7 min read

Cleaning Artificial Grass: A Practical Routine

Artificial grass does not need much cleaning, which is precisely why people neglect it until something goes wrong. Ten minutes a month keeps a lawn looking close to new; two years of nothing produces a flattened, leaf stained surface that people wrongly blame on the grass.

Here is the routine we give customers when we hand a lawn over, split by how often each job is actually needed.

Every week or two: brush and clear

Sweep or blow off leaves, blossom and grass clippings. Organic debris left to rot is what allows moss and weed seed to establish on the surface, and once it is in the pile it takes real effort to remove.

Then brush against the direction of the pile with a stiff bristled broom or a power brush. Never use a wire brush. Brushing lifts the fibres, redistributes the sand infill and is the single most effective thing you can do for appearance.

Monthly: rinse the busy areas

Give the high traffic areas and any spots your pets favour a rinse with a hose. Dust settles into synthetic grass just as it does anywhere else, and a rinse restores the colour noticeably in summer.

A pressure washer can be used carefully at a wide fan and low pressure from at least 300mm away. Held close, it strips infill out and can lift seams.

Dealing with spills and stains

Most spills, from drinks to sun cream to mud, lift with warm water and a little washing up liquid worked in with a soft brush, then rinsed. Deal with them promptly and almost nothing stains permanently.

For stickier problems, chewing gum and candle wax come off best if hardened first with an ice pack and then picked away. Oil and grease respond to a mild household degreaser well diluted, rinsed thoroughly afterwards.

Pet mess

Lift solids as soon as you notice them and rinse the spot. For urine, water is the main tool, followed occasionally by an enzyme based pet cleaner that breaks down the compounds rather than perfuming over them.

Moss, algae and weeds

Moss forms on the surface in shaded, damp corners rather than growing out of the grass itself. Brush it off when dry and improve the situation by cutting back whatever is casting the shade.

Occasional weeds are wind blown seed germinating in surface debris. Pull them by hand, or use a very light application of a suitable weedkiller in stubborn spots. If weeds are coming up through the grass in numbers, the membrane below has failed and that is an installation problem, not a cleaning one.

What never to use

Avoid bleach, neat patio cleaner, solvent based cleaners, wire brushes and pressure washers held close to the surface. Also keep barbecues and fire pits well clear on a hard standing, since synthetic fibres melt long before they burn.

Lawn looking tired rather than dirty?

If brushing is not bringing it back, the infill or the base may need attention. Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly whether a refresh will fix it.

Send us a photo View Artificial Grass 07535 661664

Frequently asked questions

How often does artificial grass really need cleaning?

A brush and a debris clear every couple of weeks in autumn and every month or so the rest of the year is plenty for most gardens, with an extra rinse for pet areas.

Can I use a pressure washer on artificial grass?

Yes if you use a wide fan setting, keep the lance well back and avoid the seams. Close range blasting removes infill and can lift edges.

Why has my lawn gone flat in one strip?

That is compressed pile from repeated footfall, not damage. Brushing against the pile lifts it, and topping up the sand infill helps the fibres stay upright.

Will a leaf blower damage it?

No, a blower is one of the best tools for artificial grass and far quicker than raking. Keep it angled across the lawn rather than driving it straight down into the pile.

Do you offer a cleaning or refresh service?

We can power brush and top up infill on lawns we have installed, which brings a tired looking lawn back up considerably. Get in touch and we will tell you if it is worth doing.