Artificial Grass
Artificial grass or turf is a surface of synthetic fibers created to look like natural blades of grass. Initially used in sports fields, it has become a popular landscaping option for homeowners and business establishments in drought-prone regions like Northern California.
Another appeal of artificial turf is its lower maintenance requirement compared to natural grass that needs irrigation, trimming, mowing, and weeding just to keep its lush and green appearance.
How easy is artificial grass to maintain?
First things first: Artificial grass is low maintenance, not zero maintenance; this means you need to do some [minimal] upkeep to maintain your turf’s appearance all year round, as suggested by Forest Green, a professional artificial grass installer and one-stop-shop that sells synthetic turf and tools.
To help keep your artificial grass look neat and green, Forest Green shares some tips and tricks that homeowners can easily follow.
Mild stains removal
In general, it’s easy to remove mild stains like pet urine, coffee, tea, beer, soda, sauce, etc., with a towel. The key here is to be prompt so the spills won’t penetrate the blades and turn into a stubborn stain that requires a more involved cleaning process.
But if you want to get rid of the smell, you may want to clean the affected area with a mixture of water and mild detergent and rinse it off with cold water. If the stain is not completely removed, you can follow it up with a few drops of ammonia in a pail of water, which is usually enough to address the problem.
Pet waste removal
Remove the solid waste, then hose down the affected area. And for pet urine, you can either rinse the spot with water or use a pet urine neutralizer spray that’s specifically formulated for artificial grass. Some pet owners like to keep a bottle of this special product to eliminate odors and make the cleaning process quick and easy.
If you have multiple pets, you may want to consider adding pet-friendly infills placed between blades to keep them voluminous and upright after stepping on the turf. These products have antimicrobial properties that prevent odor and bacteria growth, plus they make the synthetic turf comfortable and soft to walk on.
Fluff up appearance
Maintaining artificial grass also involves brushing it every 3-4 weeks to keep the blades upright and voluminous. The idea is to brush against the grain, a technique known as cross-brushing, to achieve this perky, lush look.
The best brush for this task is made of plastic, synthetic bristles that are gentler than wire or metal, which you should avoid lest they permanently damage the fibers of the grass.
Monthly maintenance for your artificial grass
Ideally, your artificial grass should receive a more “involved” cleaning at least once a month. The idea is to remove dried leaves, dirt, dust, and other debris using a flexible lawn rake or a stiff brush, provided that its bristles are made of plastic and not steel, which can damage the blades of synthetic grass.
How frequently you should maintain artificial grass depends on several factors such as the presence of trees and other vegetation, pets, children, foot traffic, and dust. Another thing to keep in mind is that living in a region that receives a good amount of rainfall means you won’t need to frequently hose down your synthetic lawn.
Maintaining artificial grass is way cheaper and easier compared to a “living” yard. With that being said, synthetic turf has been growing in popularity in recent years as more people find it appealing to have a lush green garden all year round without mowing, fertilizing the soil, weeding, and doing other backbreaking tasks.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of artificial grass, or you need DIY supplies so you can install your own synthetic turf, visit Forest Green now. You can also ask for free artificial grass samples and discover how realistic and soft they are to the touch.
