A lot goes into creating and caring for natural lawns, so much that it can be overwhelming for the average owner to mow, weed, fertilize, and properly maintain them. However, artificial synthetic grass materials present the option of having a clean and soft-looking lawn without comparatively lower maintenance requirements.
If, like many other homeowners, you have a synthetic lawn or you’re thinking about getting one, here are some of the essential things to know about the maintenance of artificial grass.
Hose off the surface
Maintaining artificial turf doesn’t necessarily involve the daily rigors some other household tasks require. For the most part, all you have to do is regularly hose your synthetic grass down to keep it clean. If you live in a climate that’s characterized by high humidity and regular rainfall, you could do this less frequently. Otherwise, you may have to hose down your lawn about once a week to keep it clean and in good condition. This is regardless of whether the lawn gets stained or spilled on.
Brush occasionally
Another maintenance tip for caring for a synthetic lawn is to brush it down from time to time. However, you won’t need to do this as frequently as you would have to hose your lawn down. In addition to getting rid of some deep-seated materials, brushing could help revive warped or bent fibers, making them look somewhat perkier and relatively newer. However, you’ve got to avoid using wire or any other similarly hard brush to avoid damaging the turf.
Clean stains as soon as they occur
With synthetic grass, you’ll have to be wary of stains. Stains on natural lawns tend to go away on their own, but you can’t say the same for artificial grass. The key is to get rid of stains as soon as they happen. For mild spills, you can simply blot up the spillage with a dry fabric and then rinse the area with water or mild detergent. If you need a stronger cleaning agent, you can mix some mild detergent in water or make a 3% solution of ammonia in water. However, you’ll have to rinse the solution out after removing the stains thoroughly. On the other hand, if you’re dealing with stubborn stains that won’t be removed by mild detergents or any other mild remedies, you can give mineral spirits a trial. The cleaning process is quite the same.
Clean up after your pets
Another important thing you should pay attention to is cleaning up after your pets. However, the exciting thing with artificial grass is that it isn’t as prone to ruin from pet waste as natural grass. Once your pets regularly pass waste in a particular spot on natural grass, the area is likely to change color. However, this wouldn’t happen on a synthetic lawn, as long as you clean up after your animals. Also, leaving waste on your artificial lawn is pretty unhygienic.
Getting rid of sticky stuff
It can be pretty annoying to have to deal with stuff like chewing gum or tree sap sticking to your artificial grass. Nonetheless, they can be straightforward to remove when you know the right way to go about it. You can apply dry ice to freeze off the sticky material and then go ahead to scrape or wash it off the turf.
Repair/Replace Worn-out patches
With extended use, it’s not abnormal to have some patches of worn-out areas on your synthetic grass. This is common as a result of high traffic, but it could also be a burnt or torn section of a lawn, which can also be replaced. A professional will know how to go about replacing damaged sections on your turf, but you can try a DIY approach if the damage is quite minimal and you’re sufficiently handy.
Spray to remove moss and algae
Another issue you could face with artificial turfs is moss and algae buildup. If you live in damp weather or have your lawn shaded from direct sunlight, your synthetic grass would be more prone to algae and moss growth. Interestingly, there are cleaning solutions made to combat this problem. So, you can get one from your local store or from an internet marketplace whenever you notice these growths on your synthetic lawn.
Removing Snow and Ice From Synthetic Grass
Whether or not you’ll have to deal with snow on your synthetic grass is hugely dependent on your location. It isn’t an issue for people across all locations, only those who live in snowy areas. Thankfully, it’s quite easy to get rid of snow from your lawn – all you have to do is wait for the snow to melt. However, if you have to urgently remove the snow and can’t wait for it to melt, you can use a push broom to get snow off. A blower could also be effective, but you have to be careful not to blow too close to the surface of the grass as that can damage the blades of the grass.
Removing Bacteria From Artificial Turf
Sometimes you want a cleaning that not only gets rid of dirt, debris, and physical materials but also bacteria and other microorganisms. This is especially important if you have pets and little kids playing on the turf. A simple solution of vinegar in water can do the job. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water and spray it all over the turf to get rid of bacteria and some other potentially harmful organisms.
Verdict
Thanks to TurFresh Phoenix, artificial grass maintenance in Phoenix has been made much easier. Abiding by our original mission of making top-quality cleaning services and products available for artificial grass owners, our company is also guided by environmentally friendly practices. Whether you’ve had a synthetic turf installed or you are thinking of getting one installed, we’ve got some of the best cleaning solutions available to not only mask odor but remove the causative agents and keep your yard smelling fresh at all times.
