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How to Clean Artificial Grass: Maintain Its Beauty

Updated
Cleaning artificial grass is easy when you use this simple guide!

Artificial grass doesn’t require the care and maintenance that a regular lawn requires. However, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t require any care or maintenance if you want your artificial grass carpet to last for its full lifespan. Instead, you will need to clean and maintain your grass regularly to keep the blades from matting no matter whether the grass is laid in a balcony or outside on your lawn.

So today we’re discussing how to clean artificial turf so you can enjoy a beautiful lawn for years.

Key Takeaways

  • Clean artificial grass weekly by gently hosing it down and monthly by removing debris, rinsing, and brushing the grass upright.
  • For pet owners, remove solid waste and hose down the area where pets urinate, using a vinegar-water solution or specialized turf cleaner to neutralize odors.
  • Address spills and stains quickly by rinsing with water, using a detergent solution for light stains, or mineral spirits for deeper stains.
  • Avoid damaging your artificial grass by not using metal bristles, steam cleaning, harsh chemicals, or placing heavy objects on the turf.


How Often to Clean Artificial Grass

When you’re learning how to clean fake grass, you first need to know how often to clean your lawn. Usually, you will need to gently hose it down once a week to remove the dust. Each month you will need to remove the leaves and other debris, hose down your yard, and also brush the grass upright.

This schedule may change depending upon other factors. For instance, if you have children or pets your yard will likely need to be cleaned more often. The same if you live in a dusty area, your grass will become dusty more frequently and will need to be hosed off more often.

You may also need to deep clean your yard more frequently during the fall when leaves are falling or if you get frequent storms.

However, this is an excellent schedule to get you started. Then you can adapt it to fit your specific needs.

  • Weekly or Regular Cleaning: If it hasn’t rained recently, use a hose to gently hose your yard off and remove the dust.
  • Monthly or Deep Cleaning: Remove leaves and other debris. Hose down your yard. Brush the grass upright.
  • Spot Cleaning: You will need to remove and clean up stains, gum, pet urine, and animal feces as quickly as possible once you discover the issue.

How to Clean Dusty Artificial Grass

Once a month, you will need to clean your artificial grass from dust and debris that may be on the lawn. The first step is to remove all the debris before you rinse the dust from your grass. Then you will follow up by brushing the grass upright.

  • Time: 1 hour depending on the size of your yard
  • Difficulty: Beginner

What You’ll Need

  • Rake or stiff-bristled brush with synthetic bristles at least 5 inches long
  • Leaf blower (optional)
  • Garden hose

1. Remove Debris

Pick up any branches that have fallen onto your yard. Then remove all the fallen leaves and debris that has blown into your yard. You can use a leaf blower, rake, or brush.

If you’re using a leaf blower, choose a corner of your yard to blow the debris into. Then you can easily pick it up with a rake to remove it.

Your rake or brush needs to have synthetic bristles at least 5 inches long. Do not use metal or wire bristles on your turf. This may damage the fibers.

2. Rinse the Grass

Use a garden hose to lightly rinse your grass and remove any dust lingering on your grass. Do not use a hard spray as this may also damage the fibers.

Start at one end of your yard. Work systematically to the other end, making sure that you gently remove all the dust from your yard.

3. Brush the Grass

Use a rake or broom to brush your grass upright. You’ll brush the grass against its natural grain.

Start at one corner of the yard. Work straight across the yard and then take a step into your yard and work straight across your yard again. Working systematically like this will help you brush your entire yard so the grass stands upright.

How to Clean Artificial Grass From Dog Urine

One tip you need to know when learning how to clean synthetic grass is to quickly remove any solid waste your dog has left behind and hose down that area. Also, hose down the area where your dog urinates at least once a week.

You can also clean your astroturf with vinegar which is a mild disinfectant. To do this, use a DIY mixture of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water to hose down the area. This will help to neutralize the smell of pet urine in the yard.

Also, consider picking up a turf cleaner and neutralizer like BioTurn BioS. This will help eliminate any pet odors that your pet may leave in the grass.

Best Artificial Grass Cleaner for Pets

There are some artificial grass cleaners for dogs and pets that we recommend. You can use these cleaners to clean up and prevent the smell of dog urine in your yard.

How to Get Rid of Dog Urine Smell

One way to get rid of a nasty smell from dog urine is to use a diluted vinegar-water solution. Mix it in a 1:1 ratio and spray it over your yard. It will help to remove the smell and will also help to remove any bacteria lingering on your lawn.

Also, try sprinkling any smelly areas with baking soda as baking soda is an excellent deodorizer. Wait a few minutes and then use the diluted vinegar wash to spray and remove the baking soda.

Removing Spills and Stains

If you discover a spill or stain, first use a paper towel to blot the spill and remove as much as possible. Be careful not to rub the stain into the grass as this will make it more difficult to remove.

Rinse your grass with a hose. If done quickly after a spill, this should remove the stain or spill.

Light Stains

Mix a teaspoon of water and 2 cups of detergent in a small bucket to make a paste. Use a soft cloth or a sponge to apply the cleaner to the stain. Rub the cleaner into the stain until it’s removed.

