How to Clean Common Stains Off Artificial Turf for Boston Putting Greens

Artificial turf for Boston putting greens are often located in high-traffic areas that are prone to spills and stains. The materials for this type of installation are especially durable, but not invulnerable.

Spills can happen at any moment; it’s important to know how to clean them up as soon as possible so they don’t seep down into the fibers.

Stains might be harder to remove depending on what material caused them. Here are some tips on how to remove five common stains from an artificial putting green, as well as some additional advice on how to maintain and preserve its quality.

1. Food sauces

If your putting green is in the yard, it’s probably the star of many outdoor gatherings and events. These can definitely bring a lot of wonderful memories, but also a lot of messy clean-up.

A simple way to remove tomato sauce, barbecue sauce and other kinds of food stains is with a solution of cool water and dish soap. Wipe or dab up as much excess sauce as possible, then flush the area with water and let it soak for a few minutes.

Depending on how bad the stain is, dish soap might be enough to get rid of the mark. If not, bring out your big guns: vinegar, baking soda or a turf-safe stain remover.

If you want to be extra thorough, mix the dish soap with baking soda for a DIY cleaning paste that’s more potent but safe for artificial grass. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then flush the area with clean water and let it air dry.

2. Dog urine

Pet owners with putting greens know it’s only a matter of time before their dog has an accident on the lawn.

Artificial grass putting greens are very durable, but you don’t want urine sitting there for too long. It won’t discolor the grass, but it can lead to bacteria and odor build-up.

Start by flushing out the spot with a strong water stream. This is easiest if you have a hose attachment that allows you to adjust the pressure and angle.

If the dried urine has been there for a while, you can use a mixture of water and dish soap (or vinegar) to clean out the remaining stain and smell.

3. Wine and soda

Artificial putting greens are very resistant to liquid, but spilled beverages can still leave behind unsightly stains if they dry in place. This is especially true for wine and dark sodas.

For fresh stains, mix clean water and dish soap into a cleaning paste and apply it to the affected area. Let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub the area with a clean plastic brush or cloth until the stain lifts. Flush out with clean water and let dry completely before using the putting green again.

4. Get chewing gum off artificial turf

Cleaning chewing gum off Boston artificial grass is one of the most challenging stains to remove. This is largely because it so easily becomes lodged in the artificial grass fibers, where it’s difficult to access and scrape off.

The good news is that if the gum has only been on the grass for a short time (less than one day), you can usually remove it with your hands or scrapers like a plastic knife.

If the gum is proving to be a little more stubborn or gone hard on the turf, freeze it using an ice cube or dry ice, then pick it from the grass with your hands or a plastic scraper.

5. Oil-Based Stains

Wax, motor oil, cooking oil, ink, nail polish and other oil-based stains are more difficult to remove but not impossible.

First, try to pick up as much of the spillage as possible using a clean cloth or paper towel. Keep blotting until you can’t remove any more liquid.

Then, use a tiny amount of white spirit (or mineral spirits) and a clean cloth to remove the remaining stain. White spirit is extremely flammable, so be sure not to use an open flame around it and keep children and pets away from the area while you’re working.

White spirit can be purchased at most hardware stores, but make sure you read all precautions before using it on your artificial lawn.

We also recommend testing it in a small, discreet spot of your artificial grass in Boston before using it on the whole putting green.

Need Help Maintaining Your Artificial Turf in Boston?

Boston Artificial Grass Experts can help. We’d love to share more advice on how to take care of your putting green, which cleaners are safe to use and more when you call us today.

We can handle all of your installation needs, too! We can install artificial grass putting greens, pet turf, synthetic turf for playgrounds and backyards and anything else you may have in mind.

To speak to a representative about your project, give us a call at 857-524-9676 or fill out our contact form and someone will be in touch soon!