How to Clean Fake Grass: Complete UK Guide | GreenBlade
The best way to clean fake grass is to remove loose debris, brush the fibres, rinse away surface dirt and use a specialist artificial grass cleaner for deeper contamination or pet odours. Regular cleaning helps prevent bacteria, urine residue and organic build-up, keeping artificial grass looking fresh and smelling clean.
Fake grass is designed to make looking after your garden easier. There’s no mowing, no feeding and no worrying about muddy patches after weeks of rain.
But low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance.
Like any outdoor surface, artificial grass collects dirt, dust, leaves, pollen, food, pet waste and other organic matter over time. If you have dogs using the lawn regularly, urine can also work its way through the grass fibres and into the backing or installation beneath.
Knowing how to clean fake grass properly can therefore make a huge difference to how your garden looks, smells and feels throughout the year.
The good news is that keeping fake grass clean doesn’t need to be complicated.
For most gardens, the best way to clean fake grass is to remove loose debris, brush the fibres, rinse away surface dirt and periodically use a specialist artificial grass cleaner to deal with bacteria, organic contamination and unwanted odours.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to do it.
How Do You Clean Fake Grass?
For a quick answer, cleaning fake grass involves seven simple stages:
- Remove leaves, twigs and loose debris from the surface.
- Brush the grass fibres against the direction of the pile.
- Rinse the lawn with clean water to remove surface dirt and dust.
- Remove pet waste and spills promptly before they have time to build up.
- Apply a specialist fake grass cleaner when a deeper clean is required.
- Work the cleaner through the fibres so it reaches areas where contamination may be sitting.
- Allow the lawn to dry and continue with a regular maintenance routine.
Exactly how often you need to do this depends on your garden.
A small lawn that is rarely used will require much less attention than artificial grass being used every day by several dogs, children and an active family.
Why Does Fake Grass Need Cleaning?
Artificial grass doesn’t grow or produce organic material in the same way as a natural lawn, but that doesn’t prevent organic matter from finding its way onto it.
Leaves, soil, pollen, pet waste, food and everyday garden debris gradually settle between the fibres.
Rainfall may remove some loose surface dirt, but it doesn’t necessarily remove contamination sitting deeper within the grass, its backing or the installation below.
This is particularly important when pets use the garden.
Dog urine can drain through artificial grass, but repeated use of the same areas can leave residues and bacteria behind. During warmer weather—or when previously dried contamination becomes wet again—this can result in the familiar smell that many artificial grass owners struggle with.
At GreenBlade, we believe the key is to deal with the source of an unwanted smell rather than simply covering it with another fragrance. Our artificial grass cleaning products have been developed around this approach.
Step 1: Remove Leaves and Loose Debris
Before applying water or cleaning products, start with a dry lawn wherever possible.
Remove fallen leaves, twigs, loose mud and anything else sitting across the surface.
You can use a suitable artificial grass brush, plastic rake or leaf blower.
Avoid metal rakes or tools with sharp edges. Artificial grass is durable, but aggressive tools can pull or damage the fibres.
This step becomes particularly important during autumn when wet leaves can quickly accumulate. If left sitting on the lawn, organic material can begin decomposing and create additional dirt, smells and moisture around the surface.
GreenBlade recommends regularly removing leaves and organic debris rather than allowing them to build up.
Step 2: Brush Your Fake Grass
Once the surface is clear, give the lawn a good brush.
Artificial grass naturally becomes flatter in areas that experience lots of foot traffic. You’ll often notice this around doorways, garden furniture, children’s play equipment and the routes people regularly walk across the garden.
Use a stiff but non-metallic artificial grass brush and work against the natural direction of the pile.
Brushing does two things.
Firstly, it helps lift and restore the appearance of the grass fibres.
Secondly, it loosens dirt and debris that may have worked its way further into the lawn.
Taking a few minutes to brush your artificial grass regularly can keep it looking noticeably cleaner even before any cleaning product has been applied.
