Do you need to clean artificial grass?

Although artificial grass is labeled as ‘low maintenance’ it unfortunately does not always mean you should leave it alone and hope for the best. To ensure your garden is always looking fresh, you will need to give it some love and attention now and then. The top things you will need to look out for to remove are:

The best way to clean artificial grass, and make sure it stays in pristine condition is to:

1. Remove any spills and stains that occur
2. Schedule regular light cleaning for your artificial lawn
3. Protect your grass from weather or seasonal changes.

In this article we will be sharing our tips and tricks to ensure you have an artificial lawn that feels like a paradise every day.

Removing spills and stains

Your lawn is meant to be lived on so spills and stains are bound to happen at some point - it’s only a matter of time! Therefore, cleaning up spills should be part of both your weekly and monthly checks, but for best results it is always advised to clean up the spill as soon as it occurs or you spot it.

You should never use detergents directly from your kitchen cupboard as this may damage your grass with harsh chemicals - and unfortunately it won’t grow back! Instead invest in some professional artificial grass cleaners, or if you really want to use something from your kitchen cupboard, a safe and effective solution is vinegar.

Cleaning artificial grass with vinegar

Vinegar is a great non-toxic solution that will clean up many spills and stains on your artificial grass, it also helps to remove mould and kills weeds. It is the holy grail of cleaning! Simply use a 1:1 equal parts vinegar to water solution to keep your grass safely clean.

Cleaning artificial grass with a new product

If you choose to use a new cleaning product or make your own non-toxic solution, for peace of mind, it is always wise to test it out on a small cut off before using it on your lawn.

Cleaning pet waste off artificial grass

If your garden doubles as the toilet for your furry friends you might find yourself in need of some tips on how to clean up after them when your grass is artificial. You will be happy to know that there should be no problems with liquids passing through your grass to the ground below, in fact your artificial lawn drains as well as a conventional one. However, pet waste can leave behind bacteria which doesn’t mix well with rain and summer heat.

How do you get dog urine out of fake grass?

When urine seeps through synthetic turf it can get trapped between the grass carpet and weed barrier beneath it resulting in foul odour. The bad smell can linger and last for months if not treated properly, the best way to treat the smell is to invest in a cleaning product with enzymes that break down the source of it. You want to select one that gets rid of the smell rather than masks it - non-toxic professional grass cleaners such as C&G pets and Simple Green can help you with your dog urine woes.

Alternatively, you can sprinkle the spot with baking soda and then use a diluted solution of water and vinegar to keep your lawn odour-free.

Cleaning dog poop off artificial grass

You are going to want to remove dog waste as soon as possible, however there may be some residue and bad odor left behind, so the best solution is to use a non-toxic grass cleaner followed by some light brushing in the area (ensure the bristles are not steel). If you discover a hidden poop that has hardened and dried with time it’s best to gently spray it with hose water beforehand to make it easier to remove and afterwards just for luck.

Cleaning a fresh drink or food spill

Spilt your ice tea whilst sunbathing? No problem! As soon as you’ve split your drink, take a deep breath and grab a paper towel. You’re going to want to dab (not rub) the paper towel around the area. This should remove all traces of the spill but if you want to be extra cautious you can gently rinse the area with water. Then finally, you can go and pour yourself another drink!

Cleaning a drink or food stain that has been there a while

If you notice from the corner of your eye a rogue stain that you suspect has been sitting there for a while, then there is no need to fear! We recommend you use a professional artificial grass cleaner, but if you are unable to purchase one then a teaspoon of detergent which is heavily diluted in a pint of water will also work. Get a sponge or cloth with the solution on and directly use on the stain until it is removed, afterwards rinse the area with water. If the stain is stubborn use a toothbrush to gently brush any remains away.

Can I jet wash artificial grass?

Gentle pressure is the secret to washing artificial grass, if you’re thinking of jet washing your lawn remember that the grass fibres aren’t as strong as a surface such as a patio. If your grass doesn’t have infill and you're thinking of using a pressure washer you should always spray the grass gently from a distance.

