Artificial grass care guide

One of the main benefits of artificial grass is the fact that it requires so much less care than real grass. So, no more mowing, weeding, fertilising, watering, or whispering sweet nothings to the grass to make it grow – hurrah! However, it still needs a little TLC to keep it looking its best. In fact, artificial grass is an investment that can last for years, even decades, if looked after correctly.

And what’s even better is it takes minimal effort to maintain artificial grass! Here, we share with you all the tips and tricks you need to know when caring for artificial grass, from how to remove pet stains from your lawn to your essential guide on how to clean artificial grass, so you'll have the perfect outdoor space for hosting garden parties.

Caring for artificial grass

There are two different ways to clean artificial grass: one is your basic maintenance, which is the best way to clean artificial grass, and the other is a periodical deep clean. Both are important for keeping your turf in tip-top condition and extending its life. The easiest way to keep your grass in good condition is to brush it regularly. Organic matter like dust, leaves, twigs, petals, bugs, and other debris can become lodged between the fibres and over time this will decompose and form soil. This can lead to drainage problems and damage to the fibres or the latex backing.

How often should you clean artificial grass?

A lot of people ask us this and generally, a weekly brush should do the trick. During autumn you might need to brush more frequently as the trees shed their leaves. When it comes to deep cleaning artificial grass, every four weeks or so should be fine under normal circumstances.

How to clean artificial grass

First, use a plastic rake or even a leaf blower to remove larger pieces of debris.
Use a stiff bristle brush and go against the grain of the grass to remove the remaining dirt and detritus buried deeper into the fibres. Brushing against the grain will also help the fibres stand up and make the grass look ‘fuller’. A coarse haired bristle brush is the best brush for artificial grass - avoid using a metal-bristled brush as this could damage your grass.
Optional step! In Britain, the rain usually does this for us... but if you want to put a bit of shine back into your grass in the summer, run the hose over it and let it drain. If you have artificial grass on a balcony, remember that drainage may not be as fast, so consider using less water if you choose to do this.

Deep cleaning artificial grass

Sometimes, usually once every four to six weeks, your artificial grass will require a deeper clean. You may need to do this more frequently in the summer months, or if you have pets.

Complete steps 1 and 2 above as if you were doing a regular clean.
It’s time to give your grass a shampoo! Mix a bucket of warm water with eco-friendly washing up liquid or detergent. Using a brush, work this into the fibres of the grass and let it sit for a few minutes. Tapi Top Tip - It’s important that the detergent you use is safe to use on plastic and isn’t harmful to plant, insects, or animal life, so double-check the label first before cleaning artificial grass with it.
Use a hosepipe or buckets of fresh tap water to rinse off the turf and allow it to dry in the sun (so choose a sunny, breezy day to do this).

How to remove dog and cat stains from artificial grass

Modern artificial grass is so good that your pets won’t be able to tell the difference! The downside is they’ll happily still do their business on it. Oh, dear. Fortunately, the plastic used in artificial grass is easy to clean, but if left too long then pet urine and faeces can potentially cause stains, so it’s better to maintain artificial grass on a regular basis. No one likes a yellow lawn!

The first step is a preventative one, the key to artificial grass maintenance. Some dogs and cats can be trained to do their business in a specific area. Try setting aside a gravel area or even a litter tray and training them to do it there.
If Rover or Fluffy insist on leaving you a present on your lovely grass, you should try and pick up any solids as quickly as you can – just as you would do with real grass. Artificial grass with a shorter pile length is the best choice for homes with pets.
For urine, it’s not a huge problem if you don’t deal with it immediately, as it will mostly drain away. But if you do spot a little piddle puddle from your four-legged friend, the best way to clean it up is to wash it away with a hose or a bucket of water.
In some cases, you might find that pet mess leaves a smell behind. The easiest way to remove the smell of pet urine from artificial grass is with warm water and soap.

How to remove stains from artificial grass

In most cases, rinsing with water should be the extent of artificial grass care needed to get rid of any spillages on your lawn. Whether it’s food and drink stains from a summer BBQ, pet mess, or even something sticky like chewing gum, there are plenty of ways to deal with the problem.
For drink stains, the best approach is to remove as much of the liquid as you can with a paper towel and then rinse the rest away with water.
For food stains, like sauce or grease, mix warm water with detergent and rub it in with a cloth. If this doesn’t work, try scrubbing the mark with an old toothbrush. Again, rinse away with water.
For chewing gum or other sticky substances, try chilling the area with an ice cube and using a putty knife to scrape it off.

Artificial grass maintenance in winter

Looking after artificial grass in winter brings its own set of challenges. If it snows, the best thing to do is allow it to melt naturally. However, it’s very easy to clear snow from artificial grass if you need to. Remember to only use plastic tools when cleaning artificial grass; metal tools risk damaging the pile and/or the latex backing.

