Many homeowners prefer artificial grass for its ability to maintain a healthy and attractive appearance with minimal upkeep.
Artificial grass is a great choice if you want to escape high water costs, allergens, harsh chemicals used in fertilizer and weed killer, or cutting the grass.
All of the leg work that comes with natural grass maintenance aside, it costs a pretty penny to keep up with as well. Lawn mowers and weed wackers are not cheap to buy or fix.
And while artificial grass only requires a fraction of this work, it’s important to note that artificial turf still requires care and maintenance to stay in pristine condition.
The good news is you can take care of these maintenances yourself and they’re extremely simple to do.
Today, we will explore the care involved in owning an artificial grass lawn and how exactly to do those maintenances.
Let’s dive in.
Unique Needs Of Artificial Grass
Artificial grass does not face the same threats as natural grass. For example, weed growth, diseases, or worst of all turning brown.
It doesn’t require an extravagant sprinkler system to combat droughts and you don’t need to worry about fertilizers and weed killers.
Nevertheless, it is not exempt from care and maintenance. It’s needs are just unique compared to a real lawn!
Even though artificial grass is not be prone to weeds or other common issues found with real grass, it can still experience wear and tear.
For example, damage in high foot-traffic zones, wear from the weather, or even stains and spills from children or pets.
Artificial Grass Care And Maintenance
If you go the route of artificial grass, it’ll be important to establish a care routine. Between children, pets, and exposure to the elements, you won’t be able to avoid wear and tear over time.
With natural grass, stains from food, pets, or oil may naturally wash away, absorb, or be removed through mowing.
But that is not the case with artificial grass. It will not absorb or outgrow stains, so you’ll need to take care of what you do have.
So knowing that, is turf good for dogs or kids?
The good news is, keeping your artificial lawn looking good will be less work than keeping up with a real one.
Here are six artificial grass maintenance tips that you can use to make the most out of your turf.
Tip #1 A Regular Cleaning Schedule
Implementing a regular cleaning routine is the first step in preserving the appearance of artificial turf lawns.
For areas with substantial foot traffic, a weekly cleaning regimen is recommended to stop the accumulation of dust, dirt, and debris.
Even if your turf lawn isn’t used frequently, you’ll still want to clean it regularly to prevent the build up of leaves and other plant matter that falls onto your lawn.
If the artificial turf serves as a pet relief zone, a more frequent cleaning schedule will be needed to keep your turf sanitary and oder free.
Bi-weekly or monthly cleanings will suffice if the synthetic lawn is primarily ornamental and does not get covered with much debris, like leaves.
Adhering to these cleaning guidelines ensures that your artificial grass remains both visually pleasing and hygienic.
Tip #2 Clearing Away Yard Waste, Dust, And Other Clutter
Maintaining your artificial grass’ cleanliness is relatively straightforward if it does not experience a lot of foot traffic.
The first step in maintaining your lawn is to avoid the build up of dust, dirt, and other debris.
An easy way to clean your turf is to set your hose to a cool gentle spray and then let it air dry when you’re done.
Another option for clearing away debris is to use a leaf blower. This will not remove stains but it will blow away accumulated dust, leaves, and over light debris.
Caring for your artificial grass is more than just surface level cleaning, so these two steps aren’t the end all be all.
There also comes the matter of making sure your artificial turf remains realistic in appearance. Using a lawn rake or stiff broom to sweep the turf thoroughly will help do just that.
The sweeping motion created by a rake or a broom will keep the blades in an upright position and prevent the grass from being matted down.
By adding these steps to your lawn care routine, you’ll not only extend the lifespan of your artificial grass but you’ll preserve it’s appearances as well.
Tip #3 Minimal Stain Removal
Between kids, pets, and even adults you’re bound to have some spills and accidents on your artificial grass. Thankfully, artificial turf is designed to be durable!
Managing minor stains that could damage the appearance of your artificial grass lawn is surprisingly simple.
In the event of a spill, the first step is blotting up the substance to prevent further absorption. Once blotted to the best of your ability, you’ll need to dampen the affected area.
With the turf moistened, the next course of action is to apply a mild soap or detergent. Gently scrub the stained area using a soft-bristle brush to lift the residue effectively.
When finished with this step, rinse the treated area with cool water to remove any remaining soap and dirt.
Unlike real grass you can’t leave a spill to soak into the ground. However, you can still confidently enjoy your outdoor space knowing there are simple solutions to keep your turf in top-notch condition.
Tip #4 Getting Rid Of Stubborn Stains
While a quick hose down might tackle many stains on your artificial grass, some persistent blemishes may demand a more aggressive solution.
In such cases, mineral spirits are effective against tenacious marks caused by substances like crayons or motor oil.
Applying mineral spirits to the affected area, followed by blotting to absorb excess liquid, aids in combatting these stubborn stains.
Not all stains are created equal, even though artificial turf is very durable.
Thankfully, as long as you use the appropriate stain removal method, you can remove stains without compromising the appearances of your lawn.
Tip #5 Cleaning Up Sticky Buildup
Tackling tree sap, chewing gum, or other sticky substances adhered to your artificial turf can be hassle-free with the right method.
Start off by dampening the affected area using a garden hose. Then, apply a gentle cleaning solution or a combination of equal parts white vinegar and water.
These two ingredients are easy to find in just about any home. They’re also a potent combination that breaks down and dissolves stubborn stickiness with ease.
Once the cleaning solution of your choice is applied, use a soft-bristle brush to delicately scrub the turf. Make sure to scrub thoroughly to remove all of the residue.
Once finished, thoroughly rinse off the cleaning solution from the artificial turf using your garden hose.
With this easy cleaning method, you can quickly get back to enjoying your lawn- no matter how sticky the situation!
Tip #6 Eliminating Pet Waste
Many pet owners install artificial grass to create pet-friendly lawns. Whether they live in a grassless area and need a spot for their pets to take care of business or they just want to be rid of yellow grass.
However, in addition to the routines outlined earlier, artificial lawns used by pets require some additional maintenance. This is not only to keep up your lawns appearance but also for hygienic purposes.
Managing pet-related incidents on your artificial grass is still a pretty straightforward process, you just have to consistently keep up with it.
For liquids, spraying the soiled area with the hose will effectively wash the grass clean.
For solid waste, immediate and consistent cleanup is crucial to prevent stains and bacteria growth (which leads to bad odors). Swiftly remove solid waste and cleanse the area with a hose, rinding thoroughly.
Artificial grass’s adaptability creates an outdoor space for both pets and their owners. Through regular care and targeted cleanup, your artificial grass can remain clean and inviting for both pets and humans alike.
Conclusion
Selecting artificial grass lawns is a smart and convenient choice for many people. It’s versatility makes it a great fit for just about anyone, even pet owners and families!
While synthetic turf lawns can be investment, the low maintenance and year round green grass makes it a worth while one.
But like any investment, it requires care and maintenance to remain in the condition it was in when it was first installed.
Thankfully maintaining synthetic grass is arguably less work than real grass and the methods are pretty straightforward.
By promptly cleaning up stains, regularly clearing off debris, and sweeping to prevent matting (especially in high-traffic areas) you’ll maintain your lawns pristine appearance.
If you’re in the Colorado Springs or a surrounding area and you’re looking for a service provider, reach out to our team at Vanta Outdoors for Colorado Springs artificial turf!