Speed Clean Your Patio in 5 Easy Steps

Get your outdoor space ready for warmer weather.
Get your outdoor space ready for warmer weather.

Winter's over! Here's how to freshen your outdoor space for the warmer days and nights ahead.

Related: The Best Outdoor Furniture Cleaners

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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