It’s that time of year in New England where your yard and garden might get some extra visitors. Unfortunately, one of those visitors can leave a little calling card that is less than pleasant. We’re talking about those little striped scent-makers, skunks!
What to do if a skunk sprays your artificial turf
That beautiful yard or garden you designed with artificial turf is an investment and one you want to take care of. Some good news is that artificial turf is pet-friendly (even used for dog parks!) so clean-up is doable. If you’ve installed an irrigation system under your turf even better, but there are some things you can do.
Vinegar for your turf
Vinegar and water is one of those great household solutions for neutralizing odors. Just mix one part vinegar and one part water (a squirt of dishwashing liquid is a good add) mix it all up in a bucket or bowl and wash the area with the solution. You may want to let it sit for a bit and then wash or hose the area down.
Hit your refrigerator
Tomato juice. Long a favorite for dealing with skunks and for good reason. Tomato juice contains chemicals that will neutralize the spray smell. This would only be practical if only a very small area of your lawn took a hit, however.
Get out the big guns
One of the most effective weapons for skunk odor is hydrogen peroxide, but you’ll need to be more careful with this as hydrogen peroxide is pretty powerful and can have a bleaching effect. Mix a quart of three-percent hydrogen peroxide, a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent, and add a quarter to one half of a cup of baking soda. This is a potent brew, so be sure to avoid any contact with your eyes or skin. Again, you’ll want to rub this mixture on the affected area and make sure to rinse the area thoroughly right afterward.
Commercial Cleaners
If you have none of the ingredients for these home solutions handy, you can always use a commercial cleaning product. A quick web search will yield some results, but the sooner you can get a hold of it, the better it will be.
Turf Prep can help
Of course, cleaning and disinfecting as part of a regular artificial grass maintenance routine will keep your new lawn in the best, longest-lasting shape. You can contact us here.
