SIMPLE DAY-TO-DAY CARE AND THOSE OCCASIONAL SPECIAL PROCEDURES NECESSARY FOR MINOR REPAIRS, SNOW REMOVAL, AND UNUSUAL EVENTS OR USES. THE FOLLOWING ARE GENERAL KEYS TO PRESERVING AND CLEANING YOUR TURF SYSTEM.

I. Daily Usage and Cleaning

1. Footwear should be restricted to ½” molded cleats
2. Stance areas for baseball/softball, lacrosse, and soccer goal mouths face abnormal wear patterns and must be monitored daily.
3. Band Practices may cause abnormal wear and the field must be monitored for rubber loss in high traffic areas.
4. Pets or animals should not be allowed on artificial turf areas.
5. Non-authorized vehicles should not be allowed on the turf. Light machinery such as Gators, tractors, and golf carts are permissible with turf tires only.
6. No food, chewing gum, sunflower seeds, and/or tobacco products on the playing surface.
7. Daily cleaning of the surface should be hand-picked. Vacuums with dual motors and leaf blowers recommended.
8. Turf grooming and cleaning must be done by trained sta and authorized equipment
9. Steps must be taken to prevent dirt/debris from collecting onto the surface from nearby trees and parking lot trash.

CLEANING GENERAL INFO
Rain is your best cleanser. Rainfall gently cleans the turf fibers of dust, pollen, and airborne pollutants in a way that is difficult to duplicate in any other fashion. In areas where rainfall is scarce- or during prolonged periods of drought- an occasional water flush is beneficial to soak and thus cleanse the turf system this procedure is recommended for all turf systems.

HOWEVER, THE MOST OBVIOUS CLEANING NEEDED is the removal of litter deposited by users and spectators at events held on the field. Good housekeeping practices will minimize these problems:
• Keep trash and litter containers on site make sure there are enough containers to eliminate overflow.
• Route field traffic in such a way as to minimize mud and dirt tracks onto the field.
• Set up drinks for athletes during practice breaks off the field itself, if possible.
• Enforce a smoke-free environment, if possible, and discourage the use of tobacco products such as chewing tobacco.

LITTER REMOVAL
Paper, peanut shells, sunflower seeds, athletic tape, paper, etc., should and can be removed most easily with a lawn sweeper or a motorized vacuum sweeper immediately after any
event.

When using these machines, several points should be observed so the machine does not damage the turf.

BRUSH SETTING
The sweeper should have synthetic fiber bristles such as nylon or polypropylene. The brush must contain no metal or wire! (Metal bristles or fibers can create a safety hazard in addition to damaging the turf in use.) Proper cleaning should go against the grain along the seams and try not to cross over of the seams.

FREQUENCY
The removal of loose rubbish and surface dust should be performed on an as need basis, generally about twice a month during heavy use periods.

Learn about how to remove stains from your artificial turf.