Short answer: rinse it, brush it and remove what the rain doesn't. Most artificial grass only needs a few minutes of care a week. Pet areas need a little more: a regular rinse and, now and then, an enzyme cleaner made for turf to break down urine at the source.
Artificial turf is low maintenance, not no maintenance. In South Florida, leaves, oak pollen, sand and summer storms settle into the turf fibers, and dogs leave residue in the infill. None of that harms the turf if you clean it regularly. Left alone for months, it mats the fibers, slows drainage and causes the smell people ask me about most.
The smell comes from urine residue and bacteria in the infill and backing, not from the turf fibers. Rinsing alone dilutes it; to remove it, you need to break it down.
If the smell comes back right after every rain, the problem is drainage, not cleaning. I explain why in why turf smells after rain.
To disinfect artificial turf in a dog run, a daycare or a playground, use a disinfectant labeled safe for synthetic turf, apply it after rinsing, and rinse again before kids or pets use the area. Avoid bleach and strong solvents: they can discolor the fibers and damage the backing.
Once or twice a year, a professional deep clean goes further than a hose: power brushing to lift matted fibers, removal of debris trapped in the infill, deodorizing of pet areas and an infill top-up where it has thinned. If your turf is flat, smells even after cleaning or drains slowly, our artificial turf cleaning crew can help, for turf we installed and for turf from any installer.
The best way to clean artificial grass is a little and often. Here is the routine I give every customer after we install their lawn:
Most spills on synthetic grass, like soda, juice or food, rinse off with water. For a sticky stain, use a mild cleaning solution of warm water and a little dish soap, blot it with a sponge, and rinse the area well. For gum or wax, harden it with ice and lift it off. Oil and grease need a turf-safe degreaser. Never scrub hard with a metal rake or wire brush; it can damage the turf and pull out grass fibers.
A vinegar and water solution, half and half, is a handy home remedy for light odors in a pet area. It neutralizes ammonia on the surface. It doesn't break down urine deep in the infill, though, so for a dog run used every day an enzyme cleaner made for artificial grass for dogs works better and lasts longer.
Unlike natural grass, an artificial lawn never needs mowing, fertilizer or weed spray, so artificial grass maintenance is mostly about keeping the surface clean and the infill in place. High-quality artificial grass is made to be rinsed, brushed and walked on; what damages turf is heat, sharp tools and neglect.
How often do I need to clean artificial grass? Remove leaves and rinse weekly, more often in pet areas. A deep clean of your artificial grass every few months, and a professional cleaning once or twice a year, keep it looking fresh.
Can I clean artificial grass with a hose? Yes. Cleaning grass with a hose is the easiest way to keep it clean. Just don't use a pressure washer nozzle close to the turf, or you'll wash out the infill.
Is a turf cleaner safe for pets? Use products labeled safe for pet turf, follow the label, and let the turf dry before pets use it again.
Do putting greens need special care? A putting green needs the same routine, plus regular brushing to keep the roll true; see our putting greens.
Learn how to clean and maintain artificial grass the right way, and it will keep looking its best for years.
Clean turf is a habit, not a project. A few minutes a week, a deeper clean in the pet area and a professional cleaning once or twice a year keep artificial grass fresh and green for years.