Step 3: Rinse Away Surface Dirt
For everyday dust, pollen and loose dirt, a garden hose can be extremely useful.
Give the lawn an even rinse and allow water to drain through the installation.
This is particularly worthwhile during dry weather, after periods of heavy garden use or if pets regularly use the lawn.
However, it is important to understand what rinsing can—and cannot—do.
Water is useful for removing loose contamination and diluting fresh pet urine, but repeatedly hosing artificial grass is not necessarily enough to remove established bacteria or persistent smells.
If you rinse the grass and the unpleasant smell returns shortly afterwards, particularly during warm weather or after rain, there is probably contamination sitting deeper within the lawn or installation.
That is when your cleaning routine needs to go beyond water.
Step 4: Clean Up After Dogs Properly
If you have dogs, fake grass will usually need cleaning more frequently.
Solid waste should be removed promptly and the area can then be rinsed where necessary.
For urine, regular rinsing can help reduce the amount of residue accumulating within heavily used toilet areas.
But if your dog repeatedly urinates in the same place, simply spraying the surface with water may not solve the problem permanently.
This is because the visible grass blade is only one part of the installation.
Urine can travel through the fibres and backing before reaching whatever sits beneath the artificial grass. Depending on how your lawn has been installed, contamination can remain within the backing, drainage system or sub-base.
That is why some artificial lawns still smell after they have been thoroughly hosed down.
GreenBlade’s cleaning approach is designed to target this deeper contamination rather than simply adding a stronger fragrance over the top.
Step 5: Deep Clean Fake Grass with a Specialist Cleaner
Everyday rinsing and brushing should form part of your maintenance routine, but occasionally your fake grass will benefit from a proper deep clean.
This is particularly important if you notice persistent smells, heavy pet use, organic build-up or simply feel that the lawn no longer seems as fresh as it used to.
A specialist fake grass cleaner is designed specifically for synthetic lawn installations.
At GreenBlade, our range includes different products depending on the lawn, installation and level of contamination rather than treating every garden as though it has exactly the same problem.
GreenBlade Cleanse is designed for routine artificial grass maintenance and odour control.
Its biological formulation is designed to work through the grass and help tackle contamination rather than simply treating the visible surface.
This makes Cleanse particularly useful as part of an ongoing maintenance routine for artificial lawns that need regular attention.
GreenBlade Cleanse is designed for routine artificial grass maintenance and odour control.
Its biological formulation is designed to work through the grass and help tackle contamination rather than simply treating the visible surface.
This makes Cleanse particularly useful as part of an ongoing maintenance routine for artificial lawns that need regular attention.
Not all artificial grass is installed in the same way.
Balconies, patios, kennels and other artificial grass installations over solid surfaces can behave differently from lawns installed over a traditional permeable sub-base.
GreenBlade Green Guard is specifically designed with these types of installations in mind.
This can be particularly helpful where liquids cannot naturally drain through several layers beneath the grass in the same way as a conventional garden installation.
Pure Pro provides another option when your priority is hygienic cleaning and bacterial control.
Unlike the GreenBlade biological enzyme treatments, Pure Pro is a sanitising product that can also be used across other suitable outdoor surfaces including paths and patios.
Importantly, Pure Pro should not be applied together with GreenBlade’s live bio-enzyme treatments. GreenBlade advises that the sanitising action of Pure Pro can interfere with the live biological formulation used in Cleanse, Active Max and Green Guard.
Step 6: Work the Cleaner Through the Grass
When cleaning artificial grass, don’t concentrate entirely on the top of the fibres.
The area you can see isn’t necessarily where the problem is coming from.
This is particularly important with pet urine.
Apply the appropriate GreenBlade product according to the instructions supplied with it, ensuring you cover the area adequately rather than only spraying the small section where you think the smell originates.
After allowing the treatment time to work, brushing the artificial grass can help move the product through the fibres while lifting the pile.
For GreenBlade’s bio-enzyme products, follow the product-specific application instructions carefully. The products should not be applied in very hot direct sunlight, because excessive heat can reduce the opportunity for the biological formulation to do its job effectively.
