Artificial grass can often be a viable alternative to the real deal; it does not require watering or mowing throughout the year like traditional grass, and will always look smart and well kept. It can be costly to overhaul your entire lawn, but in the long-term this may be more viable. Although artificial grass is quite low maintenance, that doesn't mean that it is no maintenance. You will still need to work to keep it in a good condition throughout the year. Here are our key steps to keep your artificial lawn looking its best all year round.

1. Brush The Lawn Early In Lifespan

Within the first 6-8 weeks after it has been laid, you will need to lightly brush the grass on a regular basis. When lawns are newly laid, they use sand to aid the structure of the turf, so you will need to make sure this is evenly spread to keep the fibres upright and the lawn looking its best.

Once the lawn has become more established, you should still look to brush the lawn every so often depending on how much usage it gets. A light brushing will keep the grass blades upright and looking their best throughout the year. Make sure you brush in lots of different conditions. Your lawn won’t look as good as it could with a comb over.

2. Remove Debris

Much like its organic counterpart, the artificial lawn is just as susceptible to debris and falling leaves. Most artificial lawns have a membrane that can allow water to filter through and, as a result, weeds can grow through the turf, so be sure to keep an eye out. As you will not be able to dig the plant out, you will have two options. You could remove just the top layer of the weed and focus purely on the aesthetics, but this technique won’t really address the root of the problem. Your other option is to use a weed or moss killer, but it is VERY important to make sure it is a water-based solution so you don't damage your lawn.

When dealing with falling leaves or dead plants, you should look to remove them as quickly as possible; this can be collected by hand, or by using a leaf blower or vacuum. A build up of organic matter will only speed up weed growth as the leaves can damage the lawns drainage. 

3. Stain Removal

This is one way in which the artificial lawn definitely has one over on the regular variety. The majority of artificial lawns are made from a handy resistant material so most marks can be removed easily with hot soapy water or washing up liquid. Any tougher marks from materials like oil can be removed using a cloth and some mineral spirits. You should never use detergents such as bleach. 

4. Beware Of The Dog

Man’s best friend isn’t necessarily an artificial lawn’s best friend. If a dog has a habit of digging around the garden, this can be dangerous for the lawn as it can rip the lawn underlay. Should your beloved pooch relieve itself on your lawn this will need to be cleaned up straight away and then washed quickly so as not to damage the lawn. 

5. Be Aware Of Heavy Items

It is always natural to want some heavy items on a lawn. A garden is there to be enjoyed after all. It is worth exercising caution, however, as some heavy items such as outdoor swimming pools, trampolines or benches can damage the grass fibres. Often this isn’t critical, as the majority of the time they have just been flattened to the ground and can be brushed back to its former glory. You will need to consider this, however, when you come to place heavy items on the lawn, as over time the imprint may still be visible even after the grass fibres have been brushed back to an upright position.

6. Keep Sources Of Heat Away From The Lawn

One of the biggest dangers that the artificial lawn will come across is sources of high heat. Bonfires, fireworks or cigarettes should be kept well away from the lawn, as the lawn cannot recover if the extreme heat damages them. Barbecues should also be kept well clear on a stone or gravel floor far enough away that any sparks cannot fly onto the lawn. The last thing you want is for your lawn to melt slightly as a result of the heat. In some cases, it can be repairable but even in these cases it will still be visible.

7. Avoid Improper Footwear

One major benefit of the regular grass lawn is that they are pretty quick to bounce back after studded or sharp footwear are used. The artificial lawn will have no such tenacity. It is therefore imperative that no football boots or stilettos are worn on the lawn. They can cause irreparable damage to the grass and the lawn as a whole so are to be avoided at all times. 

8. Be Aware Of Mirrors And Reflections From Windows.

This point is hugely dependent on where the lawn is in comparison to your house, and also its relative position to the sun. Mirrors and reflections from windows can reflect the sunlight focusing it on the lawn, which can end up causing serious damage during the hotter months. The reflected light can end up melting the lawn and often the damage is irreparable.