Caring for your Artificial Grass

Artificial grass offers the perfect way to enjoy a lush, green lawn all year round. And while it doesn’t need a huge amount of TLC, there are a few key maintenance tasks you can carry out to really make the most of your synthetic turf.

Our tips and tricks are here to make caring for your artificial grass a breeze — from the initial installation to regular checks that will ensure your lawn looks vibrant and clean no matter the season.

Ensuring Proper Installation

Caring for your artificial grass starts with effective installation. Often, the issues homeowners face with their artificial lawn — from water pooling to lifted turf — stem from improper installation. Preparing your foundation, trimming the grass properly, and using the right infill can all provide the best base for a strong, long-lasting artificial lawn.

How To Cut Artificial Grass

Cutting artificial grass may seem counterintuitive — after all, it doesn’t grow like natural grass! However, when you’re installing your artificial lawn, it’s important to trim it to size, particularly if you’re fitting your lawn up against a wall or fence. 

To get a clean cut, you’ll need heavy-duty scissors, a utility knife, or shears, and we recommend sharpening the blades if they haven’t been used for a while. This will prevent any tearing. It’s also best to wear gardening gloves to protect your hands. 

  • Measuring: Before cutting your turf, first measure your garden area to make sure you have the right amount of artificial grass.
  • Trim the excess backing: You’ll see that the backing on your lawn extends beyond the grass blades — trim this away to avoid any bunching.
  • Cut from the back: Always face the turf away from you, so you can see the backing. This will allow you to see the stitching that holds the blades in place. You’ll want to cut around these stitches, rather than through, as cutting through them can weaken your artificial grass.
  • Cutting up to an edge: Do you need to install your grass against a patio? To get a seamless finish, place the roll of artificial grass over the patio and pull back an excess so you can trim the excess away from the back. You may need to cut away small pieces until you have a smooth edge.
  • Cutting around trees: If you’re installing artificial grass in a space that has trees, flower beds, or other plants, you’ll need to create space around them so they can continue to grow.

You can do this by cutting an ‘X’ at the edge of your grass. Then, carefully move the X up against the tree so it slides around it. From there, you can cut a circle around the trunk — the same technique can be applied to other obstacles.

How To Secure Artificial Grass Edges

Securing the edges of your artificial grass is another essential part of the installation process. By making sure the edges are firmly fastened, you lower the risk of your turf sinking into the mesh and soil. 

To make sure your artificial grass edges are well secured, you can use a strong adhesive, like our Aquabond Adhesive. This will help your grass backing stick firmly to the underlay — an adhesive comb can ensure an even layer that covers the full area. 

Take care around the edges of your turf. To strengthen the edges further, add Artificial Grass 6” Fixing nails, placing one every 30 cm around the perimeter of your artificial grass. 

Drainage

Your artificial grass is designed to stay vibrant, rain or shine. But when the heavens open, the last thing you want is a water-logged mess that can lead to mud, mould, and other unpleasantries. With proper drainage in place, you won’t need to worry about that — plus, effective drainage can prolong the lifespan of your grass. 

With this in mind, when installing your artificial grass, you want to make sure you have a suitable underlay. There are several underlays (or sub-bases) to choose from, including gravel, paver base, and sand. Placing your grass over one of these underlays lowers the risk of water building up and pooling within the blades. Instead, rain will filter through the underlay particles and drain away. 

If you live in an area with heavy rainfall, we recommend gravel or crushed stone, as paving slabs may not provide the level of drainage you need.

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Sand Infill

Sand infill helps prevent your artificial grass from shifting and rippling. Adding a layer over your turf can keep your artificial lawn in place and reduce any matting. 

At Artificial Grass Direct, we use the finest quality artificial lawn material, and our products include curly thatched under yarn to support the grass fibres. This means that sand infill isn’t an essential component for your artificial grass, however, it can be a useful addition if your lawn is likely to see lots of wear and tear. 

If you have children or pets playing in the garden, it can be a great way to add extra stability, and there are other benefits to a layer of sand infill, too. For example, our Envirofill 16/30 Pet Infill is perfect for households with animals — it can tackle odours, improve drainage, and includes Microban® antimicrobial innovation to keep your grass clean and safe. Pair this with our pet-specific artificial grass for dogs, and you’ll have the ideal space for your four-legged friends!

How Often Should You Top Up Your Artificial Grass Infill?

Sand infill should keep your artificial grass in good condition for a long time, but it’s worth doing an annual top-up or sprinkling some more if your grass starts to droop or shows signs of matting. 

Depending on how much footfall and use your artificial lawn gets, we suggest an infill top-up every 12 to 18 months. The start of spring or summer is a perfect time to do this, as it will prepare your grass for more use in pleasant weather and ensure it’s well-established for the change of weather in the autumn.

