Will chemicals damage your artificial turf? It depends on the chemical; knowing what chemicals and substances are potentially dangerous to your synthetic grass is crucial before cleaning up the mess. While most household cleaners are perfectly safe for your fake turf, some harsher chemicals can damage the look and structure of artificial grass. Here are some substances to be cautious of around your synthetic grass. No matter what you choose to help remove a stain, please try it in an inconspicuous area first to ensure it is safe for your artificial grass.
Water And Oil Based Paint Spills on Artificial Turf
Here is what to do if accidental water and oil-based paint spill on your artificial grass.
Water-based acrylic paints are safe around synthetic grass and can be a fun outdoor activity for kids and adults. If the paint spills, your first instinct will be to grab a paper towel and start wiping. We recommend waiting until the colour is a little dried up before wiping so that it doesn’t spread or go deeper into the turf’s thatch and create a larger affected area. If you’re finding that there is still paint left behind, you can use a mixture of a mild dish soap diluted in warm water and a textured sponge to help remove what may be left behind.
Oil-based paints are tougher to remove from artificial grass; the stains soak deep into the thatch, making it impossible to extract. Polyethylene fibres can and will absorb some types of oils, which in turn creates discoloration in your artificial grass. There are many chemical-based paint removers that you could try at your own risk. Make sure that whatever formula you choose does not include any caustic chemicals that would dissolve your turf blades. These chemicals are widely used in textiles, paper manufacturing, cleaners, and soaps.
Is My Artificial Turf Flammable?
Is my artificial grass flammable? The short answer is no; why? Because if it is a quality-grade artificial grass, it has undergone rigorous tests in various situations, flammability being one of them. If asked, any real artificial grass distributor should be able to show you the certifications that you receive once your artificial grass has passed every gruelling test; these vary from UV exposure to ammonia and include flammability.
Can your artificial grass melt? 100% it can; if you’re enjoying a cigar in your yard, the ash that falls; if you have a wood fire on or near your artificial grass, the sparks, or even having a BBQ too close, allowing the hot smoke to melt your artificial grass. Anything along these lines will cause the melting of the polypropylene threads and, therefore, your artificial grass. When using flammable oils, such as those in tiki torches, we recommend you refill or keep them away from your artificial grass. Not only does it not entirely remove, but it can also catch on fire in that area and melt your artificial grass.
Adhesives On Artificial Turf
What if I get adhesives on my artificial grass? One of the most basic adhesives that tends to find its way onto your artificial grass is chewing gum. This can be the biggest headache, especially on a warm day. But alas, there is hope in the form of an ice cube; Take an ice cube and rub it into the gum to harden it; it will slowly lose its stickiness and set. Once hardened, peeling it off your artificial grass will become much more manageable. It is essential to keep other stronger adhesives away because they need harsher chemicals to be removed, leaving behind damaged artificial grass.
Harsh Pesticides and Cleaners
Harsh pesticides and cleaners can damage the structure of the synthetic grass blades and result in discoloration. If you use chlorine-based cleaners like bleach, dilute them before applying them to fake grass. Apply to an inconspicuous test area first.
What to Avoid and Alternatives
Avoid harsh acids, alcohol-based, petroleum-based, and oil-based products. A safe and effective method for cleaning artificial grass is using a half-and-half mixture of vinegar and water. If you would instead use a store-bought cleaner, there are cleaning products made specifically for synthetic grass. For more information about cleaning artificial turf, see our blog, How To Clean Synthetic Turf. Have further questions? See our Instagram for helpful information or contact us with your inquiries and allow our resourceful team to provide the correct answers.
