Thatch is the brown layer of dead stems and roots between green grass and soil. A thin layer protects the crown, but a thick mat can keep water and fertilizer from reaching the root zone. The goal is to loosen excess thatch without tearing out healthy grass.
Check before raking
Cut a small square from an inconspicuous spot and measure the spongy brown layer. If it is only a light layer, regular mowing, watering, and soil contact may be enough. Dethatch when the grass is actively growing and the soil is workable, not during drought, heat stress, or dormancy.
Choose the right tool
A hand thatch rake works well for a small lawn because you can control pressure. Set the tines so they skim the surface rather than dig into the crown. Pull in short passes, changing direction occasionally. Stop when the loose material lifts but green plants remain rooted.
Finish and recover
Rake the loosened material into piles and compost it only if it is free of weeds and disease. Water deeply if the lawn is dry, but do not keep it saturated. Wait before applying heavy fertilizer. If the soil is compacted, core aeration may solve the underlying problem better than repeated aggressive raking.
Wear gloves and eye protection. If large bare areas appear, pause and reseed after the lawn has recovered.