After a long spring and winter season, you are probably excited about the summer season. The summer season is a great time to hang out with friends and family outdoors since the sun is warm and flowers are blooming. However, there is a need to get your outdoor space ready if you want to get the most out of the summer weather.

To get your deck or patio ready for summer, be sure to follow these 6 cleaning tips.

1. Declutter and Organize

To clean your furniture, you will need warm soapy water, a brush, and a hose. It is also advisable to condition wooden furniture with seal products like natural oil blends or teak oil for added protection. Also, don’t forget to wash all your outdoor furniture cushions and pillows.

2. Clean Your Outdoor Furniture

Now that your space is organized, the next step is cleaning outdoor furniture. Proper cleaning and patio maintenance protect the furniture from the damaging effects of harsh weather.

To clean your furniture, you will need warm soapy water, a brush, and a hose. It is also advisable to condition wooden furniture with seal products like natural oil blends or teak oil for added protection. Also, don’t forget to wash all your outdoor furniture cushions and pillows.

3. Clean the Deck or Patio

Cleaning patio floors should be done at least once or twice a year, especially during spring or summer. Of course, the method for washing patio floors will depend on the type of floor. Follow these helpful tips for cleaning patio floors:

Concrete

A concrete patio is not only aesthetically pleasing but also very durable. This is particularly true if the concrete is installed by reliable contractors. Here is how to clean your concrete patio.

  • Before you clean your concrete patio, make sure that you do adequate preparation and remove any objects.
  • Use a large push broom to remove large debris like leaves.
  • Use a pressure washer to wash the floor. If you don’t have one, then a garden hose will do.
  • Use your cleaning solution and a stiff brush to thoroughly scrub the area. Be careful not to spill the cleaning solution on the flowerbeds or grass.
  • Leave the cleaning solution for about 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing off with your pressure washer or hose.

Wood Decks

Wood decks can be easily damaged and discoloured when constantly exposed to harsh weather conditions. Hence, they require special attention, preferably cleaning once a year.

  • Similar to concrete, sweep the deck to remove debris.
  • Use a pressure washer or hose to rinse off.
  • Mix your preferred deck cleaner with warm water and use the solution to clean the area. For better results, you may opt for commercial deck cleaners rather than chlorine bleach.
  • Allow the cleaner to sit for about 15 minutes and rinse off with a hose.
  • Wait for the deck to dry completely before placing back furniture.
  • You may also want to treat your deck by applying some deck staining. This treatment will protect the wood from weather damage. You may contact your deck contractor to do this for you
Note: Always realign the planks that have been dislodged as they can be risky. Also, make sure that you replace warped wood before cleaning your deck.

4. Clean the Grill

In preparation for the season, you need to give your grill a thorough deep clean. Depending on how often you use it, it is highly advisable to give your grill a deep clean once or twice a year.

5. Clean the Umbrella and Pool Toys

If you happen to use an umbrella for your outdoor space, make sure that you dust and clean it to get it ready for the season. This is also true if you had stored the umbrella last year. Similarly, don’t forget to dust off and clean pool and lawn game toys.

6. Mow the Lawn

With your deck ready and patio furniture clean, it is now time to mow the lawn. However, collect debris like twigs first since they can hinder the mower’s performance. Use a rake to remove dead leaves and allow your grass to breathe. To enhance your space further for the summer, consider growing some plants that complement the colour of your patio and furniture.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you will get your deck or patio prepped for the summer season. This way, you can spend more time outside enjoying the fresh, summer weather and even entertain others. Don’t forget to continue with patio maintenance during and after the summer season.