At Lifestyle Lawns, we’ve made it our mission to show Kiwis that, when you make the switch from a traditional lawn to artificial grass, the grass really is greener on the other side.
We’re nothing if not realistic (just like our lawns), and the reality is that it won’t always be sunshine and rainbows when you have artificial grass; a small amount of cleaning and maintenance is required. Don’t let that put you off though! Artificial grass still requires WAY less maintenance than real, live grass, and it’s very easy to clean and maintain once you know how!
How to Clean Artificial Grass: Easy Maintenance Tips
Once you’ve done the hard part of deciding which artificial grass is right for you, and you’ve had your brand new lawn installed, or you’ve installed it yourself (in which case, well done – give yourself a pat on the back and go get a nice, cold drink!), it’s time to start thinking about maintenance.
No matter which of our products you’ve chosen, you’ve got high-quality, realistic-looking artificial grass, with all the benefits of the latest and greatest in synthetic grass technology. You’ve also got a 10 year warranty, because we want to make sure that you don’t have to worry about your lawn for many, many years to come.
To get the most out of your incredible new lawn, here are some tips for maintaining and cleaning it:
1. Organic matter
Before you can properly clean your artificial grass, you’ll need to remove any debris and organic matter; this includes leaves, twigs, and doggy doos. It’s an important part of maintaining your lawn to be removing these on a regular basis, otherwise, weeds may grow, and stains may develop. How often this will be required depends on you and your garden, and it may also change with the seasons (autumn, we’re looking at you).
We recommend using a turf rake, a stiff broom, or a leaf blower to remove organic matter from your artificial grass, and if you use a stiff broom, you’ll be getting a headstart on the next step!
2. Bushing
Over time, and with use, the fibres that make up your lawn will settle, or they may be pushed down. This is completely normal, so brushing is an important step in maintaining your artificial grass, because it’ll keep it looking flawless and full of life!
While there are fancy, artificial grass brushes out there on the market (and they do an awesome job!), you can use your preferred stiff-bristled broom if you like – we know you’ve got one at home already, and what could be more sustainable than using the tool you’ve already got? Take your time, and enjoy the process, it can be quite a relaxing part of maintaining your lawn.
3. Rinsing
Once you’ve got the debris off your artificial grass, it’s a good idea to give it a rinse. Use your hose on a shower setting (avoid any jet-type settings that may push fibres down and ruin all of the hard work you’ve put into brushing the grass up nicely) to help any small bits of dirt and particulates drain through our high flow drainage.
Rinsing is also an essential maintenance step if you’ve got a furry friend using your lawn to do their daily duties, it’ll help any urine to pass through your grass and it will keep things clean and fresh.
4. Stains
The most important thing to remember with stains is to get to them as quickly as possible. Artificial grass is stain resistant, but if you do notice a stain or mark, it’ll be easier to remove it before the stain has dried or hardened.
For fresh spills on your artificial grass, the first thing to do is soak up as much of the liquid as possible. Once you’ve done that, the grass can be cleaned using a solution of warm water and mild soap – washing liquid or household detergent will do the job nicely! Use a cloth, sponge, or soft-bristled brush to scrub the stain gently and then rinse with clean water. Repeat if necessary.
For any tough stains, you could also reach for an artificial grass cleaner, follow the instructions carefully and use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the affected area gently. Avoid any kind of metal fibre bushes, which will damage the artificial grass, and give the area a good rinse once you’ve removed the stain.
5. Avoid heat
Don’t worry! This doesn’t mean that you need to keep your artificial grass out of the heat of the sun! Your lawn is UV protected, so it won’t fade or degrade, and our Leisure Series has the benefit of CoolTouch™ technology to reflex light and heat.
That being said, it is a good idea to avoid placing any reflective or magnifying surfaces around your lawn, because the amplified heat from these could cause damage over a longer period of time. It’s also best to avoid smoking or fireworks on your lawn, and, as much as we love a good BBQ or a brazier, these will be best used on another surface because, ultimately, there’s still a chance the synthetic fibres could melt or burn if exposed to this level of heat.
Now that you know how to clean your artificial grass, you’re on your way to becoming a synthetic lawn maintenance pro! And didn’t we tell you it would be easier than traditional lawns? If you’d like to learn more about how to enjoy and maintain artificial grass, check out our full guide to aftercare. If you have any questions about how to clean your artificial grass, give us a bell, we’ve been doing this for years, and we’re passionate about helping other Kiwis to get the most out of their lawns.
If you haven’t made the jump to artificial grass yet, we understand that sometimes it’s best to see it before you can believe it, request a sample and we’ll show you why we think our artificial grass is the most realistic on the market!