How to Spring Clean Your Patio
As the snow, slush and rain of winter (hopefully) turn into sunnier days, we start thinking about using our backyards and decks again.
Warmer weather means you can enjoy your great outdoors, but first you have to tidy up! Here’s how:
Declutter
If you’re like most of us, you use your yard to store things – from kids’ toys to gardening tools.
Take a look around and see what you can do without. If you’re a fan of Marie Kondo, the author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, this will probably be fun for you! Either donate what you don’t need or find somewhere else to store it.
Get rid of grime
Spring clean your patio to leave it sparkling. Sweep up debris and rinse everything off with a garden hose.
Mix up a cleaning solution that’s safe for your wood or concrete or start with soap and water if you’re not sure. Use a scrub brush to get rid of stubborn spots and rinse everything off.
Clean up cushions and umbrellas
After a long, cold winter your pillows and umbrella may be looking a bit dingy. Mix a quart of warm water, a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent and a tablespoon of borax in a bucket.
Using a sponge, scrub the cushions and allow everything to sit for about 15 minutes. Rinse with water and stand the cushions to dry in the sun.
Upgrade the aesthetics
Now is the perfect time to bring in some new stuff. Depending on your budget, you could buy a new furniture set, add patterned pillows or blankets or install a frameless outdoor railing.
These sleek and modern deck railings are the best way to enjoy an unobstructed view. With no handrail or bottom rail, it’s a great way to bring elegance to your entire area – whether you’re entertaining or alone with a book.
Other reasons to choose a frameless outdoor railing:
- It reduces wind and noise
- It’s maintenance free
- It’s safer than traditional deck rails as there are no panels for children or pets to climb through
- It’s easy to clean and maintain since there are no grooves or corners where dirt and mould can accumulate
Fix up your light fixtures
Don’t forget about your fixtures, which can get dusty and faded after a season of sitting unused. Start with a rag and window cleaner to wipe the inside and outside of the glass.
If there are hard-to-reach spots of dirt, dip an old toothbrush or paintbrush into the window cleaner.
If your fixture has faded, sweep on a new coat of paint or spray on some paint for a brand-new look. Why not try some bright colours like turquoise or Living Coral (Pantone’s 2019 Color of the Year) to welcome the warmer seasons?
Learn more about Living Coral in our recent blog on freshening up your bathroom. Don’t want to DIY your bathroom? Contact North Vancouver interior decorator Barbara Aylesworth at A Stroke of Genius.
One of Barbara’s projects
Take the time to thoroughly spring clean your patio before the warmer weather arrives. From de-griming your deck to adding a frameless outdoor railing or a new set of furniture, putting in the time and energy now will help you enjoy your time outdoors even more!
If you decide to install those newer deck rails, trust the experience and expertise of Eclipse Glass. With owner Adrian’s engineering background and mission to improve the design and installation of ordinary glasswork, he brings his heritage of European craftsmanship to everything he does. Contact Eclipse today.