9 Tips for Artificial Grass Care and Maintenance

Regular, Dry Brushing

The outdoors presents dirt and debris to everything in its domain; not even artificial grass is safe. A lawn will always look tidier without any of this mess. In order to keep your fake grass looking pristine, it’s best to regularly use a stiff bristle brush to clear any of this mess. The more you stay on top of clearing your lawn, the less this will feel like a chore and more about enhancing the look of it.

The Complete Guide to Artificial Grass gives a more detailed overview of grass shapes.

Use a Sand Infill

Artificial grass stays upright if it is supported. Silica sand is best used for this purpose as it not only weighs the surface down, but helps with weight impact and reduces the growth of bacteria. For maintenance purposes, a sand infill stops it from being lifted, avoiding repair work you might need to do. It can make it more comfortable to play on and help prevent any damage from the claws of pets. Instead of ripping up the base of the artificial grass, a cushion of sand will be in the way.

Although it sounds as though you’ll have a sandy looking lawn, infills are designed in such a way as to sink through to the bottom of the artificial grass composition. Once brushed in, the weather will naturally settle the sand down, keeping your lawn looking lush and not slumped down.

Remove Mess

Pets can make use of artificial grass with no issue, but any mess they leave behind should be removed as soon as possible. Any prolonged exposure to pet waste can damage fibres and leave unpleasant smells hanging around. Any solid material should be removed with a plastic bag or scoop first before any remaining material is washed with clean water.

Smells can linger if any mess is left for a longer period of time, so it’s important to wash these areas without much of a delay. If you have persistent odours coming from your artificial grass, you can use a solution of water, vinegar and baking soda to remove these. The good thing is that this works quickly, so you don’t have to worry about thoroughly scrubbing or digging up the lawn to resolve the issue.

Eradicate Stains

Depending on the nature of the spill, stains can hang around and cause an unpleasant eyesore for your lawn. In terms of artificial grass cleaning, warm water with a neutral detergent should be used. This will work on most stains. Similarly to pet waste, the longer it’s left, the harder it can be to remove.

Artificial grass cleaning doesn’t have to be daunting. Any liquids that are spilled should be absorbed immediately using a clean cloth. Once a watery detergent mix is applied, a toothbrush can always be used to work the stain so it doesn’t spread. Allow the solution to sit for 5-15 minutes to penetrate the stain before cleansing the area with clean water.

No Harsh Chemicals

You can easily damage artificial grass by introducing harsh chemicals to them. Stains shouldn’t be treated with solutions that contain bleach or acids as these can discolour the fibres, destroying the uniform colour of your lawn. Even if you have a pet, diluted bleach should never be used as it can react with ammonia present from urea, leading to a toxic combination.

The best tip for artificial grass cleaning is to always test an area that’s out of sight or as inconspicuous as possible. This way, you can avoid the embarrassment of having to look at or explain a discoloured patch of your lawn to others. Pesticides can also have the effect of discolouring the fibres, so these should always be checked as well.

Rinse Off

One of the best ways you can stay on top of artificial grass maintenance is to rinse it down with a hose every so often. This can remove dirt and debris, just like brushing, but will also work on other messes. Regularly hosing down fake grass helps the drainage of urine from pets and ensures fluids pass through to the sub-base. It can also lower the levels of moss or algae that might be growing. Keeping your lawn clean is one of the easiest ways you can cut down on artificial grass maintenance.

Avoid Heavy or Pointy Objects

The grass fibres can be flattened with heavy outdoor furniture, which causes it to not look as appealing. A flat lawn is a depressing lawn. Likewise, objects that have sharp points or ends should be used carefully on these surfaces. Avoid dragging them across artificial grass as it can rip the surface and pull out fibres. Similarly, garden tools dropped on the lawn can force a hole through the membrane, allowing weeds to grow through or for further damage to occur. While sharp objects are more of a risk than heavy objects, your grass can always bounce back from weightier items, but not from being cut by pointy implements.

Get a Professional

At least once a year, it could be a good idea to hire the services of a professional pressure washer. If the conditions are right, or you’ve neglected maintenance over the year, moss and algae can grow. A professional can spruce up your artificial grass to restore some of the natural colour it once had.

A professional will have the suitable equipment to offer a deep clean. For them, artificial grass maintenance is easier as they have the right tools that you wouldn’t find at home. Foam cleaning can completely sanitise your lawn right through and leave it looking better than ever.

Deweed at the Source

Any weeds that appear should be treated at the roots. You can simply chop weeds as they appear, but they will always grow back and any leftover material will likely attract more weeds or damaging bacteria. Weed killer can be used to stop them from coming back as it tackles their roots. Although artificial grass is installed with a weed control membrane, sometimes weeds can still grow. It’s important to stay on top of weeds so they don’t spoil your fake grass.

Additional tips are covered in How to Look After Artificial Grass.