Why should you clean artificial turf?

Although artificial turf is easier to maintain than natural turf, it still requires regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure its beauty and functionality. Proper cleaning and maintenance can not only keep artificial turf clean, but also extend its service life. The following is a detailed guide on cleaning artificial turf.

Why do you need to clean artificial turf?

1. Health and Hygiene Safety

Regular cleaning of artificial turf is crucial. Pet urine, spilled food and drinks, bird droppings, etc., can breed bacteria and mold, producing unpleasant odors. Pollen, dust, and spores in the air can become deeply embedded in the grass fibers, becoming potential irritants for allergies and children.

If the turf is not cleaned regularly, drainage holes will become clogged, leading to water accumulation. In damp environments, especially with poor drainage, bacteria can easily multiply. Furthermore, rainwater accumulation can damage the turf substrate over time. Regular cleaning effectively washes away these contaminants, providing a clean and healthy environment for family and pets to play and relax.

2. Maintaining Performance and Sports Safety

The safety performance of artificial turf, especially sports and recreational turf, depends on its good condition.

Without regular cleaning, dust and debris can cause the infill particles to clump together, resulting in uneven particle distribution, significantly reducing cushioning performance, and increasing the risk of sports injuries. Moreover, clean grass fibers maintain good uprightness and elasticity, ensuring optimal traction and comfortable foot feel.

3. Aesthetics

Airborne pollutants and debris can cause localized discoloration of the artificial turf. Ultraviolet radiation is the biggest culprit, and surface dirt accelerates the oxidative aging process under sunlight. Regular cleaning helps prevent discoloration and aging.

Dust and debris can cause the grass fibers to collapse and clump, making the lawn appear flat and thin. Deep cleaning effectively straightens the grass fibers, restoring their fluffy appearance.

4. Economy

Regular cleaning and maintenance of the lawn is far less expensive than replacing an entire lawn due to premature damage. A professional deep cleaning typically costs less than 5% of the cost of reinstallation.

High-quality artificial turf is designed to last 8-15 years, but whether it reaches its maximum lifespan depends entirely on maintenance. Good cleaning habits can easily extend its lifespan by several years.

Methods for cleaning artificial turf

(1) Remove surface debris

Use a leaf blower, broom or rake to regularly clean fallen leaves, branches and other debris to avoid debris accumulation and damage to the turf. For lighter debris, use a soft brush to gently sweep to prevent damage to the turf fibers.

(2) Rinse and decontaminate

For dust and minor stains, rinse with clean water. If there are stubborn stains, such as food residues, spilled beverages or animal urine, wipe them with mild soapy water and rinse with clean water. If it is an oil stain, use a diluted detergent or professional cleaner to remove it.

(3) Prevent odor and bacterial growth

In areas where pets often move around, it is recommended to spray them with disinfectants or special deodorizers regularly to prevent odor and bacterial growth. Mixing white vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio and spraying them on the lawn can effectively disinfect and neutralize odors.

(4) Combing grass fibers

After long-term use of artificial turf, the grass fibers may fall over. You can use a special lawn brush or soft-bristle brush to comb along the direction of the grass fibers to restore the uprightness of the grass fibers, making the lawn look more natural and beautiful.

Recommended Artificial Turf Cleaning Tools

• Stiff-bristled brush and motorized rotary brush: No single brush is the best choice for cleaning artificial turf, but stiff-bristled brushes are ideal for small areas or quick cleaning, while motorized brushes are excellent for large areas or when a deeper layer of fibers needs to be removed.

• Hose with adjustable nozzle: Can be used for rinsing after spraying cleaning agents or to cool the turf in hot weather. Make sure the spray pressure isn't too high to avoid washing away sand or infill.

• Garden vacuum cleaner: Easily collects fallen leaves, dust, and small debris, especially useful for large garden lawns and in the fall.

Cleaning frequency of artificial turf

The cleaning frequency can be adjusted according to the use of the lawn:

Low-frequency lawns: It is recommended to clean them at least once a quarter to remove accumulated dust and debris.

Lawns with moderate frequency of use (such as home courtyards, balconies, etc.): It is recommended to clean them once a month to ensure the cleanliness and drainage function of the lawn.

Lawns with high frequency of use (such as sports fields, playgrounds, pet areas, etc.): It is recommended to clean them once a week and remove stains and foreign objects in time to keep them in the best condition.

Additional maintenance suggestions

Avoid long-term pressure of heavy objects: Placing heavy objects in the same position for a long time may cause the grass to deform. Furniture or equipment should be moved regularly to evenly distribute the pressure.

Prevent contact with open flames and high-temperature objects: Artificial turf is made of synthetic materials and is easily affected by high temperatures. Therefore, open flames, cigarette butts, barbecue grills, etc. should be avoided from direct contact with the lawn to prevent melting or damage.

Regularly check the filling particles: If it is a granular lawn, it is necessary to regularly check whether the rubber or sand filling is uniform. If necessary, it can be supplemented in appropriate amounts to maintain the cushioning and comfort of the lawn.

Conclusion

The cleaning and maintenance of artificial turf is not complicated, but regular maintenance can greatly extend its service life and maintain its beauty and comfort. By regularly removing debris, flushing stains, maintaining clear drainage, and taking proper grooming and odor prevention measures, you can ensure that your artificial turf is always in top condition, making it more durable, more hygienic, and more beautiful.