How to maintain Your Artificial Grass in Leeds – Do’s and Don’ts

Hundreds of homeowners install Artificial Grass in Leeds each year, and if you have recently landscaped your outdoor spaces with this luxurious low-maintenance landscaping solution, you have much to look forward to with your new lawn.

You’ll never have to mow or weed it again, and you’ll save money on your annual utility bills by packing away your electrical gardening equipment and hosepipe. But there are certain things that you should and perhaps, more importantly, should not do to keep it looking its best, as we’ll explain in this complete guide to artificial lawn maintenance.

How to Look After Your Artificial Lawn

We all know that artificial grass is an investment, and when you invest in a superior quality product, you can be confident that it will retain its lush green appearance for at least 10-years. But you do need to look after it if it is to withstand the extreme weather conditions we experience here in the UK (Leeds is the 8th wettest city in Britain!), along with family pets, harmful UV rays, and environmental pollutants.

The good news is, you can keep your artificial lawn in tip-top condition in just a few easy steps, and you don’t need to buy expensive tools to keep it looking great all year round.

Artificial Lawn Maintenance Tools

You may have heard that synthetic grass is 100% maintenance-free, but this not true. It is low-maintenance, especially when compared to real grass, but like all things exposed to the elements, it requires a little TLC now and again to keep it looking its best.

One of the easiest ways to keep your artificial lawn looking like new is with a few tools purpose-built for the job. You only need three, and they are:

 1. Artificial Grass Rake

What is the best rake for artificial grass? Well, you could use a plastic garden rake or an eco-friendly bamboo garden rake to remove surface debris, but you should avoid metal rakes at all costs. They can damage the surface of synthetic turf, and in extreme cases, could even rip the backing of your astro turf.

If you have a large garden and don’t like the idea of raking it, you could invest in an electric leaf blower, which will do the job in half the time. These power tools tend to appeal to teenagers, and may even encourage the kids to do it for you!                                                   

 2. Eco-Friendly Artificial Grass Cleaner

If you have pets, you should clean your artificial grass regularly with an eco-friendly detergent to remove urine and the unpleasant odour that it creates. There are many artificial-grass cleaners on the market that remove dirt, stains, and pet urine without abrasive chemicals, and they are relatively inexpensive. You should make sure that they are suitable for your specific type of artificial grass (your local Artificial Grass Company will advise you), and that they contain no bleaching agents.

White vinegar is perfect for cleaning artificial grass, and as a natural disinfectant, it is ideal for use on synthetic landscaping materials. Just mix one part of white vinegar with the same amount of water, spray it over your lawn, leave it to work its magic for a few minutes, and wash it away with clean water, Zoflora for Pets is also a fantastic odour remover.

 3. Artificial Grass Brush/Broom

Imitation grass has come a long way in recent years, and it is now more realistic than ever before. Superior artificial turf tends to have a longer pile than the budget versions and, while this gives it a very natural look, it can fall flat in high-footfall areas and underneath heavy objects such as garden furniture. If you have selected this option for your garden, you should brush it regularly to keep the blades standing upright.

As with the rake, you should choose an artificial-grass brush with synthetic bristles, and avoid metal or wire brooms that could damage the fibres of your astroturf. Rubber brushes work well, but if you want to save time and energy, you could invest in an artificial grass power brush or leaf blower. Purpose designed for synthetic turf, these power-operated brooms make light work of brushing faux grass, and there are many different sizes and designs available to suit all budgets. 

How to Clean Artificial Grass – Do’s & Don’ts

Now you have all the necessary tools for artificial lawn maintenance, here’s are our top tips on what you need to do to keep it looking great all year round. We listed the do’s and the don’ts to help you prolong the life of your synthetic grass and maximise your investment:

Weekly Raking

You should rake your artificial lawn at least once per week to remove surface debris such as leaves, petals, pollen, and dust. If left to accumulate, these items could cause blockages in the drainage system and result in water logging.

Artificial Grass Raking Do’s

 Use a plastic, bamboo, or synthetic garden rake

 Lightly rake your artificial lawn, taking care to remove all surface debris

 Rake at least once per week, more often during autumn if you have deciduous trees that lose their leaves, and more frequent during summer if your lawn sees high-traffic.

Artificial Grass Raking Don’ts

* Do not use a metal or wire garden rake on synthetic grass

* Do not apply too much pressure

* Do not neglect your imitation lawn in the colder months – leaving a layer of leaves on top could cause weed growth and mould.

 

Fortnightly Cleaning With Detergent (Weekly With Pets)

Cleaning your artificial-lawn regularly with a bio-detergent or homemade solution will help keep dust, pollen, and bacteria at bay while preventing stains and odour.

 

Artificial Grass Cleaning Do’s

        Use an artificial grass detergent specifically designed for the type of grass that you have, or make a homemade solution with equal parts of white vinegar and water or Zoflora for pets

        Use a spray bottle to apply the cleaning solution to your lawn and leave for a few minutes to work

        Rinse thoroughly with water to remove all detergent

        Tackle stains such as red wine and coffee immediately, and repeat the cleaning process as many times as needed to keep your lawn in perfect condition

Artificial Grass Cleaning Don’ts

* Avoid using abrasive detergents with alcohol, acid, or bleach

* Do not allow stains to dry

* Do not leave dog pee and poop under any circumstances, and rinse immediately to prevent odours

 

Regular Brushing

How often you brush your artificial grass depends on you and how often you use your synthetic lawn. You may find that you need to sweep it more frequently during the summer months when you spend more time outdoors, and in areas that see more traffic such as children’s playgrounds, entertainment spaces, and BBQ zones.

 

Artificial Grass Brushing Do’s

         Brush your artificial grass at least once every two weeks to keep the blades standing upright

         Use a cross-brushing technique, going against the grain of the pile to restore its natural
           appearance

         Use a medium-stiff brush made from natural or synthetic fibres or an artificial grass power
          brush

 

Artificial Grass Brushing Don’ts

       * Never use a brush with metal or wire bristles on imitation grass

        We recommend that you protect the area underneath barbecues to prevent melting the grass, and against accidental spillages of meat juices, fat, and greasy marinades. You should take extra care to remove any broken glass to prevent it from damaging turf fibres and backing, and if you feel the need to remove snow (this is not essential), you should always use a plastic shovel or stiff synthetic brush to clear your lawn.

 As you can see, maintenance of your Artificial Grass in Leeds is easy when you know how, and by raking, cleaning, and brushing it regularly, you can extend its lifespan for years. Get in touch with your friendly local artificial grass installers at Artificial Super Grass to find out more about maintaining your synthetic lawn or installing a new one.