Keeping your Porch Potty clean and smelling fresh is simple. Especially with regular water rinses a few times a week and a healthy spritz of TURFtastic!
For instance, perhaps you live in the Northeast, where the cold weather lasts from the late fall into spring. Or maybe you live in the South with brutally hot summers.
Although the West Coast is also known for its hot and sunny weather all year round, it faces other climate conditions.
The same goes for the Midwest, which can have similar winter weather conditions as the Northeast, but the climate still varies.
No matter where you live in the country, keeping your Porch Potty clean is much easier when adjusting to your location! Because Porch Potty is built to last a dog’s lifetime, it’s the optimal dog potty for the environment and your wallet.
There’s a reason the Porch Potty is award-winning for its design and functionality. Let’s explore the endless weather conditions that the original dog potty can withstand.
Consider the Elements in Your Region
Let's talk about the average seasonal temperatures and weather conditions for each region of the United States. Because the Porch Potty uses synthetic grass or natural sod with live grass, knowing how the elements affect your region's environment will help maintain your Porch Potty.
Find your region below to get the lowdown on the best way to care for your Porch Potty year round! Or, read through all of our tips to learn more about the weather in other regions and how to adapt.
Need the best canine potty training advice to get dogs using Porch Potty? Check out our complete guide to teach our canine companions, from puppies to senior dogs, to consistently “go” on Porch Potty!
The Northeast
Starting in the Northeast, this region typically has hot and humid summers, crisp falls, cold winters, and rainy springs. So, what does this mean for your Porch Potty?
Well, you may experience a smelly potty during those dog days of summer. Because the Northeast summers typically get humid between July and August, with some hot days in September, you may notice more water buildup in the tray below the grass.
During the late fall and early winter months, when temperatures begin dropping, there may be some frost buildup on the grass. If you have Porch Potty Premium, you’ll need to detach your garden hose from the sprinkler system overnight. When winter temperatures drop at night, the hose can freeze and cause the drainage hose to crack.
The frost could cause the grass, whether synthetic or natural, to feel stiff and cold to the touch. The dropping temperatures could even freeze both grass options, so you may want to keep the Porch Potty indoors to prevent freezing.
But if your Porch Potty is best left outside, be aware that the grass may have to thaw during the day. The Northeast can get a lot of snow and ice storms, so you’ll want to ensure that the Porch Potty doesn’t get several feet of snow piled on top of it.
With the typically rainy springs, waking up to a fresh layer of morning dew on the grass is possible. That means that your Porch Potty will feel wet to the touch. Also, the grass, especially the natural sod, could feel dense from soaking in the extra water.
The South
Moving onto the South, this region has hotter temperatures in the summer and milder winters. Typically, the temperatures in summer can range between 93 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit! A lot of the heat comes from the heavy humidity that makes summers muggy and tropical-like. On the flip side, the temperatures during the winter range between 39 and 48 °F.
The winters may be cold for locals, but in terms of Porch Potty maintenance, your dog's waste won't get frozen or stink too much. Whereas, during the hot summer, you'll want to rinse your Porch Potty more often to prevent odor and keep pests away.
Because humidity causes condensation, you’ll need to take out the grass tray and spray it down to ensure urine isn’t stinking it up. If you’re using live grass, this step isn’t necessary because Porch Potty’s natural sod acts as a real patch of dirt and grass in the ground.
However, if you're using synthetic grass, spraying down the tray and the bottom of the turf will help prevent pests and odors from gathering underneath.
Don’t be discouraged from keeping your Porch Potty outside due to the hot weather. As long as you keep it clean, it will be perfectly okay. Yes, even in the brutally hot weather!
The Midwest
The center of the country is up next with the Midwest. Mostly known for cornfields and land stretching for miles, this region generally gets a mix of hot summers and cold winters. The spring isn't too rainy, so we'll mainly focus on the summer and winter.
Winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. However, in the northern parts of the Midwest, where states border Canada, winter temperatures can range from 5 to 27 °F!
The synthetic grass or natural sod could freeze overnight and slowly thaw throughout the day. So, although the Porch Potty can handle cold temperatures, keeping it indoors will prevent the grass from freezing.
Summer temperatures typically range from 68 to 77 °F. However, if your Midwestern state borders a southern state, the summer temperatures could be well over the 80s!
