Why the Right Tools Matter

Using the wrong tools on artificial turf does not just waste your time. It can actually ruin your lawn. A metal brush scratches fibers and speeds up fading. A pressure washer set too high blows out your infill. The right tools keep your turf looking great for 15 to 20 years instead of half that.

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Did You Know

Quick tip: If you do not know your turf's pile height or fiber type, check your installation paperwork or contact your installer. This helps you pick the right bristle stiffness and cleaning approach.

Essential Tools

Must-Have Tools

Turf Brush or Broom

This is your most important tool. A good turf brush keeps fibers standing upright, prevents matting, and spreads infill evenly. Use it at least once a week.

What to buy: Get a synthetic-bristle brush (nylon or polypropylene) with an 18 to 24 inch head. Medium-stiff bristles work for most residential lawns. Never use metal bristles, as they scratch fibers and pull them out of the backing.

Price: $25 to $80. A purpose-built turf grooming rake in the $50 to $80 range is worth the upgrade over a generic broom.

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Leaf Blower

The fastest way to clear leaves, twigs, pollen, and dust from your turf. Way easier than raking light debris by hand.

What to buy: Get a leaf blower with enough power for your yard size. For small yards (under 500 sq ft), a corded electric model ($30 to $60) works fine. For medium yards, go cordless battery ($100 to $200). For large yards (over 1,500 sq ft), consider gas ($150 to $350).

Important: Always start on the lowest speed. Too much air power blows your infill out along with the debris.

Garden Hose with Adjustable Spray Nozzle

Water is your most versatile cleaning tool. A good hose and nozzle handle routine rinsing, cooling your turf on hot days, and flushing cleaning solutions.

What to buy: A standard 5/8-inch garden hose with an adjustable nozzle. Use the shower setting for routine rinsing, the flat/fan setting for targeted spot cleaning, and the mist setting to cool turf on hot days. Avoid the jet setting, as it can displace infill and damage seams.

Bonus: Quick-connect fittings ($5 to $10) save you time threading the nozzle on and off every session.

Turf Rake

Where a brush works the surface, a rake goes deeper to detangle fibers, break up compacted infill, and pull out embedded debris.

What to buy: A turf-specific rake with flexible polymer tines. Never use a metal garden rake on artificial turf. Use light pressure, work with the natural direction of the fibers, and use short, controlled strokes.

Price: $20 to $70. Adjustable models cost more but handle different pile heights.

Nice-to-Have Tools

Pump Sprayer

Essential for applying cleaning solutions evenly. Pouring products straight from the bottle creates concentrated spots and missed areas.

What to buy: A 1 to 2 gallon sprayer for small lawns and spot treatments. A 4-gallon backpack sprayer for larger yards. Choose one with a brass nozzle, as plastic ones clog and crack within a season or two.

Price: $15 to $30 for handheld, $40 to $70 for a backpack model.

After every use: Empty the tank and run clean water through the system for 30 to 60 seconds. Dried residue clogs nozzles permanently.

Pressure Washer

Great for quarterly deep cleaning that removes embedded grime no amount of scrubbing can match. But this is also the tool most likely to damage your turf if used wrong.

What to buy: An electric pressure washer in the 1,300 to 1,800 PSI range ($150 to $400). Use only the 25-degree (green) or 40-degree (white) nozzle tips. A surface cleaner attachment ($30 to $80) is the safest way to pressure wash turf because it distributes pressure evenly.

Rent or buy? If you only deep clean 2 to 4 times per year, renting at $50 to $75 per day might make more sense. Buying pays off in 1 to 2 years if you have other uses for it around your property.

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Warning

Pressure washer safety: Always test on a small corner first. Stay between 1,000 and 1,500 PSI. Keep the nozzle at least 12 inches from the surface. Never hold the stream on one spot for more than 2 to 3 seconds.

Power Brush

A motorized brush that does the work of manual brushing in a fraction of the time. Only worth it if your turf area is over 1,000 square feet or if physical limitations make manual brushing difficult.

Price: $300 to $800 to buy, $75 to $150 per day to rent. For most homeowners who would use it quarterly, renting is the better deal.

Cleaning Products

General Purpose Cleaners

For everyday cleaning, you do not need anything fancy. These affordable options handle most jobs.

Mild dish soap: 2 to 3 drops per gallon of warm water. Safe for all turf types. Rinse well to avoid soap buildup.
White vinegar: Mix 1:1 with water for light odors and mild disinfection. Great for spot treatments.
Dedicated turf cleaners: $15 to $30 per quart concentrate. pH-balanced for synthetic fibers and leave no residue.

Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaners (Best for Pet Owners)

Hydrogen peroxide-based cleaners work through oxidation, destroying bacteria, uric acid, and organic waste on contact. Unlike traditional cleaners that mask odors, hydrogen peroxide neutralizes the source. It works immediately in any temperature and leaves no residue.

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Deodorizers

Zeolite granules: A natural mineral that traps odor molecules. Sprinkle into infill, lasts 30 to 60 days. Pet-safe. ($15 to $25 per 25 lb bag)
Baking soda: The budget option. Sprinkle, wait 30 minutes, brush into infill, and rinse. Lasts 1 to 2 days. ($3 to $5 per box)
Turf Mist Pet Odor Eliminator: A hydrogen peroxide-based formula designed specifically for artificial turf. Eliminates 99.9% of harmful contaminants through oxidation rather than masking. Non-toxic, pet-safe, and leaves no residue. Works immediately in any temperature. Available in 1-gallon bottles and bulk packs (4 and 12 packs) for larger properties or multi-pet homes. Also comes with a dedicated pump sprayer for easy, even application. Made in USA.
Turf deodorizing sprays: Quick fix between deep cleans. Lasts 3 to 7 days. ($10 to $20 per quart)

Antimicrobial Treatments

These kill bacteria, mold, and fungi in your turf. Especially important if you have pets or kids playing on the surface.

