse to clear dust is fine. Let standing water drain first so you do not dilute the treatment.
Do I rinse it off afterward?
No. Let it dry in place. If any drifted onto a sealed patio, rinse that once the turf is dry.
Can I use a hose-end sprayer?
Yes. Fill it with ready-to-use solution or use a fixed 1 to 9 setting, on a coarse stream.
How do I know I used enough?
The infill should look darker and feel evenly damp when you press it, not just the blade tips.
Sources
- UNLV, Study finds artificial turf may be too hot for summer use: turf surfaces up to 169°F, about 69°F hotter than irrigated grass and 62°F above air temperature (2006 to 2007).