How to Clean Artificial Grass: The Grounds Guys Guide

Even though artificial grass requires less maintenance than living grass, it still needs to be cleaned. After all, it exists outside — a place that can be dusty, sticky, and messy. At The Grounds Guys®, we recommend cleaning your artificial turf at least once a month. Artificial turf maintenance helps to keep your synthetic grass looking beautiful and extend its life, which every homeowner can appreciate.

Are you unsure of how to clean artificial grass? After reviewing a few important reasons to take care of your synthetic lawn, we’ll explain our step-by-step cleaning process. Our best cleaning secrets can be yours! (If you already know you’d rather not clean your artificial grass yourself, contact us for a free quote.)

Why Clean Artificial Grass? The Grounds Guys Explain!

Your artificial lawn has a lot to deal with, from falling leaves to pollen season, pets, family barbecues, and a whole bunch of dirty shoes. The point is that when it comes to synthetic lawns, you can’t just “set it and forget it.” Here are some of the most important reasons to embrace artificial turf maintenance.

1. Maintain the Beauty of Your Lawn

A clean lawn not only improves the curb appeal of your home, but it can also boost your pride of ownership and even increase your property value. That requires regular cleaning. After all, artificial grass easily accumulates dirt, dust, leaves, pollen, and other outdoor debris that can make it look unkempt.

2. Prevent Matting

One dead giveaway of a synthetic lawn is big patches of matted fibres. Areas of compaction diminish the beauty and natural look of artificial turf. Cleaning fake grass will help tackle matting and fluff up the fibres.

3. Support Good Hygiene

Your kids and pets may regularly play on your synthetic lawn, which is why it’s so important to keep your turf clean and hygienic. If not cleaned regularly, artificial turf can harbour bacteria, fungi, and other unpleasant organisms.

4. Keep Your Lawn Free of Odours

Accumulated dirt and debris on your artificial lawn can start to smell after a while. So can pet waste that isn’t thoroughly cleaned from the fibres. A stinky lawn is not a place your family, friends, and neighbours will want to congregate. Cleaning is the primary way to eliminate unpleasant odours from your turf.

5. Extend the Life of Your Artificial Lawn

While most of today’s artificial lawns can last 10 years or more, poor care and overuse can reduce that lifespan. Cleaning helps to remove harmful particles that can damage fibres over time. Artificial turf maintenance also helps improve drainage and delay the need for significant repairs.

The Grounds Guys’ Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean Artificial Grass

1. Collect All Your Tools

Before you begin cleaning your fake grass, make sure you have the right tools for the job. Here’s what we recommend:

• Gloves
• Power broom or lawn rake (not metal)
• Garden hose with spray nozzle
• Non-toxic cleaner
• Mild soap or detergent
• Cloth or sponge
• Decompacting tool (optional)
• Leaf blower (optional)

2. Clear the Surface

Start the cleaning process by getting rid of any large debris on your lawn, like twigs, leaves, or trash. You can use a soft bristle broom or a turf rake for the job. Just make sure not to use a metal rake, which can damage your turf. Another helpful option is a leaf blower. Double-check the corners of your lawn and beneath trees and shrubs where debris tends to collect.

3. Get Rid of Mats

Next, decompact any mats you find on your lawn. You can use a plastic rake or a decompacting tool specifically designed for this purpose. (Look for one at your local home improvement or lawn care store.) Be gentle, and don’t tug the fibres too hard.

4. Rinse Your Lawn

Wash away dust, pollen, and dirt by rinsing your lawn with a hose. Keep the pressure on the spray nozzle low, and don’t point the nozzle directly at the grass. Too much pressure can shift the infill and even damage your turf fibres. We don’t recommend using a pressure washer, but if you do, keep it on a low setting.

5. Tackle Stains

Carefully review your lawn and take note of any stubborn stains. You’ll need to clean these areas individually.

• Smaller stains: Treat with mild soap and warm water.
• Oil-based stains: Use a 3% solution of ammonia and water.
• Moss, algae, or mildew: Try an antimicrobial cleaner.

For larger or more stubborn stains, consider using a pre-treatment. We recommend investing in an enzyme cleaner specially formulated for artificial grass.

What we don’t recommend is using any cleaner that contains caustic ingredients, such as bleach, on your artificial turf. If you are struggling to get stains out of your lawn, it might be best to hire a professional synthetic lawn cleaning service.

6. Deep Clean Your Turf

A deep clean is an excellent idea for an extra-dirty artificial lawn or turf that hasn’t been cleaned in a long time. You’ll want to use a turf cleaning machine or a power brush to agitate and deep clean the artificial grass fibres. Since most homeowners don’t have a turf cleaning machine, this job is most often suited for a professional landscaping company with experience cleaning fake grass.

7. Give Your Lawn a Final Rinse

You’ll want to rinse your artificial turf one more time to wash away the cleaning solution and any dislodged debris. Again, set your hose nozzle to low pressure and avoid hitting your turf with high-pressure water.

8. Disinfect Your Lawn (Optional)

It never hurts to take the extra step to disinfect your lawn, especially if you have young children and pets that spend a lot of time outdoors. Use a turf-safe disinfectant or antimicrobial solution to kill potential bacteria.

9. Give Your Lawn a Brush

Use a stiff-bristled brush or plastic rake to brush your lawn. This will ensure that your fibres are evenly distributed and standing upright. This step can also help even out your infill.

(Extra credit: Though not technically a cleaning chore, now is also a good time to check on your infill and top it off if needed.)

10. Let Your Lawn Dry

The last step when cleaning fake grass is to step back and allow your lawn to dry. Ideally, you’ll want to let your grass dry naturally in the sun. If it’s a humid day, use outdoor fans to speed up the process. Once your synthetic lawn is completely dry, you can invite your family to use it once again.

Trust The Grounds Guys with Your Artificial Lawn

Now that you understand how to clean artificial grass, you’ll see that the process isn’t too technically difficult. It does, however, require a lot of work and focus. If you don’t see yourself cleaning your fake grass every month (or more), then call in the professionals.

Our local teams throughout Canada are highly experienced and knowledgeable in artificial turf maintenance. We can provide regular cleanings as well as deep cleans. We even offer repairs if your synthetic lawn becomes damaged. Our Neighbourly Done Right Promise™ is that we’ll treat your lawn like our own. That means unbeatable service.

Ready to have the most beautiful lawn in the neighbourhood? Find your local The Grounds Guys and request a free estimate right away.