Your Patio Spring Cleaning Checklist

Whether you have a poolside patio, a garden oasis, or a tucked-away deck in the woods, spring is the perfect time of year to enjoy your outdoor space. You’ll be relaxing in no time when you break up your patio spring cleaning into simple tasks.

Read on for your easy patio spring cleaning checklist to prepare your space for eating outside with your family, playing games, or just soaking up a sunny day.

1. Clean the surface, steps, and siding.

It’s time to get the yuck and grime off of your beautiful deck or patio, and you’ll enjoy time outside more when it’s clean.

To wash your patio’s surface:

• Move all furniture, cushions, and plants off your patio.
• Sweep off any leaves, sand, and other debris.

• Rinse your patio with a garden hose to prep the surface.
• Spray any stains with a 10:1 solution of warm water and an outdoor cleaner. (Globo Surf has a list of six great patio cleaners you can try.)
• Leave the cleaner on for 15 minutes, then scrub with a stiff broom and rinse. If your initial treatment didn’t get the stains out, add a cup of bleach to your 10:1 solution and spot-treat them.

To wash the steps and siding:

• Use a pressure washer on the sides and steps to remove dirt and mildew.
• If you have tiled steps or siding, just rinse these with a garden hose to avoid loosening the tiles.

2. Wash your outdoor furniture.

Once you’ve washed and rinsed your patio’s steps and foundation, it’s time to do the same with your outdoor furniture. You can make your furniture last even longer with a thorough clean each spring.

Many people choose powder-coated aluminum and teak for their pieces, which are great sturdy and mold-resistant options. To clean, gently scrub your patio pieces with water and mild soap or detergent. 

If you have wicker or rattan furniture, take an old toothbrush to the grooves after washing to remove any built-up grime. No matter what material your patio pieces are made of, rinse them when you’re finished to remove soapy residue. Let your pieces dry in the sun before placing cushions and pillows on them.

3. Update outdoor light fixtures.

Whether your lights just need a deep cleaning, or you’d like to change things up with a different color, now’s the perfect time to update your fixtures.

Your lights have probably collected some dirt, grime, and dust from exposure to the elements, but cleaning them for spring is easy. Use a dry brush (or a rag) to remove cobwebs or dirt. Next, take a clean rag with soapy water and wipe away any built-up dirt, grime, and bugs collected throughout the year.

You can even repaint your fixtures if you’d like! Just remove and disassemble the lights, then coat your fixture with spray paint in a color that would go perfectly with your patio.

4. Scrub your pillows and cushions.

Once you’ve taken care of your furniture, surface, and lighting, you’re ready to scrub down the pillows and cushions before returning them to your patio. For general patio spring cleaning, we’ve provided some easy steps to remove dirt and grime, but for more advanced stains like oil, bird droppings, and mildew a little more elbow grease may be required.

To clean your pillows and cushions:

• Follow the directions on the manufacturer’s label.
• Hand wash cushions and pillows to prevent damage or misshaping.
• Test your cleaner in an inconspicuous area to ensure it won’t hurt the fabric.
• Spot treat with liquid soap and lukewarm water.
• Rinse with clean water or a hose.
• Let your cushions and pillows air dry.

5. Get new cushions for your patio.

When you start cleaning your cushions and pillows, you may find that some are beyond salvaging. Between kids, pets, and weather, it happens! A new set of cushions or pillows can spruce up your patio and make it look brand-new again.

One way to bring your patio space to life is to design your own custom cushions. Custom patio cushions can come in a wide variety of fabrics, patterns, and colors, so you’re sure to find something that looks great on your patio.

Once you’ve decided on cushions, choose a fun throw pillow (or a few!) to liven up your space. Patio pillows are a great way to add a pop of color and a touch of softness to your patio furniture. With clean, comfortable pillows and cushions, you’ll love sitting on your patio again.

If you’re ready for spring but your patio space isn’t, try sprucing up your patio furniture, cleaning your cushions, or adding a pop of color with new throw pillows. A little spring cleaning can make a big difference!

With this patio spring cleaning checklist, you’ll be able to freshen up your patio in no time.

Summer Living Direct has helped homeowners and decorators find custom cushions, curtains, outdoor art, and umbrellas for their patios since 1994. To learn more, please visit our website or follow us on Facebook.