GreenBlade also advises against immediately rinsing these treatments away after application, as doing so simply dilutes the solution you have just applied.
Step 7: Allow Your Fake Grass to Dry
Once your cleaning treatment has been completed, allow sufficient time for the area to dry before returning it to normal use.
Always follow the instructions supplied with the particular product you are using.
GreenBlade products are developed with family gardens in mind and the range is positioned as suitable for households with children and pets when products are used according to their directions.
A dry day is generally the best time to carry out a deeper artificial grass clean.
Applying a treatment immediately before or during heavy rain can dilute the solution before it has had sufficient opportunity to work. GreenBlade therefore recommends applying its products in dry conditions wherever possible.
What Should You Use to Clean Fake Grass?
The best cleaning method depends on what you’re trying to remove.
For loose dirt and pollen, brushing and clean water may be all that is required.
For pet urine, persistent smells, bacteria and established organic contamination, a specialist artificial grass cleaner is a better solution.
One of the biggest mistakes artificial grass owners make is assuming that anything capable of cleaning a kitchen floor or patio must also be suitable for synthetic grass.
It isn’t always.
Can You Use Bleach on Fake Grass?
We don’t recommend it.
Bleach isn’t designed specifically for artificial grass and strong chemicals can potentially affect fibres, surrounding surfaces and the wider garden environment.
More importantly, reaching for bleach doesn’t address the need for a proper artificial grass maintenance routine.
GreenBlade’s approach is to use products developed specifically for artificial grass rather than adapting household chemicals for a job they were never designed to perform.
Can You Use Washing-Up Liquid on Fake Grass?
Washing-up liquid may make an area appear cleaner and can help remove certain surface marks, but it isn’t designed to deal with deeper pet contamination and persistent artificial grass odours.
If you’re dealing with ordinary surface dirt, water and brushing may already achieve what you need.
If you’re dealing with recurring smells, use a product designed specifically for the cause of the problem.
Can You Use Vinegar to Clean Fake Grass?
Vinegar is regularly recommended online as a homemade artificial grass cleaning solution.
However, GreenBlade doesn’t recommend relying on homemade solutions such as vinegar where the aim is to deal with established contamination and persistent pet odours.
The problem isn’t simply whether something temporarily changes the smell.
The aim should be to properly clean the lawn and target the contamination responsible for that smell in the first place.
How Often Should You Clean Fake Grass?
There is no single cleaning schedule that works for every artificial lawn.
A garden with no pets that is used occasionally will need much less cleaning than a garden with two or three dogs using the lawn throughout the day.
Weather also plays a part.
During warm periods, pet-related smells can become more noticeable. Autumn introduces more leaves and organic debris, while wetter months can cause existing dried contamination to become noticeable again.
Instead of relying on a fixed calendar, pay attention to how the lawn is being used.
Light brushing and debris removal can be carried out regularly, with deeper cleaning introduced according to pet use, garden size, installation type and the level of contamination.
If you’re not sure how much cleaning your lawn needs, GreenBlade’s Odour Index Calculator has been designed to consider factors including garden size, dog size, number of dogs and the type of installation before helping you identify an appropriate solution.
How to Keep Fake Grass Cleaner for Longer
The easiest artificial grass problem to solve is the one you prevent from becoming a problem in the first place.
Remove pet waste promptly.
Don’t allow piles of wet leaves to sit across the lawn for weeks.
Brush areas that receive heavy foot traffic.
Rinse fresh contamination when appropriate.
And if you have pets, establish a regular cleaning routine rather than waiting until the garden begins to smell.
Artificial grass should be something that makes your garden easier to enjoy—not something you’re embarrassed to use whenever the weather becomes warmer.
A little regular maintenance goes a long way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Fake Grass
What is the best way to clean fake grass?
The best way to clean fake grass is to remove loose debris, brush the fibres, rinse away surface dirt and use a specialist artificial grass cleaner when deeper contamination or odours are present. Gardens used regularly by dogs will usually require more frequent deep cleaning than artificial lawns without pets.
