Turf maintenance
Artificial grass maintenance & cleaning
Artificial grass needs far less care than a natural lawn, but a little routine maintenance keeps it looking lush for many years. Here is how to clean, brush and protect your turf, and when to call us for professional maintenance or repairs in National City and San Diego County.
- Cleaning & brushing
- Turf repairs
- Pet turf care
Quick routine
- Rinse when there’s little rain
- Clear leaves and debris
- Cross-brush high-traffic areas
- Spot-clean spills right away
- What it is
- Routine care for synthetic turf (rinsing, debris removal, brushing and spot cleaning), plus professional maintenance and repairs.
- Who it’s for
- Anyone with artificial grass, a putting green, pet turf or playground turf.
- Where
- Turf maintenance and repair service in National City and San Diego County.
- Next step
- Follow the checklist below, or contact us to book maintenance or a repair.
Routine care
Your artificial grass maintenance checklist
Whether it is pet turf, a putting green or a playground, these steps keep synthetic turf looking great all year.
Rinse it down
Rain usually keeps turf clean. If there is little rain, a quick hose-down removes dust and debris from the fibers.
Clear leaves and debris
Use a broom with thick bristles to brush off leaves and litter before they build up.
Cross-brush high-traffic areas
Brushing against the grain lifts flattened fibers and keeps the turf looking full and plush.
Spot-clean spills
Mix 5% household detergent with hot water, scrub it into the area, then rinse.
Rinse pet areas weekly
Pick up solids and hose down the areas pets use to keep odors away.
Act on stains quickly
Stains are far easier to remove while they are fresh. Lift spills with a spatula and blot the rest with a paper towel.
Care schedule
How often should you maintain artificial grass?
There is no fixed calendar. How often you do each task depends on the weather, nearby trees, pets and how much the turf is used.
| Task | How often | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Clear leaves and debris | Whenever they build up | Use a broom with thick, synthetic bristles. Areas under trees need it more often. |
| Rinse with a hose | When there is little rain | Removes dust and keeps the fibers clean. |
| Rinse pet areas | About once a week in dry weather | Pick up solid waste first, so urine drains away and odors stay down. |
| Cross-brush | More often in busy areas | Lifts flattened fibers on paths, play areas and dog runs. See reviving flattened turf. |
| Spot-clean spills | Straight away | Household detergent in warm water, then rinse with clean water. |
| Check edges, seams and drainage | After heavy rain, and from time to time | Look for lifted edges or water that stays on the surface, and contact us if you see either. |
| Check for weeds | From time to time | Pull weeds at edges and seams while they are small. See keeping weeds out of artificial grass. |
Stain removal
How to remove stains from artificial turf
Our turf fibers are stain resistant, but choose cleaning products carefully so nothing penetrates and damages the turf. Start with the mildest option that works.
Everyday cleaners
Start with the mildest option, then rinse with clean water:
- Clean water
- Household detergent in warm water
- Turf cleaners recommended by your turf’s manufacturer
- Enzyme odor neutralizers for pet areas
Oily and stubborn stains
Don’t use solvents, paint thinners or other harsh chemicals on your turf. Lift off what you can with a spatula, blot the rest with a paper towel, then wash with household detergent in warm water and rinse. If a stain remains, follow your turf manufacturer’s care instructions or call us.
- Motor oil & grease
- Crayon
- Lipstick
- Floor & paraffin wax
- Shoe polish
- Ballpoint ink
- Asphalt & tar
- Suntan oil
- Cooking oil
Gum, sap, mold and big spills
Chewing gum and tree sap: gently pick off as much as you can without pulling or cutting the fibers. If it won’t lift, call us.
Mold and fungus: clear away leaves and debris so the surface can dry out, rinse with clean water, and call us if it keeps coming back.
Large or chemical spills: after the detergent wash, rinse thoroughly with clean water. For oil, fuel or chemical spills, call us before trying to clean them yourself.
- Urine
- Blood
- Dye
- Cola
- Coffee
- Tea
- Milk
- Fruit juice
- Alcohol
- Vegetable juice
- Cocoa
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Ice cream
- Butter
- Glue
- Watercolors
- Latex paint
Pet turf
Cleaning pet turf for dogs
Our artificial grass is pet friendly, and a few extra steps keep waste odors to a minimum:
- Allow solid waste to dry, then pick it up and dispose of it.
