A gorgeous lawn that always looks lush, green, and inviting is one of the many benefits of installing artificial turf. It is particularly beneficial because you can enjoy this functional, visually appealing addition to your outdoor living areas without ever having to mow, edge, aerate, or irrigate your grass.

While the lower maintenance requirements are part of the appeal of synthetic turf, there is some periodic turf maintenance you will want to perform to keep your lawn, putting green, or other grassy area looking its best.

To help you keep your artificial grass looking new, let’s go over some recommended maintenance tasks that will help with both the look and longevity of your lawn.

Turf Maintenance to Keep Synthetic Grass Looking New

How often you will need to perform turf maintenance tasks depends on where you live, who uses your lawn, and how often your lawn is used. For example, if you live in a dusty area, you may need to rinse your lawn off more often; whereas, if you live in an area where it rains frequently, you may never need to rinse off your grass. If you have pets and children who use the lawn frequently, you will likely need to clean or fluff your lawn more often than folks who do not have pets and children living with them or visiting often.

As you live with your manufactured lawn, you will be able to determine the maintenance schedule that works best for your grass and your situation. At minimum, you will want to clean and rebloom your lawn twice a year and, during these cleanings, you will want to look for any damage that needs repair and assess if it is time to refresh the infill.

Here are the basic turf maintenance tasks that will help you keep your lawn looking new.

1. Clear the clutter.

Synthetic turf provides a great foundation for outdoor living and, just like you would with a patio, keeping it clear of unnecessary items provides a more welcoming space for you and your guests. In the case of artificial grass, clearing the clutter means there are also fewer things that can flatten your grass blades or tear the backing of your lawn. Keeping grills and fire features off your lawn will also help ensure that embers do not burn your lawn and cause unsightly damage that will require repair.

2. Remove weeds.

Weeds are usually not much of an issue with fake grass, but it is possible for a few to pop up now and again. Weeds can occur from runoff depositing soil and weed seeds on top of your grass or from determined weeds working their way up through the base layers and backing. One of the perks of having artificial grass is that you do not have to use harmful herbicides, so when weeds do come up, it is best to pull them by hand.

3. Look for seams and edges that need attention.

Look for sagging, buckling, edges that are lifting, and raised seams. All of these issues can reduce the longevity of your lawn and take away from its visual appeal. Protecting your investment and its longevity is important, so it is worth it to bring in a professional to make this kind of repair.

4. Look for damage.

Damage might include burns from embers that escaped from your fire pit or a tear from metal patio furniture dragged across your lawn. If you find this type of damage during your regular inspections, make the repairs as soon as possible. This will help you keep your lawn looking new and will help ensure the longevity of your installation.

5. Sweep or rake your lawn to remove debris.

Use a plastic rake, broom, or brush to remove leaves and other debris from your lawn. Never use a metal rake or a brush with metal bristles, since these can tear the backing or damage the grass blades.

6. Spray down your lawn.

Use a garden hose with a sprayer to spray down your lawn. This will remove dust and smaller debris. If you spray against the grain, it can also help fluff flattened spots.

7. Clean pet restroom areas.

Remove solid waste, and then spray down pet restroom areas with a water-vinegar mixture or a biological product, such as Urine Zero. This will kill bacteria and control odor to keep your lawn clean and smelling new.

8. Rebloom your lawn.

You can also use your rake, broom, or brush to rebloom your lawn by brushing, sweeping, or raking against the grain. This will make your lawn look better by fixing flattened areas. It will also help your grass blades wear more evenly.

9. De-compact the infill.

While you are fluffing the grass blades, the motion of sweeping or brushing against the grain will also help de-compact the infill in your lawn. This will improve drainage and help keep your lawn feeling soft and comfortable to walk on or play on.

10. Remove pet hair.

Excessive pet hair caught on and between the blades can hinder drainage and allow bacteria to grow. Regularly remove pet hair as part of your regular turf maintenance.

11. Replenish infill.

Infill is what makes your turf feel more like a natural lawn and provides that softness and cushiony feeling that makes your grass comfortable to walk, play, or lay on. It also helps keep your grass blades upright and, when an antimicrobial infill product is used, it also helps prevent bacterial growth and odors.

Professional Turf Maintenance and Repair

Most of the tasks on this list can be performed by the homeowner, but there are some – such as repairs – that are best left to professionals. Of course, if you would like to save time and make sure your turf is properly cared for to protect your investment, you can schedule a one-time cleaning or establish a regular turf maintenance schedule to keep your lawn looking clean, new, and inviting.