Cleaning and maintaining artificial grass is something many people forget once installed, and although it’s a great alternative to natural turf and a lot less maintenance than natural grass, it still needs looking after.
Whether you live somewhere with extreme weather, have pets or perhaps children who play a lot in the garden, it’s important to always keep on top of the maintenance so you get longevity out of your artificial turf.
If your unsure on what steps to take and how to make sure your artificial lawn stays in tip-top shape, read on…
How Often Should You Clean Your Fake Grass?
Many people think that you have to make sure your artificial turf is cleaned daily, but that’s not always the case. Plenty of people only take care of there synthetic turf every week or sometimes every month. Below is what you should be doing on a weekly and monthly basis to get rid of any unwanted rubbish:
- Weekly – We advise once a week to go round your artificial lawn with a leaf blower or by hand and just pick up any debris. If you have a soft-headed brush these are also good just to stop the leaves and mud becoming tangled in the blades of grass and blocking your drainage system.
- Monthly – More and more people have started using vinegar to clean artificial grass and although this does kill bacteria, it doesn’t always leave a pleasant smell. You are better off using artificial grass cleaner which keeps your fake grass smelling great whilst also killing germs and preventing anything from growing on the grass. After you have applied it, just give it a rinse down and you are all set for another month.
Cleaning Drinks & Spillages
Many families often get fake grass for children due to it being great when they are playing, however it also increases the chances of drinks getting spilt on the grass which could damage it if not properly treated. To get rid of the stain as quickly and efficiently as possible, use a damp cloth and pat the patch directly without rubbing it into the synthetic turf.
If the stain is quite tough to get out, use a little bit of detergent and mix it with a spoonful of water and repeat the same process of patting the spillage. Once the stain has been removed, rinse the detergent off with a hose.
How to Cope With Snow and Ice on Artificial Grass?
With ice and snow forming on the grass it creates a thin layer that can be hard to remove. It’s important that you get a plastic shovel to clear the snow and ice as a metal shovel can cause serious damage to the fake grass.
The good news is that the materials used in artificial grass mean that the cold weather will not damage the artificial turf in any way. The fibres are extremely strong and durable and have been tested vigorously to ensure they withstand all weather conditions all year round.
Dog Wee & Poop
We wrote an extensive article about pet friendly artificial grass and urine here.
Removing Weeds From Your Lawn
Weeds can grow yearly, but Autumn is the optimal temperature for them to grow along with moss, shrubs and mould. Here are some simple tips on how to properly remove them and prevent them from coming back in the future:
- Pull any weeds that you can see out with your hands.
- Give the grass blades a good rinse with a power wash allowing for any loose moss to be removed.
- Use a gentle weed killer or artificial grass cleaner directly on the surface of the grass.
- Brush any remaining mould, weeds or moss away with a soft brush.
- Rinse down the full area of the grass and leave to dry.
All in all you will find cleaning artificial grass and quickly realise the lawn was worth the price.
