With warmer days on the way, it’s a good time to clean patio slabs, garden furniture and your barbecue ahead of spring. A few simple household staples, including white vinegar and washing-up liquid, can help lift dirt, algae and winter grime.
“There’s no need to panic if your patio is looking a little worse for wear right now,” says Adam Oldfield, director at StovesAreUs. “With the temperamental winter weather and lack of use, it’s easy for our outdoor space to become a bit less appealing to the eye.” Good news is, it can easily be revived with a thorough spring clean.
According to Oldfield, white vinegar works well on stubborn marks, while washing-up liquid mixed with warm water is suitable for most patio surfaces, making it easy to get started and quickly freshen up your outdoor space.
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1. How to freshen up your patio slabs
Cleaning your patio is a job worth tackling ahead of barbecue season.
The experts at StovesAreUs, advise: “Start by sweeping away any debris with a brush. Avoid rakes as these can damage your tiles. Once the debris is cleared away, look for stains on the tiles and tackle these next – you can use household products you’ll likely already have.
“Add a squirt of washing-up liquid to a bucket and fill it with warm water. Dampen a hard-bristled brush with this solution and use it to scrub the stain. If the stain is a little more stubborn, use another simple cleaning solution, comprising 50% white vinegar and 50% warm water. Pour it over the stubborn stains and leave for around half an hour. Then, use a hard-bristled brush (again with some warm soapy water) to remove them.
“If you have a pressure washer, you may want to use this to get rid of dirt fast but these aren’t suitable for all surfaces. Avoid using powerful washers on soft, natural tiles, such as sandstone. You should also avoid using them on painted wood patios, as this can easily cause the paint to chip.”
2. How to clean your garden furniture
Long, lazy lunches and afternoons spent entertaining alfresco are a highlight of the sunnier months, and you can’t do either without clean outdoor furniture. Luckily, it couldn’t be simpler to get things squeaky clean again.
How to clean wooden patio furniture
Wooden patio furniture only needs a little care and attention to get it looking tip-top again, and you can do it all with store cupboard staples.
It’s a good idea to begin by removing loose debris, and you can do this with a dry microfibre cloth. Then, create a cleaning solution by filling a bucket with warm water, a squirt of mild dish soap, and a cup of white vinegar.
Use a damp cloth (a soft-bristled brush also works) with the cleaning solution and pay extra attention to stains. Avoid over-saturating the wood by ensuring the brush and microfibre cloth are lightly damp, but not wet.
The StovesAreUs experts add: “For wooden furniture, a coat of protective oil or varnish can also help to prevent weathering and prolong its lifespan.”
Tip: Create a natural wood polish with a solution consisting of one part olive oil, one part white vinegar, and a dash of lemon juice. Apply to furniture with a lightly dampened microfibre cloth.
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How to clean metal patio furniture
Cleaning metal garden furniture is super quick and easy. Wipe down metal garden furniture with a microfibre cloth dampened with warm, soapy water. Avoid using hard-bristled scrubbers on metal outdoor furniture – this can lead to scratches. Once thoroughly cleaned, pop your furniture in a sunny corner of the garden to air dry.
The StovesAreUs experts advise: “If your furniture has rusted, you can use sandpaper to remove it before you start the cleaning process. Then, top it up with rust-proof paint once the furniture has dried.”
Tip: Oxidation on metal furniture can easily be cleaned off with a mixture of equal parts warm water and white vinegar.
How to clean rattan patio furniture
“Removing the debris from rattan furniture can be a little tricky as there are so many grooves in the material,” say the StovesAreUs experts. “A good way to do this is to use a vacuum, along with the extension wand, to hoover up trapped bits of dirt.”
They add: “Then, simply clean the furniture with a solution of warm soapy water, using a dampened soft cloth to scrub it. For stubborn stains, you can use the same solution but apply it with a dampened soft-bristled toothbrush. Like wood, you should avoid over-saturating rattan furniture as it is susceptible to water damage.”
Tip: It’s a good idea to use covers to protect your outdoor furniture from the elements, which elongates its lifespan. It’ll cut down on cleaning time, too!
3. How to scrub up your barbecue
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Barbecues are a highlight of the warmer months. We recommend a thorough deep clean ahead of summer, so you’re always ready to get grilling.
The StovesAreUs experts advise: “Start by removing the grates and drip tray, then let them soak for 15–30 minutes to loosen stubborn grease and residue. While these are soaking, turn your attention to the interior, using a grill brush or scraper to remove any large food residue, grease, or debris from the interior surfaces. Then, use a mixture of warm soapy water, a damp cloth, and a little elbow grease to thoroughly clean and wipe down the barbecue.
“Once the grates and drip trays have finished soaking, scrub them with a wire brush dampened with warm soapy water to remove any stuck-on food residue. Finally, rinse all the parts you have cleaned with warm clean water to remove any soap or remaining debris, dry each part thoroughly with a cloth, and only reassemble the barbecue once each part is fully dried.”
Tip: Just like with patio furniture, a cover for your barbecue is handy for keeping it clean and in full working order.
4. How to get your fire pit ready
photography by Ulrich Hollmann//Getty Images
An outdoor fireplace or fire pit can offer a cosy glow on chillier summer evenings, and keeping them in good condition is essential for them to work to the best effect. If you’ve been putting off cleaning your fire pit, spring is the perfect time to give it a thorough going over.
Remember to wear gloves and safety goggles to protect yourself from debris and cleaning chemicals. Your fire pit or outdoor fireplace should only be cleaned when completely cool.
“Start by removing any large debris, such as ashes, charred wood, or leaves, from the fireplace, and use a fireplace shovel or brush to sweep out the interior,” the StovesAreUs team advise. “Using a stiff-bristled brush or wire brush, scrub the interior walls of the fireplace to remove soot, creosote buildup, and other residues. You may need to apply some elbow grease for stubborn stains.
“If your outdoor fireplace has a chimney, inspect it for blockages or a buildup of soot and debris. Use a chimney brush to clean the interior walls of the chimney, working from the top down. Wear appropriate safety gear to avoid debris falling into your eyes.
“Then, use a warm soapy water solution or a specialised outdoor cleaner and a sponge or soft-bristled brush to clean the exterior surfaces of the fireplace, paying particular attention to any stains, soot, or discolouration.”
Tip: For especially stubborn stains or discolouration on the exterior surfaces, try mixing baking soda and dish soap until it creates a paste-like consistency. Apply the paste to the stained areas, let it sit for five to ten minutes, then scrub with a brush or sponge. Finally, rinse with clean water to remove any remaining soap residue.
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Marketplace Content Editor, House Beautiful & Country Living
Rosie Stagg is former Marketplace Content Editor for House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, covering everything from self-care advice to craft trends and interior style guides. With many years working in e-commerce and specialising in marketplaces, Rosie also managed content on the Country Living Marketplace. Rosie studied at the University of Leeds where she completed a BA in English & History of Art.
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