How to Get Your Outdoor Area Guest-Ready Before the Holidays

Your outdoor area works hard. Over winter and spring it quietly collects dust, pollen, leaf litter, cobwebs, mildew and whatever the birds leave behind. Then the first warm weekend arrives, someone says “let’s have everyone over”, and you walk outside to find grubby chairs, spotty cushions and green patches on the pavers.

The good news is that a few hours and the right approach are all it takes to get it looking good again.

Work from the top down

Start high and finish low, so you’re not dropping dirt onto surfaces you’ve already cleaned.

• Brush cobwebs from eaves, pergolas and under the roofline with a long-handled broom
• Wipe down outdoor light fittings, which are usually full of dead bugs
• Dust ceiling fans and wall-mounted heaters before you switch them on
• Give the whole area a thorough sweep before you add any water

Clean furniture to suit the material

One product doesn’t suit everything. Here’s what works best for each material:

• Plastic and resin: Use warm water, a squirt of dishwashing liquid and a soft brush. For scuff marks, try a paste of bicarb soda and water. Skip abrasive scourers, because they leave scratches that hold dirt.
• Aluminium and powder-coated metal: Wash with mild soapy water, rinse, then dry with a cloth to avoid water spots. A light coat of car wax helps repel dust and makes the next clean faster.
• Timber: Brush along the grain with a soft brush and a mild soap or timber cleaner, rinse lightly and let it dry completely. If water no longer beads on the surface, it’s time for a fresh coat of oil.
• Synthetic wicker and rattan: Vacuum with a brush attachment first to lift dust from the weave, then wipe with a soapy cloth. An old toothbrush gets into the tight spots.
• Glass tabletops: Use glass cleaner or a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. Clean in the shade, because direct sun dries the surface too fast and leaves streaks.

Freshen up cushions and umbrellas

Check the care label first. Many covers are removable and machine washable on a gentle cycle.

For covers that can’t come off, use a soft brush and a mild soapy solution, then rinse. Small mildew spots usually respond to a diluted white vinegar solution. Test it on a hidden spot first.

The most important step is to dry everything completely in the sun before you store it. Cushions packed away even slightly damp are the main reason mildew comes back. In humid parts of the country, bring cushions inside or put them in a weatherproof storage box when they’re not in use.

Tackle paving and decking

• Oil and grease stains on pavers: Cover the stain with kitty litter or bicarb soda and leave it overnight to soak up the oil, then sweep and scrub with warm soapy water.
• Moss and algae in shady areas: Scrub with a stiff broom and an outdoor cleaner made for the job. These spots get slippery, so they’re worth doing before guests arrive.
• Decking: Clear the gaps between boards with a putty knife or thin scraper. Trapped leaves hold moisture against the timber and speed up rot.
• Using a pressure washer: Use a wide fan nozzle, keep a good distance from the surface and test a small area first. Too much pressure can strip grout, scar soft timber and splinter decking boards.

Don’t forget the little things

Guests often notice the details:

• Fly screens: use a soft brush and soapy water, then rinse gently
• The barbecue exterior and side tables
• Pot plant saucers: empty them so they don’t become mosquito breeding spots
• The bin area, especially if it’s near where people will sit

Keep it guest-ready all summer

Once it’s clean, a little maintenance goes a long way:

• Do a quick sweep once a week
• Cover furniture when it’s not in use
• Wipe surfaces straight after a barbecue, before splatter sets
• Bring cushions in when storms are forecast

If you’d rather spend your weekends enjoying your outdoor area than scrubbing it, your local Jim’s Cleaning team can take care of it.

Call 131 546 or visit jimscleaninggroup.com.au.