Spring cleaning isn’t just about getting the indoors clean. It’s also about getting your outdoor areas ready for summer – BBQs, family and friends, and pets.
The patio is where we entertain guests, fire up the grill and enjoy a glass of ice tea or an ice cold beer. All of the good things about summer and backyard living take place on the patio so it makes sense that you give it just as much attention as your indoors.
These spring cleaning tips for your patio will get it spic and span just in time for that first cookout.
1. Dust out the Cobwebs – Check under eaves the house, under the patio table, under chairs and anything you left out all winter long. Use a soft brush to whisk them away or use a handheld vacuum to remove the cobwebs. Of course, spiders eat many pests such as mosquitos and flies so if possible leave a web or two in other areas of the yard like trees and fences.
2.Windows – You can use a cleaner made especially for windows like Windex, or you can use a solution of water and vinegar to clean your windows. Clean the windows on a sunny day so you can see any streaks.
3.Patio Furniture – A little dish soap goes a long way. Or, you can use a pressure washer if you have one on hand. Mix up some soapy water and start scrubbing any hard surfaces. Rinse with the hose. For cushions use your handheld vacuum to get up dust and debris that has settled in over the winter. If the cushions are stained use a little of the warm dish soap water mixture to scrub out the stain and then let dry in the sun.
4.Screen Doors – If you have pets or small children you have finger prints and nose prints on your screen door or storm doors. You can use the same dish soap water to scrub any smudges on your doors.
5.Garbage Can – If you’re like most people you don’t give much thought to your trash can out in the alley or garage. However, it probably stinks. If your trash hauler doesn’t come around and clean them from time to time (and most don’t offer the service) you can take your garden hose and a little bit of dish soap to clean it up. A pressure washer would work well here, too, but the hose will do the job in a pinch. Once cleaned leave open in the sun to dry thoroughly.
6.The Grill – Use a grill scraper to remove dried or burnt food from the grill. Turn the grill on high and scrape away. After the grill has cooled down you can wipe the sides down to remove excess grease from the sides of the grill. A seasoned grill is a good thing, but you want to remove excess grease that could start a fire. Check briquettes to see if they need replacing on gas grills. Don’t forget to remove any cobwebs from the hood of the grill.
That’s it, your patio is ready for summer entertaining!
