How Often Should I Clean My Turf?

With Texas and New Mexico’s sizzling summers and cold winter nights, artificial turf is an attractive and environmentally friendly solution that keeps your yard looking great year-round. In addition to saving time and money watering your lawn every month, the low-maintenance aspect of synthetic grass is one of the primary reasons homeowners choose to install synthetic turf in their yard. You’ll no longer spend long hours on weekends each month mowing, edging, weed eating, and doing basic landscaping.

Artificial turf is significantly easier to maintain than regular grass and small gardens. To keep your turf looking and feeling its best we recommend regular cleanings throughout the year.

As a general rule, it is a good idea to have a monthly artificial turf cleaning routine. Your turf should be thoroughly cleaned and inspected once per month. This will help prevent bacteria buildup, matting, accumulation of water, mold, and excessive wear and tear.

Each and every property is unique, so we recommend contacting a turf maintenance specialist (like Magic Turf Cleaning) to inspect your property and determine the best cleaning frequency.

Understanding Texas and New Mexico’s Climate and Its Impact on Artificial Turf

Texas and New Mexico’s intense heat, dry air, and high UV exposure can cause turf fibers to break down faster if not properly cared for. Dust, debris, and the occasional rainstorm add to the mix, making consistent maintenance essential. With proper TLC, your turf will remain soft, resilient, and ready for outdoor fun at any time.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Tending to your turf weekly is basic maintenance. This requires using a blower or plastic rake to remove any loose leaves or dust and then lightly hosing the grass fibers to rinse and remove light dust and debris.

PET OWNERS

Remove solid waste using a baggie or scooper and hose down the area where your pet urinates.

MONTHLY TURF MAINTENANCE – HIRE THE PROS

Monthly turf maintenance is more involved. It requires some professional grade tools and some steps. Let’s outline the steps.

1.Inspect the condition of your turf: Your artificial turf is inspected for wear, tear, and any areas that may be coming loose.

2.Remove any debris from the area: this includes pet waste , leaves, dirt, blown in debris, and food waste (if you eat on or over your turf).

3.Weed Removal: Remove any weeds from the edge of your artificial turf or any weeds growing through your turf. Even if a weed barrier was installed before your artificial turf, stubborn weeds can still grow through. Removing these weeds is an essential part of keeping your turf enjoyable for years to come.

4.Leaf Blower: To get rid of the last bit of loose debris, a leaf blower is used to blow it all into one place before it is collected and disposed of.

5.Magnet Sweep: Turf staples and nails can come loose over time. They can come out whole, or sometimes, they break and come out in pieces. The best way to find these metal pieces is by using a magnet sweeper after debris and weeds have been removed (much better than finding it with your bare feet). A magnet sweeper is a magnetic broom on wheels that collects any loose metallic objects in your yard.

If you live in a new construction area, magnet sweeping is very important, as finishing nails and other metals from new construction areas can be blown into your turf from dust storms or accidentally find their way there from construction crew leftovers (such as roofing nails from your future neighbor).

 6.Power Broom: This is a special tool used by turf maintenance pros. A power broom is a motorized broom that is used for sweeping, cleaning, and surface preparation (especially artificial turf). Its rotating bristles are designed to remove stubborn debris like leaves and dirt, untangle matted grass, and lift flat turf to give it that “fluffy” new appearance again that can degrade over time due to heavy use or the use of outdoor garden furniture.

7.Turf Vacuum: Many turf power brooms also include a vacuum feature to suck up dirt, dust, and other debris. Sometimes a special attachment is also used on certain types of shop vacs to serve the same purpose.

8.Power Wash: Power washing is an amazing and effective way of effectively cleaning artificial turf. However, leave this to the pros, as improperly power washing your turf can remove fibers or cause other damage if not done properly or with the right pressure nozzle or angle. Power washing your turf removes stubborn dust, debris, and other unwanted compacted materials that may accumulate in your turf.

9.High Quality Disinfectant: Turf maintenance pros should be using high quality, pet and child safe, environmentally friendly disinfectants with bacteria and odor eating enzymes to keep your turf looking, feeling, and smelling fresh. This step is especially important if your artifical turf is frequently used by children and pets, as dirty turf can be a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, fungi, and viruses.

10.Granular Deodorizer: Small granules are spread into your turf that start working on contact. Granular deodorizer keeps your turf cleaner, fresher, and smelling beautiful longer. The granular deodorizer is safe for use around kids and pets.

Professional monthly turf maintenance will help keep your turf enjoyable and looking new for years to come. Regularly scheduled monthly cleanings will keep weekly maintenance to a low time consuming task and keep your turf picture perfect.

FOR PET OWNERS

Here at Magic Turf Distributors, we love our four-legged friends, they are part of our family. However, when they use our turf several times a day for both pooping and peeing, it is important to clean the area of feces and urine. Regular weekly maintenance as mentioned above can help keep your turf looking great. We highly recommend monthly scheduled cleanings for pet owners (especially those with children) to keep your turf clean and free of bacteria, fungi, mold, and viruses so you, your pets, and your children can enjoy your turf without worry!

COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

DON’T WAIT TOO LONG

The biggest mistake in artificial turf care is allowing too much time between cleanings, which accelerates wear. A monthly cleaning is often suggested, but remember: the longer the delay, the greater the stress on the turf.

The best approach is to seek expert advice. Ask your turf maintenance professional to evaluate elements like debris, climate, and usage to pinpoint the optimal maintenance schedule.

AVOID METAL RAKES

Never use metal rakes or similar hard tools on your artificial turf. These materials can easily pierce the protective layers and membranes of the turf, leading to permanent damage. To safely remove debris, always opt for soft-bristled rakes and brushes.

BE CAREFUL IF YOU INTEND TO PRESSURE WASH YOUR TURF YOURSELF

Despite their cleaning power, pressure washers pose a risk: the high force can dislodge the infill and harm the artificial turf's backing, leading to issues like poor drainage and odors. The safest cleaning method is a standard garden hose. If you insist on using a pressure washer, it must be set to its lowest setting and held far away from the surface. The safest way to pressure wash your turf is to hire a turf maintenance professional to do it for you.

CONCLUSION

To keep your synthetic grass looking great over the long term, make routine cleaning a priority. Implementing simple weekly and monthly maintenance ensures your grass stays perfectly green and fresh for years to come.

Get Your Turf Cleaned By Professionals

Regular turf cleaning is key to maintaining a beautiful outdoor space and avoiding issues such as unpleasant odors. While you can handle basic maintenance yourself, a professional service offers the added benefit of simultaneous inspection and deep cleaning.

Magic Turf Distributors has the hands-on expertise required for installing, cleaning, and maintaining turf in any yard setting. Reach out to Magic Turf now to discuss professional turf cleaning and maintenance options.