Are you sick of looking at how dirty and uncared for your outdoor areas are?

Do you want the outside of your house to shine like it should?

Well, you’re in luck, because today we’re going to talk about taking care of things outside!

Now is the time to take charge of your outdoor area and give it the care it needs. It will not only make your house look better, but it will also add worth and protect it from damage. So, put on your work gloves and let’s get started!

Outdoor Surface Cleaning

Types of Outdoor Surfaces

These are the most common outdoor areas that need to be cleaned:

  • Outdoor furniture
  • Concrete and asphalt surfaces
  • Wooden fences
  • Plastic surfaces
  • Stucco, brick, and aluminum exteriors

Cleaning Outdoor Furniture

Cushions and pillows on outdoor furniture can get dirty if they are left outside or if something gets spilled on them while they are being used outside.

A pressure cleaner can be used to clean up most outdoor furniture.

Outdoor furniture should be cleaned regularly by wiping down the surfaces with a soft-bristled brush and running water over them.

Deep cleaning should be done at least twice a year on outdoor furniture, once in the spring before it is used regularly and again in the fall before it is put away for the winter.

Cleaning Concrete and Asphalt Surfaces

Pressure washing concrete and asphalt surfaces like patios and paths will get rid of dirt and grime and make them last longer.

At least twice a year, you should use a power washer to clean the outside, entrances, paths, parking lots, dumpster areas, and other places where dirt, grease, and other things can build up.

Cleaning Wooden Fences

Wooden fences can also get dirty if they aren’t washed for a long time.

A power washer can be used to clean them.

Clean wooden fences at least once a year to keep them from falling apart too quickly.

Cleaning Plastic Surfaces

Outdoor toys and playsets made of plastic can be cleaned with a light soap and a soft-bristled brush.

Plastic surfaces should be cleaned at least once a month to keep dirt and grime from building up.

Cleaning Stucco, Brick, and Aluminum Exteriors

A cleaning solution and a soft-bristled brush can be used to clean the outside of a stucco house, while a power washer and the right cleaning solution can be used to clean the outside of a brick house.

A light detergent and a soft-bristled brush can be used to clean the outside of aluminum.

Exteriors made of brick, stucco, or metal should be cleaned at least once a year to keep them from breaking down too quickly.

Disinfecting Outdoor Surfaces

To stop the spread of germs, it is also important to sanitize outdoor surfaces, especially those that are often touched.

But it is best to clean surfaces before cleaning them to get rid of things like dirt that could make it harder for the chemicals to kill germs.

Frequency of Cleaning Outdoor Surfaces

How often outdoor surfaces need to be cleaned relies on the type of surface and how much traffic it gets.

Door handles, shopping cart wheels, and elevator keys should be cleaned often because people use them a lot.

It is best to power wash outdoor patios at the start of the warm weather season to get rid of any dirt, mildew, or algae growth.

This should be done every year at the beginning of spring.

At least once a season, outdoor furniture should be cleaned so that it stays nice and lasts as long as possible.

Tools and Materials for Outdoor Surface Cleaning

Cleaning Products

You can clean outdoor areas with a variety of cleaning products.

Most of the time, liquid soap, enzyme cleaners, and detergents are used to get rid of organic matter like dirt and body fluids.

It’s important to follow the directions on the label when you use these cleaning goods.

Some cleaning goods need to be mixed with water before they can be used, while others can be used as is.

Surface Cleaning Cloths

After cleaning products have been used, dirt and grime are wiped away with surface cleaning cloths.

For cleaning surfaces outside, it’s best to use cotton or microfiber cloths.

To keep from spreading germs, you should clean and cleanse with cloths of different colors.

To stop the spread of germs, it’s also important to wash the cloths after each use.

Bucket

To mop and do other things around the house, you need a bucket.

A bucket can be used to hold water and cleaning supplies when cleaning outside.

It is important to use a bucket that is strong and won’t fall over quickly.

Playground Equipment

To get rid of dirt and grime, soap or detergent and water are used to clean playground equipment that is outside.

It is not a good idea to use pressure washing on outdoor equipment because it can damage the surface.

If the maker says that power washing is okay, a lower setting should be used.

Use a cleaner made for the object that needs to be cleaned, and follow the directions on the cleaner.

