Psssst!

As Spring emerges and we venture outdoors, one of the first things we find is the messy, icky, mossy deck, slippery walkways and driveways. Winter winds and constant rain can do surprising damage to all of our previously clean outdoor surfaces. Cleaning these surfaces can seem like a daunting task unless you know some secrets and are familiar with your options.

Attached find a list of tips for getting back to clean outdoor living so you can enjoy inviting friends over for a BBQ.

If you don’t want to do the work yourself, give me a call and I can refer you to qualified professionals.

Cleaning outdoor surfaces

There are many methods to use to clean outdoor surfaces. Here are some ideas to make that job easier. (If you have a great method, please share it with me so I can better serve all my clients.)

Do-it-yourself cleaning formula

Home Stores offer plenty of brand name cleaning products; alternately, inexpensive household chemicals can be mixed to save cash.

  • Heavy Duty – 3 quarts of water, 1 cup oxygen bleach & 1 cup of TSP. Mix well & apply evenly on the surface, scrub with a stiff broom. Leave it on for 10 minutes then scrub again. Rinse well before the solution has a chance to dry.
  • General Duty –1 gallon water, 1 cup powdered laundry detergent without bleach. If mildew stains are present add ¾ cup oxygen bleach. Follow scrubbing instructions above.
  • Light Duty, maintenance cleaner – 1 gallon of water, 2 cups white vinegar. Or ¾ cup oxygen bleach alone in 1 gallon of water.

*As with all products use caution to protect eyes, skin, clothing and plant material.

Pressure Washing tips

Tougher jobs can be attacked using a pressure washer to save time and effort. CAUTION: Pressure washers can be dangerous and cause damage.

· If you are renting or buying a pressure washer, get one that provides lots of flow (GPM) in addition to high pressure (PSI). Multiplying GPM X PSI = Cleaning units. The higher Cleaning Unit the better and the easier the job.

· Start with the lowest nozzle pressure and work up: Try a pressure nozzle with a wider fan pattern before resorting to one with a narrower pattern. Yellow nozzles spray at a fan pattern of 15 degrees, green at 25 degrees, and white at 40 degrees. Reserve the red nozzle (0 degrees) for unusual applications like stripping off hardened mud.

· Using a pressure washer in combination with cleaning products can improve performance and save time.

· Keep the nozzle moving, and hold it the recommended distance from the surface.

· Avoid blasting water upward or in the direction of planters, furniture, shrubs and people.

· Always use safety goggles and gloves.