Shawgrass Maintenance Guidlines

Artificial grass will substantially reduce the quantity of effort and money you spend on maintaining your turf. But that doesn’t mean you completely “ignore it.” Following these straightforward suggestions will remarkably extend the lifespan and performance of your artificial grass:

• Regularly clean surface consistently (particles and contaminant elimination)
• Avoid car traffic, immense weight, etc.
• Verify that small maintenance to your surface are made immediately.

Cleaning Products Safe For Artificial Grass

Enzyme Cleaners: SCOE 10X. Odormute, Odoban, PET Stain-Off! and more. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use. These cleaners can be found on online sources.

Vinegar: Use 5% white distilled vinegar and apply it through the surface.

Green Cleaners: Shaw R2X, Turf Renu, or any type of cleaner that does not contain alcohol, is biodegradable, non-foaming, and products that cause the lowest suds are preferred.

Degreasers or Mineral Spirits: These solutions can be used for removing paint or petroleum-based stains. However, you must thoroughly rinse these solutions out of the turf. If you don’t, it can cause issues down the road.

Dishwashing Liquid/Household Detergent: Combine dishwashing soap or detergent and water (1 tsp/gal) for targeted stain removal

Bleach: Employed to kill moss and algae prior to cleaning. Dilute bleach (one part bleach to 10 parts water solution). Make sure to thoroughly rinse the bleach solution from the turf with water.

Ammonia: A solution with 3% ammonia concentration may be used rather than common soap for persistent dirt or stains.

How to Handle Stains

Artificial grass fibers are among the most stain-resistant fibers. Therefore, many stains on Shawgrass are not actual stains but residues of foreign matter that must be quickly and completely removed. Many stains on synthetic turf can be removed with water or soap and water. The first rule is swift action. It’s much easier to clean up a recent accident before it has time to dry.

1. Eliminate any solid or paste-like residue promptly using a butter knife or spatula.
2. Carefully brush the leftover material with a stiff brush (excluding wire brushes).
3. Clean the spot with a mixture of soap and water.
4. Rinse the area thoroughly with clear water to remove any soap.

Maintenance Care

• Routine maintenance is necessary but varies depending on how it's used.
• Using a leaf blower is effective for clearing leaves and pine needles from trees on a regular basis. These can trap moisture and keep the turf from drying out. Blow blow back and forth across the surface to avoid disturbing the infill.
• In areas prone to moss or algae growth, it is recommended to periodically treat with a bleach solution. Dilute bleach (solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water).
• For areas susceptible to erosion of infill or frequent foot traffic, additional grooming and infill may be required (professional grooming is recommended).
• Heavily soiled areas may require the services of professional power washing.

Pet Care

1. Collect and get rid of waste materials promptly. Irrigate the area locally but don’t blast solid waste away. This just distributes the waste over a bigger area.
2. During dry conditions, it’s okay to allow solid waste to solidify before disposing of it. In wetter conditions, clear away all debris immediately to prevent the solids from falling apart.
3. You need to assume pets are urinating and clean the entire surface when sanitizing and eliminating odor. Most sanitizing products require a gallon per 500 ft² of turf to attain proper saturation. Use sprinkler on most hose nozzles to sprinkle water over the site to move the treatments down through the turf.
4. The frequency the area needs to be groomed varies depending on the amount of waste and the areas usage. One dog may only require sanitizing on a weekly, whereas many dogs may need sanitation on a daily basis.
5. Hose down any fluids with pure water. The backing is porous, so water and pet urine will be absorbed into the soil.
6. During the winter and rainy seasons, water application is not necessary. During the summer months, the area should be irrigated weekly with full-strength cleaners to wash treatments deeply into the grass.
7. Substrates, including concrete or wood, should be cleansed as needed. Avoid cleaners with alcohol or strong acidic solutions, as these can harm the blade of grass. (Glued installations should be washed and rinsed regularly).

Always Use Caution

• In situations involving any compounds or even vinegar, it is crucial to use proper Personal Protective Equipment.
• Heat and open flame exposure will require replacing the affected area! Always use caution with flames around synthetic turf.