Turf Green Care and Maintenance Guide

1. General Care Rules

It is the owners responsibility of the Turf Green surface to read and adhere to the maintenance guidelines that follow.  Failure to do so may affect the surface guarantee.

PLEASE NOTE:  It is normal for the surface to be slippery underfoot during the first few weeks after installation.  This is due to lubricants, which are used in manufacturing process.

There are some perceptions that synthetic surfaces are maintenance free, as opposed to natural turf that requires intensive maintenance.

The reality is that synthetic surfaces do require regular, on-going maintenance if the integrity of the surface is to be preserved.  This guide outlines the essential maintenance required to ensure that all of the surface remains in a good condition well into the future.

A crucial tip for maintaining the surface is to do little maintenance often, rather than neglecting maintenance procedures for months and then facing large costs to restore the surface to its optimum performance capabilities.  Failure to maintain the surface may affect the guarantee.

A Turf Green surface needs to be maintained on a regular basis in order for it to provide the best possible characteristics over its lifespan.  The surface will respond favorably provided it receives adequate maintenance.

You have made a substantial investment in your new surface so to maximize its life and performance, please follow the basic housekeeping instructions below:

  • Keep the surface clean.
  • Keep heavy machinery and loads off it (particularly when wet).
  • Engage a Turf Green approved installer to attend to any minor repairs as soon as possible.
  • If any damage occurs, or if technical advice is needed, please do not hesitate to contact Turf Green.
 

2. Protection Rules

The following should not be used on the surface:

  1. No glass, tin or ceramics
  2. No smoking or fireworks
  3. No dirty or muddy footwear
  4. No chewing gum
  5. No vehicles except small maintenance vehicles

If mud and rubbish is allowed to be walked on to the surface, this will quickly affect the turf performance.  The cost of cleaning the turf is expensive, therefore, observation and policing of these restrictions is advised.

To protect and prolong the life of your Turf Green surface, ensure that you:

  • Keep areas around the surface free from litter, mud and debris.
  • Prohibit smoking and chewing gum on the surface.
  • Adhere to recommended load limits.
  • Repair minor damages quickly.
  • Follow Turf Green suggested maintenance and cleaning procedures.

A client that has not put these restrictions into practice, or has failed to police them, must accept liability for any future failings of the turf surface. Your warranty may be void if these General Care Rules are not adhered to.

3. Stain Removal Rules

It is essential that fresh spills are acted on promptly as they are easier to remove than dried and hardened ones.  Remove any solids with a plastic shovel.  Blot up excess liquids with plenty of paper towels or a dry absorbent such as kitty litter.  Dry absorbents can then either be swept up or vacuumed.

Polyethylene surfaces have good resistance to staining.  However, the surface is only one part of a sophisticated system of components designed for overall surface performance.  Some cleaning agents are safe to use on Polyethylene but could be harmful to other parts of the surface.  This means cleaning fluids should be grouped into two sets - those that can be used liberally on the surface and those which should be only applied by rubbing with a cloth soaked in the cleaner to minimise possible effect on the under-pad of the turf.

The following are some cleaners in the first group, which can be applied without any special precautions:

  • A warm mild solution or granular household detergent in water OR a neutral low foaming detergent recommended for delicate fabrics. Use with approximately 5 litres of water.

Some examples of stains which can be removed with detergent solution include:

  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Grape Juice
  • Tomato Juice
  • Coca
  • Water Colour
  • Milk
  • Ice Cream
  • Tomato Sauce
  • Food Coloring
  • Mustard
  • Margarine
  • Butter
  • Beer
  • Cola
    • A 3% solution of ammonia should be used for more severe problems thoroughly flushing the surface with lots of cold water afterwards.
    • Clean, dry absorbents such as paper towel or commercial kitty litter for stains, which can be blotted up.

The second group of cleaners includes chemicals such as pH neutral dry cleaning fluids.  These cleaners must be applied sparingly using a damp cloth/rag with care taken to avoid penetration beneath the turf.  Before using any such chemicals, clarification should be sought from the Turf Green technical team.

Some examples of stains which can be removed with detergent solution include

  • Asphalt
  • Ball Point Ink
  • Shoe Polish
  • Oils (Cooking, Suntan, Motor)
  • Lipstick
  • Floor Wax
  • Crayons
  • Chewing Gum *
  • Chewing Gum is a common hazard and can be removed by using dry cleaning fluid or by freezing. Aerosol packs of refrigerant can be sourced from carpet cleaning suppliers for this purpose, or dry ice could be used.  When using such products care should be taken to ensure that the user instructions are strictly complied with.

To neutralize animal waste, use a mixture of white distilled vinegar with equal amounts of water.  Flush thoroughly with water after the application.

Do not use Chlorine based bleaches or caustic detergents on your surface as this will cause discoloration.

If in doubt, please contact Turf Green for clarification.

The handling and use of cleaning chemicals in general should be undertaken in strict adherence to the manufacturer’s instructions.