Low-pressure rinse
How to clean artificial turf and fences without causing damage
Artificial turf needs a low, angled fan spray to avoid displacing the infill, while timber and Colorbond fences each need their own careful settings to avoid splintering or stripping paint. Here's how to get both right.
Artificial turf: infill is the key risk
Most artificial turf has a layer of sand or rubber infill between the blades that keeps it upright and cushioned. A concentrated jet held close and straight down can blow this infill out of position, leaving bald, uneven patches. The fix is a wide fan spray, held at a shallow angle, moving steadily rather than pausing in one spot.
Cleaning artificial turf, step by step
- Remove loose debris like leaves and twigs by hand or with a leaf blower first.
- Set the nozzle to fan spray and hold it at a low, shallow angle rather than pointing straight down.
- Work in slow, sweeping passes across the turf, keeping the nozzle moving at all times.
- For pet waste or spills, rinse the spot gently and consider a pet-safe turf cleaner for odour, applied per the label.
- Let the turf air-dry and brush the fibres back upright with a stiff broom if they've been flattened.
Test first
Always test a small, inconspicuous corner of turf before your first full clean, to check the infill and backing handle the spray well in your specific installation.
Timber, Colorbond, gates and retaining walls
| Surface | Nozzle setting | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Timber fencing (untreated) | Fan spray | Concentrated jet can splinter or gouge soft grain |
| Timber fencing (treated/painted) | Fan spray | Test a hidden panel first for paint lift |
| Colorbond fencing | Fan spray | Avoid close-range jet, which can dull the coating over time |
| Steel/timber gates and hinges | Concentrated jet | Good for grit in hinges and tracks |
| Besser block/concrete retaining walls | Concentrated jet | Handles pressure well for algae and grime |
The method for fences and walls
- Start at the top of the fence line and work down in overlapping passes so dirty runoff doesn't re-dirty a section you've already cleaned.
- Switch nozzle settings as you move between materials — fan spray for painted timber and Colorbond, concentrated jet for bare concrete or masonry.
- Pay extra attention to gate hinges and the base of retaining walls, where grit and moss build up fastest.
- Rinse garden beds and plants lightly with plain water afterwards if any cleaner or runoff has reached them.
How long it takes
A typical suburban backyard with artificial turf takes about 20-30 minutes to rinse thoroughly. A full boundary fence line of 20-30 metres, mixing timber and Colorbond, takes closer to an hour when you include gates and a retaining wall section.
Mistakes to avoid
- Holding the jet nozzle straight down and stationary on artificial turf, which displaces infill
- Using the concentrated jet close-range on painted timber or Colorbond, which can strip finish over time
- Forgetting to test a hidden section of turf or fence before a full clean
- Letting cleaning runoff pool against timber posts, which can encourage rot
Questions
Frequently asked
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