Is There Any Maintenance Involved With Artificial Grass?
Artificial grass looks to be the perfect easy-to-care-for garden material, but it is not quite the quick "fit it and forget it" wonder it might be cracked up to be. While it certainly requires far less maintenance than a natural lawn, which can seem to require an endless routine of mowing, watering, feeding, and possibly occasional psychological distress after poor weather, there is still a small amount of upkeep required to keep it looking its best. Leaves will need to be raked up, the surface will need to be swept regularly, and the fibres will sometimes need brushing to prevent them from looking flattened and worn. In other words, the benefits are that artificial grass is low maintenance, not zero maintenance, which has much of the aesthetic appeal. It gives the appearance of a neat garden without all the hard work, provided it receives minimal maintenance, and the rewards of looking neat and tidy for much longer are, by extension, much greater.
To Be Honest, Artificial Grass Does Require Maintenance:
a. Even with a surface that appears perfect the rest of the time, artificial grass is not a miracle product and doesn't stay that way without any input at all. Artificial grass is considerably easier to maintain than real turf, but it lives outside and so must withstand its fair share of the weather, dirt, leaves, pollen, pets, shoes, drink spillages, and the general disarray of British life. Rain alone can be difficult to handle; if you throw in mud, twiggy debris and the enthusiastic play of children and pets, then the most sophisticated of artificial turf systems will require attention.
b. The maintenance itself is generally very easy to undertake; usually light brushing, occasional rinsing and general debris removal so that it is not compacted by various external influences and will retain its' shape, colour and 'bounce'. This process is significantly simpler than the usual routine associated with natural turf, which can be rendered practically impossible by the most adverse of weather conditions and develop into a "soggy debate".
c. Artificial turf is very popular and has found many applications around the home, garden, patio, balconies, children's play areas and even commercial areas because of the decreased maintenance required. However, decreased is not the same as absent; the artificial turf will need attention to keep it at its best for as long as possible and to retain its aesthetic features and resilience.
Pro-Tip: Treat artificial turf as "low maintenance" rather than "no maintenance"; a little time spent will be far better than facing a considerable problem later on.
What Amount of Upkeep is Truly Required for Artificial Grass?
In fact, maintenance is far more minimal than most would think. Typically, it is broken down into a few key, simple jobs.
a. Firstly, there is debris clearing. Leaves, twig ends, flower petals and random pieces of litter are likely to fall onto the surface over time, especially at times of the year when foliage is falling or strong winds are occurring. These simply need to be brushed off so that they don't lie on the surface and make the grass appear untidy.
b. Secondly, there is brushing the fibers. Over time, because of heavy foot traffic, the blades in certain areas will have a tendency to flatten, especially where they are most heavily walked upon. Brushing, with either a stiff broom or a power brush, is the ideal way of lifting them back up and making the lawn appear more plump.
c. Thirdly, rinsing. Although it may seem obvious, artificial grass does not require water for growth, but a gentle hose down can effectively help wash away dust, pollen and small spillages. This is particularly applicable when there have been dry conditions and animals using the surface of artificial grass.
d. Fourth is Spot cleaning. You spill your drink, the bird does its business, the dog needs to go, you have a sticky spill- get it wiped up. Not because fake turf is delicate, just because lingering bits are generally untidy.
e. Fifth is ensuring edges and infill (if present) are secure and evenly spread. Not a day-by-day, constant chore, but something worth checking to make sure your surface isn't dipping or bulging anywhere.
That's about it, really. Maintaining an artificial lawn is a fairly straightforward task, but it's still maintenance, and failing to do it properly is why people have fake lawns that look perfectly attractive from a distance but look a bit sad and faded if you get up close.
How Often Should Fake Grass Be Maintained?
The frequency of upkeep varies depending on location of installation and extent of use. It requires much less work for a decorative patch in a quiet garden than on a busy family lawn, a dog run, a play area and any other area where feet, toys and life is happening on an almost constant basis.
If you are talking about a typical home garden, one visual check every week or two should be sufficient. If there are a lot of trees nearby, it may require cleaning more frequently in the autumn months as the leaves tend to turn up in sizes that look like they've been formally invited. If animals are regular visitors, the area may need cleaning more regularly, and if children use it as a playing field for football, scooters and mayhem, you might want to brush a lot more often.
Basically, if artificial turf is maintained on a little and often basis, then this is the most suitable way to do it. Little jobs are better than letting it build up and then waking up one morning to find that the surface has become a gallery of mud, crumbs and unvisited areas.
Is It Necessary to Mow Fake Grass?
Good grief, no, thankfully. That's one of the great pleasures of it. Artificial grass does not need to be cut; in fact, that is often why you love it. No mower, no strimmer, no shoddy patches and no standing in the rain trying to understand why the lawn has elected to cause so much hassle yet again.
