Using Artificial Turf Maintenance To Get Rid of Moss
During the wetter times of year in Los Angeles and Santa Ana, moss, mold, and other lawn nuisances can creep into your artificial grass if you’re lax with your synthetic grass maintenance. Although synthetic turf is far less maintenance than natural grass and incurs these issues less frequently, it is still possible to find moss growing in your artificial grass lawn. To eliminate existing moss and prevent future moss from growing on your synthetic turf lawn, follow these quick steps this winter and spring.
Clear Your Artificial Turf Lawn
Before attempting to remove any existing moss, you’ll need to prep the area. Begin by removing all conditions that facilitate moss growth so you can prevent it from happening in the future. Examples include large debris, leaves, pet hair and anything that may obstruct your drainage system. Rake away debris using a comb with synthetic bristles; metal tongs such as those found in traditional rakes can damage your synthetic turf’s blades and shorten the lifespan of your lawn.
TurFresh’s TurfComb is specially designed for artificial grass, utilizing polypropylene plastic bristles that won’t damage your turf blades. The TurfComb is highly effective at removing pet hair, aerating your turf, and removing any other objects obstructing your drainage. Once your lawn is cleared of debris, consider trimming any trees or vegetation which may leave more debris on your lawn in the future.
Apply a Cleaner
After clearing your lawn and preparing the area, apply your choice of cleaning product to kill the moss. Make sure that you do this on a sunny and dry day so that you have a higher chance of fully eliminating the moss; rain soon after cleaning can encourage additional growth. Cleaning agents recommended for removing moss from artificial grass include commercial moss killers, artificial grass cleaning products such as TurFresh BioS+ or a vinegar solution.
If you choose a commercial moss killer, make sure that it’s safe for use on synthetic turf. Perform a patch test on a small section of your lawn before applying it more widely to ensure that it doesn’t damage your turf blades. If you opt for a homemade vinegar solution, mix distilled white vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio and apply to the moss with a spray bottle. After spraying your chosen cleaning solution, allow it to soak into the area for a few minutes before scrubbing with a sponge.
Rinse the Area
After scrubbing, allow the solution to sit on the lawn for another 10 minutes before thoroughly rinsing down the affected area. This will clear away any of the moss remnants and the remaining cleaning solution. You can also rake or sweep away the moss if it detaches from the turf in larger patches.
Keep Up Artificial Grass Maintenance
One of the most common causes of moss growth in artificial grass is poor drainage. Since moss and mold grow in warm, damp areas, pools of water created by inadequate drainage systems create the perfect environment for these nuisances to grow. If you want to prevent moss in the future, the best thing to do is keep up routine artificial grass maintenance processes, whether DIY or professional.
Professional synthetic turf maintenance services such as those offered by TurFresh will help keep your turf in its best shape by ensuring that the turf blades are fluffed and upright, drainage is unobstructed, and odors are eliminated. Our comprehensive 10-point cleaning process covers everything you need to keep your lawn fresh and clean year-round, reducing your risk of developing moss in the future and eliminating any existing spores.
To learn more about TurFresh’s artificial turf maintenance services or book your first appointment, give us a call today at (813) 798-5625 or fill out our online contact form. If you want to try synthetic grass maintenance for yourself, you can visit our online store for a wide range of turf cleaning products that are specially created for artificial grass, including our famous and best-selling TurFresh BioS+ turf deodorizer. At TurFresh, we have everything you need to defeat stubborn moss and keep your synthetic grass pristine all year round.