One of the biggest advantages of artificial grass is that it doesn’t require the same level of care and maintenance that natural grass does.
With artificial grass, never again will you need to mow your lawn, fertilize, or waste huge amounts of water ensuring that your grass grows green.
However, this does not mean that artificial grass is entirely maintenance-free. To keep artificial turf field looking great, check out these maintenance tips.
1. Regular Weekly/Monthly Maintenance
How often you perform maintenance on your artificial grass will depend on your particular situation.
While homeowners without kids and pets may only need to perform regular maintenance on a monthly basis, those whose turf serves as an athletic field that hundreds of people use will likely need to perform maintenance on a weekly basis.
In general, however, you should lightly rinse down your lawn once per week. Use a hose to spray down the grass fibers and remove dirt and debris.
On a monthly basis, you should use a stiff brush to remove dirt, dust, and leaves. Use a broom to sweep the turf against the grain to groom it into an upright position.
2. Removing Pet Waste
Even if pets aren’t allowed on your field, they still somehow seem to find a way to do their business on them.
If you find solid waste, allow it to dry before removing it. Then, use a baggie or poop scooper to remove it.
If you find urine spots, hose down the area and apply a turf deodorizer if needed.
3. Stains
There are two types of stains that you’ll come across on turf fields: mild stains and stubborn stains. Here’s what to do for each one:
Mild Stains
For immediate spills, use a towel to blot them. Or, blot them with a dry absorbent, such as kitty litter.
To ensure the stain lifts completely, rinse the area with water and mild detergent. If you need something stronger, use a mixture of water and 3 percent ammonia to lift the stain.
Then, use cool water to thoroughly rinse out the solution.
Stubborn Stains
For stubborn stains that have already set into your artificial turf, you can also use an ammonia mixture or mild detergents.
If the turf doesn’t respond to this, use mineral spirits to draw out the stain.
If you find sticky stains like chewing gum or tree sap, use aerosol refrigerants or dry ice to lift the stains. This will help freeze the sticky substance, at which point you can scrape it off the grass.
4. Bacteria Buildup
Bacteria buildup is typically not an issue with artificial turf.
However, if you believe bacteria to be present, use a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 1 part water to remove bacteria spores.
You can use a spray bottle to treat small areas of bacteria buildup or a garden hose to treat large areas.
Artificial Turf Field: Are You Ready for Maintenance?
As you can see, the maintenance required for an artificial turf field is pretty minimal.
If you have any questions about artificial turf maintenance, comment below. And, be sure to check out this blog post to learn how turf benefits the environment.