You probably chose artificial grass for one main reason. You wanted a beautiful green lawn without the hassle. You were tired of mowing every Sunday or dealing with muddy patches in the winter. We get it. It is a brilliant way to have a tidy garden all year round.
But there is a common myth about fake turf. People often think “low maintenance” means “no maintenance”. Unfortunately that is not quite true. While you can sell your lawnmower, you cannot completely forget about your grass. If you leave it alone for too long, it can start to look flat, dusty, and a bit sad.
The good news is that cleaning artificial grass is easy. It does not take much time or effort. You do not need expensive equipment or a degree in gardening. With a simple routine, you can keep your lawn looking fresh and lasting for years. Here are our top tips for keeping your artificial turf in perfect condition.
Gather your tools first
Before you start, you need the right kit. You likely have most of these things in your shed or cupboard already. You do not need heavy machinery to do a good job.
Here is what you should grab:
- A stiff brush (but not a metal one)
- A garden hose or a bucket of water
- Mild washing up liquid
- A leaf blower (optional but helpful)
- A plastic rake
- Specialist artificial grass cleaner (if you have pets)
Avoid using metal rakes or brushes with wire bristles. These are too harsh. They can damage the plastic fibres of the grass and rip the backing. Stick to plastic or synthetic bristles to be safe.
Brush your lawn regularly
Artificial grass is a bit like a carpet. Over time, the fibres can get flattened. This happens where people walk the most or where the kids play football. To stop your lawn from looking tired, you need to brush it.
Giving it a quick brush once a week or every fortnight makes a huge difference. Use your stiff broom or a plastic rake. The trick is to brush against the direction of the fibres. This pushes the grass blades back up and makes them stand tall again. It gives the lawn that fluffy, freshly laid look.
Brushing also does another important job. It helps redistribute the sand infill if you have it. This keeps the grass cushioned and comfortable to walk on.
Remove leaves and debris
We all love trees, but they can be messy. Leaves, twigs, and dropped petals will land on your lawn. It might not seem like a big deal, but you should clear this debris away quickly.
If you leave organic matter on the grass, it will start to rot. As it breaks down, it turns into a mushy paste. This can block the drainage holes in the backing of your turf. When drainage gets blocked, water sits on the surface instead of soaking away. That is when you get puddles.
Even worse, rotting leaves create the perfect home for moss and weed seeds. It is much easier to sweep up dry leaves now than to scrub away moss later.
You can use a leaf blower for this if you want to be quick. A vacuum cleaner works on some types of grass too, but make sure the lawn is dry first. Otherwise, a good old-fashioned broom does the job just fine.
Dealing with pet mess
Many people buy artificial grass specifically because they have dogs. It stops them from digging holes or bringing mud into the house. But dogs still need to do their business.
You need to clean up after your pets straight away. Pick up any solid waste just like you would on a walk. Bag it and bin it. Once the solid bit is gone, use a hose or a watering can to rinse the area. This washes away any bits left behind.
Urine is a different challenge. It drains away through the holes in the turf, but the smell can linger. This is especially true in hot weather. Nobody wants to sit in a garden that smells like a kennel.
To fix this, you can buy specialist artificial grass cleaners. These are often enzyme cleaners. They do not just cover the smell with perfume. They actually eat the bacteria that causes the bad odour. If you prefer a home remedy, a mixture of white vinegar and water can help neutralise the smell too. Rinse the area well afterwards.
How to treat stains
Accidents happen. Maybe you dropped a burger during a BBQ or spilled a glass of wine. Do not panic. Most stains on artificial grass are easy to remove if you act fast.
For most spills, warm soapy water is the answer. Mix some washing up liquid with warm water in a bucket. Use a sponge or a soft cloth to blot the stain. Do not rub it too hard or you might damage the grass blades. Rinse the soap away with a hose when you are done.
If the stain is tougher, like oil or grease, you might need something stronger. You can use a gentle spirit like mineral spirits on a cloth. But be very careful. Test it on a tiny corner of the lawn first to make sure it does not damage the colour.
Never use bleach or harsh acidic chemicals. These can strip the colour right out of your green grass. You could end up with a permanent white patch on your lawn.
Controlling weeds and moss
You might think fake grass means no weeds. Sadly, nature is very persistent. Weeds can grow around the edges of your lawn. They can even grow through the drainage holes or in the sand infill if seeds land on top.
Moss is another common visitor, especially in shady, damp corners.
The best way to handle weeds is to pull them out by hand. If you catch them early, they come out easily. If they are stubborn, you can use a water-based weed killer. Just make sure it is safe for artificial grass. Avoid anything that stays in the fibres for a long time, especially if kids or pets play there.
If you have moss, clean the area thoroughly. Moss hates sunlight and dry conditions. Pruning back overhanging branches to let more light in can help stop it coming back.
Watch out for heat
Artificial grass is made of plastic. That means it can melt if it gets too hot. We do not mean hot weather from the sun. Your grass is designed to handle high summer temperatures. We mean direct heat sources.
Keep BBQs well away from the grass. A stray hot coal landing on the turf will melt a hole instantly. You cannot fix a melted patch easily. You usually have to cut it out and replace it, which is a fiddly job.
Be careful with shiny objects too. Mirrors or reflective glass tables can magnify the sun’s rays. This concentrated beam of light can actually burn lines into your turf. It is rare, but it happens. Keep an eye on where the reflections fall in your garden.
Removing snow and ice
In the winter, your lawn might get covered in snow. It looks pretty, but you need to be careful.
Generally, the best advice is to leave it alone. Let the snow melt naturally. The water will drain away through the holes in the backing.
If you really need to clear a path, do not use a metal shovel. You could slice through the turf. Use a plastic snow shovel and be gentle.
Never try to chip ice away. The grass blades can freeze and become brittle. If you hack at the ice, you might snap the grass blades off. If you are desperate to melt the ice, do not use rock salt. The salt can build up in the backing and cause drainage problems later. It is better to just wait for the sun to come out.
Keep chewing gum away
This is a specific tip, but an important one. Chewing gum and artificial grass are a terrible mix. If gum gets stuck in the fibres, it is very hard to get out.
If you do end up with gum on your lawn, do not try to pull it while it is soft. You will just stretch it and make a bigger mess. Grab an ice cube from the freezer. Hold the ice on the gum until it freezes solid. Once it is hard and brittle, you can carefully scrape it off with a plastic knife or a spoon.
Heavy furniture care
You can put garden furniture on artificial grass. Tables and chairs are fine. But be aware that heavy items will squash the grass flat.
If you move your table after a few months, you will see dents in the lawn. You can usually fix this by brushing the grass vigorously with your stiff broom. Pouring a little warm water on the area can help the fibres relax and stand up again.
To avoid this, try to move your furniture around slightly every now and then. This spreads the weight and stops one area from getting too flattened. Avoid furniture with sharp metal feet that could cut into the backing.
Enjoy your garden
Cleaning your artificial grass does not have to be a chore. It is much easier than mowing, weeding, and feeding a real lawn. A little bit of effort every now and then keeps it looking perfect.
If you follow these tips, your lawn will stay bright, soft, and inviting for years. So grab your brush, clear away those leaves, and then sit back and enjoy your beautiful green space.
