One of the many benefits of artificial grass is that there is not as much work needed to keep it looking at its best.
You don’t have to spend your summer days dragging a lawnmower about in the hot sun, only to find your grass needs cut again a few weeks later.
While there is not as much work that you need to do, there is still a certain amount of maintenance needed to keep you fake lawn looking great.
If you are wondering how to clean artificial grass then keep reading as we will go over some of the most important aspects of artificial grass care.
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How To Clean Artificial Grass – Weekly Maintenance
Artificial grass is low maintenance, but you should still work to keep it looking as fresh as possible.
Hosing it down with water once a week will get rid of any dirt and debris that has accumulated on it.
Don’t worry about drying it, as fake grass is has a perforated backing. This means that water falls through it and drains into the soil underneath.
During the winter you shouldn’t need to use the hose as much, the rain will take care of the dirt and wash it away.
Monthly Artificial Grass Maintenance
While using a hose will get rid of the top layer of dirt, on a monthly basis you may want to give your artificial lawn a more thorough cleaning.
Use a stiff brush to go over the whole lawn; this will get the dirt that is stuck deep in the fibres and freshen up your grass.
Be careful not to use a brush with steel bristles as this can damage the blades of grass and even break them.
Using a stiff brush on your fake lawn not only helps to dislodge the ground in dirt, but it is also an important step in ensuring that your blades of grass remain in an upright position.
If a person or a pet lays on the grass for a prolonged period of time this can eventually flatten the blades.
Using a stiff brush at regular intervals will prevent this and keep your grass pointing the right way.
After you have gone over the whole lawn with the brush, you can then wash it all away with the hose again.
Alternatively, you could use a garden vacuum to suck it all up, or a leaf blower to blow it into a pile.
During the summer months, you may find that you need to do this more often, as people and animals tend to use the garden more in the summer.
If you notice any flat patches of grass, get the stiff brush and brush against the grain of the lawn to encourage the blades to stand the correct way.
Get Rid Of Leaves And Other Debris
One of the most important points to make in the care of your artificial grass is to remove any fallen leaves, especially in the autumn.
Fallen leaves will start to decompose after a while, which will make it harder to clean them up. They can also affect the fibres of the grass, and start to damage them.
Fallen leaves can be a health hazard when they become wet, and the longer they lay on the grass the more chance there is of mould or moss growth.
Artificial grass is more slippery than real grass, and wet leaves will compound this problem.
The best way to get rid of fallen leaves is to use a garden vacuum or a leaf blower. If using a leaf blower, it is best to do this when the leaves are damp, but not wet.
It is also best to blow leaves when conditions are not windy, as this will reduce the chance of your piles of leaves being blown all over your clean grass.
If you choose to use a garden vacuum, it is best to do it when the leaves are dry. This means they weigh less and you won’t need to empty the bag as often.
How To Clean Pet Waste From Artificial Grass
Cleaning up pet waste from artificial grass is not any more difficult than regular grass.
There is no need to keep your pets from doing their business on your lawn and as long as you deal with the mess as soon as possible, there will be no lasting damage.
For solid waste, just remove it from the turf like normal, with a doggy bag or a poop scoop. You can then hose down the area to remove any debris and lingering odours.
As mentioned before, artificial grass allows liquids to run through it and drain into the soil. It’s a good idea to hose down any areas where your pet has urinated.
Thankfully, pets are habitual in nature and they tend to do their business in the same spot, so it won’t take you long to find out which part of your lawn they are using.
You may want to hose down these parts of your artificial turf on a daily basis, or as much as you possibly can.
The only thing that you need to do differently with artificial grass is to deal with the smell.
Since fake grass is made from synthetic fibres, pet urine can cause it to smell if you don’t deal with it straight away.
There are some great artificial lawn cleaners available, and it’s always handy to have a bottle spare.
Chewing Gum, Sweets, And Other Sticky Residues
The whole point of having a nice looking garden is so that you can enjoy it with family and friends.
This will inevitably lead to things being spilt on your lawn, such as drinks, food, and other substances.
Artificial grass is easy to clean and is usually stain resistant, so hosing down the area with water will suffice in most cases.
Pick up any solid items first to avoid them lying under your turf and attracting wildlife.
For sticky items, such as chewing gum or half-eaten sweets, pick them up by hand. If they are difficult to remove, try to prise them off with a blunt object like a butter knife.
Avoid using any sharp items as you could cut the grass and damage it. Remember, artificial grass doesn’t grow back!
Never use heat or any harsh chemicals on your artificial lawn as you will damage the fibres and the backing material.
