
With warmer weather just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about those outdoor projects to get ready for spring and summer. Your patio or other outdoor space may have taken a beating this winter with all the snow, salt and dirt piling up. Luckily, sprucing up your patio doesn’t have to be a huge project. I talked to a professional who gave advice on patio projects that you can do on the weekend.
Clean Your Patio
The first step to getting your outdoor space ready is to clean off all the dirt, salt and grime that has built up all winter long. Start by using a broom to sweep all the dirt and debris off.
Your next step is to wash your patio. Using a power washer is the best way to get your patio looking like new again. If you don’t have a power washer handy, using your hose with an attachable nozzle works, too.
Patios can range from wood, brick, pavers and concrete, and each type has a specific way to best clean it. Doing research on your specific patio type before starting the process is important.
A Little TLC
Your patio might need some tender loving care after the winter. The amount of TLC needed will depend on what type of patio you have.
Depending on how old your wood patio is, the amount of TLC needed can be a longer weekend project than a stone or brick patio would require. If your wood patio has seen better days, plan a weekend where you can spend time sanding, staining and waterproof-sealing the entire patio. This can make your patio look brand new and give your yard a “wow” factor.
Brick, concrete and stone patios shouldn’t need quite as much work, although adding a waterproof seal will not only give your patio a nice shine, it’ll also protect it throughout the year.
Revamp Outdoor Furniture
Whether you keep your outdoor furniture outside during the winter or you keep it in storage, a deep clean might be needed. The type of outdoor furniture you have will dictate how best to clean it. I talked to Harriet Jones, a cleaning and maintenance supervisor at Go Clean London, who gave some great tips on how to clean certain furniture types.
Plastic Patio Furniture
Jones recommends using bleach or vinegar to clean up plastic patio furniture.
When using beach to clean, Jones says, “Put on rubber gloves, and combine a quarter cup of household bleach with hot water, and mix them in a bucket.”
After you have your mixture, use a brush to scrub the furniture with it. After letting the solution sit on the furniture for a while, rinse with water and dry with a clean rag.
Vinegar is also a great cleaning solution for plastic furniture.
“First, wet the furniture with a hose. Use a bucket and make a solution of hot water and a quarter cup of vinegar. Remove dirt or dried food leftovers with a soft brush. Rinse the furniture and let it air dry.” says Jones.
Wicker or Teak Furniture
Jones suggests using water and a gentle oil-based soap and a damp, soft brush on wicker or teak. You’ll want to gently scrub the furniture, then rinse it off with a hose.
“You can prevent dirt buildup on wicker furniture by hosing down the piece every two weeks.” Jones explains.
Outdoor Cushions
Mold and mildew can become a problem with outdoor cushions. To prevent this from happening, Jones suggests regularly brushing off the dust and debris from the cushions. You can use a vacuum cleaner to get trapped dirt in the hard-to-reach places.
Your weekend patio projects don’t have to be all about cleaning! Look to add some fun to your patio this summer. You can turn your patio into a great summer hangout for the entire family by adding a fire pit, hanging up a hammock, adding some fun lights and decorations. Comment below with any other weekend patio projects you’ve done to get ready for the summer!
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Great info! Thanks
Sure thing, Roxanne!
Very helpful and useful ideas!
We aim to please, Charles! Thanks for writing.
Thanks for the info!
We’re happy to write it, Jennifer! And thanks for your kind words.
It is amazing what a person can do with leftover wood. Like build a deck
I suppose that’s true, Laura! Thanks for commenting.
Great ways to build equity in your home and then have the added enjoyment of your new patio for the summer! Sweet! Making your home great again. Cant TRUMP that! It’s all TRUMP!
You’re right, Robert! It is a great way to build equity in your home!
Thanks for the article. Didn’t know about vinegar for plastics.
Sure thing, Jerri! Thanks for reading.
Good luck to all!!!
COOLIO!
We think you’re pretty coolio too, Tabitha!
Thanks for the info. I will be getting my deck ready for a 4th of July cookout,
Good luck, Carolyn! Let us know how it goes!
Very cool!
Thanks, Mich!
Good ideas! Thanks.
You’re welcome, Deb! Good luck!
Thankd
Thanks
You’re welcome, Sherri! Good luck!
Nice ideas
Gracias, Pamela!
This is awesome!
Glad you liked it, Bri!
This would be great!
Good luck, Allen!
This would be awesome
It would be, Patience! I hope you have quick fingers.
Truly wonderful advice
Glad you like it!
Sweet
Thanks, Scott!
i agree. great advice
Thanks, Marsha!
cool info – many thanks
You’re welcome!
Working on improvements.
Best of luck!
Need to win!!!!
Fingers crossed.
Great ideas.
Thanks!
You provided many great ideas. I am definitely going to incorporate some of them into my plans. Thanks a lot!
You’re welcome, William!
Interesting. Thanks
Thanks a million, Pam!
Awesome!!
Good luck, Tabatha!
Love it!
Thanks, Veronica!
It would be nice to win something, I can definitely use some cash for the summer fix up
Good luck, Robert! Hopefully you have dashing digits!
so cool!!!!!
Thanks!
