How to clean artificial grass

To make sure your synthetic lawn lasts as long as it can, which is typically up to 15 years, it’s important to learn how to clean artificial grass properly. Although mowing, trimming and watering isn’t needed, you might still need to clean stains, spills and debris as they occur.

Thankfully, most lawns are hardy and able to withstand high levels of wear and tear. That’s why this how-to guide is just going to teach you how to keep your lawn looking tidy and in tip-top condition. Read on to find out how to clean fake grass.

How to clean artificial grass

Before you get started, grab these items from your gardening arsenal.

Tools you’ll need for the job/s

• Wooden broom or plastic rake
• A leaf-blower
• A dustpan and brush
• Garden refuse sacks
• Strong weedkiller
• Silica sand
• Washing up liquid
• A bucket

The best way to clean artificial grass

Spruce up the fibres

Take your wooden broom or plastic rake and give your artificial lawn a good brush down. If there are any superficial marks or flattened areas, brush the broom or rake over these areas to see if that fixes the issue. Try to go against the grain until the problem is solved, and if the issue isn’t fixed, move onto the next step.

Top tip: Don’t use a metal brush as it can damage the turf.

Dispose of any leaves

Autumn is called Fall in America for a reason. When those leaves start falling off their trees, they settle on your artificial lawn and start to rot, causing an unsightly mess. This is because, unlike real grass, the leaves have no organic matter to rot into, so they just sit on the surface until you clean them away.

This is much easier to do when the leaves are fresh. So, take out your leaf blower and blow them into a corner of your garden before disposing of them using your dustpan and brush and some heavy-duty garden refuse sacks. Clearing up leaves as soon as you see them makes your life easier in the long run.

Top tip: To avoid weed growth sprouting through your fake turf, get rid of rogue leaves regularly.

Destroy any weeds

If you’ve been lax and not kept on top of your weed maintenance, let this be a lesson to you. Despite artificial grass preventing such issues, weeds are wily little plants that breakthrough almost anything.

That’s why we recommend using a water-based weed killer on your fake lawn regularly. Include one that kills off moss too, with a max PH level of 8. Then, once they’re dead, pull out the remaining debris by hand and dispose of them in your garden refuse bags.

Clean stubborn stains

For stubborn artificial grass stains, such as red wine or curry spillages from alfresco mishaps, fill up a bucket with warm soapy water. Then, take a scrubbing brush or sponge and wash the stain as thoroughly as possible. This should help dislodge the oils and lift the stain. Let it dry before moving onto the next step.

Top tip: You may need to wash the area clean with a soapless bucket of water once finished.

Scatter silica sand

Once you’ve managed the stains, weeds and leaves, it’s time to give your turf a sand bath. For this step, scatter the silica sand across your grass and evenly distribute it with a broom or brush. Leave it for a few hours before walking on it.

FAQs

What is the best way to clean artificial grass?

The best way to clean your fake turf is to use the steps listed in our guide above.

How do you get dog urine out of fake grass?

The best way to remove urine is to hose down the area and spray on some outdoor odour eliminator. Follow the supplier’s instructions and then prevent the problem from happening again by using puppy training pads or lawn protecting rocks.

Can you pressure wash artificial grass?

It’s possible to pressure wash your grass and help ‘spruce’ it up at the same time. Just be careful not to use such a high pressure you flatten the grass instead!

How do you get the urine smell out of fake grass?

Remove any solid waste and brush down the area. Then, connect a hose to your main pipe and rinse down the problem area. Next, treat it with a urine neutraliser spray and leave it to dry.

Getting in the professionals

If you’re at all unsure about cleaning your artificial grass and are worried you may damage it, then don’t hesitate to hire your local garden maintenance expert. They’ll be able to clean your lawn to give it the best results.

If you’re looking for further information on artificial grass, take a look at our artificial grass cost guide, the benefits of artificial grass installation and how to lay artificial grass.