Artificial turf cleaning and maintenance

Routine care

Start by clearing leaves and debris with a leaf blower or plastic rake, as HomeGuide advises. HomeGuide and This Old House recommend rinsing turf with a garden hose to wash off dust. Angi says leaves and branches left on turf trap moisture, decay, and damage the turf over time. UC Master Gardeners warn that debris you leave behind gets ground into the turf.

Angi says pet owners and people in dry climates may need to clean every week, while others can stretch it to every two weeks. For medium- to high-traffic areas, Angi recommends rinsing and brushing once a week. UC Master Gardeners suggest weekly or monthly care. The more use the turf gets, the closer to weekly your routine should be.

Cleaning up after dogs

Pick up solid waste with a pooper scooper, and never use a leaf blower, as Lawn Love advises. UC Master Gardeners say pet waste can’t break down and soak in as it does in soil, so remove it promptly. Angi recommends washing the spot with a dish soap and water solution, then hosing it off.

Rinse urine spots before they dry because dried urine leaves a strong odor, according to Angi. Angi recommends equal parts water and vinegar to neutralize pet odor, and a commercial cleaner made for pet owners, such as an enzyme-based turf cleaner, if that doesn’t work. Angi notes that vinegar can leave a smell when the turf heats up on a hot day. Use a gentle hose setting so you don’t blast out the infill sand, as Angi advises.

Brushing and infill

This Old House and Lawn Love recommend brushing against the grain to lift the blades and counter matting. This Old House suggests a stiff-bristle broom or a power brush where foot traffic is heavy. If you use a power broom, keep the pressure light because Lawn Love says too much pressure can damage the fibers and mat them down. Angi and Lawn Love advise against metal bristles and metal rakes.

Infill needs topping up now and then, as covered in the infill guide. LawnStarter’s 2026 guidance says it may not need a top-up every year.

What maintenance costs

LawnStarter’s 2026 figures put yearly upkeep at $250 to $350 for brushing, minimal watering, and occasional infill. Angi’s 2026 figures put maintenance and cleaning at $0.25 to $0.35 per square foot and infill replacement at $0.30 to $1.75 per pound. For a putting green, HomeGuide’s 2024 figure is $250 to $550 a year for cleaning, minor repairs, and infill. If you do the routine yourself, it costs you a hose, a broom, and the time.

Things that damage turf

Angi warns that glare off a window, especially one with low-E (low-emissivity) glass, can melt turf, as can glare off a mirror or another reflective surface. Angi says open flames from fire pits and grills burn turf, while embers and sparks damage it. Lawn Love says to keep barbecues and hot objects off turf and warns against stubbing out cigarettes on it.

Lawn Love and Angi warn that metal rakes, metal brushes, and digging tools tear turf fibers. Lawn Love says heavy outdoor furniture compresses and flattens turf. Lawn Love also warns against harsh cleaners and bleach, and says high-pressure washers weaken the blades and disturb the infill. Lawn Love and LawnStarter warn that leaf vacuums suck up the infill.