Looking after your artificial grass is relatively easy, and compared to natural lawn, it requires little upkeep to maintain its look and lifespan. This is just one of the many advantages of having synthetic turf installed, especially in the family yard. The grass can look fantastic for many years and beautifies your landscape. It’s an eco-friendly choice that need no reseeding, weeding, mowing or fertilisers and only requires the odd spruce.
Once you have begun to enjoy the luxuriousness of the new lawn, you will want to know how to maintain it and how often, so we have broken this down for you and have some great tips so you can enjoy your artificial turf all year round.
Required Maintenance
Maintenance requirements will be slightly different for everyone and are very much dependent on where you live. For example, if you have a lot of pets, live in an incredibly dusty area, or have lots of flower and shrubbery your likely to have more maintenance than a patio or courtyard in a block of units. So, the amount of care will depend on how often you use your space and your surroundings.
Weekly Maintenance
In a heavily used yard – pets, children running around, outdoor eating – you may want to consider a weekly maintenance schedule. This could include:
- Checking for matted grass around high traffic areas, where children and pets play and around outdoor furniture. If needed, the turf can be brushed with a broom or stiff brush.
- Briefly host down dirt.
- Spot clean debris, stains and spills.
Monthly Schedule
Not every yard requires a weekly schedule and monthly maintenance will be adequate. Here is a list of things you can do to keep your grass looking fantastic:
- Rinse away dust, stains, and pollen to keep your lawn looking fresh.
- Spot clean any spills.
- Remove any debris.
- Groom your grass with a leaf blower.
Spot Cleaning
Keeping to a regular schedule helps keep your artificial turf in good condition. However, it’s the on the spot cleaning that goes a long way towards keeping your lawn look great and here is a guide of how you can do it.
Food and Drink Spills
If you like to entertain, have family bbq’s or your children are running around with icy poles or snacks outside, you may find some stains and spills in your yard. While artificial lawn is low maintenance, a little water, sometimes a mild detergent will take care of that spill straight away. Other tips include:
- If you only discover the spill once it’s dried, use a spatula to remove the solid matter.
- For drink spills, soak it up with a towel then rinse with the hose.
- Once cleaned and dried, brush the fibres, so it looks its best.
- Never use corrosive chemical cleaners.
- Never use cleaners with chlorine bleach as it will erode the grass and cause fading.
Pet Waste
Artificial lawns are great for pets, and when it comes to cleaning up animal waste, they are easy to clean. Because of the durability of synthetic turf, it doesn’t wear down as easily from animal urine. When cleaning up pet waste, it is just a matter picking up any solid waste and hosting it down.
If you do find an odour does occur after time, make a solution of white wine vinegar with water and wash the area down.
Oil Stains and Paint
When painting or staining your deck, home or backyard fence, you may find some drips on your lawn. Of all the types of stains, your grass can get, this is one you want to avoid because it’s incredibly difficult to remove. Depending on the severity of the spill, you may need to call in an expert.
Before seeking professional assistance, you can try to clean it yourself by:
- Blot excess liquid with a towel.
- Do not wipe it as it will likely spread further.
- Use a foaming carpet cleaner to spot clean.
- Blot the stain until it looks like its disappearing.
- Rinse and groom the fibres.
Tree Sap
While tree sap isn’t something you automatically think of when it comes to lawn stains, it can happen, and it’s very sticky when it does. Water won’t cut it for tree sap but applying ice to the area and then carefully chipping it off will remove the sap. If it needs further assistance for removal, a mild cleanser is acceptable to use. As with all other techniques, rinse with the hose and tend to the fibres with a bristled brush.
Bacteria and Mould
It is unlikely to happen with an artificial lawn because most bacteria are killed by the sun before it can grow, but it is possible. In pet runs or where you cook, food may be the cause of bacteria, and in the unlikely scenario that it does happen, it is a simple fix:
- Mix vinegar and water.
- Spray the affected area.
- Rinse with the hose.
- When dry, groom the fibres.
Mould, like bacteria, is also unlikely, but it is better to be prepared in case it happens:
- It requires quick action
- Gently apply hydrogen peroxide to the area with a sponge.
- Rinse thoroughly with water.
- Once dry, groom the fibres.
When looking after your artificial is not meant to be hard, even if there are spills and stains. The best course of action is to respond quickly than to let the spill sit around for a long time. Once you have cleaned your stain, you should always groom your turf to give it the best look and feel for optimum use.
If you want to be sure your grass is being well looked after you can always schedule a professional cleaning service a couple of times a year. While they look after your maintenance, you get to spend time relaxing and spending time with your family.
Want to know more about having artificial turf installed in your outdoor space? Contact one of our qualified team for a no-obligation quote today!
0430 308 829