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This content is presented by The Home Depot. The included facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.
There are certain outdoor cleaning chores we tend to focus our attention on, such as raking leaves, picking up sticks that were knocked down by a storm, removing gunk and grime from siding, or cleaning concrete surfaces. While all of these tasks are certainly important, they aren’t the only things you should be doing to keep your outdoor space looking its best. Several areas you might be forgetting to deep clean include fencing, garage doors, and grills, which can negatively impact the overall curb appeal of your home (and its readiness for your next barbecue). Be sure to add the following important cleaning tasks to your to-do list this summer.
1. Fencing
Unless you have a brand-new fence, chances are that it could use a good cleaning. Rain, dust, bird droppings, and more can really take a toll.
Renewing your fence isn’t difficult and only requires a few supplies. You’ll need a pressure washer and a cleaning solution, such as the Ecolab Exterior House & Siding Pressure Wash available exclusively at The Home Depot. This detergent is suitable for use on a variety of outdoor surfaces, including fences, gutters, and siding, and is formulated to remove mold, mildew, algae, and other stubborn gunk.
Before you start pressure washing your fence, pull any furniture, toys, or other items away from it and use a tarp to cover things that are not movable (such as shrubs) to protect them from overspray. Put on cleaning gloves and safety glasses and be sure to set the machine to a lower pressure to avoid damaging the fence. For softwoods, set the unit to 800 PSI or less. Stay under 1,300 PSI for harder woods and under 2,300 PSI for wrought iron. It is also essential to choose the right nozzle that won’t damage the material. A 25-degree tip (typically green with most pressure washers) will clean effectively without cutting into or otherwise damaging the material.
2. Grills
Keeping your grill clean is important—beyond the unsightly appearance of a dirty grill, neglecting your grill can reduce its lifespan, negatively impact the taste and safety of your food, attract pests, and create a fire hazard.
The Ecolab Heavy Duty Citrus Degreaser & Cleaner offers a simple way to keep your grill clean and ready for the next cookout. Simply apply the degreaser to the grill using a spray bottle or power washer according to the package instructions and let it sit and work for about 1 minute. Then, use a sponge or scrub brush to wipe away all the gunk and grime. For a severely neglected grill, apply the degreaser without first diluting it.
3. Garage Doors
After taking the time to clean out your garage, don’t overlook cleaning the garage doors. They’re exposed to the elements year-round, leaving them covered with dirt and other debris.
With the help of Ecolab All Purpose Premium Pressure Wash, you can quickly and easily clean up your garage doors and enhance your home’s curb appeal. The concentrate is suitable for use on a variety of materials, including vinyl, wood, metal, stucco, brick, and concrete, and can remove everything from oil stains, mold, mildew, algae, dirt, and grease. Apply it using your pressure washer (or pump sprayer) and give it about 5 minutes to penetrate the gunk before wiping and rinsing it away.
4. Trash and Recycling Bins
Outdoor trash cans and recycling bins get dirty quickly. With all the bits of remaining food and other waste, they can also start to smell or even grow mold and mildew.
The next time you’re cleaning your outdoor space, be sure to give them a little T.L.C. with the Ecolab Mold and Mildew Stain Remover. The bleach-powered formula breaks through stains left by mold, mildew, and other gunk. Applying it to your outdoor trash and recycling bins will not only leave them looking clean, but it will also remove any lingering odors.
5. Exterior Faucets
Whether they’re covered in rust or plagued by unsightly mineral deposits, it’s probably time to give your outdoor faucets a refresh. Use the Ecolab Calcium, Lime & Rust Remover to clean them up and remove these tough stains.
Suitable for use on both chrome and stainless steel, the concentrated solution dissolves limescale and calcium deposits left by hard water and powers through rust stains. Simply apply it directly to the faucet with a scrub brush and then rinse it away. For lighter stains, you can dilute the solution with some water and just rinse it off without even scrubbing.