Sprucing Up Your Deck and Patio for Spring EnjoymentBy John Voket As spring-like weather begins creeping across the northern tier of the country, one of the first and most gratifying exercises to extract from winter's doldrums is spending some time relaxing on the patio, So I turned to diynetwork.com for some quick and easy tips to get your patio spruced up and ready for hanging out. First, clean your cushions using a mixture of 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent, 1 quart warm water and 1 tablespoon borax. Use a sponge or spray bottle to saturate cushions on both sides, paying particular attention to the crevices and creases. Let the cushion sit for 15 minutes, then spray the solution off with a hose and stand cushions on their edge out of direct sunlight to dry. When almost dry, spray with a fabric protector. If canvas seat covers are removable, most are machine-washable - just remember to put the canvas back on the furniture while it is still damp to maintain its shape. If the canvas cannot be removed, the DIY Network recommends a scrub brush and a bar of Fels-Naptha laundry soap. Run the brush back and forth across the soap, scrub the canvas, rinse well and stand cushions up on edge. To clean plain aluminum (the old-style lawn chairs), you'll need a plastic scrubber or fine steel wool soaked in detergent. Simply scrub the chairs, rinse well and dry. For white plastic mix 1 gallon warm water and 3 tablespoons automatic dishwashing detergent to whiten the plastic. Use a sponge or soft brush to clean, leave the solution on 15 minutes, then rinse and dry. For colored plastic or resin, use an all-purpose cleaner and water. Rinse well because sunlight and weather will accelerate the fading process. To clean aluminum with a baked-on enamel finish, keep in mind that the surface can scratch so use a sponge soaked in detergent or an all-purpose non-abrasive cleaner. Scrub, rinse and dry with a soft cloth. Clean plastic webbing with an all-purpose cleaner and scrub brush for any stains. Rinse with plenty of water. To clean your grill window, spray the inside of the glass with oven cleaner, wait a few minutes and then scrub it. Then rinse and go get the steaks! |
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