Speed Clean Your Patio in 5 Easy Steps
Winter's over! Here's how to freshen your outdoor space for the warmer days and nights ahead.
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1. Plastic Chairs
Sponge them off with a solution of a squirt of liquid dish soap in a bowl of warm water; rinse with a hose. Attack extra-grimy spots with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser ($9 for eight, Amazon.com) or Goo Gone Patio Furniture Cleaner ($5, Bed, Bath and Beyond).
2. Outdoor Cushions
Check care labels to see if covers can be machine-washed. If not, spot-clean with a dish-liquid-and-water solution, as with plastic chairs. Note: Some new outdoor fabrics can simply be hosed off.
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3. Wood Decking
Zap mold, mildew, and discoloration with 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner ($22, Ace Hardware). First, test a small spot; then apply, wait, and hose off!
4. Patio Pavers
Erase leaf stains from concrete, brick, or stone with a rust remover like Whink Rust Oxy ($7, hardware stores).
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5. Metal Furniture
Use the same solution as on plastic chairs. To prevent rust, place each piece on its side to drain, and towel-dry the joints. Apply a thin coat of car wax to help repel new stains and stay spotless.
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