Keeping Pet Odours At Bay

Artificial grass can be a great option for households with pets — it offers the chance for your cat or dog (or even lizard!) to spend time outside without treading in mud. However, you may be wondering how to keep your lawn free from pet odours. 

Urine and other pet mess can lead to persistent smells, but with the right products and techniques, you can keep your garden fresh and odour-free. 

Firstly, we recommend choosing an artificial lawn turf that’s not only pet-friendly but specifically designed for pets. Our pet-specific artificial grass has a polyurethane backing, which won’t absorb urine. Instead, the liquid will run through the drainage holes and into the sub-base.

We also offer a dedicated, non-toxic pet infill — Envirofill 16/30 Pet Infill, which is antimicrobial and filters out bacteria. It also converts urine into ammonia. This deodorising sand is the perfect solution for keeping your grass fresh smelling and cool in the summer.

For a more in-depth look at the best ways to clean your artificial grass, including weekly and monthly routines, have a read of our dedicated cleaning guide.

Keeping Your Artificial Grass Clean

As well as helping keep your artificial grass cool, regular cleaning can make sure your lawn is a lovely place to spend time in. It will also keep it in tip-top condition, prolonging its lifespan. So, what are the key steps to take to keep your artificial grass clean, hygienic, and tidy? 

Debris

Firstly, you want to make sure no debris is left on your grass for long periods. If leaves are allowed to lay dormant on your grass for an extended time, they can start to break down and encourage weed and moss growth. (When installing your artificial lawn, we always recommend adding a weed membrane to reduce the risk of unwanted plant growth).

To further protect your lawn from pesky weeds, use a stiff brush to brush against the grass pile and occasionally hose the area down. You may also want to consider using a power brush to help to remove any embedded debris — it will also rejuvenate the pile of your grass and have it looking brand new.

Another option is to use a vacuum cleaner or leaf blower to remove leaves, twigs, and other dirt or debris. 

Tackling Weeds

If you’re already at a stage where your grass has moss and weed buildup, using weed killer is a valid option. However, it’s important to make sure your chosen solution doesn’t contain bleach or solvents, as these can affect the UV coating on your grass. 

If you’d prefer a chemical-free solution, you can use hot water and white vinegar — just make sure not to use boiling water, as this can melt your turf!

Weather-proofing Your Artificial Grass 

A common question we hear about artificial grass is how weatherproof it is. After all, it’s designed to be outside all year round, so it has to face the UK’s weather conditions. 

The good news is that our artificial grass products are robust and durable, designed to withstand sun, rain, and more. But how can you keep your turf looking its best as the seasons change?

UV Protection And Melting

You’ll find that all of our grasses are UV-protected, with most guaranteed for 10 years. (There are some exceptions in our ‘Classic’ range, which are UV-protected for 5-7 years — this is specified in the product description). This UV protection helps slow down fading, so your lawn stays greener for longer. 

While UV protection is essential for keeping your grass looking its best in the sun, it’s important to know that localised heat can still melt your lawn — and melting isn’t usually covered by your manufacturer’s warranty. 

The sun reflecting off a window, outdoor mirrors, and glass tables can all lead to melted patches. But don’t worry, you can still enjoy patio doors and reflective ornaments in your garden — you’ll just need to find a way to reduce the amount of glare on your artificial grass. Here are a few solutions:

  • Apply anti-glare film to your windows and patio doors.

  • Add sand infill to disperse the heat.

  • Regularly remove any debris, including leaves and twigs, as these can trap heat on very hot days.

How To Keep Your Artificial Grass Cool

Did you know that artificial grass can reach up to 70℃ in direct sunlight? Because of its composition, it can get a lot hotter than a natural lawn. 

It’s particularly important to recognise this if you have a furry friend, as temperatures of 48℃ can lead to burnt paws. To keep your pet’s feet safe, ensure a comfortable temperature for yourself, and reduce the risk of melted turf in the summer, there are a few ways to keep your grass cool. 

  • Planting trees and shrubs can help create shade.

  • Sprinkling cold water with a hose or watering can is also a fast and effective way to cool your lawn down.

  • You can also add a gazebo or awning to create a shaded area — ideal for garden parties and gatherings.

  • Install pet-specific artificial grass, like our Pet Luxury 38mm grass, which has more space between blades for better airflow and is often available in lighter pile shades to help reflect heat.

  • Regularly clean your artificial lawn to help reduce build-up and debris that can trap heat.

Keep Your Artificial Grass In The Best Condition With Artificial Grass Direct

As well as providing premium artificial grass options with a variety of blade lengths and designs, we have all the accessories you need to keep your lawn looking its best.

 Whether you want to create a clean, safe play area for your children and pets, you plan to use your lawn for parties in the summer, or you want to make sure your turf is protected through the winter, we’re on hand to help. 

Take a look at our blog for more guidance on looking after your artificial grass, and invest in the best-quality turf and lawn care products with Artificial Grass Direct.

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