- If there is little rain, hose down the area to drain urine and keep the surface clean.
- With more than two pets, enzyme neutralizers safely and effectively control pet odors.
- A homemade mix of white distilled vinegar and the same amount of water can be applied after hosing the turf down with clean water.
Thinking about turf for your dogs? See pet turf and dog runs. More tips: 5 tips to maintain artificial grass with pets, how to get rid of bad odors.
Grooming
Brushing and grooming your artificial grass
How often you brush depends on how much traffic your turf gets. Matting happens in high-traffic areas, and it is even more likely when the turf is dirty.
Cross-brushing means brushing against the nap, or grain, of the turf. It fluffs the fibers back up and helps busy areas match the rest of the lawn. Always use a brush with synthetic bristles. Never use wire or metal bristles, which damage the turf.
Regular brushing extends the life of your turf and means less maintenance overall.
High-traffic areas to brush more often
- Areas used by multiple dogs
- Play areas with heavy activity
- Commercial installations
- Frequently used paths
Drainage
Keeping water draining freely
Most of our turf systems have an integrated drainage layer, so rain and rinse water drain away without damaging the turf. Keep the surface clear of leaves, dirt and debris so water can pass through, and rinse pet areas so urine drains away rather than lingering.
If water starts pooling on your lawn, contact us and we will take a look.
Read more on our blog: 3 tips to drain artificial grass after rain, 5 reasons to install a drainage system, artificial turf drainage.
What not to do
Artificial grass don’ts
Synthetic turf is exceptionally durable, but a few precautions prevent significant damage.
- Don’t leave vehicles idling on the turf.
- Don’t place furniture with sharp edges on it, or it may tear.
- Keep cigarettes and other open flames well away from the turf.
- Avoid reflecting direct sunlight onto the turf; concentrated reflected light can damage it.
- Remove sprinkler heads from the lawn before turf is installed, as they can cause discoloration.
- Avoid harsh chemicals on pet stains (here’s why).
Properly cared for, your synthetic turf will stay lush and green for many years, giving a great return on your investment.
More dos and don’ts: caring for artificial turf: habits to follow and avoid.
Professional help
When to call us instead of doing it yourself
Most upkeep is quick and easy to do yourself. These are the situations where a professional visit makes sense.
- Water pools on the surfaceDrainage may need attention. Contact us and we will take a look.
- Turf is damaged or tornDamaged areas, including pet damage, can be repaired.
- Edges or seams have liftedLifted edges are a trip hazard and are best re-secured promptly.
- Odors persist after rinsingPet areas may need a deeper clean.
- Busy areas stay flattenedHeavy matting in high-traffic areas may need more than a brush.
- You would rather not do itWe maintain and clean artificial turf, including pet turf, putting greens and playgrounds.
FAQ
Turf maintenance questions, answered
Quick answers about keeping synthetic turf clean and in shape.
How often should I brush artificial grass?
It depends on traffic. Brush high-traffic, pet and play areas more often than quiet corners. Regular cross-brushing keeps the fibers upright and extends the life of the turf.
How do I clean pet urine from artificial turf?
Hose the area down, about once a week if there is little rain. For stronger odors, use an enzyme neutralizer or rinse with equal parts white vinegar and water.
Can I use harsh chemicals on artificial grass?
Avoid them. Start with water or household detergent in warm water, then rinse. For stains that won’t lift, follow your turf manufacturer’s care instructions or call us.
How do I get chewing gum out of turf?
Gently pick off as much as you can without pulling or cutting the fibers. If it won’t lift, call us.
Do you offer artificial turf maintenance and repairs?
Yes. We maintain, clean and repair artificial turf, including pet turf, putting greens and playground turf. Contact us or call (619) 503-3536.
Turf maintenance & repairs
Need help with your artificial turf?
Book cleaning, brushing or a repair, or ask about a problem with your turf. Tell us what you are seeing and we will get back to you promptly.
- Cleaning and brushing
- Repairs to existing turf
- Serving National City and San Diego County
Prefer to talk? Call (619) 503-3536, Mon–Sat 9am–5pm.
Request a visit or estimate
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Free estimates in National City and across San Diego County
Ready when you are
Prefer to leave it to the pros?
We maintain, clean and repair artificial turf across National City and San Diego County. Get in touch to book a visit or a free estimate.
- Free in-home estimate
- National City & San Diego County
- Residential & commercial
