7 Overlooked Spots Outside That You Shouldn’t Forget to Clean

When you are enjoying outdoor activities in the sunshine, it’s easy to overlook areas that need to be cleaned. As the season changes, it’s a good time to look around and give these seven areas some much-needed attention.

Don’t let overlooked areas around your exterior go untouched any longer. Below, we discuss some of the dirtiest outdoor items that we don’t often clean, plus the easiest way to get the job done.

Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor furniture takes a beating from the elements, dripping popsicles, and sunscreen. But, you can refresh it with just a few cleaning supplies.

Plastic Furniture

• To clean mildewed plastic furniture, mix 25 percent water and 75 percent distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Apply to problem areas and wait about 10 minutes before doing an overall cleaning.
• Mix a cleaning solution of one gallon of lukewarm water and one-fourth cup of dishwashing liquid in a bucket.
• Place the furniture on a tarp and scrub with a soft-bristled brush dipped in the soapy solution from the top down. Sprinkle a bit of dry baking soda on a sponge or brush to act as a gentle abrasive to help lift the stains.
• Rinse well with a garden hose.

Outdoor Cushions and Umbrellas

• Use a vacuum with an upholstery brush or a stiff-bristled brush to remove loose dust and soil from cushions and umbrellas.
• Mix 1/4 cup of dishwashing liquid in one gallon of warm water in a large plastic bucket.
• Lightly dampen the fabric with a spray nozzle on a garden hose.
• Dip a soft-bristled brush in the soapy water and starting at the top, gently scrub the fabric. Rinse the brush often and mix a fresh batch of the cleaning solution if it becomes dirty before you finish the job.
• Rinse with a garden hose and allow the fabric to air dry. Cushions should be placed upright so they can drip dry.

Concrete Patios

Take a peek under your grill and door mat and you’re sure to find some grease spots and dirt. It’s time to clean your concrete patios and porches.

• Sweep or use a blower to remove loose debris.
• In a plastic bucket, mix one cup of baking soda and two cups of distilled white vinegar to create a thin paste. Spread the mixture over the concrete with a sponge mop.
• Allow the mixture to sit on the concrete for about 30 minutes and then scrub with a nylon-bristle scrub brush.
• Rinse with a garden hose.

House Siding

Cleaning away mildew, mossy growth, and dirt from house siding changes the entire look of a home and may eliminate the need to repaint.

• Protect shrubbery, air conditioning units, and utility boxes with plastic tarps.
• Select the pressure washer nozzle and attach the pressure washer to a garden hose. Stand at least three feet away from the siding and test the pressure washer against the house to be sure there is enough pressure to remove the soil without damaging the home’s exterior.
• Start at the top of a wall and work your way down to spray away loose dirt and debris. Repeat the steps with a cleaning solution and then rinse well.

Outside Windows

Get rid of dust, dirt, bird droppings, and insect specks by washing the outside windows while the weather is still mild.

• Remove window screens and rinse away loose soil with a garden hose with a good spray nozzle.
• Mix a cleaning solution of 50 percent water and 50 percent distilled white vinegar in a bucket.
• Use a microfiber mop to spread the solution over the window.
• Finish with a rubber squeegee on a telescoping pole or a microfiber cloth to dry the window. Start at the top and work your way down to prevent drips and streaks.
• Clean the screens and replace them or move them to storage for the winter.

Light Fixtures

Insects love outside light fixtures whether they are temporary or permanently affixed near entrances—so they need to be cleaned regularly.

• Use a sturdy stepladder to reach fixtures.
• Remove bulbs and set aside. Remove any glass globes or pieces that can be washed in warm, soapy water, rinsed, and dried.
• Use a microfiber cloth or duster to remove insect webs, dust, and loose debris.
• With the power turned off, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe away heavier soil.
• Reassemble the fixture and change any burned-out bulbs.

Outside Dryer Vent

Keeping an outside dryer vent clean will make your dryer work more efficiently and help prevent fires and structural moisture problems. Cleaning is easy and should be done at least once or twice a year.

• Remove any yard debris or plants blocking the vent and preventing it from opening easily.
• Use your hand or a long-handled, wire brush to remove visible lint.
• If the vent cover is soiled with dust and dirt, mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid in warm water and scrub away the soil with a brush or old cloth. Rinse well with clean water and allow to dry.
• Use a lubricant like WD-40 to help the vent slats open and close easily.

Garden Tools

Every garden tool should be cleaned regularly to help prevent rust from forming, keep the edges sharper, and remove disease-laden soil and sap. Clean pots and containers to help prevent cross-contamination from fungus, aphids, and other contaminants that can prevent plants from thriving.

• Rinse off loose soil with a garden hose.
• Soak the tools in a soapy solution of hot water and dishwashing liquid. Rinse and dry.
• Remove rust with some steel wool.
• Before storing, disinfect tools in a solution of two cups of chlorine bleach and one gallon of water. Submerge the tools in a bucket and let them soak for 10 minutes. Rinse well and dry completely.