In the past, synthetic grass was mostly seen on some tennis courts now its usefulness is being realised for many residential and commercial properties where it is more commonly referred to as artificial turf. Artificial turf is particularly useful for properties with lawn areas that are small, dark, have poor access, or are exposed to a constant wet or damp environment often caused by large trees or foliage.
Some of the benefits of artificial turf include convenience, cleanliness (not having mud and dirt being walked into the home), relatively low maintenance when compared with natural grass, less water usage, reduced exposure to allergens, clean aesthetic look, and better long term investment.
Maintenance tips for keeping your artificial turf lawn in its best condition:
1. Tools: Gather together the tools you will need to clean and maintain your artificial turf.
- Synthetic/special purpose rake
- Garden hose
- Leaf blower
- Cleaning solution
- Garden bin
- Gloves
2. Large Debris: Collecting up large debris and putting it in your garden bin will save your artificial turf from abrasive damage caused by branches and leaves. Ensure that you do this regularly and after windy or stormy weather. This could double as a great chore for children’s pocket money.
3. Leaves & Twigs: Use a soft synthetic rake (not metal) or leaf blower to gently gather up leaves and twigs.
4. Clutter: Removing any unnecessary items from your synthetic lawn, tidying up and putting items away at the end of each day will avoid any unnecessary damage to your lawn. Keeping the area clear allows the sunshine to access the surface and removes opportunities for mould and mildew growth.
5. Cleaning: Hosing down your artificial turf will help to remove dust and pollens. This helps to keep the surface clean and reduces unseen build-up of small particles where mould can begin to latch on.
6. Refresh Fibres: Use a synthetic rake or stiff garden brush against the grain to lift the turf fibres and prevent matting.
7. Stains: Remove stains and spills as quickly as possible to prevent long term staining. Blot liquid spills with paper towel or cloth. Allow solid stains to dry and then scrape off carefully with a knife. After removing the stain or spill, rinse the area with fresh water from the garden hose.
8. Mould & Mildew: There is an array of synthetic grass and turf products on the market and these have not been tested by ourselves with mould cleaning solution. The best course of action is prevention and regular maintenance of your synthetic lawn to avoid mould and mildew ever taking hold. In instances where mould is present, proceed with caution.
Caution: Always do a spot test on an inconspicuous area and leave for 24 hours overnight before treating an entire surface.
Treating Mould on Artificial Turf:
- Spot test first
- Spray the solution of diluted Oil of Cloves lightly over the surface.
- Leave overnight or until dry.
- Rinse carefully with a high-pressure hose to remove mould particles and any product residue.
Maintenance Tip: If mould is a recurring issue, the Oil of Cloves solution can be applied (as above) every 6 months as prevention.
Treating any stain or mould as quickly as possible combined with regular maintenance will help to preserve the life and look of your artificial turf.
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