How to Maintain Artificial Turf: Complete Care Guide

One of the biggest selling points of artificial turf is that it’s low maintenance. And that’s absolutely true—compared to natural grass, you’re looking at a fraction of the work. But “low maintenance” doesn’t mean “no maintenance.” After installing turf for over 20 years across North Georgia, I can tell you that the homeowners who do a little basic care get turf that still looks brand new a decade later. The ones who completely ignore it? Their turf still holds up, but it doesn’t look as sharp.

Here’s the complete care guide I give every LawnLogic customer after we finish an install. These are simple, straightforward tasks that anyone can do.

Weekly Maintenance (5 Minutes)

Once a week, take a quick walk across your turf and do a visual inspection. You’re looking for any debris—leaves, sticks, pet waste, or anything that’s settled on the surface. Most of this can be handled with a leaf blower or a stiff-bristle broom.

Brushing the Fibers

This is the single most important thing you can do for your turf. Use a stiff synthetic-bristle broom (never wire bristles—they’ll damage the fibers) and brush against the grain of the turf blades. This does two things: it keeps the blades standing upright so they look natural, and it redistributes the infill evenly across the surface.

In high-traffic areas—like where your kids play or your dogs run—you’ll notice the fibers matting down faster. Give those areas a little extra brushing attention. If you have a power broom, even better. We recommend the Turf Rake brand for residential use—it’s affordable and does a great job.

Removing Debris

Georgia’s trees love dropping stuff year-round. Pine needles, oak leaves, and pollen are the biggest culprits here in Kennesaw. A leaf blower on a low setting handles most of it. For pine needles that get stuck between blades, a plastic leaf rake works perfectly. Just don’t use a metal rake—it can pull fibers loose.

Monthly Maintenance (30 Minutes)

Rinsing the Turf

Once a month, give your turf a good rinse with a garden hose. This washes away dust, pollen, and any residue that’s accumulated. In Georgia’s hot summers, this also cools the surface down. If you have pets, you’ll want to rinse more frequently—especially the areas they use most.

A standard garden hose with a spray nozzle is all you need. You don’t need a pressure washer, and honestly, I’d avoid using one at high pressure because it can displace infill and potentially damage the backing.

Checking Infill Levels

Infill is the material between the turf blades—usually silica sand or a specialized product like Durafill. Over time, heavy rain and foot traffic can shift infill around. Once a month, check high-traffic areas to see if the infill has compacted or migrated. If you can see the backing material, it’s time to add more infill.

You can buy bags of infill at most home improvement stores or directly from us. Spread it by hand or with a drop spreader, then brush it in with your broom.

Seasonal Maintenance

Spring (March-April)

After winter, do a thorough inspection. Check the edges and seams to make sure nothing has lifted. Clean off any accumulated debris from winter storms. This is a great time to do a deep rinse and brush the entire surface. In North Georgia, spring brings massive amounts of pollen—your turf will turn yellow-green for a few weeks. A good rinse with the hose takes care of it.

Summer (June-August)

Georgia summers mean heat. Your turf can get warm on 95-degree days. Rinse it with cool water before the kids play on it. This drops the surface temperature by 30-40 degrees almost instantly. Also keep an eye on any items left on the turf—grills, fire pits, or reflective windows can create hot spots that damage the fibers.

Fall (September-November)

Leaf season is the busiest time for turf maintenance in Georgia. Stay on top of leaf removal—if leaves sit on turf too long, they can decompose and create organic buildup that promotes weed growth along the edges. A weekly leaf blower session handles this easily.

Winter (December-February)

Georgia winters are mild, but we do get the occasional frost or light snow. The good news: artificial turf handles cold weather perfectly fine. Don’t try to scrape ice or snow off with a shovel—let it melt naturally. If you need to speed up the process, spread a thin layer of sand or use a gentle rinse with room-temperature water.

Dealing with Stains and Spills

Life happens. Here’s how to handle the most common issues we see on Georgia turf:

• Pet urine: Rinse with water. For odor, use a pet-specific turf deodorizer or a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar. We recommend BioTurf or TurFresh products.
• Food and drink spills: Clean up the solids, then rinse with warm soapy water (dish soap is fine). Rinse with clean water after.
• Gum: Let it harden (put an ice cube on it), then scrape it off gently with a plastic putty knife.
• Grease or oil: Blot with paper towels first. Then use a mild degreaser diluted in warm water. Rinse thoroughly after.
• Tree sap: Very common in Georgia with our pine trees. Use a citrus-based cleaner or mineral spirits on a cloth. Test a small area first.
• Paint: If wet, blot immediately and rinse. If dried, use mineral spirits carefully. For large areas, call us—we’ve dealt with this many times.

What NOT to Do

In 20 years, I’ve seen every mistake in the book. Here are the big ones to avoid:

• Don’t use wire brushes or metal rakes. They’ll shred your turf fibers.
• Don’t park vehicles on turf. The weight compresses infill and can damage the backing. If you need occasional access, use plywood sheets to distribute the weight.
• Don’t place hot items directly on turf. Grills, fire pits, and fireworks can melt the fibers. Keep a 10-foot clearance from any heat source.
• Don’t use harsh chemicals. Bleach, strong acids, and industrial solvents can discolor or damage turf. Stick to mild soap and water for cleaning.
• Don’t ignore weeds at the edges. Weeds won’t grow through quality turf, but they can creep in from the edges where the turf meets soil, concrete, or pavers. Pull them by hand or use a targeted spot treatment—never broadcast herbicide over the entire surface.

When to Call a Professional

Most turf maintenance is truly DIY-friendly. But there are times when you should call us or another professional:

• Seams are separating or edges are lifting
• Drainage seems blocked or water is pooling
• Large areas of infill have washed away after a major storm
• Burn damage from a heat source
• The turf is over 10 years old and looking significantly worn

We offer maintenance services and repairs across North Georgia. Most issues are quick fixes that we can handle in a single visit.

Bottom Line

Maintaining artificial turf is easy compared to natural grass. You’re trading mowing, fertilizing, watering, aerating, and disease treatment for occasional brushing and rinsing. Most of our customers spend less than 30 minutes a month on turf care—compared to the hours every week that natural grass demands in Georgia’s climate.

Take care of your turf, and it’ll take care of your property for 15-20 years. That’s a pretty good deal.