After doing some spring cleaning at my own home, I was super proud of myself and felt very accomplished, however that quickly faded once I realized there were two very important places I missed…my outdoor patio and my garage. I was so busy washing baseboards and cleaning clothes out of closets that I did not think of the space outside of my home.
I hope these simple tips below help prevent a “premature spring cleaning completion celebration”.
Outdoor patio tips:
- The beginning of BBQ season is a great time to take apart your grill and refill your gas tank.
- Bust out your patio furniture from storage and brighten the space with some new outdoor cushions. Sometimes just adding a new accent pillow can breathe life into an existing outdoor area.
- Sweep off your patio, or better yet power wash it, to rid any winter salt or dust.
- Spruce up your deck or patio with a fresh coat of paint or stain.
- Once your space is clean, finish the patio with an indoor/outdoor patio rug. Be sure to look for a rug that has a marine backing. These backings allow for the water to flow through the rug, allowing them to dry quicker and not be prone to mold or mildew.
Storing your garage contents off the floor is key.
Garage tips:
- To ensure a you end up with a thoroughly cleaned garage, it is best to take everything out of the garage and then, only after you have determined a need or use for something, can it make its way back in. This will not only help you organize and clean, but clear up some valuable space.
- Sort everything you have into a keep, donate, trash and recycle pile. Plastic tubs and storage shelves will make your life so much easier. Plus keeping things dry and off the garage floor is key to keeping your items safe.
- Hang up your snow shovels and organize your hand tools and power tools. Make sure you have easy access to your yard/gardening tools. It makes it easier to deal with those pesky weeds that pop up more often than we would like.
- Be sure to dispose of any cleaning supplies or paint property. Check with your local trash collection company if you have questions.
- Check your garage door opener, if it needs to be greased up, now is a great time to do so.
- Sweep out any crusty critters or dirt that is laying around in the garage.
- Finish the look off with an indoor/outdoor rug or an indoor/outdoor carpet runner. Again, remember to choose a rug that won’t hold the moisture. This could lead to a foul smelling garage.
And last but not least, relax and enjoy your clean patio and garage!