To clear snow from the turf, use a plastic shovel to remove most of it, leaving around 2.5 cm (one inch) of snow on top. Then, using a stiff brush, sweep the remaining snow to the side.
To clear ice from your lawn, the only option is to allow it to melt naturally. We recommend against using antifreeze, salt, or grit as these can all end up leaving marks on the pile. The latter two may also block the drainage pores over time.

Can I pressure wash my artificial lawn?

We get asked this question a lot in relation to looking after artificial grass, and the answer is… it depends.

If your artificial grass has infill (which most do) then the answer is a firm ‘no’ as this is what creates that soft, cushioning feeling to the turf. It’s easy for a pressure washer to move (or even remove!) this and you don’t want to do anything to jeopardise the integrity of the turf.

If your artificial lawn doesn’t have infill, then you can use a pressure washer. However, we recommend using the widest-angle tip you have, spraying at a shallow angle to help prop the fibres up, and most importantly, keeping the tip of the wand at least 30 cm (12 inches) from the turf to make sure you’re looking after your artificial grass.

You now know the best way to clean artificial grass, and as you can see, cleaning and caring for artificial grass is easy! If an artificial lawn sounds like something you’d like for your garden, find out more about the benefits of artificial grass, how to lay artificial grass on concrete, or discover our other range of care guides for vinyl, carpet and more.

Artificial grass may appear to be an appealing option for your home and garden, but it's not the most environmentally friendly choice. Artificial grass is typically made from petroleum-based materials and requires a significant amount of energy to manufacture, transport, and install. Natural grass, on the other hand, provides essential environmental benefits such as supporting animal and plant life and producing oxygen. If you're looking to reduce your environmental impact and create a more sustainable living space, explore eco-conscious flooring options like Tapi's TreadKindly range which features sustainable materials and manufacturing processes for inside your home.

Book a Store Appointment

Book a Home Visit

Learn more about artificial grass

The best flooring for underfloor heating

Find out more about underfloor heating, why it’s such a great way to keep your home cosy, and which flooring it works best with.

How to remove stains from your carpet

Carpet stains can be a real pain, but if you know how to deal with each different kind of stain, you will never have to worry about replacing your carpet

How to lift your carpet pile

We’ll take you through the different ways in which your carpet pile can be flattened, and then how to lift a carpet to make it look good as new.

Brown herringbone laminate flooring with sofa, dining chairs and house plants

How to lay laminate flooring

Wondering if you have what it takes to fit your own laminate flooring? We believe in you – and our step-by-step guide to laying laminate flooring too.

How to reduce heat loss through your floor

Find out the different ways you can reduce heat loss through your flooring this winter with our tips and tricks.

Best wet room flooring ideas

If you’re thinking of switching up your old bathroom for a trendy wet room, then we have written this guide just for you – check out the best flooring ideas for your new wet room.

What is a stair runner?

Stair runners aren’t just a stylish accessory for your stairs, they can also be a practical one.

Vinyl vs carpet

Picking new flooring for your home should be fun – there are so many gorgeous choices! If you’re struggling to decide between vinyl or carpet, this guide is here to help you make up your mind.

Navy lookbook

Our nautical navy lookbook is perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms alike. Check out our interior and décor ideas for this serene colour palette.

What is a wool carpet?

Today wool carpets remain a classic interior design feature for a reason – they suit both modern and traditional homes alike!

Different types of flooring finishes

Here’s the inside scoop on which flooring finishes work best on different flooring types, what the different types of flooring finishes are, and which one will be best for you.

How to flatten a rug

We’ve come up with some of the ways you can get creases out of rugs and how to flatten a rug that’s been rolled or folded when it was delivered to you.

Best flooring for home offices

If you want to pick the best flooring possible for your new home office, then you’ll want to know all the options available to you! Read through our list of different flooring types and why they might be great in your space to help you make the right decision.

The art of layering rugs

We’ve got a host of tips that’ll help you become a legend in the art of layering rugs, from colour combos to the different layering techniques you can use in different rooms.

Best flooring for a small kitchen

Wondering which type of flooring is the best for a smaller kitchen and what designs will work best? Check out Tapi Carpets’ ideas for a small kitchen for more..

How to clean vinyl floors

Cleaning vinyl flooring can be a daunting task when you don’t know what to do – read our guide to caring for vinyl flooring for all our insider tips and tricks!

Chevron vs herringbone flooring

While herringbone and chevron patterns may appear to look similar, some key differences between the two are important to know. If you want to opt for patterned wood in your home, read this guide to find out more.

Top 5 features that will sell your home for more

Wondering if it’s worth investing in new home features if you want to sell soon? Find out how upgrading your home can actually help you sell for more!

