It’s challenging to keep outdoor spaces clean. The area receives a lot of debris, like leaves and dust. Furthermore, the traffic in the area leaves the floor vulnerable to dirt. Unfortunately, many homeowners can’t keep up with the maintenance needs of their outdoor spaces. As a result, most spaces are left unkempt.
Cleaning outdoor spaces is not as complicated as it sounds. If you follow the right steps, you will maintain a clean space with little hustle. Here are a few tips for cleaning your deck, pavers and outdoor tiles.
The Deck
Most decks are designed from composite materials and wood. As a result, regular cleaning is necessary to maintain an attractive visual appeal. Here is a simple approach to cleaning your deck
The first step is clearing out the deck. As you clean, dust and other debris may get on your furniture. Therefore, it’s imperative to clear the space before proceeding.
The next step involves sweeping the deck to remove dust and lose debris. Remember to use a soft broom to avoid scratching the surface. Furthermore, you can use a screwdriver to clear out debris stuck between the slats on the deck.
After sweeping the floor, the surface is ready for a deep scrub. Prepare cleaning water by mixing a bucket of water with any environmentally friendly cleaner. Verify, however, that the cleaner will effectively remove the stains on the deck. Cleaning with oxygen bleach is also a suitable alternative since it is safe and gentle on deck surfaces. Furthermore, you can scrub the surface with a long-handled brush that reaches all the spots.
Before rinsing the surface, leave the cleaning mixture to work for around 15 minutes. However, don’t wait too long for it to dry on the deck. You can use a pressure washer or spray hose to rinse the surface but ensure the pressure settings are appropriate for your deck. If you are unsatisfied with the results after rinsing, you can repeat the process.
Once the cleaning is done, wait for the deck to dry before returning the furniture. Moreover, consider sealing your wooden deck to keep it attractive and waterproof.
The Pavers
Pavers are vulnerable to moss, mud, and other stains. They are also subjected to the elements and consequently develop wear and tear. Over time, the original sheen of the pavers is lost. However, you can maintain a new look with these steps:
- Hosing down the pavers regularly clears most of the surface dirt. Cleaning removes grime and dirt in the grout. Unfortunately, stubborn stains may require a high-powered pressure cleaner to get the job done. However, a fan spray should be used on the nozzle to prevent pressure damage to the pavers.
- Once the pressure cleaning process is complete, the next step involves sweeping the paved area to clear sand displaced by pressure.
- All stains embedded in the pavers and ingrained dirt marks can be removed with a cleaning agent. However, avoid cleaners that may damage the colour and texture of the pavers. You can test out the cleaner on a small spot before using it on the entire pavers.
- Allow the cleaning agent to work for around 5 minutes before rinsing the surface. Moreover, you can use a stiff brush to scrub the pavers.
- Rinse with a garden hose and allow the pavers to dry. Furthermore, you should seal the pavers to protect the surface and maintain a new sheen.
The tiles
Although most outdoor tiles are sealed for extra protection, they are vulnerable to dirt and mud stains. Furthermore, the surface has unique cleaning requirements since the sealing agent is prone to chemical damage from cleaning agents. Therefore, cleaning procedures are meticulous.
- The first step is to sweep the surface to remove loose debris, dirt and dust.
- Using fresh water, hose down the tiles.
- Clean out embedded dirt marks with a gentle cleaner that is not harmful to the surface seal
- You can also scrub the tiles in sections to remove stubborn stains.
- Finally, hose off the tiles and mop the floor to remove water pools. Lastly, check the surface to confirm the process was successful.
Cleaning outdoor spaces is not difficult. It only requires a bit of attention. Don’t let your space lose its original sheen.