Then use a hose to rinse away the cleaner. Don’t worry, the cleaner will not harm your grass and will clean many substances including alcohol, coffee, and ice cream.

Deeper Stains

If you find that you have a deeper stain in your yard that the detergent and water will not remove, then you can try using mineral spirits to clean the stain. If you choose to use mineral spirits, make sure that you wear gloves to prevent skin irritation and wear a respirator to prevent lung irritation.

You’ll first need to apply a small amount in an isolated corner of your yard to make sure that the mineral spirits will not harm your grass. Then soak a soft cloth in the mineral spirits before wiping your grass blades. Be careful that the spirits do not soak into the turf as it may damage the turf or infill.

Call a professional if needed to come and clean your yard. They will know how to safely remove the stain from your lawn.

Sticky Substances

If a sticky substance such as chewing gum becomes stuck to your grass, first see how much you can gently pick up out of the grass. Then try using an ice cube to chill the substance which will make it easier to remove.

Another option is to use a dull object such as a putty knife to gently scrape away the substance from your grass.

Artificial Grass Maintenance

Artificial grass can last for 15-25 years if it’s maintained and cared for correctly. These tips for caring for artificial grass will help your grass last.

  • If your grass is no longer lush or you’re moving into a house where the lawn hasn’t been maintained, hire a professional service to come and restore your lawn.
  • Avoid walking on your grass in the winter. Walking on your artificial grass may cause the snow to turn into a thin layer of ice. If you do have ice on your grass, leave it. Trying to remove the ice may damage your lawn.
  • Do not use salt to melt the snow or ice. This may damage your grass’ backing causing it not to drain well in the future.
  • Stay up to date on the monthly cleaning schedule of removing the debris from your yard, rinsing your yard, and brushing the grass against the grain to keep it upright. This will keep your yard from becoming matted.
  • Remove stains as quickly as possible to keep the stains from setting.
  • Assign a specific area of your yard for pets to use when they need to go to the bathroom. This will make cleaning up your yard easier and keep the mess localized.
  • Don’t chew gum on your grass. If it falls on your grass it will stick to the fibers and is challenging to remove.
  • Never use a BBQ or cigarettes on your artificial turf. The hot ashes or coal can cause irreparable harm to your grass.
  • Don’t place sharp-edged furniture on your grass as this may cause the blades to split or to poke through the grass into the infill of your grass. So make sure your yard furniture has flat and wide legs.
  • Be careful about sunlight reflecting off your windows especially if you have double panes. The reflected sunlight can be magnified and focused causing damage to your artificial grass.
  • Don’t park your car on the artificial grass. Artificial grass is not made to withstand the weight of a car. Also, if your car drips any oil, it may stain or damage your grass.

What to Avoid When Cleaning Artificial Grass

There are a few things you should avoid when caring for your artificial grass as these will damage the fibers and may cause irreparable harm to the grass, people, or pets.

  • Do not use metal or wire bristles on your artificial grass as this will damage the fibers.
  • Do not steam clean artificial turf. It will make the smell stronger and drive the stain into the fibers.
  • Do not use pesticides on your artificial grass as they may be harmful to people and pets.
  • Do not use harsh chemicals or solvents to remove stains, spills, or sticky substances from your grass.

FAQs

Can You Vacuum Artificial Grass?

It’s better to brush artificial grass rather than vacuum it. Vacuuming artificial grass without an infill turf may become flattened, torn, or slump after time. Vacuuming artificial grass with an infill may vacuum up some of the infills which keeps the turn springy.

Can I Power Wash My Artificial Grass?

No, the strength of the water spray may damage your artificial grass.

Can You Use Bleach on Artificial Grass?

We do not recommend using bleach on artificial grass, especially if you have pets.

If animals have urinated on the grass, they have left urine behind. The urine is decomposed by bacteria, and the urea in the urine turns into ammonia. Toxic ammonia pockets may have formed in your artificial grass.

Ammonia combined with bleach creates a toxic gas.

Is It Hard to Maintain Artificial Grass?

Artificial grass is not hard to maintain. Once installed, it will take a fraction of the time to keep it looking good, and you can use it all year round.

Does Artificial Grass Go Moldy?

Your artificial grass will not go moldy. It is constructed from polyethylene or polypropylene, which has a smooth surface, making it hard for mold to attach and grow.

Why are Weeds Growing Through My Artificial Grass?

You may have weeds growing through your artificial grass because a weed membrane has not been installed. Weeds can grow in muddy deposits from other parts of your yard that get dropped on the artificial grass from shoes.


How to Clean Fake Grass

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if you use a patch of indoor astroturf or a full lawn of synthetic grass outside. You will need to clean your artificial grass on a regular basis. Once a week do a light cleaning to remove any dust from your grass.

Then complete a deep cleaning once a month to maintain and care for your turf so it will last its full lifespan.

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About the Author

Sara Dennis

Sara Dennis is a coffee-loving freelance writer, homeschool blogger, and mom of six kids. In her free time, Sara loves reading books and researching more efficient and effective ways to keep a clean house, homeschool her children, and blog better while making a home for her large family.