Care & Maintenance

Artificial Grass Care & Maintenance

SYNLawn NE Ohio offers low-maintenance UV-protected artificial grass for Canton-area homes and businesses.

Each SYNLawn® artificial grass installation in the Cleveland, Ohio area is an investment not only in your home or business’ curb appeal, but also in your own time management. Caring for your artificial grass properly can help you save hours of time on lawn maintenance each week. These simple care and maintenance guidelines can help protect your investment and extend the life of your SYNLawn® artificial turf. Here are our recommendations to combat the most common challenges artificial grass owners face.

Routine Maintenance for Artificial Grass

Artificial grass is relatively easy to care for and requires only minor maintenance to maintain a full, lush look. The best way to determine your maintenance schedule is to consider how much foot traffic your turf receives. Heavy foot traffic can cause fibers to flatten over time or mat. For this reason, you may consider brushing your artificial turf once a week to keep the fibers fresh and ready for use.

Periodic “cross brushing” of the turf can help restore the aesthetic appearance of the turf. Cross brushing is the term we use to describe brushing against the grain of your turf fibers. This helps refresh your turf and keeps it looking full year-round. Always use a brush with synthetic bristles for maintenance; metal or wire bristles can damage delicate fibers. Brush your turf as often as needed to maintain your preferred look. The higher the traffic your turf receives, the more often you should plan to brush it.

Routine Artificial Grass Cleaning Methods

Synthetic fibers naturally resist stains, but the fibers you see on the surface are just one part of a sophisticated system designed for overall performance. Some cleaning agents safe for the fibers can be harmful to other components of the turf system. Therefore, cleaning agents are grouped into two sets.

One set may be used in liberal amounts directly on the turf surface. These include:

• “Simple Green,” a biologically-friendly cleaner

• A mild solution of household detergent (one teaspoon) and warm water (one pint)

• A three percent solution of ammonia in water

The second group of cleaners should only be applied by rubbing a cloth over the artificial grass fibers. This helps minimize penetration of possible harmful agents below the turf surface. These include:

• Mineral spirits

• Grease spot removers

• Perchlorethylene

Avoid cleaners with chlorine bleach altogether, as this will compromise the integrity of your artificial turf lawn. Similarly, avoid caustic cleaners with a pH of 9 or higher, as well as acidic cleaners with a pH of 5 or lower.

Stain and Contaminant Removal for Artificial Grass

Dust, Pollen and Airborne Pollutants

Nature is the best solution for everyday contaminants like dust and pollen. Wait for heavy rainfall to clean your artificial grass naturally or mist your lawn with a gentle spray from a garden hose. Lightly soiled areas may require cleaning with a sponge. Consider using a five percent solution of low-sudsing household detergent mixed with hot water. Finish with a thorough cold water rinse from the hose. Heavily soiled areas may be cleaned using a similar method. Simply swap the detergent for a three percent solution of household ammonia in hot water. Rinse the area with hot water to finish.

Animal Waste

Although all SYNLawn turf is pet friendly, there are additional steps pet owners can take to keep odors to a minimum. Always allow waste to dry before removing and disposing of it. If rainfall is not frequent in your area, spray the pet area regularly with a garden hose to promote the drainage of urine and keep the surface clean.

For an even deeper clean, consider products such as Simple Green or Nature’s Miracle to spot-treat your artificial lawn. Depending on the amount of usage and number of dogs, enzyme neutralizers may also be helpful to control odors. Use a mixture of white distilled vinegar with an equal amount of water to rinse the affected area. Spray with a garden hose after cleaning to rinse the area and make it ready for use again.

Stains

Stains should always be cleaned quickly for best results. Remove any solid or paste-like deposits with a spatula. If no spatula is available, a dull table knife may be used. Blot up excess liquids with paper towels, a clean cloth or a dry absorbent such as kitty litter. Dry, absorbent materials can be swept or vacuumed up easily once they have absorbed liquid.

Chewing Gum or Tree Sap

Chewing gum and tree sap can easily be removed by using aerosol packs of refrigerant to “freeze” the affected area. These are available from most carpet cleaning suppliers specifically for this purpose. Similarly, dry ice can be used. After freezing the area, scrape it with a knife to remove the sticky substance.

Fungus or Mold Spots

A one percent solution of hydrogen peroxide mixed with water can be sponged on to the affected area. Flush thoroughly with clean water after application. Repeat as necessary over the course of several days until the fungus or mold is completely gone.

Oil Paints and Difficult Stains

Please consult us as these may require a commercial carpet cleaner. With proper care and maintenance, your SYNLawn® artificial grass will stay beautiful for years to come. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper care and make note that SYNLawn® does not make any representation, guarantees or warranties, express or implied, regarding the information contained herein. Care and maintenance instructions are subject to change. Contact our team to learn more about care and maintenance of your artificial grass.