Summertime is in full swing, and we couldn’t be happier to be spending some time in the sun! The backyard barbecues are all planned, until you realize: your patio has seen better days. Winter can really take a toll on our outdoor areas, and it’s an easy spot to miss during spring cleaning. Luckily, we’ve got some great organic tips to get your patio in shape before your next dinner party!
If you’ve been following us for a while now, you know vinegar is one of our favorite natural cleaners, and it can be just as powerful outdoors as it is indoors. Vinegar- or a vinegar and water solution, depending on how strong you need it- is the perfect concrete cleaner! As a bonus, you can mix this with a few drops of essential oil for bug repellent. Simply add in a couple drops of lemon eucalyptus, tea tree, or peppermint oil for a mosquito-free cookout!
If you’re dealing with some extra tough stains that won’t budge with vinegar alone, try a more abrasive mixture. Mix together equal parts salt, baking soda, and water, and let the solution sit for five to ten minutes before spraying with vinegar and scrubbing with a stiff-bristled brush.
Patio furniture can also benefit from a vinegar solution, mixed with water, which will also ensure that your outdoor table is disinfected. If you do not have vinegar on hand, hydrogen peroxide can also be used mixed with water.
The vinegar magic doesn’t stop there! If you’re breaking out your grill for the first time this season, you may notice it’s still showing built up grime from last year. Simply spray it down with the vinegar-water mixture, and let sit for ten minutes to break down grease. Scrub away with a wire brush, and your grill is burger-ready!
We hope you enjoyed these green cleaning tips! What’s cooking on your grill this summer?