Your new artificial turf represents a significant investment of money. By following these care and maintenance guidelines, you can help protect your investment and extend the useful life of your turf.
Keep It Clean
| Dust, pollen, and airborne pollutants | Rainfall is the best cleanser. In areas where rainfall is scarce, an occasional water flush from hose or spinklers is beneficial to cleanse the turf. |
| Stains and other blemishes | The first rule is promptness. It is always easier to clean up a fresh spill than one that has dried and hardened. Remove any solid or paste-like deposit with a spatula or table knife. Blot up excess liquids with paper towels, a clean cloth, or a dry absorbent, such as kitty litter or fuller’s earth. Dry absorbents can then be swept or vacuumed up afterwards. Synthetic fibers have good resistance to staining. However, it is important to realize they are only one part of a sophisticated system of various components designed for overall performance. Some cleaning agents safe for the face fibers can be harmful to other components of the turf system. Therefore, cleaning agents are grouped into two sets, one of which can be used in liberal amounts directly on the turf surface, and the second of which should only be applied by rubbing a cloth soaked in the cleaner in order to minimize penetration of possible harmful agents below the turf surface. In the first group of cleaners which generally can be applied without any special precautions are the following: • "Simple Green", a bio-friendly cleaner. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. • A warm, mild solution of granular household detergent or any low sudsing detergent for fine fabrics. Use approximately one teaspoon to one pint of water. This will handle most waterborne stains including: Coffee, Ketchup, Tea, Butter, Fruit juices, Alcohol, Vegetable juices, Cola, Milk, Water colors, Cocoa, Latex paint, Ice Cream, Blood, Mustard, Urine, Glue, Dye • A three (3) percent solution of ammonia in water may be used in lieu of household detergent for more stubborn stains. • Do not use cleaners that contain chlorine bleaches or caustic cleaners (ph above 9) or highly acidic cleanses (ph below 5) • Rinse area thoroughly with clean cold water to remove any traces of soap or ammonia • Blot up excessive liquid The second group of cleaners, where agent must be applied sparingly and care taken to avoid penetration beneath the turf are the following: • Mineral spirits or a grease spot remover like perchlorethylene (dry cleaning solution) of the type sold by most variety stores and supermarkets. In general, cleansers in this category should handle most oil-based stains including: Asphalt and tar, Chewing gum, Cooking oil, Shoe polish, Floor wax, Lipstick, Motor oil & grease, Paraffin wax, Ballpoint ink, Nail polish, Suntan oil, Crayon Caution: mineral spirits and other petroleum based solvents are flammable. Do not smoke or permit open flames near where these are being used. Be sure the area is well ventilated where solvent cleaners are used. |
| Animal waste | Artificial grass is safe for pets and cleaning up their solid waste is just as easy as on real grass. So plastic bags and pooper scoopers work just fine! Following clean-up, hose down the target area to wash any leftover waste through the turf. If you have a sprinkler system within the turf area, we recommend running the sprinklers once or twice per week for 1 minute. This will help urine drain through turf and gravel subbase. No need to run sprinklers for more than 1 minute…just a quick rinse will do the job and we want you to save that water! If you smell odor from dog waste on your turf, we recommend an enzyme called PE-51 (made for pets and turf) which will eliminate unpleasant odors caused by pets. If you have dogs, we recommend spraying your turf down once or twice per year with PE-51. It’s a great way to deep clean your turf. One 32-ounce bottle should last about a year depending on size of yard. Link to purchase PE51 |
| Chewing gum | In addition to dry cleaning fluid, chewing gum can be removed by freezing. Aerosol packs of refrigerant are available from most carpet cleaning suppliers for this purpose, or dry ice can be used. After freezing, scrape with a knife. |
| Fungus or mold spots | A one (1) percent solution of hydrogen peroxide in water can be sponged on to the affected area. Flush thoroughly with clean water after application. |
| Oil paints and more difficult stains | Please consult your Artificial Turf dealer as these may require a commercial carpet cleaner. |
Brush Periodically
Matting of fibers may occur in areas of high foot traffic, especially if fibers have become soiled with dirt and other airborne pollutants. Periodic “cross brushing” of the turf can help restore the aesthetic appearance of the turf . “Cross brushing” means all brushing activity takes place against the grain, nap, or sweep of the turf fibers. By brushing against the turf, the fibers are “fluffed up”. You can use a typical push broom but for an easier and more effective option, we would recommend a “Grandi Groom” which is specifically made for artificial turf. Grandi Grooms typically cost around $40 and you can buy them off Amazon. Here is the link to purchase: Buy Grandi Groom
Never use a brush with metal or wire bristles as these will change the turf fibers.
Magnolia Turf does offer a maintenance service where we add more infill sand and powerbroom (gas powered brooming device) to fluff turf up. Depending on the foot traffic, you probably don’t need us to powerbroom for at least five years from date of installation. Please call us to ask about pricing and schedule.
Do Not Abuse
Although your turf is made of tough, durable fibers, certain precautions should be taken to prevent damage to the turf.
- Lighted cigarettes cannot ignite the turf, but they can damage the turf by fusing the tips of the fibers together. Cigarettes, fireworks, and open flames should be kept away from the turf.
- Furniture and equipment with sharp or jagged edges should not be placed on turf as this may puncture or tear the turf.
- Never leave a parked vehicle idling on the turf.
- Cap off or remove nearby sprinkler heads. Water from sprinkler systems can leave mineral deposits on turf that may cause discoloration.
- Make sure turf is not exposed to reflected sunlight windows as this may fuse the turf fibers together.