Before You Start…

• Tools & Supplies Needed:
• Garden hose and water spout access
• Spray hose attachment with settings
• Trash bags
• Dog owner? Doggy poo bags or a shovel
• Artificial turf broom or push broom with flexible bristles
• AlwaysGreen Artificial turf cleaner, Simple Green, other deodorizers
• Arm & Hammer Baking soda or equivalent

1). Remove the Solids First

Might seem obvious, but it is still a step that is often overlooked and will make cleaning easier and more sanitary. Dispose of all solid waste in a sealed trash bag, poo back, etc. It’s not a good idea to let solid waste sit on your artificial grass blades too long as it may discolor and erode them. Dog waste can also expose your family to harmful parasites and bacteria like e.coli and salmonella.

2). A Gentle Rinse with a Garden Hose

Use a gentle hose setting to rinse off your artificial turf is recommended. Especially if you laid sand down during installation to help with drainage, too strong of a setting could remove the sand and damage your lawn. Depending on the size of your artificial turf, you might just need to use a spray bottle for the few areas where your pets do their private business. It would be a good idea to give these areas a little extra attention.

3). Choosing the RIGHT Artificial Turf Cleaner

There are numerous artificial turf cleaning solutions available to help you clean your lawn. If in doubt as to which cleaner is right for you, ask us. We carry turf cleaners and can recommend the right turf cleaner that meets your specific needs.

Cleaner features to look for:

• Enzyme-based artificial turf cleaner
• Non-chemical turf cleaner
• Stain removing artificial turf cleaner for pet urine
• Odor-eliminating artificial turf cleaner

The Natural Option: Using a simple solution of distilled vinegar and water (1/2 cup per liter of water) is another natural way to deodorize and detoxify your lawn.

4). Patience, let the Cleaner Set as Directed

Read the instructions on the cleaner container and follow them exactly. Many cleaners, direct you to spray, covering the target area, then letting them sit for 10 to 30 minutes for the best results. Not allowing the cleaner to sit for enough time will keep the solvent from soaking deep into the compounds that you are trying to remove. Followed up by a light rinsing with the garden hose should remove odors, dirt and dust.

5). Scrub NOT with any Broom

In some cases, you may be instructed to lather/work the turf cleaner into the artificial grass to neutralize any odors. For this, it helps to have an artificial turf broom and you can buy one for as little as $20. If you plan on maintaining your turf yourself, a turf broom would be a good investment. It also doubles (once cleaned) as a tool for removing debris, rocks and leaves. If you don’t have a turf broom, a regular push broom would do the job as well.

6). Lingering Odors?

If it’s been a few months since the last turf cleaning (or this is the first time ever), some smells might still linger after you rinse the cleaner off. Have no fear—this is where a light coating of baking soda comes to the rescue. Sprinkle baking soda over the turf, let it set for an hour or so, then simply rinse. If you choose to use vinegar and water to clean your turf, this step is actually recommended to remove the smell that vinegar leaves.

7). Nothing Beats Proactive Maintenance

Being proactive through regular turf maintenance will provide your family and pets with a healthier environment, in which to enjoy. Plus, being proactive will keep your lawn looking and smelling great while increasing it’s lifespan.

Some proactive maintenance tips:

• Mop up dog pee using paper towels or wipes right when your dog goes.
• Hose the area daily or weekly to prevent urine and odor buildup.
• Don’t let pet waste linger on turf, especially during hot weather.
• Use baking soda on a monthly basis to neutralize odors.

A few minutes per week can go a long way in increasing your lawn’s life. If you need help maintaining your lawn, give us a call.

Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the 3 most common mistakes to know and avoid when cleaning your artificial grass… 1). Don’t Use Metal Rakes! One crucial part of artificial turf maintenance is cross-brushing your turf blades regularly and raking away any large debris such as leaves, twigs and hairballs if you have pets. When undergoing these maintenance steps, make sure that you aren’t using tools with metallic prongs as these can damage the grass fibers, resulting in a less than pleasing visual appearance. 2). ‘How To’ and ‘How Not To’, Power Wash Never power wash your synthetic turf lawn using hot water, because it could damage the individual blades, or strands in your turf system. If you still choose to power wash your artificial grass, we recommend using a special surface cleaning wand attachment, otherwise with your standard wand attachment, you could unintentionally remove some, or all of the infill, which will compromise the integrity of your artificial grass lawn. If you do happen to see infill being removed, you can simply refill your infill system yourself using new infill, or other silica coated sand. Do not infill with basic sand as this will not have the same results and will fail. If your lawn looks like it’s in need of a wash, BEST to use a basic garden hose for rinsing away dust, dirt and debris. 3). Don’t Neglect Caring for Your Turf Artificial grass is definitely much lower-maintenance than natural grass, but it still needs occasional light cleaning in order to look and perform its best. Choosing to never rinse, brush, or otherwise take care of your turf will likely result in a lawn that looks dull, matted, dirty, and generally neglected. So, to keep your lawn AlwaysGreen and looking it’s best, we recommend creating a lite regular maintenance schedule.