DIY Turf Blog

8 Artificial Grass Maintenance Tips to Extend Longevity

 

Synthetic grass is much easier to care for than natural grass. You don’t have to drag a heavy bag of smelly fertilizer around. There’s no need to use harsh chemicals that could raise allergies and are harmful to mother nature. Let’s not forget the double benefit of conserving water and lowering that water bill.  And what may be the biggest bonus of all – you don’t have to waste your weekends trying to start the lawn mower!

Having said that, there’s still some work you need to do to keep your lawn clean and safe. Here are a few artificial grass maintenance tips you can follow to promote the longevity of your lawn:

 

1. Keep Corrosive Chemicals Away from Your Lawn

Any corrosive chemicals, such as harsh cleaners, should be kept away from your synthetic turf. Organic materials, such as leaves, dead bugs, food from bird feeders and animal feces, can break down and release corrosive chemicals, so move all organic materials away from your synthetic lawn.

2. Use the Right Equipment

Great equipment for synthetic lawn care includes:

  • A leaf blower (If desired)
  • A rake
  • A broom
  • A hose

3. Wash Away Debris

If the synthetic grass does not receive enough rainfall, rinsing the grass down with water can remove organic matter that has dried and hardened. Water is much safer to use on synthetic grass than cleaning chemicals, which can be corrosive. Allow the grass to air dry and make sure the kids are aware that it could be slippery around that area.

You will also need to hose the synthetic grass down during allergy season so pollen doesn’t accumulate and contribute to seasonal allergies.

4. Remove Stains

As soon as the synthetic grass is stained, you’ll want to clean it up as quickly as possible before it sets. Use a hose to rinse away the stain. The good news is that synthetic fibers are resistant to staining, so if you don’t have time to clean it up immediately, that’s ok. But it’s still better to play it safe and clean it as soon as you can.

If you have a strong waterborne stain from blood, coffee, tea, alcohol, fruit juices, dyes, urine or Coca-Cola, you may only be able to remove the stain with detergents. Mix one teaspoon of detergent with half a liter of water.

5. Rake the Fibers

Raking the synthetic fibers redistributes them so the blades are more balanced. Doing this will help the grass to wear evenly so it lasts longer and you can at the same time search for weeds.

Weeds can sometimes poke through the synthetic grass. Use any mild weed killer but make sure it’s not too potent as this could damage the lawn fibers over time. If you only find a few weeds, consider pulling them out rather than using weed killers. It’s better for the environment and will also save you a few dollars.

6. Tackling Pet Odors and Dried Tree Sap

Even if you remove animal waste promptly, the area can still stink. Your lawn should be rinsed if you haven’t had recent rain. White vinegar mixed with an equal amount of water can remove the stench. Pet odors can vary due to the animal’s diet and there’s no single right way to tackle this so we encourage you to use what works for you and your pets.

7. Kill Mould and Bacteria

If there are any strange colored spots that could indicate mould, apply hydrogen peroxide to the area and then use clean water to rinse it away to minimize the risk of the chemical damaging the grass.

Bacteria isn’t commonly found in artificial grass if it’s maintained properly because it won’t have anything to feed off. But if you do suspect there’s bacteria on your lawn, use a mixture of vinegar and water to kill it.

8. Prevent Burns

Cigarette burns and smoldering charcoal can damage the synthetic lawn. To prevent this, avoid smoking (which isn’t a bad idea anyhow) or cooking on the grill on an artificial lawn. That’s what your deck or patio area is ideal for! Fortunately, our artificial grass is fire resistant so while the fibers may melt, there will be no flames.

Regular maintenance of your artificial lawn will increase its lifespan. You’ll also have grass that smells better and looks great. That is, after all, what installing artificial lawn is about; creating a great space that encourages you to get out there and use it.

At Artificial Turf Express, we specialize in providing top quality artificial turf for Contractors, Landscapers and the “Do-it-yourself” crowd. We focus on providing you with everything you would need to complete your project: from infill, sand and glue to same-day project support and special order items. If you are ready to tackle your own artificial turf installation, give us a call — we’re here to help.