Unlike the South, the summers in the Midwest tend to be dry, which means you don't have to worry about humidity and condensation underneath the grass. But it's still a good idea to lift the synthetic grass surface and regularly clean the tray to ensure there's no urine drying up and causing odor.
Because Porch Potty's live grass acts as an actual patch of dirt and grass that naturally absorbs urine and water, you won't have to clean the tray as often (if at all).
However, if you're using synthetic grass, spraying down the tray and the bottom of the turf will help prevent pests and odors from gathering underneath. For extra freshness, spritz the grass with non-toxic TURFtastic!
The Central West
Before hitting the West Coast, the Central West region is home to several mountain ranges: the Cascade Range, the Sierra Nevada, and the Rocky Mountains. Because of the high peaks of these mountains, vast areas of plateaus, and valleys at high altitudes, there are significant temperature differences.
The winters are cold and the summers are hot, with temperatures rising and dropping between day and night. In the northern Central West, in states like Washington, Oregon, and Montana, summers are typically 68 to 77 °F.
Taking your Porch Potty into consideration, be aware of the changing temperatures between day and night. Although Porch Potty can hold up in below-freezing temperatures, check the tray below the grass to ensure the swiftly changing temperature isn’t causing a buildup of moisture or drying any leftover urine.
In Denver, Colorado, the winters can drop between 19 to 41 °F. If you live in the northern states, like North Dakota, your winter temperatures could drop to an average of 9 °F. Whereas, in the southern part of this region in states like Nevada or Arizona, the winters will be much warmer.
Typically, northern states like Washington and Oregon get more rainfall than Nevada and Arizona. This is something to account for if you live in either of these areas.
Essentially, if you live in the northern states of this region where rainfall is more common, your Porch Potty’s self-draining system will do most of the work. But checking that water and urine isn’t collecting below the grass surface will help prevent a nasty liquid mess from building up.
On the flip side, if you live in a drier climate within this region, you may have to clean the tray below the grass surface. Because urine may dry and stick to the tray, it could cause a bad smell, so either spray down the tray with a hose or wipe it down with a damp cloth.
The West Coast
Lastly, the West Coast has more in common with the South climate-wise. With hot summers and mild winters, the seasons are sunny and pleasant all year round. Northern California, as well as the coastal areas of Washington and Oregon, have cooler temperatures and more rainfall.
But going into the more populated areas of California, the sunny weather and hot temperatures that we all know are commonplace. In San Francisco, the average temperature during the summers are within the mid-70s range. The winters in this coastal area are mild, with temperatures in the 50s.
Whereas, in Los Angeles, the average summer temperature is 84 °F with warm winter temperatures in the 60s.
Summer temperatures significantly rise in these other areas:
- Pomona, CA: 94 °F
- San Bernardino, CA: 97 °F
- Palm Springs, CA: 108 °F
Particularly in L.A., rainfall occurs from November to April. So, it’s not always sunny in this area of California. For Porch Potty care, rinse the potty with a watering can several times a week during the summer. Regular rinsing ensures that any leftover urine isn’t drying up below the synthetic grass surface.
If you’re using the live grass of the natural sod grown in Southern California, you won’t have to worry about sticky dried-up urine. However, it’s still a great idea to rinse your Porch Potty with a watering can or hose to ensure proper drainage and prevent smell.
Because you live in a hot environment, any stinky smell from the urine can attract insects. Although the Porch Potty is self-draining, it’s a good idea to check in a few times a week to ensure that everything is being drained. Of course, spraying the grass with TURFtastic will provide a fresh, clean scent without fragrance!
With the hot and very dry Santa Ana winds throughout Southern California, dust can blow around outdoors for multiple days. If you keep the Porch Potty outside on a balcony or patio, prepare to clean the grass surface to prevent this dust from building up.
And, of course, in any dry environment, make sure you keep your dog hydrated with a bowl of water close to the Porch Potty!
Concluding Porch Potty Care
Every corner of the U.S. has a different climate and average temperature, which means that everyone will have various ways to keep the Porch Potty clean!
Keep in mind that these are based on the average temperatures and weather conditions documented in every region, so your specific area may differ. It's best to follow the tips above for your region and then find what works best for your smaller-scale location.
What’s the weather and temperature like in your area? Do you experience all four seasons? Let us know in our official Porch Potty Facebook group! We love hearing your feedback and product ideas, so drop by sometime!