How do you clean fake grass with dogs?
Remove solid waste as quickly as possible and regularly rinse heavily used toilet areas. If dog urine smells begin to develop, use a specialist artificial grass cleaner designed to tackle organic contamination and unwanted odours rather than simply masking the smell.
How do you get dog urine smell out of fake grass?
Persistent dog urine smells usually require more than water alone. Urine can move through the grass fibres and into the backing or installation below. A specialist bio-enzyme artificial grass treatment such as GreenBlade Active Max is designed for persistent pet-related odour and contamination.
Can I hose down fake grass?
Yes. Hosing artificial grass is useful for removing dust, pollen and loose surface contamination. However, water alone may not remove established bacteria, organic contamination or persistent pet urine smells.
Can you pressure wash fake grass?
Pressure washing should be approached carefully because excessive pressure can disturb the fibres, infill or installation. For most routine cleaning, a hose, artificial grass brush and appropriate specialist cleaner provide a much gentler solution.
GreenBlade products can also be used with certain pressure-washing attachments such as suitable snow-foam lance systems where the individual product instructions allow it.
Can I use bleach to clean fake grass?
GreenBlade does not recommend bleach as a routine artificial grass cleaning solution. It is better to use a product that has been specifically formulated for synthetic grass and the type of contamination you are trying to remove.
Can I use washing-up liquid on artificial grass?
Washing-up liquid may help with certain light surface marks, but it is not designed to treat persistent pet urine contamination or odour-causing bacteria. A specialist fake grass cleaner is more appropriate for deeper cleaning.
Does rain clean fake grass?
Rain can rinse some loose surface dirt from artificial grass, but it should not be considered a replacement for proper cleaning.
In fact, an unpleasant smell can sometimes become more noticeable following rainfall because moisture rehydrates contamination that was already present within the lawn or installation.
Why does my fake grass smell after cleaning?
If the smell quickly returns, contamination may be sitting deeper than the visible surface.
This is particularly common in gardens used by dogs. Urine can pass through the fibres and backing before settling lower within the installation, meaning cleaning only the top of the grass doesn’t necessarily remove the source.
How often should fake grass be deep cleaned?
It depends on the size of your garden, the amount of foot traffic, whether pets use the lawn and the type of installation.
Rather than waiting for the lawn to smell, regular preventative maintenance usually provides better results. Gardens with several dogs are likely to require more frequent treatment than lightly used lawns.
Is artificial grass really maintenance free?
No. Artificial grass is low maintenance, but it isn’t maintenance free.
Leaves, dirt, pollen, pet waste and other organic matter can still collect within the fibres. Regular brushing, debris removal and periodic cleaning will help keep your lawn looking and smelling much fresher.
What is the best fake grass cleaner for pet urine?
For persistent dog urine odours, choose a cleaner specifically designed for artificial grass and organic pet contamination.
GreenBlade Active Max uses a double-strength biological formulation and is the strongest treatment within the GreenBlade range for persistent pet-related artificial grass odours. For regular ongoing maintenance, GreenBlade Cleanse provides an alternative designed for routine cleaning.
Keep Your Fake Grass Clean, Fresh and Ready to Enjoy
Learning how to clean fake grass properly isn’t about spending hours maintaining your garden every weekend.
It’s about doing the right things at the right time.
Keep loose debris under control.
Brush the fibres.
Rinse everyday dirt and fresh contamination.
And when your artificial grass needs more than surface cleaning, use a product designed specifically for the job.
At GreenBlade, we have developed our artificial grass cleaning range around different gardens, different installations and different levels of contamination.
Whether you’re carrying out routine maintenance or desperately trying to get rid of a persistent dog urine smell, there is a solution designed to help you get your garden back to somewhere you actually want to spend time.
Not sure which artificial grass cleaner you need? Use the GreenBlade Odour Index Calculator to find the right cleaning solution for your garden, or explore our complete range of UK-manufactured artificial grass cleaners.