This is not to say that if you have borders, or hedges, or natural planting surrounding your area of artificial grass, they will still require maintenance. It just takes the need for the drama of lawn maintenance away from you. There is still a whole universe in the garden that you haven't quite managed to escape.
And though the grass does not need to be cut, there are still some simple instructions to keep it looking good, one of which is brushing. Not quite cutting, but perhaps the closest that one gets to keeping your blades all pointing to the heavens.
How About Weeds?
a. Artificial grass cuts down on weed growth considerably but doesn’t eradicate weeds altogether. The effectiveness depends on the quality of the installation of the surface and how effective the weed membrane is. It depends if seeds get a chance to settle in any debris collected, or at the edge of the surface.
b. Generally, if a well-prepared base has had quality artificial grass installed, it will not result in any weeds breaking through it in large numbers. The exceptions to this will be if weeds grow up around the edge of the surface or if weed seeds fall into debris. If a few tiny holes appear, this may give weeds a place to colonize. A small amount of weed control may be required.
c. The trick is not to panic. A few weeds every now and then do not mean the grass has failed. It simply means nature is once again being just a little bit awkward.
Pro-Tip: Make sure the edges are not blocked and any dead leaves, etc., are collected as soon as possible. They provide a home for weeds and weeds will love that!
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How to Maintain the Upright Appearance of Artificial Grass:
a. This is one of the most important aspects of maintenance. To maintain the appearance of the artificial grass, the fibers must be kept upright and full and not flattened into the ground by continual foot fall.
b. Brushing is the ultimate solution. Use a hard broom, plastic rake or even a power brush in order to lift the blades back up; this will especially help in the case of higher-traffic areas. Brushing in all directions can really help even things out and bring the fluff back in.
c. The sort of brush makes a difference. Metal ones tend to be too aggressive and may harm the fibres; therefore, a proper artificial grass brush will be a wise investment. No one wants to fix up the artificial lawn and then assault it in the process.
d. Heavier items left sitting in one spot for too long can also cause the grass to be crushed flat. Plant pots, storage boxes, furniture, and so on can be periodically moved so as not to "crush the fibres into that permanent garden furniture shape".
e. In addition to lifting fibres, brushing can also help redistribute filler in certain types of installation, keeping the whole surface secure and consistent. As you can see, looking after your artificial lawn really is worth the effort.
How to Remove Stains & Spills:
Whilst it's quite tough, artificial grass is not indestructible, so drinks spills, food spillages, grease, sunscreen, pet related mishaps and other outdoor challenges are best dealt with at the earliest possible opportunity.
a. For small spills, a sponge, a small amount of water and some milder soap often will suffice. Less so is the use of poisons, which might not be suitable for the fibres. For sticky incidents, a gentle rub of the area is often enough. In the case of a more difficult stain, a lukewarm wash using water and a soft brush often will be enough.
b. Pet accidents should also be actioned as they happen. Solid waste should be picked up in the first instance, and the area cleansed subsequently. The use of a neutral, mild cleanser near a residue may be desirable to deal with nasty odour, but always check the recommended detergent against the grass manufacturers for quality and safety.
c. The most important things to remember are to treat the surface gently while being thorough; there's no drama involved, just cleaning!
Pro-Tip: Deal with spills immediately: stains left sitting will soon become a "we'll get to it later" issue that we never get around to!
How About Those Who Own Pets?
a. Artificial grass and pets generally get on very well, but having pets does bring with it a little more maintenance. Dogs in particular can be an absolute joy to use a lawn, but not always the tidiest one.
b. Regular removal of solid waste is a must, of course. Urine areas should be rinsed, if necessary, particularly if the smell becomes persistent. Some pet owners will also use certain cleaners appropriate for use on synthetic turf.
c. Brushing may need to be done more frequently in high pet areas as paws may be flattening fibers. High-traffic areas need to have the fibers standing up so they don't begin to look worn.
d. The advantage is that artificial turf is generally much better for pet ownership than real turf is. No more mud, no more digging up lawns and no more lawn becoming a puddle at the drop of a hat. Many people will have already come to this conclusion.
FAQs:
1. How frequently is artificial grass supposed to be cleaned?
A quick look once or twice a week usually suffices in a home garden environment, cleaning it more often if the area experiences heavy footfall, has pets or if a large amount of leaves fall on it regularly. Light brushing of the surface and removal of detritus make a big difference.
2. Can you hose down artificial grass?
A gentle rinse with a hose is a simple but effective method of cleaning away pollen and dust, along with small spills, and it is also effective in very dry weather, or once pets have been using the surface. There is no requirement to use chemicals in most instances.
3. Does artificial grass require brushing?
Yes. This helps lift any flattened blades of grass due to wear and tear on the surface and also makes the surface look much fuller. It is an extremely effective and one of the simplest ways of maintaining artificial grass.
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