A significant advantage of synthetic grass is that it is lower maintenance than real grass. Although it frees you from the regular chores of watering, cutting and fertilizing that natural grass requires, it still requires a bit of maintenance to keep it in good condition. Without this care, your artificial turf can become flattened, dirty, ugly and a nuisance.
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Turf infill is easy to clean, groom and maintain by following best practices. Make sure you can enjoy your artificial turf for years by performing regular maintenance to keep it in great condition. Let’s get started!
The Importance of Artificial Turf Maintenance
Taking good care of your turf means protecting your investment. You already paid money to have turf installed, so maintaining it over time is not a big deal. Regular turf maintenance makes it last longer and prevents problems.
How to Clean Artificial Turf
You certainly don’t have to mow artificial turf, but you do have to keep it clean. There are a few common substances that should be thoroughly removed from your turf on a regular basis.
- Common Surface Debris
Dust, leaves, and dirt can build up on the surface of your turf. To prevent these buildups from occurring, lightly mist your turf every week. Keep in mind that if you live in a dry, dusty area, you may need to do this more often. For heavy buildups, such as piles of leaves in the fall or dirt from a storm, rake or brush them away. Use a stiff brush without steel bristles or a lawn rake that is flexible to avoid damaging your turf.
- Pet Feces
If you have dogs or cats or have several in your neighborhood, it is important to remove pet feces regularly. This keeps your turf smelling good and prevents germs from pet feces from spreading. Scoop up feces and throw them away, then spray the area with a hose. For urine, spray the affected area with a hose and consider using a turf deodorizer.
- Stains
Gum, blood, barbecue sauce, drinks and other substances can get on your turf, but the good news is that this type of turf is stain-resistant. In most cases, these substances can be easily cleaned off with water. If there is a sticky substance on your artificial turf, such as gum, use a putty knife to carefully scrape it off or apply ice to it to freeze it and remove it.
- Bacteria
Blood, pet feces and other substances can leave bacteria on your artificial turf. To remove it, wash it with a mixture of vinegar and water or mild soap and water. Use a spray bottle for small areas and a garden hose attachment for larger areas.
- Snow and Ice
Removing snow and ice helps keep your artificial turf from becoming slippery. Most of the time, you can wait for the snow and ice to melt and dry on its own. If you need to clear it before then, brush off a light layer of snow. If you have a lot of snow, remove the top layers with a shovel, then brush off the remaining snow to prevent damage to the blades.
How to Groom Artificial Turf
Artificial turf needs periodic grooming to keep it looking good and to ensure it is safe for people to walk or play on it. Specifically, grooming keeps the turf fibers straight and the infill evenly distributed.
- Brushing
Use grooming equipment that is safe for artificial turf. Generally, you can use a broom or a brush with a handle, provided they are not too hard on the turf blades. Brush it lightly every three to four weeks to keep the blades straight.
- Loosening the Infill
Use spring-tined grooming equipment to loosen the infill, but check the manufacturer’s recommendations first. This ensures you are using equipment that will not damage your artificial turf. Another way to loosen the infill and level it is to aerate it with grooming units. This should only be done about three times a year to avoid damage.
Troubleshooting Artificial Turf Maintenance
If your turf is not standing up straight, start brushing it as often as needed to keep the fibers up. Maintaining the levels of infill also helps keep your turf straight by making sure they are even and not too low.
If you haven’t maintained your artificial turf for a long time, giving it a good cleaning and grooming will help restore it. Make sure you carry out regular maintenance after that to keep your turf looking good.
By following maintenance and grooming procedures on a regular basis, you can ensure that your artificial turf lasts for years and stays in excellent condition for you to enjoy.
