How To Clean Artificial Grass?

Artificial Grass! It needs less maintenance than the real one. To enjoy it 100% and extend its life, follow these tips!

• How to clean artificial grass step by step?
• How to maintain artificial grass?
• How to clean tough stains on artificial grass?
• What to do to remove stains on artificial grass?
• How to clean the lawn: with a vacuum cleaner or with a sweeper?

The great advantage of artificial grass is that it requires much less care than natural grass, offers a perfect appearance at any time of the year and can be installed on dirt, concrete and tiles. Although the initial investment is somewhat higher, in the long term it pays for itself, since it saves on irrigation, fertilizers, fertilizer … and above all, time! But, while it is true that it does not need as much attention as the real one, it is necessary to clean and disinfect the artificial grass every so often.

HOW TO CLEAN ARTIFICIAL GRASS STEP BY STEP

According to Ana Merino, product manager for artificial grass at Leroy Merlin Spain, artificial grass “does not need special care. You just have to brush it once in a while to comb its fibers and clean it with soapy water. Of course, although artificial grass is very resistant, if the installation is not well done and does not drain well, water logging can occur. Humidity is one of the worst enemies of this material, so make sure the installation has the necessary drainage. Also, it is best to perform this process on sunny days, which will allow the grass to dry sooner.

No special products are needed to clean the artificial grass. You just need water, neutral soap, a rake, the vacuum cleaner or a sweeper. 

I will explain it to you in detail:

• Step 1. Remove all the items you have on the lawn: furniture, toys, etc.

• Step 2. “Start by removing any elements such as leaves, branches, dirt, or stones that may have fallen from the lawn,” explains Merino. If the surface is not very large, such as a balcony or terrace, you can do it with a flexible rake. If the artificial grass installation is in a large garden, it is more advisable to use an air blower.

• Step 3. To remove dust or small particles use the vacuum cleaner. Of course, if the artificial grass is installed on the ground, it is not recommended –or use it with the minimum power–, since you can eliminate the silica sand that is applied at the end to give it a more compact and natural appearance.

• Step 4. Clean the artificial grass with a mixture of water and neutral soap (or vinegar and water, which is also deodorizing), using a pressurized water gun. You can also use the hose. In case you have pets and you wonder how to clean the artificial grass of dog pee, what they recommend from Leroy Merlin is “use a neutral antibacterial detergent, which disinfects as well as cleaning”.

• Step 5. Once clean, brush the artificial grass in the direction of the fibers. Do it with a special brush for that use. In the spring and summer months, when outdoor areas are used the most, it is recommended to do it at least once a week. Meanwhile, in winter, you can space the bushings more.

HOW TO MAINTAIN ARTIFICIAL GRASS

In order for the image of your artificial grass to be perfect and, in addition, the footprint to be more pleasant, it is advisable to wet the grass from time to time – even if you are not going to clean it. You will refresh your terrace or garden while preventing dust from accumulating and removing possible sediment.

HOW TO CLEAN TOUGH STAINS ON ARTIFICIAL GRASS

As with other fibers, such as those in rugs or sofa upholstery, the best practice when staining artificial grass is to act at the moment. This will prevent the stain from hardening and making it more difficult to remove. Depending on what the stain is, you will use one mixture or another. The use of abrasive or solvent-based cleaning products is not recommended, as it would affect the dye and the protection applied to the fibers. These are the most common stains:

• Chewing gum: use a little dry ice to detach it from the grass.

• Nail polish: use a cloth or sponge moistened with acetone.

• Pet Droppings: Pick up the debris first, then scrub the area with soapy water. To disinfect, you have several options:
  • You can use cleaning vinegar, an ideal option if you have children at home.
  • You can also use bleach reduced to 3% in water from time to time for a more complete disinfection. But never use again, as you could damage the lawn.
  • Another option is a sanitizing perfume, which also disinfects and prevents bugs or bacteria from settling on the lawn. It even adds the aroma of freshly cut grass.

WHAT TO DO TO REMOVE STAINS ON ARTIFICIAL GRASS

• Step 1. Absorb the stain with a dry cloth.

• Step 2. Using a bristle brush, rub the stain. Do it gently and very carefully so as not to damage the grass fibers.

• Step 3. Wash the area with soap and water.

• Step 4. Rinse with abundant water to remove any soap residue well.

• Step 5. If necessary, dry the area.