Revive Deck Areas

• Sweep off dust, cobwebs, and leaves.
• Scrub the decking surface with a hard-bristled brush and a mild detergent solution to remove embedded dirt and grime. If your deck is made from hardwood such as merbau or blackbutt, it’s safe to use a high-pressure cleaner.
• Rinse well.

Once dry, apply a couple of coats of your preferred timber coating to protect the surface. If your deck is peeling or moldy, you may need to sand it down first.

• Rejuvenate timber furniture.
• Remove any cobwebs and give each piece a thorough wipe down.
• Apply garden furniture cleaner with a stiff-bristled brush and leave for 15 to 30 minutes.
• Rinse off and let the furniture dry.
• Apply two to three coats of your chosen timber coating, leaving two hours between coats.
• If the furniture is rough or flaking, you may need to sand it back before coating.

Clean the barbecue

• Turn off and disconnect the gas.
• Wearing rubber gloves, remove the barbecue tray and wash it in hot, soapy water.
• Using a barbecue brush, scrape both sides of the grills (if you have enamel grills use a safe-scrub brush that won’t scratch).
• Clean the barbecue body with hot water, soap, and a non-scratch scouring pad.
• Wipe grill trays dry and spray both sides with a protective coating of canola oil before returning them to the barbecue.
• Add some new fat absorber to the drip tray to minimize odors and flare-ups.
• Get your windows sparkling.
• From inside, vacuum window tracks and sills to remove dust and cobwebs.
• Make a non-toxic, glass-cleaning solution by mixing 50 percent vinegar and 50 percent water in a spray bottle. Spray your window, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe down with a microfibre cloth or squeegee.
• For a fast and efficient way to clean windows, invest in a battery-powered window vacuum.
• From the outside, use a broom wrapped with a rag to remove dust and cobwebs from the glass.
• Clean windows using the same vinegar solution as inside; dry off with a microfibre cloth, squeegee, or battery-powered window vacuum.
• If windows are hard or dangerous to reach from the outside, it’s wise to hire professionals for this task.

Clean & tidy pavers

• Pull up any weeds growing between pavers.
• Hose pavers down to loosen stubborn dirt and grime.
• Using a stiff broom or brush, apply a 10:1 solution of water to liquid pool chlorine and scrub them down.
• Leave for 20 minutes, then hose off.

Apply weed killer between pavers to prevent regrowth.

• Clear gutters.
• Spread a tarp underneath your workspace to collect leaves.
• Using a sturdy ladder and heavy gloves, remove loose leaves from the gutter with a scoop or trowel and toss them onto the tarp.
• Use a hose to flush out fine debris from gutters.
• If it’s hard to reach your gutters or you can’t safely climb the ladder, leave this job to the pros.

Get your garden spring-ready

• Rake up leaves and debris.
• Clean slippery garden paths with a stiff broom and a hose.
• Feed your plants and lawn with fertilizer.
• Top-up mulch.
• Prepare for new plantings by clearing dead plants and weeds.
• Mow the lawn and prune unruly shrubs and hedges.

Plant new shrubs and trees now so they can establish themselves before it gets too hot.

• Here for your real estate in Southwest Missouri- The Ozarks of the MidWest! Rebecca Keepper Real Estate with eXp Realty LLC 417-766-2168