Artificial grass has become an increasingly popular landscaping option for many people who are looking to add a low-maintenance element to their homes that still gives them the look and feel of regular grass. While artificial grass doesn’t require the typical yard maintenance that a regular lawn does, it does still require cleaning from time to time to keep it in good condition. Learning how to properly care for and clean your artificial grass can take some time, but the great news is that once you’ve got a maintenance routine in place, following that plan regularly will help keep your lawn looking beautiful year-round!
We’ve put together a list of tips and tricks for cleaning artificial grass to help you get started!
General Cleaning
When it comes to the general cleaning of your artificial turf, giving it a regular rinse is the best way to help keep dust and pollen at bay. On top of rinsing, it’s also a good idea to clean up any debris, which means picking up any twigs and stones and gathering any fallen leaves. If there are any particularly dirty spots, you can clean them by using a mild soap and water, or equal parts water and white vinegar. Apply this to the area using a sponge or sponge mop and follow it with a rinse.
If you’re looking to give your entire space a good, thorough clean, the same soap and water or water and vinegar solution can be used on the entire area, just don’t forget to give your artificial grass a thorough rinse once you’re done.
Cleaning Up After Pets
For pet-related messes and maintenance, it’s always best to deal with any pet-related problems as soon as you see them. This means picking up solid waste with a bag or by using a scooper. Use a hose to rinse down those areas, as well as any areas where your pet urinates to help eliminate odors. You can go one step further and mix together equal parts white vinegar and water and spray it over the area to help get rid of any bacteria and cleanse the turf. Ideally, you use a topical spray with enzymes that break down the ureic acid that cause the lingering smell. There are many options on the market for this, but making sure they have enzymes is most important. The longer any pet-related messes linger on your artificial grass, the more likely it is for odors and bacteria to begin to develop, so staying on top of cleaning up after your pets is the best way to keep your artificial grass looking and smelling its best!
Mold & Fungus
Like any outdoor surface that is exposed to the weather and other elemental factors of the outdoors, artificial grass can harbor mold and mildew, especially in more humid climates. Rinsing your artificial turf can help keep some of this at bay, but if you find mold and mildew patches popping up, you can treat them with a solution of 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 10 parts water. After letting the affected area soak for approximately 30 minutes, give the area a thorough rinse. For other stains that may occur from time to time, eco-friendly household cleaners are a great way to clean them, followed by a rinse to make sure the area is clean.
Whether you’re looking for routine maintenance or are targeting a particular stain or problem area, these tips and tricks for cleaning your artificial turf will hopefully help you begin to put together a regular, routine maintenance schedule.
Interested in artificial turf that is durable, long-lasting, and will hold up even when your pets do their business? Contact us today to get the help of one of our expert grass installers!