LESS WORK, MORE PLAY

Artificial turf will change the way you maintain your property. Its low upkeep will enable you to forget the pain of fertilizing, mowing, and watering. Instead, you’ll be able to focus on other projects instead of maintaining the grass.

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

SMALL CONSISTENT EFFORTS

How regularly you maintain your artificial grass will depend on its use. Is it a putting green kept away from trees? Do you have children playing on your lawn? 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, further away from plants, trees, children, and pets, you might require less to do when it comes to regular maintenance. Obviously, this also varies from season to season and depends on your geographical location. So, the short answer is that it really depends, but will always require some effort.

Here are some general guidelines we recommend.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF LOOSE DEBRIS

Sticks or leaves are loose debris which can start to break down on the turf surface and cause premature wear and tear. Larger limbs can even pierce the turf. Start by removing things like kid’s or pet toys and other bigger objects that are simple to remove by hand. Then you can use a leaf blower to remove any twigs and leaves. We recommend you blow all small debris utilizing a leaf blower to one corner of your grass so you can collect for easier removal.

DEALING WITH STICKY STUFF

If you find lipstick, chewing gum, paint, crayons, or tree sap on your grass, you can begin by trying to softly graze the material off the grass with a wire brush. Just be extra cautious that you don’t by mistake cut off the grass blades you are cleaning because it can result in 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 thicken them before scraping them off again. You can also utilize mineral spirits and scrap the fiber with a cloth by damping the rag with the Mineral Spirits.

DISPOSING OF PET WASTE

If you have cats, you know your turf is their bathroom. A huge number of pet owners worry that synthetic grass won’t work with their dogs, but that’s wrong! If you have pets, we suggest you acquire pet-specific systems by SWG. Despite that, cleanup is still easy even if you get regular synthetic turf. For example, when Fido uses the grass as his bathroom, you just permit the solid waste to dry before removing it, then clean the surface with water using the garden hose and spray nozzle (never using the jet setting). Urine will drain through like any other liquid, you can also spray these surface with water. Furthermore, you won’t see any visible dead spots from their favorite bathroom spot. Take a look at this article to see some of the most frequent questions about synthetic grass for dogs.

WHAT TO DO REGARDING LIGHT SPOTS

Let’s face it — life can get a bit messy at times. Now and then that mess may happen on your artificial turf. Your favorite snack might find its way to your grass, or your child might drop a juice box… you know things like these happen. But washing simple stains like alcohol, soda, coffee, tea, urine, blood and other usual liquids are simple.

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

GET RID OF TOUGH STAINS

If the spillage is of something similar to motor oil, grease, ink, cooking oil, or even melted crayons, you understand how tough it can be to eliminate it. You should be careful using any of these around your artificial grass, but if a spill happens, here’s what you can do.

1. Wear protective clothing and gear like heavy overshirts, pants, and gloves to avoid skin irritation. You should contemplate about a respirator to prevent toxic fumes, too.
2. After you have safety gear on, start by dipping a soft rag in mineral spirits.
3. Gently clean off the dirty blades of synthetic grass with the rag. You must make sure the solution doesn’t get past the grass blades because it can lead to serious damage to your turf’s backing system.
4. Softly wash the area with a hose and blot up any left over liquid with rag, paper towels, or shop towels.
5. If the stain is still there, let it dry for 24 hours before trying again with mineral spirits.

AVERT DAMAGE

Many stains can be cleaned from your grass, but some things may permanently damage the turf that you should take great care to avoid. Here are the most common ones that can cause the most damage.

NO OPEN FIRES

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

BE CAREFUL WITH CHEMICALS

Pesticides and herbicides can react negatively with your artificial grass, so be extra careful when utilizing harsh chemicals near the turf. These chemicals can leave patches of the turf that look burnt or even change color from the reaction. In addition, gasoline and all vehicle fluids should be kept away from your artificial grass. If you need to use chemicals or paint nearby the surface, we definitely recommend you lay some heavy-duty protective cover before starting these projects.

DON’T DRIVE ON IT

Artificial turf can endure heavy foot traffic, but driving on it with a car is not encouraged. Because of the turning motion in the wheels, it can wreack havoc to the fibers and infill. Driving on it will make the fibers pull away from the backing material and lead to damage over time. Too much weight can cause the grass to flatten and cause ruts that will need you to resurface the turf.

USE SHARP ITEMS WITH CARE

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

REGULAR CARE

Most Atlanta homeowners don’t have to spend much time on the maintenance of their artificial turf. Still, you should think about enforcing a schedule maintenance schedule to keep your turf looking its best. You must eliminate loose debris, clean up spills as they take place, and give the surface a quick wash if you haven’t gotten rain lately or live in a drought-prone area. Here is an easy 4-step process you can follow for regular care.

Step 1: Remove debris from the grass frequently, especially after windy or stormy weather.

Step 2: Clean regularly with a hose. Cold, clean water will make sure to eliminate any dust or pollen. This step can sometimes be omitted if you live in an location with lots of rain.

Step 3: Brush the grass opposing grain or pile direction to perk it back up. Cross brushing opposite 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 consider having your turf professionally groomed, cleaned and infill levels checked by Southwest Greens of Atlanta.

MOSS MOLD AND MILDEW

If you have standing water on your artificial grass, moss, mold and mildew can appear. These usually look like black spots or dark areas on your artificial grass. This should be removed by an expert by a SWG location nearest you.

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

EQUIPMENT LIST

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

YEAR LONG PERFECTION

Synthetic grass is a good option for Atlanta homeowners and commercial property managers. We hope this maintenance guide will assist you maintain your artificial turf.

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