7 Expert Tips for a Spotless Outdoor Space
How many of you have walked out of your front door, took one look around and felt like you needed to instantly sweep away the dirt, leaves, or grime in your outdoor sanctuary? Wondering how to make your patio sparkle again without spending hours scrubbing it by hand? Or thought, “There must be a smarter, easier way for my garden or deck to look fresh year-round”? How do the pros — the landscaping professionals and professional cleaners — get those outdoor spaces to sparkle so easily? If you’ve asked yourself one or all of these questions, you’re not alone. Sure, it can be a pain to keep up an outdoor space, but what if it doesn’t have to be? Ready to learn an array of kooky hacks and clever tricks that will help you turn your yard, patio or balcony into a clean and welcoming oasis? With no further ado, let’s get into the top 7 tricks to get rid of it all and clean your outdoor space like a pro!
1. Clearing Debris Quickly with a Leaf Blower
One of the easiest and best ways to clean up any kind of area outside is with a leaf blower, as per Bond Clean Toowoomba. Instead of tugging out a rake and struggling with bags of leaves and piles of dirt, a leaf blower can clean your patio, deck and lawn in mere minutes. After windy days or when the leaves drop during the season is a great time to have it. For narrow areas or corners, use a blower that features a slim nozzle attachment, which helps to direct the airflow with accuracy. If you don’t have a leaf blower, you can also use a broom with stiff bristles, but the work will need to be repeated in order to do a thorough job. Either way, if you clear the loose stuff first, the rest of your cleaning just got easier and a little faster.
2. Power Wash for a Slate Look
When it comes to restoring soiled outdoor surfaces, nothing beats a pressure washer. From concrete patios and garden paths to wooden decks, outdoor furniture or siding, pressure washing removes dirt, algae and mildew that regular scrubbing won’t. The high-pressure water stream can penetrate even into cracks and crevices, so surfaces look ultra clean, almost brand new. Just be sure to change the pressure settings so you don’t ruin delicate materials like soft wood or painted surfaces. If you don’t have a pressure washer, many home improvement stores rent them for a nominal cost. Combine with an appropriate outdoor cleaner or mild detergent for even more impressive results.
3. Natural Remedies for Killing Mold and Mildew
Moulds and mildew are outside infestations and grow mainly in damp shade. Avoid using chemicals; go with natural cleaners instead. Prepare a solution of three parts water to one part white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray this solution onto the affected areas. Leave it for 15-20 minutes, then clean by using a hard brush and splash water properly to get it clean. A dusting of baking soda sprayed across moldy areas can also neutralise odours and clean grime. These green tricks are safe for plants and pets and super effective at getting rid of mold.
4. Outdoor Furniture with warm water and dish soap
Outdoor furniture gets dirty and can be stained by the dirt, pollen, and bird droppings that it collects. For quick cleans, wipe down with a clean, dry cloth.” (For regular cleaning, fill a bucket with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap. Dip a sponge or soft cloth in the mix and use it to clean chairs, tables and cushions of outdoor furniture. Stains on plastic or metal furniture can be tough, but a non-metal brush (a nylon one works) is your friend. Avoid abrasive or harsh sutd cleaners which will damage finished surfaces. As for fabric cushions, indoors and out, always refer to care labels; consider using removable, washable covers if you want to keep them fresh and free of stains all season long.
5. How to Spoil Your Wooden Deck with an Easy Homemade Scrub
Wooden decks provide a connection to nature in the outdoors, but they require regular sealer applications to stay beautiful. Scrub your deck with homemade soapy water, warm water with a bit of dish soap and a cup of white vinegar. Use a stiff broom or brush to apply this mixture, scrubbing in the direction of the wood grain to dislodge dirt and mildew. When finished scrubbing, rinse with a garden hose or power washer on low. Or, to the deeper stains such as weathered wood, lightly sand before sealing or staining to have your deck ready for company and protect it from the harsh elements.
6. Keep Gutters and Downspouts Clean
Gutters and downspouts should be kept clean on a regular basis. Gutters and downspouts will be clean and clear, which is often a forgotten but important task in helping you prevent water damage around your outdoor space. Leaves, twigs and dirt clog gutters, which lead to overflows that can erode soil or lead to damage to patios and foundations. Use gloves and a scoop, or a small garden trowel, to remove debris from gutters twice a year, ideally in the spring and fall. Run a hose through the system to check that water is flowing. If your gutters are in a hard-to-reach area, get a professional to clean them safely, Getty said. A good gutter cleaning helps preserve the integrity of your outdoor space and saves you money on repairs.
7. Sweep and Hose Down Outdoor Rugs and Mats
Outdoor rugs and mats provide comfort and style but can also harbour dirt, requiring them to be washed regularly. Frequent, vigorous shaking of rugs outside to release accumulated dust and dirt. To give them a more thorough cleaning, hose them off and lightly scrub them with warm, soapy water. Let them dry completely before reinserting them to prevent mold. Mats at entryways should be vacuumed or shaken often to prevent dirt from being tracked inside your home. With regular maintenance, these sartorial add-ons will always look crisp and new and, more importantly, last longer.
Final Thoughts: Clean Up Your Outdoor Space And Keep It That Way!
You don’t have to douse your outdoor space in chemicals to make it spotless. But with the proper equipment and these genius tricks (we even ordered some to test for ourselves), you can keep your outdoor space beautiful and ready for relaxing and fun. Whether it’s sifting through the fallen leaves or the stubborn stains or some dusty furniture you’ve been ignoring, these ideas will make cleaning more efficient, and dare I say, maybe ease even a bit of the pain. Consider beginning with one or two of these tricks this weekend, and see how your little patch of the climate becomes your immaculate refuge.
So, what trick will you attempt first? A brief sweep with a leaf blower, a fierce spraying with a pressure wash, or perhaps that organic mold eliminator? Whichever you prefer, the key is regular maintenance so that your outdoor space is always ready for the enjoyment of any season.