Advice on Artificial Grass

Rake Periodically

• An artificial grass lawn may sometimes develop marks due to heavy foot traffic or lawn furniture and other heavy objects resting on it. To remove the grooves, rake your lawn against the grain every couple of months or when you observe particularly noticeable marks. In addition to smoothing away lines in the turf, raking helps bring debris embedded in the pile to the surface for easy removal.

  When raking your artificial grass, avoid using a metal rake. It is a violation of many artificial grass lawn warranties because the metal can tear the lawn's fibers.

Blow Away Leaves

• As with a natural lawn, leaves may accumulate on artificial grass during the fall months. You may use a leaf blower as you would with real grass, but it is actually easier to blow leaves off of turf because they do not sink down to the soil and become stuck. If you do not have a leaf blower, a push broom is effective in removing leaves from artificial grass.

Use Caution with Chemicals

• When artificial grass requires cleaning, many turf installers recommend power washing. Typically, soap or some type of cleaning agent should be added to the water to ensure that the artificial grass fibers are fully cleaned. Be sure to test your chosen cleaning agent on a small patch of turf prior to using it on the entire lawn to ensure that it will not damage the artificial grass. Consult your installer if you are unsure whether certain chemicals may damage your turf's appearance.

  In most cases, undiluted bleach should not be used on artificial turf because it can destroy the fibers. Undiluted chlorine can strip the color from artificial turf, so it should be avoided as well. Using either of these chemicals in a diluted solution with water may be effective for cleaning your lawn, but ask your lawn installer before attempting to use either substance on your artificial grass.

Disinfect Annually

• Because it is exposed to the elements year-round, artificial grass may pick up bacteria and other harmful contaminants. Disinfect your turf on a yearly basis. As with chemical cleaning agents, consult your turf installer to determine the best product for this job. Enzymatic cleaners are available to disinfect artificial grass, but you can also make a homemade solution with vinegar and water. Place the mixture in a pump spray bottle and mist your artificial grass to fully disinfect the surface.