WORK LESS, PLAY MORE

Synthetic turf will change the way you clean your property. Its effortless upkeep will enable you to forget the hassle of fertilizing, mowing, and watering. Alternatively, you’ll be able to focus on another projects instead of working on the grass.

While you save valuable hours working on the lawn, that doesn’t mean artificial grass is totally maintenance-free. To maintain your artificial surface looking great, follow this guide.

SMALL CONSISTENT EFFORTS

How frequently you maintain your synthetic turf will depend on its use. Is it a putting green kept away from trees? Do you have young kids playing in your backyard? Do you have trees or plants on the property that will shed leaves and other debris onto it?

If your synthetic grass is in an isolated part of the property, away from trees, plants, pets and children, you may have your work cut out when it comes to regular maintenance. Obviously, this also varies from season to season and relies on your geographical location. So, in a nutshell it really depends, but will always demand some maintenance.

Here are some broad guidelines we recommend.

HOW TO HANDLE LOOSE DEBRIS

Loose debris like leaves or sticks will break down on the grass surface and cause early wear and tear. Larger limbs can even puncture the turf. Start by eliminating things like kid’s or pet toys and other bigger objects that are simple to remove by hand. Then you can utilize a leaf blower to eliminate any twigs and leaves. We suggest you blow all small debris using a leaf blower to one edge of your yard so you can collect for simple removal.

HOW TO DEAL WITH STICKY STUFF?

If you have paint, crayons, chewing gum, lipstick, or tree sap on your turf, you can initiate by trying to softly scrape the material off the grass with a wire brush. Just be extra cautious that you don’t accidentally cut off the turf blades you are cleaning because it can produce bald spots. Begin from the base of the grass blade and brush the fibers in every directions. If the sticky items don’t come off, try freezing them with ice to solidify them before trying to them off again. You can also use mineral spirits and scrap the fiber with a rag by drenching the rag with the Mineral Spirits.

DISPOSING OF PET WASTE

If you have dogs, you understand that your turf is their restroom. Many people are concerned that synthetic grass won’t work with their pets, but that’s wrong! If you have cats, we recommend you get pet-specific systems by SWG. Despite that, cleaning is still easy even if you get regular artificial turf. For example, when Fido uses the lawn as his bathroom, you merely allow the solid waste to dry before removing it, then cleanse the area with water utilizing the garden hose and spray nozzle (never using the jet setting). Urine will drain through similar to any other liquid, you can also spray these areas with water. Furthermore, you won’t see any more dead spots from their favorite bathroom spot. Read this article to see some of the most frequent questions about synthetic turf for dogs.

WHAT TO DO WITH MILD STAINS

Let’s face it — in life it can get messy at times. Occasionally that mess may happen on your synthetic grass. Your favorite snack might find its way to your grass, or your kid might spill a soda can… you know things like these happen. But washing simple stains like coffee, alcohol, soda, tea, urine, blood and other ordinary liquids are simple.

1. Clean spills as soon as possible so they don’t leave a long-lasting stain. Blot the spilled liquid with a cloth, paper, or shop towels to start.
2. Next, clean the area with a mixture of water and mild household detergent like dish soap.
3. Rinse properly with your hose to eliminate the soap.
4. If the spot is still visible, you can recur the procedure once or twice more.

GET RID OF STUBBORN STAINS

If you’ve had a spill of something like motor oil, grease, ink, cooking oil, or even melted crayons, you understand how tough it can be to eliminate it. You should be careful utilizing any of these near your synthetic turf, but if a spill happens, here’s what to do.

1. Wear safety clothing and gear like heavy overshirts, pants, and gloves to avoid skin damage. You should think about a respirator to avoid toxic fumes, too.
2. After you have protective gear on, initiate by dipping a soft cloth in mineral spirits.
3. Gently clean off the dirty blades of synthetic grass with the cloth. You must ensure the solution doesn’t get past the grass blades because it can cause serious damage to your turf’s backing system.
4. Softly wash the area with a hose and blot up any left over liquid with cloth towels, paper towels, or shop towels.
5. If the stain remains, let it dry for a day before trying again with mineral spirits.

