How To Clean Artificial Grass?
Artificial grass makes the maintenance of the lawn so much easier. If you have pets or children, there is a high chance your artificial grass will get dirty very quickly. By properly cleaning and maintaining your artificial grass, you can ensure its long lifespan and ideal condition. Even though you don’t have to mow your lawn anymore, you should still know how to clean artificial grass in your lawn.
Materials Required to Clean Artificial Grass
Cleaning artificial grass isn’t very hard but you would still need some right material before you start. We have listed few items below that you will need to clean artificial grass:
- Gloves
- Broom or lawn rake
- Garden Hose
- Spray Bottle
- Non-toxic cleaner
- Granulated detergent
- Sponge
- Extra Infill
6 Steps To Implement To Clean Artificial Grass
Brush Reglarly
Artificial grass is usually installed with sand infill, that make sure the blades of the grass stand in the upright position. It is a good practice to brush your fake grass regularly to reposition the infill which helps in restoring the blades in their actual position.
You should brush your artificial grass with a grooming rake or stiff bristle broom. Using these tools will help infill to do its work correctly. You should never use wire or metal bristles because they can harm the grass fibers.
Remove the Solids
This is an obvious step but it is overlooked most of the time. Removing the solids will make the cleaning of artificial grass more easier and sanitary. Discard all of the solid waste in a poo back, trash bag, etc. You shouldn’t let the waste sit on your artificial grass for a long time as it may destroy or discolor them.
Moreover, leaves, sticks, dirt, and dust may also settle on your artificial grass daily. These elements can make your grass look dull or messy. Make sure to clean your grass by using a leaf blower or leaf rake. You can direct all the dirt and solid in one direction so it will be easier to collect it at the end.
Rinse With Garden Hose
You should use a garden hose to help spray down water on artificial lawn to remove pollen, dust, dirt, or other air pollutants. If you do not own a hose, create a mixture of warm water with a cost-friendly washing liquid or detergent. You should use a brush to work in the grass fiber and let it sit for a little while.
Use a gentle hose setting to wash your artificial grass if you used sand during installation to help with drainage. A strong setting of hose can remove the sand and damage your grass. You might need to pay extra attention to the areas where your pets stay and do their business.
Choosing the Right Artificial Grass Cleaner
There are various artificial grass cleaners and detergents available to help you with cleaning your lawn. You should select a cleaner that meets your needs. We recommend you to look for a cleaner with following features:
- Non-chemical cleaner
- Enzyme-based cleaner
- Pet urine stain removing cleaner
- Odor removing artificial grass cleaner
Or you can also create a homemade solution by mixing half cup of water with distilled water. It can help with detoxifying or deodorizing your lawn.
Let Artificial Grass Air Dry
You should let your artificial grass air-dry after thoroughly cleaning and rinsing it. If you clean your grass in the evening it may smell musty because it did not dry up properly. So you need to give proper time to allow the surface to dry up completely before using a broom or rake.
Refresh Infill Material (if necessary)
Artificial grass in your lawn should have infill material of rubber granules or silica sand to provide a safe surface by assisting proper drainage. Your turf may need more overtime, to check this you need to pull some blades of grass back.
If the infill looks thin, compact, or matted, you need to refresh it. Purchase extra rubber or sand granules and distribute them in the artificial grass using a stiff broom or lawn rake. Make sure it is mixed evenly. You should brush the granules against the blade direction to restore the turf.
Other Artificial Grass Maintenance Tips
Clean Up Food Spills
When you are sitting on the artificial grass you are bound to spill things like coffee, BBQ sauce, or wine. You should clean up these food spills immediately with a paper towel. You can also clean the surface by combining water and detergent or using a toothbrush to remove any leftover stains. Cleaning up the surface as soon as you spill the food on it can reduce straining chances.
Proactive Maintenance
Being proactive to clean the artificial grass will give your family and pets a healthy environment. It will also increase its lifespan. You can follow some proactive maintenance tips to keep your lawn good-looking:
- Clean up pet’s pee right away using paper wipes or towels
- Use garden hose to clean the artificial grass daily or weekly
- Don’t let pet waste sit on turf
- Use baking soda to neutralize odors
Final Words
In this article, we discussed a few steps and tips on how to clean artificial grass in your lawn. You can clean it by using proper tools and detergents. Clean it properly and let it air dry for a fresh look. Clean your pet’s waste as soon as possible. We also explored some proactive tips to clean artificial grass to increase its lifespan.
Read more: Benefits of Artificial Grass For Lawn