Artificial grass is an alternative to live lawns. Besides, with artificial grass, your turf is evergreen with no need for mowing, watering, or fertilizing.
Although this synthetic lawn does not require as much care and maintenance as a natural lawn, the artificial grass still needs some maintenance. Cleaning is one of the most vital maintenance tips for extending the life of your synthetic grass.
Besides, cleaning also removes foul odors, stains and keeps the artificial grass clean for you and your pets to enjoy when romping or relaxing on the lawn.
Although most people are unsure how to clean artificial grass, the activity is simple, especially when given precise guidelines.
Depending on your preference, you can either hire a professional or you can DIY and save the money that would have otherwise been spent on hiring.
Regular Cleaning of The Artificial Grass
Like any other outdoor space, artificial grass is prone to dust and dirt particles that quickly build-up if left without cleaning. Furthermore, removing this build-up keeps your lawn looking fresh and inviting for all outdoor enthusiasts.
For regular cleaning of the synthetic lawn, you’ll need:
- A leaf blower
- A broom or a rake
- Silica Sand
1. Use A Broom Or A Rake To Brush The Artificial Grass
Regularly brushing the grass keeps the blades upright, giving your lawn a more natural look. A broom or a plastic rake is ideal for this task; however, you can also use a brush.
Ensure the brush has soft bristles to avoid damaging the turf. Moreover, a metallic rake can also damage the grass.
Brush the grass in diagonal or horizontal stripes just like you would when mowing.
2. Remove Leaves And Debris Using A Leaf Blower
Leaves tend to fall more, especially during the autumn season. Besides, a storm may cause broken branches to fall on the turf. With all these accumulations, weeds can quickly grow on artificial grass.
To get rid of leaves and debris, blow them to a heap in one corner of the grass using a leaf blower. With the debris and leaves blown to a pile, you can easily collect them, leaving your lawn clear.
If moss or any weeds are present before blowing, use a killer agent to dry them off and later blow them together with the leaves and debris.
3. Use A Garden Hose To Rinse The Grass
A leaf blower is ideal for removing the larger debris, but what about the small dust and dirt particles? Using a garden hose rinses the turf and gets rid of all the dust, leaving the artificial grass lush green.
Nevertheless, it would be best to control the hose’s pressure since excess water pressure on the grass will damage your turf.
Rinsing the turf in circular motions proves effective in removing all the dust.
4. Spread Silica Sand Evenly On The Turf
After scattering the silica sand on your grass, ensure you distribute it evenly across the lawn using a brush.
You should leave the grass for about two hours before allowing any people or pets to walk, rest, or play on it.
Getting Rid Of Spills And Stains
Spills and stains pose a significant challenge when cleaning artificial grass, especially if you don’t follow the specific guidelines.
For pet owners, stains are almost inevitable, with the pets romping on the grass regularly. Besides, children can also spill fluids or stain the turf.
To remove spills and stains from artificial grass, you will require:
- A Bucket
- Sponge
- Paper Towel
- Clean Water
- Washing Detergent
1. Use A Paper Towel To Blot Spilled Liquids
Most spills are easy to clean with a paper towel. Ensure that you act fast before the spill sticks on the grass. Furthermore, you should blot up liquid spills softly to prevent them from sticking on the grass.
Are You Trying To Get Rid Of Coffee, Juice, And Beer Spills?
Use a paper towel or a damp cloth to blot the liquid spill. Ensure that you dab the spill entirely without leaving any traces.
Besides, you can rinse off the spot with your garden hose just as an additional precaution to ensuring there are no traces of the spill left behind.
2. Use A Washing Solution To Work On Stains
The synthetic material that manufactures artificial grass is stain-resistant, so if you happen to notice any stains, don’t panic because they are just temporary and easy to clean.
Getting Rid Of Drink Stains
There are times you won’t notice the spill until it causes some stains on your turf. Children playing around could spill coffee or ice cream on the lawn without you realizing, and before you even notice, the stain has been there for a while.
To remove those temporary eyesores on your turf, mix the washing detergent with water in a bucket, and use a soft cloth or a sponge to work on the spot.
For outdoor installations, it doesn’t hurt to rinse off the detergent with a water hose.
Get Rid Of Pet Waste
Pet owners can attest to just how much pets love this synthetic turf, especially dogs. Besides, the pets can poop or urinate on your artificial grass when romping around. Since we like our fur friends, we’ve just got to live with it by learning how to clean off the pet wastes.
Use a waste bag or a poop scooper to scoop the pet droppings. Working on the spot with soapy water ensures your turf is clear. You can even decide to hose down the grass regularly.
Your turf’s synthetic material absorbs smell, so you have to take extra caution when it comes to pet urine. Dilute a water-vinegar solution to clean the spot; this helps prevent odors on the artificial grass.
Ensure you act fast when getting rid of the pet wastes because they don’t only give your turf a foul odor but also pose a significant health risk to children and other pets.
Removing Snow on Artificial Grass
In colder regions, snow slowly builds up on your turf. Although most artificial grass is perforated to allow water to penetrate through, getting rid of the snow is a better and faster solution to using your lawn.
For this activity, you will require a plastic shovel and a broom or a rake.
1. Get Rid Of Snow Dustings
Removing a light dusting of snow on your turf is not a daunting task. Use a broom to sweep the snow to a designated corner of your lawn. You can easily collect the snow using a shovel.
2. Get Rid Of Snow That Is Deep In Inches Above Your Turf
Work on the snow surface with a plastic shovel; a metallic one can damage the artificial grass. Nevertheless, even with the plastic one, ensure that you work lightly because too much force can damage.
Remove the snow’s top layer leaving behind a thin layer on the grass surface; this ensures you don’t damage the grass with the shovel. Besides, it is easy to sweep off the remaining snow with a broom or a lake.
Removing Ice on Artificial Grass
The ice should be left to melt naturally. Avoid manual activities like using a shovel or scattering salt to remove the ice.
Conclusion
Artificial grass keeps your turf lush green all year long, and it’s the best alternative to live lawns. Although this synthetic turf demands less maintenance, cleaning it is vital in enhancing its appearance, prolonging its life span, and getting rid of foul odor.
Artificial grass requires regular cleaning, removing snow and ice, and getting rid of spills and stains. With these cleaning steps, you won’t go wrong with your synthetic turf.