The outdoor fountains are something that my brother-in-law will be really interested in.
Have him enter, Cynthia! Good luck!
Sick! So pump! Hype! Can’t wait to see if I can snag it!
That would be so totally rad, Jacob! Good luck!
Great ideas here!! Glad I took the time to read this!!
Thanks for the positive feedback, Charles! Have a wonderful day and good luck in the contest!
Good to know.
Glad to provide insight, Carol!
Great ideas
Glad to hear you liked it, Diane!
Thankyou good advices
You’re so welcome, Irma!
Would love to win this!
Have your fingers at the ready, Gene!
GReat ideas.
You flatter us, Canzida!
Would love to add some new ideas to my Den. Fun! Still adding some touch ups throughout our home.
Good luck making the den of your dreams, Barbara!
I learned a couple of good ideas such as using vinegar water mixture to clean plastic furniture
I’m glad you found it useful, Sherry!
Hope I win Zing!
Good luck, Robin! Get your fingers ready before it zings on by! 🙂
I would love to win something to help me update my patio. It is looking drab and old and I would love for it to look young again.
Get those fingers ready and maybe you can breathe some life into it. Good luck!
I wish I had a back yard I could use. Mine is a jungle
One man’s jungle is another man’s paradise. If you win, maybe you can turn it into one.
Nice patio, but I think it would take us more than a weekend. Beautiful
Everybody has their own pace. Good luck in the contest, Diana!
We have a very desperate patio area – needs $ $ $.
We already have a Quicken Loan Home Mortgage ! Great Rate !
Hi Roy:
I’m really glad we were able to help you with your mortgage! To win the contest, you’ve got to have quick fingers. Good luck!
Thank you!
You’re welcome, Lorna!
I love Zing; they always have the greatest ideas.
That’s so nice of you to say, Rkia!
Great ideas! Some are a little late in the season…
I hope that not too many people are just starting to think about their patios in June!
I just need enough to add a 1/2 Bath to my Master bedroom! this would be so appreciated TY!
Hey Judy:
May your speed serve you well.
Good ideas
Thanks, Steve!
It’s better when you out doors.
I agree, Lester!
I really appreciated the easy, inexpensive clean-up for plastic patio furniture. I plan to utilize it soon. . . 🙂
These projects are great and my yard needs a little work to make it look like that.
I have a place next to my patio where my grill is that needs some tile/brick!
Thank you for the ideas!
Joanne C. Olson
Hi JoAnne:
I’m glad you like the ideas. Good luck!
Thanks,
Kevin Graham
new patio furniture new pool furniture. lots of pots with flowers.
Here’s hoping for fast fingers, Marlene!
Thanks for the great tips!
You’re welcome, Candee!
That was interesting.
That was the goal! Thanks!
ready to win. Spind a lot of time in my backyard.
You have to be quick on the draw, Marci! Good luck!
Comment
Afternoon, Janette!
great ideas!
Thank you, Kim! Good luck!
Thank you!
You’re welcome, Valerie! Good luck!
Thanks for all your tips. I need to win!
Be a speed demon, Vanna!
This sounds awesome🙂
We think so, too, Jordan! Good luck!
No comment
Is something wrong, Roy? 🙁
replied
That you did, Eric! That you did!
Great ideas!
You’re too much, Kristi! Good luck.
Looking forward to a grrreeat win !
Is your name Glenn? Because I could have easily mistaken you for Tony the Tiger! 🙂 Good luck!
Nice!
Thanks, Sady!
Beautiful!
Glad you enjoyed it, Michael!
Exiceted
Not as excited as we are, Alfredo!
Great tead
That means a lot, Gary!
Cool
You’re pretty cool customer yourself, Aaron!
Thanks for the art- need to start on my deck!
Glad we could provide some inspiration, Peter!
I WOULD LIKE A BACK YARD MAKE OVER
Be the quickest, Stephanie! Good luck!
Great article for getting the back yard and furniture cleaned up.
Thank you, Robert!
Great ideas
We’re blushing, Vicki!
awesome
We’re flattered you think so, David!
Cool beans
We think you’re the bees knees, Carole!
My backyard is in desperate help. Needs major TLC.
Hopefully you have good quick twitch muscles. Good luck in the contest!
Thanks for the suggestions! Good ideas here – I’ve been wanting a fountain.
Good luck in the contest, Mary!
Great ideas for summer sprucing up of your patio!
Glad you enjoyed it, Paula! Come on back. There’s plenty of great stuff where this came from!
Great site
Thanks, Gary!
I just installed a 12 x 12 Rumblestone patio in Sierra bland. I love it, but I don’t know how to keep it looking colorful. When wet it is great, but once it dries it goes all dull. Any suggestions?
If you’ve got to keep it wet, the only thing I can think of is periodic sprinkling.
🙂
😉
Absolutely beautiful!!!
Please make me win!
We don’t have control over that, Stella. It’s all in the speed of the thumbs! 🙂 Good luck!
Hi
Hey there, Brian!
👍
Back at you, Kelly!
This had a lot of helpful information!
Thank you very much, Lynda!
Great info!!
Glad you think so, Todd!
good stuff
Thanks, Patricia!