Can You Hoover Artificial Grass? Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve just installed artificial grass, keeping it looking fresh, clean, and tidy is a priority. After all, a fake lawn is an investment, and you want it to continue looking good for years to come. 

One of the main perks of installing artificial grass is the fact it’s very low maintenance, requiring no mowing, weeding, strimming, or fertilizing.

But your artificial lawn may still gather mud, pet hair, or other garden debris. So, it’s tempting to wonder whether you could simply hoover artificial grass, just as we hoover the floors in our house to clear up dust and dirt. Hoovering seems like it would be the simplest and quickest way to give your artificial grass a spruce up.

However, can you hoover artificial grass? The answer is a firm no. Don’t use a vacuum cleaner on your synthetic lawn as this could damage it.

Not only could hoover damage the artificial grass fibres themselves, leaving bald patches and making the lawn look thin and unhealthy but it could also remove the infill. During installation, infill sand will have been used to give your fake lawn a cushioned feel like real grass. A hoover will suck this up, ruining the appearance of your artificial grass.

Finally, any water from rain or condensation will be sucked up by your hoover as well. This could damage it and you may then have to buy a new one.

Tools for Cleaning Artificial Grass

The best thing for keeping your fake lawn clean and tidy is a broom with a stiff bristled brush. A plastic garden rake can also do the job as could a leaf blower. Every month or so you may want to give it a spray down with the garden hose. For more stubborn stains and spills, a soapy solution or a water-vinegar mixture will do the trick.

There are also electrically powered artificial grass power brushes on the market. These are similar to vacuums and hoovers but are specially designed to keep fake grass clear from waste and debris. They work by pushing dirt away rather than sucking it up and the bristles plump up the blades of grass of your artificial lawn too, keeping it looking its best. They’re a low-effort option for those who want a clean and beautiful-looking lawn without having to expend too much time or energy.

Top tip: garden debris such as leaf litter can make a good habitat for wildlife so distribute any waste from your artificial lawn in a corner of your garden where it can be used by animals.