Patios

backyard cleaners can be used to get rid of dirt and grime when cleaning a backyard.

Before you use a cleaning solution on your porch, you should test it in a small, hidden area to make sure it won’t hurt the surface.

A scrub brush can be used to clean between wood planks or in cement expansion joints that are hard to reach.

Patio Cleaning: The Key to a Beautiful Outdoor Space

If you’re someone who loves spending time outdoors, then you know how important it is to have a clean and well-maintained patio.

After all, it’s the first thing that people see when they come to your home, and it’s where you’ll be spending most of your time during the warmer months.

But keeping your patio clean can be a real challenge, especially if you live in an area with a lot of dirt, dust, or pollen.

That’s why patio cleaning is such an important part of outdoor maintenance.

Not only does a clean patio look great, but it’s also safer and more comfortable to use.

Dirt and debris can make your patio slippery and hazardous, while pollen and other allergens can make it difficult to breathe.

By regularly cleaning your patio, you can ensure that it’s always a safe and enjoyable place to be.

So if you’re looking to get the most out of your outdoor space, make sure to prioritize patio cleaning as part of your outdoor maintenance routine.

For more information:

Patio Cleaning 101: Tips, Tools & Safety

Cleaning Solutions for Outdoor Surfaces

Commercial Cleaning Solutions

There are a number of business cleaning products for outdoor surfaces, and the one you use will depend on the surface and how dirty it is.

Wet and Forget 1-Gallon Multi-surface Concentrated Outdoor Cleaner is a popular outdoor cleaner that you can find at Lowe’s.

This product works well to clean outdoor areas of moss, mold, mildew, and algae.

The 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner is another choice.

It has a highly concentrated formula that cleans outdoor surfaces in 30 seconds or less.

It can be used on many different surfaces, like concrete patios, wood decking, concrete sidewalks, asphalt roads, bricks, canvas awnings, plastic furniture, and vinyl siding.

Homemade Cleaning Solutions

You can make your own cleaning solution at home if you want to use natural cleaning products.

White vinegar, water, and foaming hand soap can be mixed together to make a good answer.

This method works well to remove mineral deposits, like limescale, that have built up on surfaces outside.

It can be used on fences, planters, and chairs outside.

Cleaning Different Types of Surfaces

When cleaning outdoor areas, you need to think about what kind of surface it is and how dirty it is.

You can use soap and water or cleaning products to clean hard surfaces like tables, light switches, desks, and floors.

For carpets, rugs, and drapes, you can use a product that has soap, detergent, or another type of cleaner that works well on these surfaces.

Items should also be washed according to the directions on the label.

Cleaning High-Touch Surfaces

It is not necessary or suggested to spray cleaning or disinfecting products on outdoor surfaces like sidewalks, roads, or groundcover that people don’t touch often.

But surfaces like grab bars, play structures, and fences that people touch a lot and are made of plastic or metal should be cleaned and disinfected when they look dirty.

Removing Tough Stains

Oil, grease, rust, and algae are just some of the things that can leave tough spots on outdoor surfaces.

There are several ways to get these stains off of outdoor surfaces like concrete patios, decks, and roads.

  • Dish Soap and Water: Dish soap is a degreaser and works well to clean oily and grimy surfaces. Create a cleaning solution of warm water and a few drops of dish soap and apply it to the surface. Let it sit for a while, then mop the surface and rinse it with fresh water. Repeat the process as many times as needed.
  • Commercial Cleaning Products: Use a cleaning product such as Scotts® Outdoor Cleaner Plus OxiClean™. Spray the product on the surface and work it into the stains using a deck scrub brush. Rinse the surface thoroughly with water. This product can lift stains from moss, mold, mildew, and algae.
  • Vinegar or Ammonia: For really tough stains, vinegar or ammonia can be used. Douse the stained area with vinegar or ammonia and let it sit for several hours before rinsing off.
  • Oven Cleaner: For grease or other stubborn stains, spray any stained areas with oven cleaner, then let it sit for 10 minutes. Rinse off with a hose.

Safety Precautions

When cleaning, it is important to keep your hands, eyes, and nose safe.

Always follow the directions on the product package and test the product on a small, hidden area before using it on the whole surface.

