After the outdoor area has been more or less neglected throughout the winter, it is now time to bring it into shape. This doesn't just include tidying up and setting up or unpacking the patio furniture. Of course you should also clean the terrace in spring. How do you do this step by step and what tools are available to you?
Since the last cleaning, dirt has accumulated in the form of dust, but also lichens, green growth and weeds, which now need to be dealt with. Time for a basic cleaning! What's the best way to do this?
1. Space free for spring cleaning!
Before you really start, you should of course make sure that nothing stands in your way. On the one hand, because you could otherwise contaminate these objects and, on the other hand, because you won't be able to clean as thoroughly as dirt will collect in the gaps. So:
- Furniture that has spent the winter outside must be removed first.
- Put away flower boxes and pots that didn't find their way into the shed in the fall.
- Anything that could interfere with cleaning on and around the terrace is cleared away.
2. Clean the terrace in spring: Gather the cleaning supplies
This means you always have everything to hand when you need it and you don't have to constantly interrupt cleaning to get something again. You probably need:
- Broom
- Scrubber for heavier dirt
- Bucket of water or connected garden hose
- Possibly cleaning products suitable for the floor covering and other materials on the terrace for stubborn dirt (glass cleaner for metal and plastic; for wood, clear water or special wood cleaner)
- possibly sponge or rag
3. And now it's time to clean!
It is important that you work from top to bottom. After all, there's no point in having a clean floor if dirt then falls off the roof and you have to start all over again.
- Canopies or awnings
Clean these first. For example, remove cobwebs and wipe dust. Also check if maybeWasp nests presentare.
An awning can be scrubbed clean quickly and easily with soapy water and a brush or sponge. It is then rinsed off with warm water. It must then dry thoroughly, which is why it is worth choosing a sunny day for this step. Under no circumstances should it be rolled up while it is damp. Then mold is inevitable and such stains cannot be removed so easily.
Has yoursTerrace roofing gutters? Take a look there too. Perhaps leaves, nests and other disturbing things have collected.
- Clean railings
The next level next to usually the railings if your patio has them. Sometimes you also have wall shelves, which are now also in place. Here you use suitable cleaners depending on the material.
- The patio floor: Probably the dirtiest part
Of course, most of the dirt is concentrated on the floor, so this is probably where you will have to do most of your work (depending on whether the patio is covered or even in winteris glazedand how much dirt was added when cleaning the higher elements).
Begin by sweeping to remove any large debris. Then rinse with water, although you can also scrub away stubborn dirt with a broom or scrubber. These occur particularly in and on joints. It is best to use hot water.
For theWooden floorThe use of a high-pressure cleaner is suitable.
Stone floorsare also suitable for high-pressure cleaners. In addition, you can clean the terrace with soda by diluting it with water.
Concreteis particularly easy to care for because it is robust. For example, you can sand off green areas with sand by spreading it back and forth with a broom. Then rinse the sand away with a high-pressure cleaner (with an attachment!) or with a garden hose.
Further tips and home remedies that you can use to remove green deposits:can be found here.
Possible, more persistent problems when cleaning the patio in spring
The formation of green deposits on the patio furniture and/or the floor is one thing. But other things that can develop over time if the conditions encourage it are, for example, lichens. On floors such as stone, they are not necessarily a visual problem, but they can make the material more porous in the long run.On wooden furnitureagain, they are definitely an eyesore.
There are ways to remove lichen from patio floors. Which, you canread here.
Weeds will form in the joints if they are not sealed. Removing it can be quite annoying, but with the right technique it can be removed permanently. Find out more about the topicin this article.
Tip: It's better to brush twice
It is worth carrying out further basic cleaning in autumn to make the terrace winter-proof. This will also make your spring cleaning easier, as there won't be as much dirt and junk accumulating by then.
Also interesting:You should not clean these 10 things with a high-pressure cleaner!
