Keeping artificial grass clean prevents dust, dirt, and debris from building up on the surface. Regularly removing leaves, twigs, and other debris with a leaf blower, stiff brush, or plastic rake helps keep the turf looking nice. For more information, click the How To Maintain Artificial Grass to proceed.
Similarly, spills and stains must be cleaned quickly to not seep into the infill material. Regularly rinsing the lawn with plain water and a little detergent or baking soda every month will help eliminate odors and keep your turf looking great.
Keeping artificial grass looking lush and natural takes a little work. However, just like any other area in your home, routine cleaning and maintenance will help prevent stains and keep it in good shape for years to come.
Using a broom or brush, regularly remove leaves, twigs, and other organic debris from the surface of your synthetic turf. This will keep the lawn from looking flat and dull and remove any particles buried underneath the turf blades. It’s especially important to pay attention to the edges of your lawn because they are more likely to collect debris and are more susceptible to weed growth. Depending on your area, you may need to pull weeds or apply pre-emergent weed control to prevent them from sprouting.
While removing debris, it’s a great time to look for rocks, sticks, or other heavy items that can damage or break your artificial turf. Scanning the yard regularly and removing any large items that may have landed on the lawn will make your lawn safer to walk on and increase its lifespan.
Stains from pet waste, food spills, and even bird droppings can be difficult to clean. It’s best to clean up spills right away so they don’t have a chance to set, but if you find yourself with an old stain that isn’t budging, try mixing a solution of mild detergent and water and gently rubbing it into the stain. Rinse and repeat as necessary until the stain is removed.
For pet waste, it’s a good idea to use PoopClenz or PeeClenz, specifically designed for artificial grass and will eliminate odors while cleaning the waste. Wiping down areas where pets relieve themselves daily or weekly will help prevent urine stains and odors from building up. Rinsing the lawn after using these products is also a good idea to help with waste drainage.
Stains are unavoidable, whether from spilled food during a family barbecue or the occasional ball to the nose. However, they do not have to be permanent. Using the proper cleaning methods for artificial turf keeps your lawn looking brand new. Regular cleaning with a mild detergent or a special artificial grass cleaner eliminates most stains before they have time to set. Stains allowed to set in the fibers of your fake grass can damage them and create an unpleasant smell. Cleaning them up quickly makes the process much easier.
While synthetic grass is made from materials impenetrable to dirt, water, and other substances, stains still happen. The best way to avoid stains is to immediately clean up spills or pet waste. If this is not possible, cleaning with hot, soapy water and a sponge immediately afterward will keep them from absorbing into the fibers.
A light rinse of your artificial grass with a garden hose each week is important in keeping your turf healthy and looking its best. This helps remove small debris, such as blossoms or leaves and is especially useful in preventing dust buildup.
Rocking or brushing your turf a few times each month is also a good idea. This will lift matted turf fibers, reposition them into their original upright position, and help redistribute the sand infill. It is particularly important to do this on the edges of your turf, as they tend to collect more dirt and debris than the center.
As an added benefit, this will help prevent weed growth. This can be done with a broom, power rake, or specialized tool like our PerfectGroom. We also recommend applying a pre-emergent weed control spray at least once per year. This will help minimize the need for weed removal in high-traffic areas and make your turf look beautiful all year round. If you are uncomfortable tackling the job alone, professional lawn care services can help maintain your artificial lawn.
Artificial grass is a great choice for people who want to avoid high water costs, allergens, and the long hours of grooming a natural lawn. However, even synthetic grass still needs some maintenance to look its best. This includes removing spills, cleaning pet pee, and removing chewing gum. It also involves brushing or raking the turf to fluff the fibers and redistribute the sand infill. This helps the blades stand upright and looks more like a natural yard.
Regular spills and stains from food, beverages, and pet waste are bound to happen. It is important to respond quickly to these and clean up the mess as soon as possible so that the stain does not have a chance to seep down into the synthetic turf’s infill material. Regular household cleaners and paper towels can remove everyday stains on artificial grass. For more stubborn stains such as oil or crayon, try using a solution of ammonia and water on the affected area. Testing any cleaning solution on a small part of your synthetic lawn before applying it to the entire surface is a good idea.
Besides cleaning up stains, you should also rake or brush your artificial turf at least once every three months or more often in high-traffic areas. This will help keep the blades looking full and upright, and it will also help redistribute the sand and prevent the infill from becoming compacted and dull.
A good quality broom, a rake with metal bristles, or a synthetic or natural bristle brush is suitable for sweeping and brushing your artificial turf. A broom with wire or metallic bristles should be avoided, as this can cause damage to the blades of your synthetic grass. In the summer, you can blow away dried leaves and debris accumulated on your synthetic turf with a leaf blower. In addition, you should regularly check your turf’s infill levels and top it up if needed. If the infill becomes too hard, it may create a tripping hazard and lessen your synthetic lawn’s resistance to wear.
Unlike natural grass, which requires a soil base for growth, proper artificial turf installation includes a layer of weed barrier. This helps keep weeds from growing through your synthetic lawn and prevents soil migration with heavy rains. Nevertheless, some weeds will occasionally appear, especially near edges and areas with poor drainage. Organic pre-emergent weed control is an easy way to keep these weeds at bay and prevent them from sprouting on your artificial turf surface.
Weeds grow through a thick, dense root system. While this may be possible with sod, it isn’t with properly installed artificial grass. A layer of weed barrier and high-quality turf make it impossible for weeds to poke through your surface and grow roots in the sub-base.
Even if a weed does manage to penetrate the weed barrier, it would have no access to soil and nutrients. If you do happen to see a weed poking up through your turf, this is typically a sign that the weed barrier has been compromised and needs to be replaced.
If you see any weeds poking through your artificial grass, pull them immediately. A quick weed killer spray can also kill stray weeds and prevent them from returning.
Brushing your turf regularly is important as this helps keep the blades of the grass upright, redistributes sand infill, and removes any organic debris. Brushing your turf once or twice weekly will help ensure it looks beautiful and well-groomed.
Weeds tend to grow around the edges of your artificial turf because of the organic matter that builds up there and the poor drainage conditions. Mop up dog pee with paper towels or wipes as soon as they occur to avoid urine stains. A monthly application of baking soda is a great way to neutralize any odors from pet urine. For more stubborn stains like tree sap or chewing gum, aerosol refrigerants or dry ice can freeze the substance and scrape it off. Rinsing your turf weekly with cool water from a hose will help prevent urine buildup and other odors.
