7 Tips for Artificial Grass Care and Maintenance

Artificial Grass Care and Maintenance

Caring for artificial turf involves the day-to-day management of what happens to your lawn. Between children, pets, and the elements, even artificial grass will need some sort of stain management. Unlike real grass, where food, pet, or oil stains would eventually grow out or be mown away, spills and stains in artificial grass need to be resolved in order to maintain the quality look and feel of your artificial turf.

Between children, pets, and the elements, even artificial grass will need some sort of stain management. Unlike real grass, where food, pet, or oil stains would eventually grow out or be mown away, spills and stains in artificial grass need to be resolved in order to maintain the quality look and feel of your artificial turf.

Here are a few tips …

1. For Mild Stains

Life happens, and it often happens on grass. Sooner or later, a plate will go tumbling to the ground at a backyard barbeque, an alcoholic beverage will be knocked over, or a pet will leave his mark somewhere in the yard. For stains including cola, alcohol, urine, blood, coffee, tea, and other simple everyday substances, cleaning and care are relatively simple. You will need to:

Sooner or later, a plate will go tumbling to the ground at a backyard barbeque, an alcoholic beverage will be knocked over, or a pet will leave his mark somewhere in the yard. For stains including cola, alcohol, urine, blood, coffee, tea, and other simple everyday substances, cleaning and care are relatively simple. You will need to:

You will need to:

1. Be prompt. Cleaning up a spill quickly is the best way to ensure it won’t leave a long-lasting, stubborn stain.
2. Blot up the spilled liquid with a towel or with a dry absorbent like kitty litter.
3. Rinse the area with a mixture of water and a mild household detergent. This will not harm the fibers.
4. If you need a stronger stain removal aid, use a 3% solution of ammonia in water instead of the household detergent.
5. Thoroughly rinse the cleaner out using clean, cool water.

2. For Stubborn Stains

Substances like motor oil, grease, pen ink, cooking oil, suntan oil, and crayon can end up on your turf, and they often prove to be a bit more stubborn than the everyday substances mentioned above. If a stain doesn’t respond to mild household detergents or an ammonia mixture, try using mineral spirits to draw out the stain. The cleaning process is similar with mineral spirits: gently rinse the area, and blot up the excess liquid.

3. For the Really Sticky Stuff

Tree sap and chewing gum can also end up stuck in artificial turf, but luckily they’re relatively easy to remove. Dry ice or aerosol refrigerants can be used to freeze the sap or gum off, and it can then be scraped off the grass.

4. Removing Pet Waste

Having pets doesn’t mean you must constantly clean and rinse your artificial grass — clean up of pet waste is quite simple. Simply:

1. Allow solid waste to dry before you remove it.
2. Artificial grass will drain most liquid. So, if desired, to avoid a stench, douse the turf in cool water from a hose on urine spots.

Most stains that fall upon artificial grass are removable — still, it’s better to avoid stains and damage to artificial turf in the first place. For example, in addition to keeping liquids that could potentially stain the grass far away or secured, keep cigarettes and fireworks off artificial turf, and do not use strong chemicals near the grass, either.

5. Maintaining Your Lawn for the Future

In addition to the everyday wear, tear, and accidents, artificial turf owners should follow a few routine steps to maintain the quality and longevity of the artificial turf. Artificial turf generally lasts anywhere between 15 to 25 years, depending on its use. Following a routine of clearing the grass of debris, rinsing regularly, and cross brushing will help artificial turf achieve a long, useful lifespan.

Artificial turf generally lasts anywhere between 15 to 25 years, depending on its use. Following a routine of clearing the grass of debris, rinsing regularly, and cross brushing will help artificial turf achieve a long, useful lifespan.

6. Equipment You’ll Need

To routinely maintain and care for your artificial grass, you’ll want to be sure you have a few essential tools. You’ll need, first and foremost, a hose — if the area in which you live receives rain frequently, this is less of a necessity, but still helpful for rinsing the grass at will. A leaf blower is also helpful, or a lawn vacuum, for eliminating fallen leaves before they become ground into the artificial turf. A rake will also help to keep the fibers of the grass fresh and unmatted — but avoid damaging metal bristles, and use synthetic or plastic bristles instead, which

You’ll need, first and foremost, a hose — if the area in which you live receives rain frequently, this is less of a necessity, but still helpful for rinsing the grass at will. A leaf blower is also helpful, or a lawn vacuum, for eliminating fallen leaves before they become ground into the artificial turf. A rake will also help to keep the fibers of the grass fresh and unmatted — but avoid damaging metal bristles, and use synthetic or plastic bristles instead, which

A rake will also help to keep the fibers of the grass fresh and unmatted — but avoid damaging metal bristles, and use synthetic or plastic bristles instead, which is much gentler on artificial turf fibers.

7. Clean, Rinse, Brush, Repeat

There are essentially four main steps to taking care of your artificial grass on a regular basis. These steps should be carried out monthly, if not weekly. They are:

These steps should be carried out monthly, if not weekly. They are:

They are:

1. Remove debris from the grass. This is especially important after high winds or thunderstorms. Removing leaves, branches, and other debris will protect your grass from damage.
2. Rinse the turf regularly. Use a hose with cool, clean water to remove dust and pollen. If you live in an area that receives rain often, you won’t have to rinse the grass with a hose nearly as much.
3. Brush the grass against the grain in high-traffic areas. Cross brushing against the grain will help the grass to avoid becoming matted and keep it looking strong and fresh.

Conclusion

Artificial grass is worthy investment and like all investments, it needs care and maintenance to keep it in optimal shape. Following simple directions for cleaning and removing stains, as well as making sure it is free from debris, rinsed regularly, and brushed often in high-traffic areas are important aspects of care and maintenance and will certainly pay off in protecting a beautiful yard of artificial grass.

Following simple directions for cleaning and removing stains, as well as making sure it is free from debris, rinsed regularly, and brushed often in high-traffic areas are important aspects of care and maintenance and will certainly pay off in protecting a beautiful yard of artificial grass.