Hydrogen peroxide (3%): Dilute 1:1 with water, spray on, wait 10 minutes, rinse. Cheap and safe, but breaks down in sunlight so it does not protect for long. For a turf-specific formulation, Turf Mist offers a ready-to-use hydrogen peroxide-based product designed for artificial surfaces that eliminates 99.9% of contaminants and is pet-safe.
Commercial antimicrobial sprays: Longer-lasting protection (7 to 30 days). Apply quarterly in dry climates, monthly in humid climates or pet areas. ($20 to $40 per quart concentrate)

Specialty Products

Rust remover: Use an oxalic acid-based product. Avoid hydrochloric or phosphoric acid, as they damage the backing.
Gum remover: Freeze it with a spray or ice cubes in a bag, then crack and peel it off.
Tar and sap remover: Use a citrus-based solvent (d-limonene). Avoid petroleum-based solvents like mineral spirits, as they can melt polyethylene fibers.

Products to Avoid

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Warning

Never use these on artificial turf:

Bleach: Permanently discolors fibers and weakens their structure. Even diluted bleach causes damage over time.
Acetone or nail polish remover: Melts and fuses polyethylene fibers on contact. Damage is instant and permanent.
Ammonia-based cleaners: Degrades fibers and reacts with dried pet urine to create toxic fumes.
Strong acids: Dissolve the backing adhesive, causing fibers to fall out and seams to separate.
Metal-bristle brushes: Scratch fibers and strip away UV protection, making your turf fade years sooner.
Rock salt and chemical de-icers: Make fibers brittle and corrode metal drainage components. Let ice melt naturally, or use a turf-safe de-icer.

Infill Guide

Infill is the stuff between your turf fibers that provides weight, cushioning, and drainage. When choosing infill, match what you already have unless you are doing a full replacement.

Infill Type	Cost per 50 lb	Best For
Silica sand	$3-$5	Budget-friendly, great drainage
Crumb rubber (SBR)	$8-$12	Playgrounds, cushioning
TPE rubber	$15-$20	Eco-friendly, runs cooler than SBR
Zeolite	$20-$30	Pet owners (built-in odor control)
Envirofill	$25-$35	Premium pet areas, antimicrobial
Cork	$30-$40	Coolest option, naturally antimicrobial
Acrylic-coated sand	$12-$18	Mid-range upgrade over silica

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Pro Tip

Pet owners: Zeolite or Envirofill are your best bets. Zeolite traps odor molecules naturally and costs less upfront, but needs replacing every 3 to 5 years. Envirofill has built-in antimicrobial protection that lasts 8 to 10 years. Both are miles better than plain silica sand for managing pet smells.

Building Your Maintenance Kit

Pick the kit that matches your situation. You can always upgrade later.

Starter Kit ($50-$100)

For small lawns (under 500 sq ft) without pets.

Stiff-bristle synthetic broom ($25-$35)
Adjustable garden hose nozzle ($10-$20)
Dish soap, white vinegar, spray bottle ($10-$15)
Bag of silica sand infill ($3-$5)

Complete Kit ($150-$300)

For medium lawns or homes with pets.

Everything in the Starter Kit
Turf rake with flexible polymer tines ($25-$40)
Battery or electric leaf blower ($50-$120)
Pump sprayer with brass nozzle ($20-$30)
Hydrogen peroxide turf cleaner ($20-$35)
Zeolite deodorizer ($15-$25)

Pro Kit ($400+)

For large lawns (over 1,500 sq ft) or serious pet households.

Everything in the Complete Kit
Electric pressure washer ($150-$300)
Surface cleaner attachment ($30-$80)
Backpack pump sprayer ($40-$70)
Antimicrobial treatment ($25-$40)

Tool Care Basics

Take care of your tools and they will last years longer.

Pump sprayer: Flush with clean water after every use. Dried residue will clog the nozzle permanently.
Pressure washer: Run clean water through it for 2 to 3 minutes after each use. Never store it with cleaning solution in the lines.
Brushes and rakes: Rinse off any product residue, let them air dry, and store bristle-side up so the bristles do not bend.
Cleaning products: Store in a cool, dark place out of direct sunlight. Hydrogen peroxide-based cleaners maintain their effectiveness longer when stored away from heat and light.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get a turf-specific grooming brush with synthetic bristles (nylon or polypropylene). Look for an 18-inch or wider head and a handle that is 54 to 60 inches long. Avoid any brush with metal bristles, as they will scratch and damage your turf fibers.

No. Metal rakes tear fibers and scratch the backing. Use a turf-specific rake with flexible polymer tines instead. They are designed to glide through synthetic fibers without causing damage.

Stay between 1,000 and 1,500 PSI. Use a 25-degree (green) or 40-degree (white) fan tip, never a 0-degree or 15-degree tip. A surface cleaner attachment is the safest option because it spreads the pressure evenly.

Without pets, plan on $75 to $150 per year for cleaning products and occasional tool replacement. Pet owners should budget $200 to $400 per year to cover hydrogen peroxide-based cleaners, deodorizers, and extra infill.

Yes, for routine care. White vinegar mixed 1:1 with water handles light odors, and baking soda absorbs smells when sprinkled into infill. For heavy pet odor or deep contamination, you will need a hydrogen peroxide-based turf cleaner like Turf Mist.

Tools & Products