We don’t recommend artificial grass with infill, but if this is the type of artificial grass you own, you should not use any kind of pressure washer to clean the grass as this may lead to damage.

Can you vacuum artificial grass?

It might be tempting to get your hoover out to suck up all the debris in one quick go. Although this is possible, it is not recommended. So we advise trying other methods before you get your hands on a hoover, and if you do find yourself plugging in a hoover make sure it is a special vacuum cleaner that has been designed specifically for artificial lawns.

How often should you clean your lawn?

We recommend you schedule some time to give your lawn some care, either tending to your artificial grass once a week or once a month. The frequency of maintenance you choose is down to you, and is dependent on how frequently your grass is used.

Weekly Artificial Lawn Maintenance

Most homeowners that use the garden frequently, and possibly have children and/or pets tend to allocate one day a week to give their lawn a quick once over. Each month, you should also select one of those weeks to do a more thorough clean that will look similar to a ‘monthly artificial lawn maintenance’ check.

If you opt for a quick clean once a week, we suggest you:

• Remove any stains or spills that have occurred
• Use a broom or plastic rake (not metal) to brush the grass
  Any brush can be an artificial grass cleaning brush as long as it is not metal or has steel bristles. Brushing the grass helps keep a spring in its step. Start in one corner of the garden and brush in strips as if you were mowing it. If something heavy has left marks in the grass then brush against the grain to bring it back to life.
• Lightly hose down your lawn

If you haven’t had much rain you should lightly wash the lawn by gently spraying down the grass fibers with a hose. This will remove dust and other small debris to keep your lawn clean.

Monthly Artificial Lawn Maintenance

If you don’t use your lawn frequently you can get away with cleaning it once a month, but this clean will need to be more thorough. This cleaning should also be performed once a month by those with a weekly check.

We recommend that you do the following:

• Everything listed above in the weekly maintenance check
• Remove weeds
  Weeds typically form at the edges from seeds and leaves that have dropped to the ground. There are many ways in which weeds can be easily removed from artificial grass.

Seasonal cleaning

Your weather conditions or where you live might also affect the frequency and how you clean your artificial lawn, in order to clean your grass and keep it safe:

1. Hot weather
   Places that get a lot of heat and tend to be dry can formulate a lot of dust on your grass. If this sounds like your conditions you will need to wash down your grass more often. On the other hand if you get a lot of rain you will not likely need to rinse your lawn at all. Although direct sunlight will not burn your synthetic grass, you need to look out for sun reflections from glass windows and doors. Double-pane windows (in particular energy efficient ones) have the potential to magnify the light and heat which might cause damage to your artificial turf. You need to keep an eye on this and consider minimising the reflection by installing awnings, shutters, plants or screens which will block the glare. It is also advised to avoid having BBQs too close to the grass as well.
2. Mould and weeds
   As the seasons change, you might notice more leaves or seeds on the ground. It is good to collect this up to avoid mould, moss or weeds growing. This can be done by hand or using a dustpan or brush to remove any leaves. Or a leaf blower might be the perfect solution for you. If you have already spotted some mould and weeds but are unsure how to remove mould or moss from artificial grass. We recommend you use vinegar or a water-based moss and weed killer agent (with a maximum pH balance of 8).
3. Cold Weather
   Colder weather in winter might lead to a build up of frost, ice and snow. The general rule for when this happens is to allow the snow to melt naturally. However, sometimes you need to remove the surface snow to still make use of your garden space. If you choose to shovel or sweep away snow make sure you use a plastic shovel, never use a metal one. Metal shovels can cause damage to the lawn, and when using a plastic shovel make sure you are not heavy handed. When shovelling make sure you leave an inch of snow which can be brushed away using a broom or plastic rake. If you have ice on the grass you should always just wait and let it melt.

The beauty of artificial grass is that it’s so low maintenance that you hardly have to lift a finger to keep it looking fresh all year round. It is really easy to maintain once you understand the tips and tricks and can apply them in action. The frequency and methods you choose to clean your grass will depend a lot on your environment and garden usage.

If you keep following these solutions provided above for a fresh looking lawn, not only will it bring you joy every day, but it will also improve it’s longevity so you can get better value for your money.