How to Safely Clean and Maintain Your Outdoor Entertaining Spaces

One of many perks of living in Central Florida is that we’re incredibly lucky to have patio season year-round. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue, having a few friends over for appetizers and drinks, or just enjoying some quiet time outside, your outdoor entertaining space gets a lot of use.

Between the intense Florida sun, sudden afternoon downpours, and everyday use, our outdoor spaces can quickly start to look a bit worn down. Pollen, dust, and green mold can creep up quickly, and when it’s time to give your outdoor area a clean, you want ot make sure it’s safe for your family, pets, plants, and property.

Thankfully, Mr. Clean Can has some helpful tips to safely clean and maintain your outdoor spaces so they’re always ready for guests!

1. Choose the Right Cleaners for Plants & Pets

When you give your patio or deck a good wash, everything you spray down is running off into your yard. Any harsh chemicals like bleach can destroy your grass, kill your flowers, and pose a danger to your pets.

Instead of those harsh chemicals, look for eco-friendly, biodegradable outdoor cleaners. Or you can even make your own at home with warm water, a squirt of dish soap, and a little white vinegar. This gets all the grime off without harming your lawn. If you do decide to use a commercial outdoor cleaner, make sure you thoroughly wet down any surrounding plants with clean water beforehand. This will help protect their roots from absorbing any runoff.

2. Be Careful with the Pressure Washer

While cleaning with the pressure washer can be very satisfying, it can accidentally do more harm than good. Too much pressure can gouge wood decks, strip paint, and even chip or erode concrete pavers.

If you’re using a pressure washer, stick to the wide spray nozzle and keep the wand moving constantly. Never get too close to the surface either. If you have softer wood or delicate stone, a good old-fashioned scrub brush and garden hose can do the trick without causing costly damage.

3. Wipe Down Patio Furniture Safely

Before you have any guests over, you’ll want to make sure all your outdoor furniture is ready for them. Different materials need different care. For plastic, resin, or aluminum surfaces, you can do a quick wipe down with mild soapy water.

For mesh or fabric cushions, be sure to check the care tags first. Most outdoor fabrics can be spot-cleaned with a mixture of warm water and mild soap. To prevent mold and mildew from taking over during the extreme humidity, make sure you let everything dry completely in the sun before putting the cushions back or storing them away.

4. Protect Surfaces with Regular Maintenance

Cleaning is helpful, but maintenance is what will keep your space looking nice long-term. Try to sweep away any leaves, twigs, and dirt a couple times a week. Leaving this organic matter sitting around for too long can create the perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bugs after those afternoon showers hit.

If you have a wooden deck or stone pavers, consider having them resealed every few years. It adds a protective barrier against the elements and makes your regular cleanups much easier.

5. Don’t Let Dirty Cans Ruin the Vibe

Now that you’ve scrubbed down the patio, wiped down the grill, and set up the patio furniture, your space looks beautiful. But, there’s one thing you may have forgotten about that can completely bring down the vibe, and that’s the smell of a dirty trash can.

In the Florida heat, your trash can becomes an incubator for bacteria and pests. When you’re out making sure your space is perfect for your guests, don’t forget to check out those trash cans. At Clean Cans, we handle the dirty work so you don’t have to. Our professional high-pressure system thoroughly sanitizes, deodorizes, and cleans your bins, leaving them spotless and odor-free. Sign up today so we can take trash can cleaning off your to-do list!