A baseline routine
Thornton requires maintenance on permitted turf. Its list covers brushing, clearing debris, using biodegradable cleaners, addressing odor and checking infill. It is a city rule, and it also makes a good baseline for any yard.
Your product, your trees and your pets set the schedule. Ask your installer for the routine that fits.
- Brush. Brushing lifts the blades and spreads infill evenly. High-traffic spots flatten first.
- Clear debris. Leaves, seed pods and clippings from nearby lawn build up in the blades and slow drainage. A leaf blower or stiff broom does the job.
- Rinse. A hose flushes dust and light spills.
- Clean. Use biodegradable cleaners when water is not enough.
- Check infill. Infill shifts and thins with use. Ask your installer how to tell when it needs topping up.
What Thornton's rules add
Thornton's maintenance list also calls for repairing depressions so the surface stays even, brushing back infill that has washed or shifted, and dealing with flat or matted areas, weeds and loose edges. Replacement is expected when repair can no longer keep the surface looking like healthy turf. You do not need a permit to keep the same habits at home. Walk the yard after heavy rain or a long dry spell. Look for low spots and exposed backing, and fix small problems before they grow.
Pet yards
Pick up solid waste promptly and rinse the spot. In hot, dry weather, rinse more often so urine does not dry into the infill. Enzyme cleaners and pet-safe products are sold for turf. Read the label and confirm the product is safe for turf and animals.
One national cost guide puts specialized pet-turf cleaning at $40 to $80 a year and deodorizing at $60 to $100. Odor, drainage and infill are covered in pet turf odor and drainage. Resource Central, which argues against synthetic turf, lists pet waste cleanup among its objections. Plan for the work, and it stays easy.
Winter and snow
Use a plastic shovel on snow. Ask the manufacturer before you use salt or ice melt on the surface, and skip metal blades. Gentle tools protect the fibers and the backing.
Weeds, moss and seams
A good base and permeable backing keep weeds to a minimum, but windblown seed can sprout in debris. Pull it by hand. Check seams and edges a couple of times a year. A lifting edge is easy to fix early. Report it to your installer, since it may fall under workmanship terms. Our warranty guide lists what to ask.
What to avoid
- Open flame and hot items such as grill embers or fire pit sparks. Turf is plastic, so keep heat sources away.
- Harsh solvents and unknown cleaners.
- Heavy equipment dragged across the surface.
When maintenance stops being enough
Turf wears out. Flattened, thinning or shifting areas near the end of its life mean replacement may be the better value. See how long artificial turf lasts and our turf removal and replacement page.
Common questions
How often should I brush artificial turf?
Brush when the blades look flattened, and more often where traffic is heavy. Your installer can give you a routine for your product.
Can I use a power washer on turf?
Check the manufacturer's guidance first. A garden hose and a turf-safe cleaner handle most jobs.
Does artificial turf need infill top-ups?
Infill can shift and thin with use, and zeolite infill may need topping up. Ask your installer how to tell when yours does.
Sources
- City of Thornton: Minor Planning Permit, Artificial Turf
- SitePrep: pet turf installation cost (August 2025)
- Resource Central: Why fake grass isn't a real solution
Checked November 11, 2026. Laws, programs and prices change, so confirm with the source before you decide.