If you enjoy gardening and taking care of things outdoors, your garden furniture has probably been washed down already and tucked away in your garage. Your patio is also mildew-free. However, if garden maintenance is not your thing, you could have a serious clean up that you must attend to.
Perhaps your wood and plastic furniture could be a bit brighter, but you aren’t very sure what you should do or where to start. Well, we are here to help you with some basic cleaning strategies that will ensure everything’s well taken care of!
Now, let’s get real. The truth is no one wants to sit outside if the furniture is grimy and wet or dirty. In order to keep patio furniture as clean as you’d like, routine cleanings are necessary. Just as you have a routine indoors, you need a routine outdoors. For best results, you should clean outdoor furniture four times a year. Once at the beginning of summer, at the end, and a few times in between. During winter months, make sure to store your furniture in your garage to prevent additional weathering.
To clean your patio furniture, the best method depends on the material of the items you have. We’ve identified the right way to clean wood and metal furniture. These cleaning tips are guaranteed to breathe new life back into your outdoors.
First step, is…
You guessed it. Declutter.
Declutter what you know you won’t need. Similar to cleaning any area, start by decluttering and getting rid of what you know you won’t use. Look around for things you should get rid of. Like for example broken outdoor furniture you won’t fix or rusty tools you haven’t touched in a long time. However, if you have things that are in good condition, but you don’t plan on using, consider donating any old patio furniture or toys your kids left behind.
Make your job easier. Rent a pressure washer.
If your patio is made out of concrete or stone, a deep cleaning made with a pressure washer can remove a lot of buildup of dirt and grime. If you own one, you probably already know the perks it has. However, for those who don’t own a pressure washer, you can likely rent one. Also, make sure to use it carefully. Don’t point it at anyone. Make sure your pets are nowhere near as well. The pressure can be dangerous. Be careful.
Slabs
Slabs might be a bit harder to clean, but you can use your handy dandy stiff brush and a patio cleaner.
Wood
Hardwoods do not need preserving. You can simply wipe over with teak oil twice a year which accentuates the grain and the color. To softer woods you need a wood preservative and then follow it up by using a varnish. To restore painted and varnished wood, you can use fine sandpaper and add a coat of each once again. If you can’t store your furniture in the garage, make sure to at least use protective covers to prolong their life as much as possible and avoid their possible tarnishing.
Metal
Proper cleaning is essential for the shine on metal furniture. For aluminum pieces, oxidation is the most common problem. Before cleaning, remove marks as much as possible using a half and half solution of white vinegar and water. Avoid alkaline cleaners since they can cause oxidation. Protect its luster by washing aluminum furniture frequently and removing scuff marks with a soft cloth dampened. Use a rust-resistant primer before painting with a rust-resistant paint.
Get ready to dust off the pool toys and lawn games.
Collect your kid’s yard toys. A thorough rinse with a garden hose will remove any dirt or cobwebs that have collected. For grime, dip a soft sponge in soapy water. Lay these items in the sun to dry to help prevent mildew.
Mow the lawn.
Part of protecting your gardening as well is collecting leaves from the surrounding areas. Also, collect any branches that have fallen in your yard over time, then rake away dead leaves. Not only will raking the leaves make your yard look neater, but it will allow the grass to breathe. Now, if you see some grass going astray, you can also proceed to mow your lawn accordingly. You can do some mulching. It doesn’t necessarily apply to cleaning but adding a fresh layer of mulch to the garden beds never fails to make a patio look much nicer. Plus, some garden pros swear by mulching before they plant.
Are you in need of a cleaning service? If you are, you should definitely contact us. We offer plenty of services that ensure the freshness of your home including residential, commercial, deep house and commercial cleaning. We want you to leave the hard work to us. After all, your satisfaction is our goal.
Your safety and our team’s safety are our highest priority. If you have any questions regarding our schedule, you can contact us. We also have a referral fee going on that you can join as well!
