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How to Clean Artificial Grass: 5 Simple Steps
Greg Iacono
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Artificial grass has been around since the mid-1960s, gaining popularity quickly after being installed in the Astrodome in Houston, Texas.1 (The lack of sunlight inside the stadium made artificial grass, nicknamed Astroturf, a necessity.) Artificial grass provides several benefits over natural grass, including drought resistance, fewer bare spots, and the elimination of regular mowing.
Also, no sun, water, or fertilizers are needed to keep artificial grass a bright green color. In short, artificial grass is extremely low-maintenance and durable.
Durable as it might be, artificial grass does need to be cleaned regularly. Regular cleaning will keep your artificial grass looking pristine and significantly increase its functional life. If you have artificial grass in your yard and desire to keep it looking good for several years, read on to discover how to clean artificial grass in 5 steps.
Tools You Will Need
While you won’t need a lawnmower or trimmer, a few other tools are necessary when cleaning artificial grass. They include:
Required tools
Leaf rake
Leaf blower (for large swaths of artificial grass)
Before cleaning artificial grass, it’s best to remove anything loose lying on top of the grass. While you might not have trees in your yard or over the artificial grass, wind can blow debris onto it. Toclean the grass thoroughly, use your leaf rake or a leaf blower for larger areas.
The best method is to start from one side and blow the debris in a single direction. A plastic leaf rake is ideal because a metal leaf rake could damage your artificial grass or its base.
2. Apply Cleaning Solution
Image Credit: Nipol Plobmuang, Shutterstock
After removing debris, your next step is to apply a cleaning solution to your artificial grass. You can purchase an artificial grass cleaning solution or make your own white vinegar and water mixture with a 1:1 ratio of vinegar to water. Spray either solution onto your grass using a spray bottle (small grass area) or a pump sprayer (large grass area). On particularly dirty areas, spray extra cleaning solution and use a hand brush to clean more thoroughly. Let the DIY formula sit for about 15 minutes.
3. Brush the Artificial Grass With a Long-handled, Soft-head Brush
This next step is the most physical because it involves brushing your entire artificial grass area. As with blowing and raking, brush from one side of the grass to the other in a single direction. Brush gently but firmly to remove any stuck-on dirt or grime. You should also use a bit more force and spend more time brushing any grass areas that were dirtier than others.
4. Rinse Your Artificial Grass Thoroughly with Water
Image Credit: ET Tisomboon, Shutterstock
Using a garden hose and spray nozzle, rinse your artificial grass thoroughly to remove the cleaning solution and any dirt left on the grass. Once rinsed, let your artificial grass dry for a few hours. You can also let it dry overnight if necessary.
5. Brush the Artificial Grass a 2nd Time
Once it’s dried thoroughly, you can use the same brush to brush your artificial grass gently. This 2nd brushing will provide an attractive, uniform direction for all grass blades and help the blades stand up rather than become matted down.
Extra Tips for Cleaning Your Artificial Grass
Extra Tips
Remove any moss that is growing on your artificial grass immediately. Not only can moss damage your grass, but it becomes more difficult to remove when you allow it to
If food spills on your artificial grass, clean it up right away. Cleaning the spill will prevent any permanent staining. You can use the same homemade solution or commercial grass cleaner.
Remove pet feces after they have dried and hardened. Next, clean with water and vinegar or a synthetic
If removing snow from your artificial grass is necessary, do not use rock salt. Rock salt’s rough texture can damage the latex backing on the grass. Also, it’s recommended that, rather than remove snow from your artificial grass, you simply let it melt and drain away.
Clean your artificial grass regularly, especially during fall when it is covered with
In winter, try to stay off your artificial grass after it snows or there is freezing rain. Snow and ice won’t hurt the grass, but the weight of walking on frozen grass blades can damage them badly.
Greg Iacono is a self-taught writer and former chiropractor who, ironically, retired early due to back problems. He spends his time writing scintillating content on a wide variety of subjects. Greg is also an accomplished video script writer known for his ability to take a complex subject and make it accessible for the layperson.
Greg Iacono