Safety Precautions for Outdoor Surface Cleaning

Before cleaning, it’s important to find areas that people touch a lot and are more likely to spread germs.

Door handles, cooking and food prep areas, counter tops, bathroom surfaces, toilets, and taps are all examples of these places.

To get rid of dirt and other messes, you should clean these areas often with soap and water or a detergent.

Use Gloves and Well-Ventilated Areas

When cleaning outdoor areas, you must wear gloves to protect your hands from any chemicals that could be harmful.

Also, you should use items in places with good air flow to lower the risk of health problems like nose, eye, lung, or skin irritation.

For safe use, read the warning carefully and do what it says.

Avoid Low-Touch Surfaces

It is not necessary, efficient, or recommended to spray cleaning or disinfecting products on surfaces that people don’t touch often, like patios and sidewalks.

Instead, pay attention to areas that people touch a lot and are more likely to spread germs.

Wash Hands After Cleaning

Always wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water after you clean.

This will help get rid of any germs that are still there and lower the chance of getting sick.

Frequent Hand Washing

It’s important to remember that cleaning and disinfecting can’t always be done every day because of limited resources.

In these situations, the best ways to stop any possible spread of germs from a contaminated area are to wash your hands often and not touch your face.

Preventing Mold and Mildew on Outdoor Surfaces

Mold and mildew are common problems that can grow on wet and partially shaded areas outside.

Not only do they look bad, but they can also be bad for your health.

Here are some ways to keep outdoor areas from growing mold and mildew.

Keep Surfaces Dry

Keeping outdoor areas dry is the first and most important thing to do to stop mold and mildew from growing.

This can be done by making sure there is good drainage and water doesn’t pool on the ground.

When it rains, you should bring chairs, cushions, and other things that are outside inside or cover them with waterproof covers.

You can keep mold and mildew from growing on concrete steps by spraying them with a copper solution.

Fix Water Problems

Mold and mildew can also grow in places where there are water problems, like leaks or drains that are full.

Keep the drains clean so that water doesn’t overflow and leak into the walls.

Fix pipe leaks and other water problems right away to keep water from building up on outdoor surfaces.

Use Mold and Mildew Cleaners

If mold and mildew have already grown on outdoor areas, it is important to get rid of them as soon as possible.

Wet & Forget Outdoor is a good way to get rid of mold and mildew in the outdoors.

With Wet & Forget Indoor Mold + Mildew Disinfectant Cleaner, it can also be used inside.

You don’t have to work hard to use these items, and they are safe to use on many different surfaces.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Options for Outdoor Surfaces

Some of the best ways to clean that are good for the environment are right in your kitchen.

Vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda are all natural cleaners that can get tough dirt off of bricks, cement, and glass that are outside.

Just put the same amount of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and use it to clean outside.

Sprinkle baking soda on the stain, spray it with vinegar, and scrub it with a brush to get rid of tough spots.

Routine Cleaning of Outdoor Wooden Surfaces

Use a leaf blower or broom to get rid of dust and dirt from the deck, then spray it down with warm water.

The easiest and safest way to clean outdoor finishes like wood, metal-clad surfaces, vinyl, and more is with mild soap, water, and a soft sponge or cloth.

Green cleaning products can be made from cheap things you probably already have at home, like baking soda, borax, vinegar, and water.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

If you don’t want to make your own cleaning products, you can buy lots of products that are safe for the environment.

When buying cleaning supplies, it’s important to look for organic, biodegradable soaps and avoid chemicals that can break down asphalt and get into the water system.

Wet & Forget Outdoor Multi-Surface Cleaner is a good way to get rid of spots and keep them from coming back for up to a year.

It can be used on wood, brick, vinyl, and metal, among other things.

Sun Joe’s fast-foaming, concentrated recipe can easily get rid of tough stains and can be used on a variety of outdoor surfaces.

Lowe’s also sells natural cleaners for outside, like cleaning for siding and moss, mold, mildew, and algae.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning surfaces outside doesn’t have to hurt the earth.

By using natural cleaners from your pantry or buying eco-friendly cleaning products, you can keep your home looking nice and have less of an effect on the world.

Read the labels of cleaning goods before you buy them, and don’t buy ones that contain chemicals that are bad for you.

