Now that the warm weather is coming to an end, it’s time to think about getting your home and yard ready for the winter. Doing this type of cleaning and prep work is best done at the end of the summer or in early fall while it’s not too cold to be working outside. You might even remember our handy spring cleaning checklist – it was so popular with our readers that we decided we’d make one to get you ready for fall.
How to prepare your lawn
Late summer is the perfect time of year to get your lawn cleaned and ready for the cool weather. We recommend taking this time to aerate your lawn so that nutrients and water can get to the roots of your grass. Once fall hits, it’s a good idea to fertilize your lawn before cold temperatures freeze the ground and make it hard for grass to get nutrients. It also goes without saying that you’ll need to rake up all the leaves that fall from your trees onto your lawn before it starts to snow. This is also a good time to give your lawn one last mowing and to trim dead branches from trees and bushes.
How to clean patio furniture
If you’re getting your patio furniture ready to be stored for winter, giving it a quick clean will help prolong its life and keep it in good shape for much longer. Depending on what material your lawn furniture is made of, you’ll need to clean each piece a little differently.
- For plastic furniture, wipe down all surfaces with a mixture of warm water and a mild soap (your kitchen soap brand is good for this). Rinse the soapy mixture from the furniture with your garden hose.
- For wicker furniture, create a mixture of water and a mild oil-based soap and use a soft scrub brush to get in the cracks and crevices. Again, rinse the furniture by hosing it down when you’re done.
- For wrought-iron furniture, wipe down all surfaces with a mixture of warm water and a mild soap (your kitchen soap brand is good for this). Rinse the soapy mixture from the furniture with your garden hose.
- For aluminum furniture, wipe down all surfaces with a mixture of warm water and a mild soap (your kitchen soap brand is good for this). Rinse the soapy mixture from the furniture with your garden hose. To clean scuff marks, use a soft cloth with Soft Scrub to remove them. Using any abrasive cleaners or brushes will only scratch the furniture and make it look worse.
What is your number one tip for getting your yard ready for cooler temperatures? Head over to Facebook and share your stories with us!