Summer is a season for outdoor recreation, cocktails on patios, and scenic dog walks. However, with the warm weather comes outdoor maintenance chores that must be done to maintain your home’s exterior. Especially for your patio. When the weather is getting warm, you probably spend your time enjoying the weather on your patio. But first, you have to clean your patio properly. This step is very important to face and prepare for the summertime.
Whether your patio is made of teak, wicker, or a concrete surface, regular cleaning will prevent mildew and dirt buildup. Use this handy summer patio cleaning checklist to keep your outdoor spaces clean and ready for backyard barbecues and family gatherings!
Clean the Furniture
Whether your patio furniture is wood, plastic, or metal, it needs to be thoroughly cleaned before you use it in the summer and again before it’s put away in the fall. This will help keep it looking good, free of stains and mold, and free from spiderwebs.
If you have wicker furniture, regularly wipe it down with a solution of 1 part mild liquid soap and 1 part water or a commercial wicker cleaning product. Avoid using bleach or chlorine cleaners on wicker as they may cause it to break down over time. For metal furniture, regularly wipe it down with a non-abrasive metal polishing paste or a mixture of 1:1 white vinegar and water.
If your outdoor furniture is made of stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and other metal products, you need to treat them well. You have to find the right way and product to clean your metal furniture. In this case, you can use a non-woven polishing burnishing treatment. It will help you to clean the surface of the metal furniture and make your summer cleaning easier.
Wash your Cushions
If you have cushions for your furniture, make sure they are made for outdoor use. Be sure to hose off the cushions as well and wash them according to the care label. If your cushions have a care tag, read it to see if you should use a fabric cleaner that is safe for outdoor use. Regularly brushing the cushions with a bristle brush can help prevent mildew growth and vacuuming the cushion seams with a crevice attachment is helpful as well.
Clean the Grill
Before you light up the grill for the first time this season, give it a deep clean. First, remove the grates from your grill and use a metal scraper or putty knife to get at any stubborn gunk that won’t budge with a brush. Then, soak the cooking and charcoal grates in warm soapy water for an hour.
Once they’re dry, scrub them down with a sponge and some baking soda or oven cleaner to get rid of the sticky residue and odors that build up over time. Make sure to wipe down the grill handle and lid, too. Next, reassemble your grill and hook up the gas. Now, you’re ready to start chowing down on some tasty summer foods!
Clean the Floors
It’s a good idea to sweep and hose down your patio floors regularly. This will help keep any organic material that lands on your patio from having the chance to really set in and become difficult to get out. This preventative measure is an easy win and one that will help your home look more pristine in general. You can use a simple mixture of vinegar and water to lift any existing dirt stains on your patio concrete surface. For heavy mildew stains on the patio floor, a bleach solution is usually the way to go. Cleaning the floor will ensure that it is free from dust and other debris.