Maintaining Cleanliness of Outdoor Surfaces

Cleaning and Disinfecting

Cleaning outdoor surfaces with water and soap or a cleanser is the first step to keeping them clean.

This will get rid of any dirt or other things that have gathered on the surface.

After cleaning, it’s important to disinfect the area to kill any bacteria or viruses that might be there.

When cleaning outdoor objects, you should start with the least dirty area and move to the dirtiest area.

This will keep dirt from moving to places that aren’t as dirty.

High-touch surfaces like door and window handles, cooking and food preparation areas, countertops, bathroom surfaces, toilets and faucets, touchscreen personal devices, personal computer keyboards, and work surfaces should be identified and cleaned first.

Dusty Conditions

When there is a lot of dust, you should use mister devices to lightly dampen surfaces before cleaning them.

This will keep the dust from getting into the air and moving to other places.

If a place is too dusty, use a shovel to pick up the big pieces of trash.

Don’t use a leaf rake to move big piles of trash.

Picnicking or Cooking Outdoors

When going on a walk or cooking outside, you should bring a lot of clean tools.

Bring clothes that are clean, dry, wet, and soapy to clean surfaces and hands.

This will help stop bacteria and other germs from spreading.

Mold Problems

If mold is growing outside, it’s important to clean up the mold and fix the water problem as soon as possible.

Before painting, surfaces should be dry, because paint on wet surfaces is likely to peel.

Professional Cleaning Services for Outdoor Surfaces

It’s just as important to keep the outside of your home or business clean as it is to keep the inside clean.

Dirt, grime, and other trash can build up on outdoor surfaces and make them look bad and cause damage over time.

Professional cleaning services are offered so that your outdoor surfaces can always look their best.

Pressure Washing and Soft Washing

Soft washing and pressure washing are two common ways to clean things outside.

Surfaces like concrete, brick, and stone can be cleaned of dirt and grime with high-pressure water.

Soft washing, on the other hand, cleans surfaces like roofs, siding, and delicate planting with low-pressure water and cleaning solutions.

Water Works Exterior Cleaning LLC is a local company that specializes in pressure washing, soft washing, and roof cleaning for both homes and businesses.

Their skilled team uses cutting-edge tools and eco-friendly cleaning products to make your outdoor surfaces look as good as new.

Cleaning Services for Commercial and Residential Properties

The Home Depot’s Pro Referral service gives cleaning services for both businesses and homes.

The workers on their team can clean gutters, windows, floors, and other outdoor areas.

Pro Referral can help you keep your property in its best shape, whether you need a one-time cleaning or monthly maintenance.

If you’d rather clean it yourself, shops like Lowe’s sell outdoor cleaners that can be used on multiple surfaces.

These tools are made to be used on concrete, wood, and metal, among other outdoor surfaces.

Lowe’s sells OTIS Multi-Surface Cleaner, which is a heavy-duty, all-purpose cleaner that can be used both indoors and outdoors.

This cleaner works well on surfaces like gas pumps, trash cans, stainless steel, plastic laminate, rubber, dirty concrete, painted metal, wood, and food preparation surfaces.

Final reflections and implications

In the end, outdoor upkeep is an important part of being a homeowner that shouldn’t be ignored. One of the many things you need to do regularly to keep your home looking its best is to clean the surfaces outside. But have you ever thought about how the cleaning goods you use affect the environment?

Many cleaning goods have chemicals that are bad for us and can get into the ground and pollute our water. As good homeowners, it’s our job to think about how what we do affects the world. So, the next time you clean your outdoor surfaces, think about using products that are safe for the earth and don’t harm it.

In the end, outdoor care isn’t just about keeping your property looking nice; it’s also about being aware of how we affect the environment. We can all do our part to keep our world in good shape for future generations by taking small steps toward eco-friendly outdoor maintenance. So, let’s clean up, but let’s do it in a way that doesn’t hurt the environment.

Looking for a new Pressure washer?

Choosing a gadget can be very difficult if you know nothing about the technology.

Some will pay for features they do not need while others may not consider what they really want.

So I created this quick, newbie guide to help you focus on what is really important to you:

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What are some ways you can keep the outside of a house clean?

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Links and references

  1. sdmts.com
  2. cdc.gov
  3. lowes.com
  4. bhg.com
  5. washingtonpost.com
  6. housemethod.com

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