How to create a cosy bedroom

Want to create a cosy bedroom in your home and need somewhere to start? The best place to begin is with our guide to creating the perfect cosy bedroom.

Tips and tricks for upcycling your furniture

Create beautifully bespoke pieces from preloved furniture and household accessories.

Wallpaper trends for 2023 you’ll want to try

Are you hoping to refresh your home in the new year and want to know more about the latest wallpaper trends? This guide explains how you can embrace all the freshest ideas to create contemporary and stylish rooms

How to fix a squeaky floor

Find out all our tips and tricks on how to fix a squeaky floor in this helpful guide, from humidifiers to powdered graphite.

What is the best underlay for vinyl and LVT flooring?

Are you searching for the underlay that will go perfectly with the brand-new LVT or vinyl flooring you’ve just picked out? Our guide has all the information you need.

What is the best carpet underlay?

Are you hunting for the perfect underlay to go with your brand-new carpet and you’re not sure where to start? Our guide to finding the best carpet underlay takes you through all the different types of underlays you could choose between.

How to warm up a cold room in winter

Heat your home and warm up a cold room with our tried and tested tips.

How to style engineered wood flooring in your kitchen

Are you wondering if engineered wood is suitable for your kitchen? There are so many gorgeous options to choose from that are hard-wearing and stay looking good.

How to prepare your room for new flooring

If you’re having the flooring in your home replaced, then you may not be sure of what steps to take to make sure your room is ready for new flooring coming in – our guide has all the steps you need to take to prepare your room for new flooring.

How to decorate your stairs for Christmas

Find out some of the different style ideas you could try on your staircase this Christmas to add some extra tinsel and baubles to your home’s festive flair.

How to repair a carpet

If your carpet is looking a little worse for wear and could do with a little face-lift, then use this guide to help you fix some common repairs and cosmetic issues.

How to lay vinyl click flooring

Learn how to lay vinyl click flooring properly in our step-by-step guide with lots of guidance and Tapi top tips.

How to uplift and remove carpet

Find the best way to remove old carpet on your stairs and flooring.

How to protect your floors at Christmas

Check out our guide on how to protect your floor at Christmas when you have family and friends visiting or you’re thinking of putting up a tree.

Top tips for styling your coffee table

Do you want to make your living room a stylish haven? Start with your coffee table and this really handy guide to styling it perfectly.

How to dispose and recycle used carpet

Find all the information you need to properly dispose of and recycle old carpet, including the typical costs you could expect to pay.

How to style tiled flooring in your living room

Are you looking for ways to style tiled flooring in your living space? Check out our guide for plenty of ideas and styles of flooring you could try if this trend is one you’re desperate to try.

How to host the perfect dinner party

Discover how to host the perfect dinner party with our guide, including the food, the decor, the games and, of course, the post-party clean-up.

Chic flooring ideas for a blush pink bathroom

Blush pink is all the rage in interiors. Our guide will give you ideas on how to have this chic shade in your bathroom.

How to create a cosy reading nook

Discover the best reading nook ideas so you can curl up and get cosy at home and enjoy your favourite book.

What to use a spare room for: tips and trends

Find a purpose for your spare room with our handy guide – from top tips you can try or trends that you’ll love to follow, we’ve got all the inside knowledge on what to do with your spare room.

How to dress a table for Christmas

Discover Christmas table décor ideas that won’t cost a fortune in our guide to dressing a table for Christmas.

How to install commercial carpet

Discover how to install commercial carpets in your space with our comprehensive, step-by-step guide.

Top tips for decorating your home on a budget

Looking for ways to decorate your home on a tight budget and wondering where to begin? Our guide is packed full of helpful top tips on ways you can make your home feel rejuvenated, for less.

Best child-friendly flooring options

Our guide to child-friendly flooring is packed full of insightful information you can use to pick flooring for your family home that suits all your little one’s needs.

How to lay LVT flooring

This step-by-step guide to fitting LVT flooring has everything you need to fit your own luxury vinyl tiles and get perfect flooring every time.

Parisian apartment with tall windows, wooden floor and antique furniture

How to embrace the Parisian interior design trend

Create the Parisian apartment style of your dreams by following all our tips and tricks to really embrace French style in your space.

How to lay herringbone flooring

Read our guide to laying herringbone flooring, and all the steps required to ensure you get your herringbone flooring perfect every time.

Victorian-style kitchen design tips to incorporate

Read our guide to Victorian kitchen style to get all the inspiration and tips to pull together your own Victorian-style kitchen design.

White kitchen design trends

Looking to design a white kitchen? Discover the latest trends in modern and traditional white kitchen décor, colour palettes, and flooring options in this comprehensive guide.