Revive garden furniture with 69p kitchen essentials and an old toothbrush, plus brighten dull patio stones with 59p ingredient that can freshen up your outdoor space
Outdoor furniture can truly enhance any garden, creating a lovely space for relaxation and entertaining. But since it’s out in the open, dirt, mildew, and grime can accumulate quickly, making your furniture appear a little bit uninviting.
The great news is that dish soap is an easy, budget-friendly solution right in your kitchen cupboard! While dish soap, usually costing around 69p for a 500ml bottle, may not be the first cleaning solution that springs to mind for garden furniture, it can be quite effective wonders.
The mild degreasing agents in dish soap effectively break down built-up grime, restoring your furniture to its former glory without the need for expensive cleaners. To get started, simply mix warm water with a generous squeeze of dish soap in a bucket. Use a toothbrush to work the soapy mixture into intricate areas, such as crevices and decorative patterns, where dirt tends to accumulate.
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A soft sponge is ideal for scrubbing away grime without causing any damage for larger surfaces. Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned all areas, rinse off the soap with clean water and allow your furniture to air dry. However, take extra care when using dish soap near grass or plants, as it can be harmful and potentially toxic to them.
It’s not just your furniture that can suffer from outdoor grime, patio stones can also become discoloured and dull over time, especially during winter months. Fortunately, another inexpensive household staple, baking soda, can help restore their brightness.
For as little as 59p, baking soda is a fantastic natural cleaning agent that effectively tackles stains without harsh chemicals. To refresh your patio stones, just sprinkle baking soda on them and scrub using a damp brush or broom. For tougher stains, mix baking soda with a little water to form a paste.
Using a brush, apply the paste to the affected areas and let it sit for approximately 10 minutes. Afterwards, scrub thoroughly and rinse clean. For optimal results, choose a brush with natural bristles instead of synthetic ones to reduce the risk of damaging your patio surface.
Restoring your garden furniture and patio doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. With everyday kitchen staples like dish soap and baking soda, you can banish grime and stains effectively while keeping costs low.
While, an easy and budget-friendly way to rejuvenate wooden tables and chairs after drying out and losing colour during winter involves just two common kitchen ingredients. Proving that sometimes the best hacks are the simplest.
Rather than using varnish or paint to breathe new life into them, mix two olive oil with one part of lemon juice and gently rub it into the wood with a soft cloth. This process cleans and nourishes the wood, helping to revive its natural shine while providing a cost-effective solution for anyone looking to refresh their outdoor furnishings.
Unfortunately, algae and moss tend to flourish in damp conditions, making patios appear green and slippery. This can create a tripping hazard for anyone walking through the garden. Rather than immediately reaching for costly chemicals found in garden centresthat can cause larger implications for the plants, consider using white vinegar, which is available at most UK supermarkets for just 35p.
By simply mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. You have an environmentally friendly spray that will kill algae and moss. To apply the solution, target the affected areas and allow it to sit for up to 30 minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush and rinse with water to refresh your patio before springtime.
So, before reaching for pricey specialist cleaners, try these tried-and-tested methods. You might be surprised by the results!