Why it happens
Debris works into the pile and holds moisture, which lets moss and weeds establish along joints and edges. Pet use leaves residue in the backing, and foot traffic flattens the fibres where the infill has thinned.
What to do about it
Do this yourself between professional visits.
- Brush the pile against the lay of the fibres with a stiff broom, never a wire brush
- Clear leaves and debris promptly, since anything left behind holds damp
- Rinse pet areas with plain water after use rather than leaving them
- Pull weeds at joints and edges as soon as they appear
- Keep the perimeter clear of soil and mulch, which is where moss starts
- Avoid strong bleach or solvent cleaners, which damage the backing and the fibres
The mistake to avoid
Do not attack it with a high-pressure washer. High pressure blows out the sand infill and splits the pile, and replacing infill costs more than the clean would have.
How we handle it
Artificial grass is low maintenance, not no maintenance. Moss creeps in at the edges, pet use leaves odour in the backing, and the pile flattens where people walk. We lift the debris, treat the surface, deal with the smell at source and brush the pile back up so the lawn looks like it did when it went down.
- Power brush to lift and re-set the pile
- Artificial-turf-safe sanitiser
- Enzyme treatment on pet odour
- Kiln-dried silica infill top-up
- Low-pressure rinse that will not displace infill
The service behind this guide
Deep cleaning, sanitising and re-fluffing for artificial lawns.
See Artificial Grass Cleaning