AVOIDING DAMAGE

The majority of stains can be eliminated from your turf, but some things may permanently damage the turf that you should take great care to avoid. Here are the big ones that can be the most problematic.

NO OPEN FIRES

Open fires and synthetic grass do not go hand in hand. While you don’t have to worry about your yard going up in flames, the smallest spark or ember can cause your grass to melt. If you want a fire feature on your property, you should consider adding a gravel area or stone patio to create a fire break for a fit pit. Do not light fireworks or anything else that may cause fire damage on your synthetic grass.

BE CAREFUL WITH CHEMICALS

Pesticides and herbicides can react negatively with your artificial turf, so be extra careful when using harsh chemicals near the grass. These chemicals can create patches of the turf that look burnt or even change color from the reaction. Additionally, gasoline and all vehicle fluids should not be kept near your artificial grass. If you are required to use chemicals or paint near the surface, we definitely recommend you lay down some heavy-duty protective tarp before starting these projects.

DON’T DRIVE ON IT

Artificial grass can take heavy foot traffic, but driving on it with a vehicle is not suggested. Due to the twisting motion of the tires, it can cause damage to the fibers and infill. Driving on it will make the fibers pull away from the backing material and lead to tearing over time. The heavy weight can cause the grass to flatten and cause ruts that will need you to resurface the turf.

USE SHARP ITEMS WITH CARE

Sharp things can cut or tear your artificial grass. The sharper the item is, the worse the damage will be. Be cautious with sharp-edged yard tools, pointy furniture feet, and ordinary tools. If you are thinking about having patio furniture on your artificial grass, you should be utilizing furniture feet covers or installing a patio area for the furniture.

ROUTINE CARE

The majority of Flagstaff homeowners do not have to spend much time on the maintenance of their artificial grass. Still, you should think about implementing a routine maintenance schedule to keep your turf looking its best. You should remove loose debris, clean up spills as they happen, and give the surface a quick rinse if you haven’t received rain recently or live in a drought-prone area. Here is an easy 4-step procedure you can follow for regular care.

Step 1: Remove debris from the grass frequently, particularly after high winds or storms.

Step 2: Wash regularly with a hose. Cold, clean water will make sure to get rid of any dust or pollen. This step can often be skipped if you live in an area with plenty of rain.

Step 3: Brush the turf opposing grain or pile direction to perk it back up. Cross brushing opposing the grain will also prevent the fibers from matting.

Step 4: Let dry for a minimum o 30 minutes before continuing with normal activities.

Extra Credit: If it’s been a year after your installation, you should think about having your turf professionally groomed, cleaned and infill levels checked by Southwest Greens Flagstaff.

MOSS MOLD AND MILDEW

If you have pooled water on your synthetic turf, moss, mold and mildew can grow. These usually look like black spots or dark areas on your synthetic grass. This should be professionally removed by a SWG location nearest you.

Here is an equipment list that will help you complete these steps efficiently.

EQUIPMENT LIST

1. Garden Hose: Helpful for cleaning the yard when the weather is dry and dust or dirt collects on the synthetic grass.
2. Leaf Blower: A leaf blower will help eliminate small debris more easily. One that has a suction option is really useful, so you can utilize it like a vacuum cleaner too.
3. Stiff Bristle Push Broom: Make sure to avoid metal rakes cause they will cause harm to the turf. Stiff Concrete push brooms are best to help make the artificial grass look its best.

YEAR LONG PERFECTION

Artificial grass is a fantastic option for Flagstaff homeowners and commercial property managers. We hope this maintenance guide will assist you maintain your artificial turf.

If you are yet to get artificial grass for your yard or putting greens yet, call us today for a free consultation.