Synthetic turf is a low-maintenance landscaping option that allows you to enjoy the look and feel of natural grass without the hours of watering, mowing, fertilizing, aerating, edging and general upkeep. While this is definitely one of its most popular features, it does not mean that fake grass is completely maintenance-free; just like other hardscapes and softscapes in your yard, it does require a little effort to keep it clean and well maintained.

The type and frequency of artificial turf maintenance you need to perform will depend on how your lawn is used, how often it is used, and where you live. For example, if you share your home with children or pets who frequently enjoy your lawn, you may need to fluff it more often or you may need to clean pet restroom areas more often to avoid odors. Folks living in particularly dusty areas will likely want to rinse their lawns more frequently. Folks who live in an area that gets a lot of rain will likely not need to rinse their lawn as often as folks who live in drier climates.

It is important to keep in mind that keeping your synthetic turf clean is integral to extending its longevity as much as possible and getting the most out of your investment. Maintaining your lawn is also key in keeping artificial grass looking new and functioning properly.

For the most part, folks can simply spray down their manufactured lawns about once a month to remove dirt and debris but, depending on your situation, this may not be enough. For example, if you have pets that shed a lot of hair or nearby trees that drop small leaves and debris, you may be at the point where you are wondering if you can just vacuum artificial grass to make debris removal faster and easier.

So, let’s take a look at that option and some other options you might want to consider.

Can You Vacuum Artificial Grass?

There are two primary concerns with vacuuming artificial grass. The first is that the vacuum can suck up your infill, which is an integral part of your lawn and is what gives it that soft, cushiony feel that is similar to natural grass. The second concern is that it is possible that the suction from a powerful vacuum, particularly if used repeatedly over time, could loosen the synthetic turf, which could cause shifting or sagging and would require repair.

It may be possible to use a bagless vacuum cleaner, put the debris through a sifter to separate out the infill, and then redistribute the infill. However, this is a lot of work, and it may be difficult to determine which areas need to have the infill replenished. After all, you installed fake grass so that you could spend less time and energy caring for your lawn, and trying to separate infill from leaves does not sound like a fun way to spend the afternoon.

Now, it should be noted that some artificial turf does not have infill. If you happen to have grass with no infill, then a vacuum sucking up the infill is not an issue. However, you should still be mindful of the potential for loosening your lawn by repeatedly adding suction.

With all of this said, there are folks who vacuum fake grass and report no issues with loosening or missing infill. Plus, we are aware of at least one artificial grass vacuum that is advertised specifically for cleaning manufactured turf.

So, the answer to can you vacuum artificial grass is, yes, you can vacuum fake grass. However, while it is possible, is likely better to try other options first. We do not recommend vacuuming your lawn and, instead, recommend following a maintenance protocol that does not remove the infill or loosen the installation.

Alternatives to Vacuuming Artificial Grass

It is important to keep your grass clean to help ensure a long lifespan and for you, your guests, your children, and your pets to be able to fully enjoy it. But before you resort to vacuuming your lawn, let’s look at some other options that will effectively clean synthetic grass without the risks associated with using a vacuum.

If your grass is dusty or has some small debris on it, you can effectively clean it by rinsing it down with a garden hose. If the garden hose does not quite do the trick, you can also sweep your lawn with a broom or, to remove leaves, pet hair, or larger debris, you can rake it. Be sure to use a plastic rake or one designed for raking artificial grass. Metal rakes can damage your lawn.

If your synthetic lawn does not have infill, a pressure washer is an easy way to clean it and can also work to fluff it. Pressure washers can be particularly effective at helping folks avoid odors in pet restroom areas and can be used to remove pet hair. However, if your lawn has infill, it is best to not use a pressure washer to clean it.

For folks who are not able to sweep or rake their lawns, it is possible to use a blower to remove dust and debris from your lawn. Just keep in mind that a strong blower can disturb the infill, so this is not the best option for folks who have manufactured lawns with infill.

The best methods for cleaning artificial grass depend on what you are trying to clean. To help you determine the easiest and most effective way to clean your lawn without vacuuming, here are posts pertaining to specific issues:

• Artificial Grass Maintenance: How to Clean Artificial Grass Guide
• How to Remove Pet Hair from Artificial Turf
• Artificial Grass Cleaning Products: Which Ones Are Best?

Keep in mind that you can also schedule a professional turf company to maintain and clean your artificial grass. Professional cleaning services are great for removing pet hair, fluffing flattened grass, and treating pet urine smells, while also checking for seams, drainage issues, or infill compaction that needs attention.

If pet urine odors are the main issue you are dealing with, you can easily take care of this issue on your own with Urine Zero, a microbial, non-toxic solution that is safe for use around pets and kids. Order Urine Zero today to be on your way to an odor-free lawn for your family and pets to enjoy.