In brief
Artificial grass should be regularly brushed against the pile so that the blades stand upright and the surface appears natural. For gardens, an artificial grass broom with plastic bristles is usually sufficient; for large areas, brushing machines are available. Remove leaves with a leaf blower or plastic rake. Metal bristles, hard steel brooms, and high-pressure cleaners used at close range are prohibited.
If you have artificial grass, you don’t have to mow – but it’s not entirely maintenance-free. Brushing is the most important measure to prevent the blades from lying flat and dirt from settling into the pile. Here you will learn which tools are suitable, how often you should brush, and what you need to consider.
Why do you need to brush artificial grass?
- Blades stand up again, especially in heavily trafficked areas and under furniture
- Leaves, dust, and pollen are loosened before they can settle
- Moss and algae find less grip – see Moss and Algae
- for infilled artificial grass, the infill material is evenly distributed
Which tools are suitable?
| Tool | Suitable for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial grass broom | Gardens, balconies, terraces | Plastic bristles, medium-hard |
| Hand brush/scrubber | Small areas, seams, edges | Ideal after removing faeces or stains |
| Brushing machine | Large gardens, sports and commercial areas | Motorized brushes, even results |
| Leaf blower | Leaves and coarse dirt | On low setting, do not blow away infill |
| Plastic rake | Leaves and twigs | No metal tines |
| Cordless vacuum cleaner | Crumbs, hair, dust on unfilled surfaces | Not for sand or granulate infill |
How to brush correctly
- Remove coarse debris: Clear leaves, twigs, and toys from the surface.
- Brush dry: The blades stand up better when dry.
- Against the pile: Brush against the direction of the fibers to make the blades stand up.
- Work in sections: Systematically work through the area in sections, don’t forget seams and edges.
- Extra attention to favorite spots: Brush walkways, play areas, and spots under furniture more thoroughly.
How often should you brush artificial grass?
| Usage | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Decorative area, lightly trafficked | Every few weeks and after leaf fall |
| Family garden, children, dog | Approximately every 1–2 weeks, walkways more often |
| Balcony and terrace | As needed, especially after pollen season and leaf fall |
| Sports and commercial areas | Regularly according to maintenance plan, often by machine |
In autumn, more frequent clearing is advisable to prevent leaves from rotting on the artificial grass. For further information on how to clean artificial grass, please refer to our guide Cleaning Artificial Grass.
What you should avoid
- Brooms or rakes with metal bristles or tines
- High-pressure cleaners with a spot jet from a short distance
- Brushing in frost – frozen fibers are more brittle (see Snow and Frost)
- Leaf blowers on full power for infilled artificial grass
Professional cleaning for large areas
For sports fields and large areas, brushing alone is not enough. We handle artificial grass cleaning with our own equipment, including deep cleaning – nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions about Brushing Artificial Grass
How often do you need to brush artificial grass?
That depends on the usage. In a family garden, approximately every one to two weeks is advisable; for lightly used decorative areas, longer intervals are sufficient. Walkways and play areas should be brushed more frequently.
Which broom is suitable for artificial grass?
A broom with medium-hard plastic bristles. Metal bristles or very hard steel brooms can damage the fibers.
In which direction do you brush artificial grass?
Against the pile, meaning against the direction of the fibers. This makes the blades stand up again, and the surface appears even and natural.
Can you vacuum artificial grass?
Unfilled artificial grass can be spot-vacuumed with a cordless or wet vacuum, for example, for crumbs or pet hair. For infilled artificial grass, the vacuum would remove sand or granulate.