With the warmer weather here, we cannot help but fantasize about summer barbeques, al fresco lunches and lounging on our decks and patios. But before we can enjoy the weather, the dreaded task of outdoor cleaning must be completed! I know that most of us hate cleaning (or have a penchant for not doing it), but ultimately love the feeling of a clean home – whether it’s an indoor or outdoor space. With a few basic cleaning recipes and tools you likely already have at home, cleaning the furniture can be a breeze (now that patio season is in full swing). Here is a quick how-to guide that will have your patio furniture looking spiffy in a jiffy. To start, you’ll need double-sided non-scratch scrub sponges and a scrub brush. The recipes involve vinegar, castile soap and water. These ingredients keep the yard safer for the “users” of your lawn (small insects, birds household pets), and it won’t discolor or rust your furniture like certain chemicals can. Read more about using food scraps to help your garden thrive

½ cup of castile soap 1 cup of vinegar 2 gallons of warm water Mix these ingredients together in a large bucket and fill a clean spray bottle with the solution. Prior to applying the solution, use a scrub brush to loosen dirt or debris by gently brushing off anything easy to remove from the surface (it will mean less scrubbing later on). Remove any cushions - these will be cleaned separately. Spray the solution liberally onto each piece. Let the mixture sit on the furniture for a few moments (5-10 minutes). If the solution has dried, re-spray the area. For woven pieces such as resin wicker, use the scrub brush to 'brush out' the dirt. Rinse the sponge often so that dirt is not re-distributed back onto the furniture. Hose the pieces down until all suds are gone to avoid any lingering residue on the furniture. Then, let the sun do the rest and air-dry them beautifully for you. 1 tablespoon of castile soap 1 gallon of warm water For teak and wicker furniture, try a gentler method.

Use a dry scrub brush to quickly dust off any loose debris. Then, dip the clean scrub brush into the bucket and gently scrub away the dirt and debris, being especially careful not to scrub too hard on the wicker (or else it can lose its shape). change fan toshiba laptopHose the surface off when done to remove all bubbles and residue. air duct cleaners usaOnly apply oil to teak if the manufacturer's instructions call for it. best vacuum cleaner for pet hair amazonUsually to maintain the amber glow it needs to be re-oiled about twice annually; bosch vacuum cleaner price list

if not, it becomes weathered and silvery. First, brush any debris off with the dry scrub brush. solution onto the cushions liberally and allow it to sit for 15This will allow the product to saturate the material and breakbest thing to clean suede sofaWipe soiled areas well with the non-scratch sponge to agitatebest robot vacuum cleaner 2013 australia and lift the dirt up. Use a cellulose sponge so that it can lift the dirt up without ruining the fabric of the cushions (a scouring padEnsure both sides have been cleaned this way. have passed, hose down both sides of the piece and lay it flat to dryFlip the cushions over when the top is dry so that the bottom side can dry as well. If the covers cannot be washed down for whatever reason, take a shop-vac out and vacuum up debris to keep it

When necessary, stains can be spot cleaned with warm, soapy water and a clean cloth. These can be cleaned twice a season. Remove slipcovers and place in the wash with regular laundry detergent on a regular cycle. slipcovers come out of the wash (i.e. do not place in the dryer), place them back onto the cushions to re-shape and stretch the covers out. This is an important step to ensure that the cushion covers maintain These pillows and cushions can be cleaned annually, usually at the beginning of the season. Most are machine washable (if they fit intoLaunder on a gentle cycle and tumble dry onToss a couple of tennis balls in the dryer to help beat out the excess moisture and promote quick drying. If you notice mildew on the umbrella, act fast and clean it well toThe simple way to accomplish this is to brush off as much mildew as possible using a scrub brush and then spray the umbrella with a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water on

Leave it for 30 minutes to soak. Take a clean scrub brush and remove the remaining mildew from the umbrella byHose it down when done to remove the solution andRe-spray the area with the vinegar and water solution to protect against mildew build up and repeat this monthly. is a safe solution that can be sprayed on all outdoor furniture to keep If no mildew is present, clean the umbrella at the beginning of the season by brushing off any loose debris, spraying the interior and exterior well with the solution, soaking it for 15 minutes and thenLeave it open to dry for at least a (sunny) day. Read more about chemical-free household cleaners you can make at home For regular maintenance, nothing more than a quick spray from the garden hose once a week is all that is needed to maintain the furnitureKeep your furniture, your lawn, and your own little ecosystem clean by employing these simple patio furnitureHow does one clean resin outdoor furniture?

To clean resin outdoor furniture, one can use either a mild all-purpose cleaner or laundry detergent and bleach, depending on the specific condition and color of the furniture. A person can clean colored resin patio furniture with an all-purpose cleaner and warm water. After cleaning the furniture, one rinses it well with water to prevent it from fading in the sun. How can I clean cotton upholstered furniture? What are some tips for repairing your own outdoor furniture? Does The Dump sell any outdoor furniture? Resin has a tendency to fade due to sun exposure and being outdoors in different types of weather conditions. This can cause resin furniture pieces to become brittle. By using an abrasive cleaner on this type of furniture, it can cause resin chairs and tables to become more brittle. For this reason, it is more appropriate to use a mild all-purpose cleaner instead of a harsh cleaner.In case one has light-colored or white patio furniture that is very dirty or yellow due to age, it is useful to clean the furniture with a solution containing 3/4 cup of bleach, 1 tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent and 1 gallon of warm water.

One can combine these ingredients in a bucket and use a soft-bristled brush to scrub away dirt and grime. One can leave the solution on the furniture for at least 15 minutes before rinsing it off with water. However, before using this solution, one can apply a small amount of it on a hidden section of the furniture to test whether it discolors. What are some traditional patterns for outdoor furniture? Some traditional styles of outdoor furniture include Adirondack chairs, woven wicker seating and wrought iron garden furniture. Simple wooden porch swings ... Is acacia wood good for outdoor furniture? Acacia wood is good for outdoor furniture. It is a dense, durable hardwood that has a high oil content and is resistant to the elements, rotting and insect... How do you refinish cherry furniture? Cherry wood has a beautiful color and grain, but it can lose its beauty if the finish is damaged. According to SFGate, lacquer gives the best results for r... What are some tips for purchasing replacement cushions for outdoor furniture?