Making sure to follow these simple guidelines will significantly extend the performance and life of the product you choose:
- Clean surface often (debris and contaminant removal)
- No vehicle traffic, avoid heavy static loads, etc.
- Ensure that minor repairs to your installation are made quickly
Cleaning Products:
Enzyme Cleaners – SCOE 10X. Odormute, Odoban, PET Stain-Off! and others. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application. These cleaners can be purchased from many online sources.
Vinegar – Use 5% white distilled vinegar and mix it all over the turf.
Green Cleaners – Shaw R2X, Turf Renu or any type of cleaner that does not contain alcohol, is biodegradable, non-foaming, and products that make very low suds are best.
Degreasers or Mineral Spirits – Cleaning products like these can be used for petroleum stains and paint stains; however, you have to rinse the cleaners entirely out of the turf.
Dishwashing Liquid/Household Detergent – combine dishwashing detergent or liquid with water (one teaspoon/gallon) for spot cleaning.
Bleach – Bleach can be used to clear the area of algae and moss. Dilute bleach (one part bleach to 10 parts water solution); however, you have got to completely rinse these cleaners out of your synthetic turf.
Ammonia – A three percent (3%) solution of ammonia in water can replace your household cleaning products for more stubborn residue or stains.
Stains
Artificial turf building blocks are made of stain-resistant fibers. Therefore, most stains on our grass are not actually stains, but left over materials of foreign matter which should be efficiently and thoroughly removed.
Most “stains” commonly associated with synthetic turf can be called “waterborne” stains. Most spots and stains on synthetic grass can be removed with water or soap and water. The key is being quick to the job. It is easy to clean up a new spill before it has time to harden.
- Pull off any hard or paste-like stains promptly using a dull knife or spatula-like tool
- Brush the residue with a rigid brush (not a wire brush)
- Use the brush to scrub the area with soap and water
- Rinse the spot meticulously with clear water to remove all of the soap
Maintenance Care
- Regular care is highly recommended, but is going to be different based on the size of your turf area and how you use it.
- Use a leaf blower to get rid of leaves and pine needles from trees routinely. These can catch moisture and not allow the spot to dry. Blow the leafblower in a sideways motion across the turf to avoid misplacing the infill.
- In spots that often have moss/algae growth, a regular use of bleach solution is our recommendation. Dilute bleach (one part bleach to 10 parts water solution).
- In spots that often have infill erosion or busy areas, more maintenance and infill may be required (professional grooming is recommended).
- More deeply stained areas may need professional power cleaning.
Pet Care
- Dispose of waste promptly. Water the area locally but make sure not to wash solid waste away. This only spreads the waste over a bigger area.
- In drier seasons, it is okay to leave behind solid waste to harden before pulling it out. During wet weather, get rid of all waste right away to prevent the solids from settling.
- You must assume pets and other animals are urinating and get the whole spot when sanitizing and deodorizing. Most cleaning products need an addition of one gallon per 500 square feet of turf to provide the right amount of saturation. Use the sprinkler setting on your average hose nozzles to spray water over the area to bring the treatments down through the turf.
- The volume of waste and use of the area indicates how often the space should be groomed. A single dog may only demand weekly care while some dogs may need daily cleaning.
- Spray any liquid contaminants with clean water. The backing is perforated so water and pet urine will absorb into the ground.
- When winter and rainy seasons come, irrigating is no longer needed. When summer comes, the area should be irrigated weekly with full strength cleaners to clean treatments deeply into the turf.
- Substrates, such as concrete or wood, have to be cleaned as required. Avoid cleaners with alcohol or corrosive chemicals as these can damage the turf blades. (Glue down products should be sanitized and rinsed regularly).
Caution: Common Hazards
Use the correct PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
Hot temperatures and the heat of an open flame will prompt the replacement of the affected area.