A big chunk of autumn is dedicated to preparing for the winter. When it’s enjoying clear heavens and the couple remaining sunny days, or getting the most from your garden before the frost hits, we instinctively know that we have to prepare for darker, warmer, colder days ahead.
If you’re a homeowner, this includes prepping your house for a round of nasty weather. For those who have an outdoor terrace, there’s a lot to consider. From keeping to cleaning, these 8 tips will allow you to keep everything on your patio ready and waiting for warmer weather.
Spinnaker Development
1. Clean and keep your terrace furniture. If you’re packing off patio furniture for the winter, give everything a nice cleaning so that your furniture isn’t sitting in grime for the subsequent 6 months. It’s not necessary to go overboard though — they’re bound to collect more dust and grime before next summer.
For now, wipe dirt and debris off chairs and tables, and spray and wash everything down with water. Make sure it all dries completely before storing it indoors or covering it with a patio-furniture cover. Tie each cover into the furniture’s legs so that it remains in place.
Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design
2. Scrub patio cushions. Cushions can become a breeding ground for gunk of all kinds. Wipe off all of your outdoor cushions using a sterile sponge and water, and then scrub off whatever must be removed. Let it dry completely for a couple days to ensure there’s no moisture left.
If you find any mould when cleaning your cushions, leave them in the sunlight (the sun is a natural mold inhibitor). After the pillow is dry, then scrub off loose spores with a dry sponge. Should you encounter an especially tough stain, rub a few drops of bleach on it and wash and wash it away after a couple of minutes. After washing and drying completely, wrap your cushions in an old sheet or a garbage bag and keep them indoors.
Dena Brody Interiors
3. Clean off the grill. First, fire up your grill for many minutes to burn off any remaining residue. Switch it off, and then scrape off all the extra bits using a wire brush or ball of aluminum foil. Remove the dirt tray and then wash it in the sink with dish soap, and wash all the exterior surfaces of your grill with a sterile sponge and water.
If you have a grill that can move and you’re planning to move it indoors for the winter, be certain to detach the propane tank — those tanks should never be stored indoors. Cover the tank loosely with a huge plastic bag, and keep it in a safe spot outside. If you’re maintaining your grill outside, be sure everything is switched off and cover it.
4. Shop garden accessories and tools. If you have little potted plants you do not want to bring indoors, throw them in the compost. It’s generally better to just start fresh next year. Switch any empty large containers upside down to prevent water collecting inside. Untwist and untangle hoses, and wind them in a neat circle to put inside so they won’t freeze and crack.
Lucid Land Studio
5. Wipe off hammocks. Take off your hammock of its own hooks, lay it level and wash it with warm water and dish soap. Scrub and hang dry. Make sure that you never use bleach — it might wear through the fibers, making a security threat.
Witt Construction
6. Clean and shop umbrellas. Cleaning umbrellas can be a bit tricky. If there’s just a little bit of dirt and pollen on it, then simply dust off it and keep it indoors until summer. In case it requires a small wash, then wash it off with dish soap and a sponge. In case you have a vinyl umbrella, a detergent designed for convertible car shirts can do just fine.
Once you’re done washing the umbrella, then be certain to let it dry completely in the sun for a few days. Never keep an umbrella that is remotely wet if you want to prevent mould!
Weaver Custom Homes
7. Freshen up the base of your terrace. It’s almost always a fantastic idea to get the summer grit from your terrace before winter hits. Power-washing your terrace base (or just using a hose with a attachment nozzle) will help remove any debris and dirt that is piled up.
RareField Design/Build
8. Keep using it! If you reside in a location blessed with adequate winter weather, then you might just use your patio during the winter. Keep everything covered so it will not get dirty or moist, but do not keep your furniture so that you can still use it at a moment’s notice. Think about employing an outside patio heater and maintaining some quilts handy for lively evenings outside.
More:
Fall Fixes: Get Your Fireplace Warm Weather Ready
8 Decorating Ideas to Usher in Fall
Home Tech: Movie Night on the Patio