Artificial grass is a quick, easy, and affordable way to spruce up anybody’s lawn. It is a low maintenance and long term investment worth considering, especially if you believe real grass just isn’t worth the effort. For everybody who has had to struggle with high water costs, allergies, and lawn maintenance, we say it’s time to start canvassing for artificial grass. It looks like the real thing!
However, that doesn’t mean you can completely let go of the turf once it has been installed. Aside from the wear and tear associated with prolonged use, sometimes accidents can happen. Here’s what you can do to care for your artificial grass.
Clean out stains and spilled drinks immediately
When you’re cleaning up after a backyard barbeque to find that your artificial grass has been stained with spilled drinks, sauces, and bits of food, you’ll need to act quickly so that you can preserve such an important investment.
Do not rub out the spill. Instead, dab at the area until it has fully dried. In case you feel like the spillage may be sticky or start staining, add some water afterwards as a precautionary measure.
For stubborn stains, mix detergent and water and apply it to the stain. Rub it in gently with a cloth or sponge. Once it’s finished, leave the detergent to sit and then wash it out of the grass with water. You can also use a toothbrush or hard-bristle brush to softly scrub it out.
Use a rake and brush through it regularly
Brushing the turf will help keep the fibers upright and prevent matting. You can buy a specialized artificial grass rake to do the job. But if you are trying to cut costs or if you do not have access to a hardware store, a stiff-bristled broom will do the trick.
Make sure you top up on the infill
The infill material, which is usually made of sand or rubber, is the product that is placed between the plastic fibers or blades of your artificial grass. It is important to the installation because it weighs down the turf and helps keep the blades upright. Top up on infill when necessary so the grass remains looking full and realistic.
Avoid cooking or placing hot objects on the lawn
Any items that generate heat should not be placed on the turf. The intense temperatures could damage the grass. Instead, move them to a patio. You can put other fixtures on the turf instead, like furniture. Damages caused by these items are not covered by any warranty. And just to be safe, keep any glass fixtures away from the lawn.
Be mindful of any debris that have settled on the grass
Use a petrol leaf blowers to remove leaves, twigs, and other debris away from the turf. You can also use a stiff brush or plastic rake to remove any offending objects in the absence of a leaf blower. As a preventative measure, you can also limit the number of leaves falling onto the lawn in the first place by trimming back hedges and overhanging trees on a regular basis.
Inspect the blades for any damage
Look closely through the grass blades for any damage, like rips or tears. You can repair these small details quickly and easily with some artificial grass repair tape or glue. This may seem like too small a detail to fuss over, but it does add up over time if you aren’t mindful about it.
Check whether the drainage still works
Make sure water can flow through the grass and away from any buildings or hardscaping. The backing on artificial grass is designed to be very porous and high quality turfs will drain at a rate of up to 1,200 inches per hour. If you live in an area that is prone to heavy rains, especially during monsoon season, artificial grass will help manage the rising water levels. Poor drainage can lead to bad smells and pest infestations, so be mindful!
Pick up after your pets
If you have any dogs or pets, you will need to exert a little more effort to keep your lawn clean and fresh. Follow up with your furbabies; make sure that you clean up any waste as soon as possible so that your lawn remains fresh and clean. There are specialist artificial grass cleaners available on the market for faster clean-up and maintenance.
These are just general guidelines to caring for artificial grass. Some of these turfs may have specific care instructions when you buy them, so make sure you check the manufacturer’s recommendations before installing the grass and conducting any maintenance.