Having a healthy turf lawn that can last for years is ideal if you live in Arizona. A healthy artificial lawn is not only a place you will build memories with your family and friends, but it is a place to relax and something to care for, which is good for us in its own way. That is one reason we love artificial turf, and we want to help you keep yours looking and smelling great for the long haul.
Clean turf serves many purposes. For example, if you live in Arizona, you know it gets hot! Well cared for turf can stay a little cooler. Plus, by cleaning your turf regularly, you avoid disease, bacteria, and viruses that build up and can affect you. Moreover, a clean lawn allows for proper drainage and stops the build-up of allergens, debris and other unpleasant things. Keep reading to learn more about these benefits of having your artificial turf cleaned regularly.
Cleaning Keeps Things Cool
Many people forget that turf still gets hot. Just ask your children or watch your pet run off it as they feel the heat on their feet and legs. The most optimal way to keep your turf cool as possible is to keep it clean! Once your turf is clean and cool, you can keep it that way with an awning that covers areas of the turf, by using a sprinkler, or by creating natural shade with trees and bushes. Regular cleaning is the best way to ensure your artificial turf stays cool enough to enjoy year-round.
Bacteria, Disease, Virus, Oh My
Your artificial grass is germ heaven, and children like to run on grass barefoot because it feels good. But in doing so, they could be picking up things such as ringworm, pinworm, or black mold. Then, they bring this into the house, which is the last thing you need. As far as pets go, they carry fleas, ticks, and worms and are usually the source of many of the nasty things that can get into and onto your turf. If your dog defecates on the turf regularly, there is a higher chance that parasites, viruses, and bacteria will harbor themselves in it which your children could pick up and bring into the home.
A regular cleaning regiment can keep such unwanted ugliness away and allow you and your family to enjoy your turf without worry. An article in The Washington Post goes more in-depth on this subject and makes similar claims. Especially poignant in the article was the fact that over time the material in the infill and blades of the turf can break down and turn into dust, which children can inhale, and that is not something you want your child, pet, or yourself breathing continuously. Cleaning and proper turf maintenance ensures this will not happen.
Improper Infill Absorbs Urine and Other Moisture
Infill is those tiny crumbs or brownish looking sand in the grass that help support the blades. Certain kinds can be made from crumbled tires, which can be toxic. Thus, this or the wrong kind of infill in your grass can trap odors, bacteria, urine, and even harm your health and the health of your pets.
Types of Infill to Avoid When You Have Pets:
- Rubber crumb (mentioned above)
- Silica sand
- Biofill
- Envirofill
- Zeolite
These types of infill and pet deodorizers should be avoided for many reasons. A good quality pet infill is designed to deodorize and sanitize. Many of these will just trap in moisture and begin to stink badly over time. This is especially bad with silica sand. An experienced and knowledgeable installer will know what type of pet infill is best for your situation and environment.
Once you know you have the right type of infill, cleaning your artificial turf will help ensure the infill stays clean so it can do its job. In turn, your turf will last longer, feel better, look better, be more stable, and smell fresh.
The amount of pet infill or deodorizer is important too. 1 to 3 pounds per sqft is the required amount of per infill you need in order for it to do its job properly. for 1000 sqft of turf you need at leas 1000 pounds of per infill. 50 to 100 pounds will not work.
De-Compacting
De-compacting is the process of cleaning out all the little things that collect in your synthetic turf over time. This process helps to remove the following:
- Pet hair
- Leaves
- Rocks
- Dust
- Debris
When these and other items get stuck in your grass, it cannot drain properly. The cluster of stuff – yes, that is a technical term – that gets stuck in your synthetic grass blocks the drainage holes that let water and other moisture drain. Acceptable turf will drain 30 gallons per square yard. However, compacted turf drains less, and this will cause bacteria to develop while increasing the temperature of your synthetic grass. In an already hot climate, the last thing you need is hotter grass because it is compacted due to lack of a good regular cleaning. Plus, who wants all that stuff in their grass? Ew! If you need to learn more about how compacted artificial turf is detrimental, read this from the U.S. National Institute of Health.
Allergies and Air Quality
Achoo! That is the sound of you sneezing because your synthetic grass is full of dust, pet hair, and pollen. Allergies due to unclean turf make sense when you think about it. As we have discussed, many common allergens such as dirt, pet hair, or pollen can get trapped in your turf. As you move about on the lawn or the wind picks up, it will kick up those trapped particles and irritate your allergies and expose you to poor air quality. The most effective way to keep your artificial lawn allergen-free, is to clean the turf regularly.
We hope you see a simple theme. Unclean synthetic grass is unhealthy for you, and regularly cleaned grass keeps you and the environment happy and healthy. By cleaning your artificial grass in regularly, you are keeping it cool, free of bacteria, viruses, and other diseases, keeping the infill in good shape, and keeping it from compacting. In doing this, your turf will last longer, stay cooler, look better, and give you peace of mind knowing it is not going to harm you or your family, including your four-legged friends.
Want to see if your synthetic turf needs some love? Schedule a free on-site turf inspection today!
