Artificial turf infill

What infill does

HomeGuide’s 2025 guide describes infill as material spread between turf blades, usually silica sand, rubber granules, or organic alternatives. It gives the lawn stability and cushioning and helps it drain properly.

In dog areas, some infills also help control odor. This Old House’s 2026 guide says zeolite absorbs odor and controls ammonia. Turf manufacturers’ spec sheets list a recommended infill rate for each product in pounds per square foot, so the turf you pick determines how much infill goes on.

The common infill types

Silica sand is affordable and effective for most uses, according to This Old House’s 2026 guide. Angi’s 2026 guide lists it at $0.30 per pound. Acrylic-coated sand resists compaction and has antimicrobial properties, according to This Old House’s 2026 guide, and Angi’s 2026 guide lists it at $1.00 per pound.

For pet areas, This Old House’s 2026 guide says zeolite suits the job because it absorbs odor and controls ammonia. Angi’s 2026 guide lists zeolite at $1.15 per pound. This Old House’s 2026 guide says crumb rubber cushions sports fields, and Angi’s 2026 guide lists it at $1.75 per pound. City of Austin Watershed Protection staff said in November 2025 that crumb rubber is still used in playgrounds for its shock-absorbing qualities.

City of Austin Watershed Protection staff named cork, nutshells, and coconut fiber as organic infills in 2025. HomeGuide’s 2025 guide calls them “organic alternatives.” None of the cost publishers we cite lists a price for organic infill.

How much infill a lawn takes

Angi’s 2026 guide uses about 1 pound of infill per square foot of turf as a rule of thumb. Spec sheets vary by product, with 0.5 to 1 pound per square foot on a putting turf, 1 to 2 pounds on turf used in landscaping, and 2 to 2.5 pounds on a pet turf. Go by the spec sheet for the turf you’re buying. At 1 pound per square foot, a 500-square-foot lawn takes about 500 pounds of infill.

Infill for dog areas

Angi’s 2026 pet turf guide says crumb rubber and sand hold urine odors more, and some infills have antimicrobial properties. Lawn Love’s 2025 guide says antimicrobial infill is a must when pets use the lawn as a bathroom. This Old House’s 2026 guide says zeolite absorbs odor and controls ammonia, and Angi’s 2026 guide lists it at $1.15 per pound. One pet turf spec sheet recommends a pet-specific infill at 2 to 2.5 pounds per square foot.

Topping up infill

LawnStarter’s 2026 upkeep guidance includes infill replenishment as a yearly turf task, though you may not need it every year. Angi’s 2026 cost guide puts infill replacement at $0.30 to $1.75 per pound. Lawn Love’s 2025 advice says a leaf vacuum sucks up infill sand, and Angi says a strong hose or pressure washer can blast it out, so rinse on a gentle setting as part of cleaning and maintenance. New infill is spread and brushed in the same way as on install day.