You've probably heard artificial turf get a lot of flack for its so-called shortcomings. One of the biggest being that it is "dirty" or "difficult to clean" - nothing could be further from the truth.
Artificial grass can be kept practically brand new with the right maintenance. And that doesn't mean it has to be a difficult process either. It's arguably much easier to clean artificial turf than maintain grass across the seasons.
The best way to clean an artificial lawn in general is to sweep it regularly with a clean, stiff brush. This prevents your artificial grass from bunching up or developing obvious signs of wear and tear. Also, give it a healthy rinse with a hose periodically and take a look at it to ensure no weeds are growing through it.
That sounds simple enough, right? To a point, yes, but like any industry, there are a lot of questions that come with artificial turf. And luckily, we can answer most of those questions for you!
Q&A – Cleaning artificial grass
Is it safe to vacuum artificial grass?
Vacuuming can indeed help you remove some dust and dirt from artificial turf, but generally, it's not recommended. If you need to remove dust or debris from your artificial turf's infill, using a leaf blower is generally a safer option. If you need to get a deeper clean, use a lawn rake or broom to break up and remove any debris from the artificial turf blades.
Can you pressure wash your artificial grass?
Don't use a high-pressure washer on your artificial grass, you could end up damaging it by weakening the turf blades and wrecking the infill material. However, it's completely safe to rinse the grass with a garden hose if you need to.
What do I do if my artificial grass no longer looks new?
If you want to get your artificial grass looking brand new again, it's important to remember that the shelf life of artificial turf can be up to ten years. However, if it's about time to give it a little TLC, you can give it a thorough cleaning. Start with a leaf blower to push away dust and debris then scrub it with a nice stiff brush. Focus on spots that have notable stains but try not to scrub too hard. You can use some soap and some water and work it into the turf to get it looking fresh.
However, ensure you wash it very well until no residue is left behind. Then, if required, you can use grass glue to repair any areas that have come through.
How often do I realistically clean my artificial grass?
When it comes to regular upkeep, artificial turf doesn't require too much preening. You could brush your yard about once a week and give a light spray from your regular garden hose. Then, every month or so (depending on your foot traffic) you can give it a deep clean followed by an inspection.
What can I use to clean my artificial turf?
Realistically, all you need on an average basis is water.
As mentioned, light cleaning really only requires a leaf blower, broom, rake, and garden hose, not much else is necessary. But if you run into tougher messes, you could use a brush, a garden cloth or sponge, some sort of non-toxic cleaner, and a granular detergent. Ideally, you need an eco-friendly mix of warm water, vinegar, and baking soda - especially if you have pets and children playing on your artificial turf.
You definitely want to avoid using harsh chemicals or metal rakes, otherwise you could cause damage to your artificial turf. After getting an artificial turf installation, it’s important to understand how to maintain it. Whether you want artificial turf for playgrounds or artificial grass for pets, you need to know how to keep it solid.
Handling accidents and stains on your artificial turf
Accidents happen to everyone - luckily, artificial grass is perfectly designed to resist stains, so cleaning it up isn't difficult. The key to making sure accidents don't have a lasting impact is to act quickly. If you happen to have a spill, you can sop it up with a paper towel or a rag or use a solution of vinegar and water for tougher stains. You can also use a light mixture of soap and water. Maintaining your artificial lawn is simple enough, so stains and accidents don't need to be a major concern.
Damage to artificial turf and how to avoid it
On top of managing regular cleaning maintenance, it's important to know how to maintain your turf by avoiding damage. How do you avoid damaging your turf? By knowing the common ways your turf could be damaged, of course.
Optimal maintenance includes a regular schedule of cleaning and repairs as necessary. Whether you decide to rely on the pros (such as FieldMasters) or DIY, it's important to know the common causes of damage to artificial turf.
Artificial turf is incredibly durable and beautiful to look at. Its shelf life extends for years and can be extended even longer if you take the appropriate steps to keep it maintained. Artificial lawn maintenance can increase your property value, so keeping your investment clean and damage-free is ideal
Here are some of the common ways your artificial turf can be damaged and how to avoid it:
Harsh chemicals
If you've learned anything from this article so far, it's that artificial turf is relatively easy to clean. Most of the time, you just need the right tools and some water. In fact, if you use harsh chemicals on your artificial turf, you could compromise it, if not completely ruin it. You should never use petroleum-based products or any oil-based paints near your turf because they can dissolve the blades and melt the backing if spilled and not immediately cleaned.
Oil
Polyethylene fibers in artificial turf can easily be stained and ruined by oil, so fake grass needs to be cleaned ASAP if an oil spill happens. Oil residue might be difficult to remove, and could permanently stain your grass, so it's important to keep that in mind if you have oil close to your backyard turf. Want to learn more facts about turf composition and more? See here.
Intense heat
Unlike live grass, synthetic grass doesn't burn in the traditional way you'd think - however, it can melt if exposed to high temperatures. Many common backyard amenities are sources of fire and heat. The best way to mitigate this is to have the proper precautions in place to make sure you're steering clear of possible damage.
Too much weight
Heavy items can cause damage to synthetic grass blades over time. Large and bulky things like outdoor furniture and swing sets need to be moved every so often to prevent denting.
Damage from sharp objects
One of the most common causes of turf damage is sharp objects piercing or cutting its surface. However, you can easily prevent this by keeping all sharp tools away from your artificial lawn. Items like rakes, shovels, spatulas, and knives can puncture the turf backing, leading to snags and lifting in affected areas.
If you need to use these tools, handle them with care to avoid harming your artificial lawn. Additionally, if you have lawn ornaments requiring spiking into the ground, check out some alternative methods or decorating options.
Q&A – Risks associated with damaging your turf
Is paint always bad for artificial grass?
As long as you're using water-based paints or acrylics, there's no real risk of damaging your turf. However, if you do have an unfortunate spill, you have to clean them up before they dry. If you happen to spill pain, you can wash the area with a mild cleansing agent (as mentioned, vinegar and water or light soap and water), to remove the paint ASAP. If you have to paint a fence near your turf you can use a drop cloth to keep the integrity of the grass protected.
Are pesticides damaging to artificial turf?
Heavy pesticide use and harsh cleaning chemicals can cause discolouration if you apply them in copious amounts.
Is heavy foot traffic harmful to artificial turf?
Selecting the appropriate turf for your level of foot traffic is crucial to preserving the longevity of your artificial grass. Areas with frequent use, such as schools, dog runs, and commercial spaces, require resilient turf that can withstand heavy activity.
The recovery rate of turf varies based on its composition. Opting for durable, short grass ensures quicker bounce-back, whereas taller, softer blades need more brushing to regain their upright position. Plush turf is prone to displaying permanent structural damage more quickly.
Hopefully, this helpful guide has provided you with enough knowledge to keep your artificial lawn clean and pristine for years to come. However, if you need a little extra help and want to keep your artificial turf in top shape, you can trust the experts at FieldMasters to keep your lawn looking impeccable. We offer a variety of services to not only help install but maintain and even replace your artificial turf for any purpose.
