Cleaning Outdoor Items

Tip: Disinfecting Wading Pools
To disinfect wading pools, mix a bleach solution of 1/8 cup for a 100 gallon pool with two gallons of water and pour over the pool´s surface. Let stand for five minutes then rinse.

Tip: Rust Removal from Concrete
You should be able to remove the rust stains from your concrete driveway by using any of the commercial rust stain removers out there. Some are Zud or Whink, and they are available at most department stores. You can also try scrubbing the area with TSP.

Tip: Tree Sap Removal from Outdoor PVC Furniture or Vinyl
To get tree sap off your PVC furniture or Vinyl, try Goof Off (or a product similar to that), or WD40. Spray the product on the stain, rub, and wash with soap and water. If any stain remains, try scrubbing with non-gel toothpaste.

Tip: Oil Stain Removal from Wood Deck
You should be able to remove vegetable oil stains from your wood deck by washing the stained area with mineral spirits. If that does not seem to be working, you could also try Naptha. Depending on the finish on the deck, you could also use paint thinner, but try this on a non-visible area first to ensure that it would damage the finish.

Tip: Polishing Tarnished Aluminum Gutters
To clean your gutters, use a small broom to remove the leaves and debris from the gutters. Then use your hose to flush out any remaining debris. For tough jobs, TSP, hot water and a good brush should work. Always wear gloves when doing this chore to protect your hands from sharp edges. Proceed with caution when high pressure washing, as high pressure can dent the aluminum and/or remove the paint. Just give them a light scrubbing.

If any tarnish remains, try using a metal polish, such as MAAS Metal Polish, ZAP! or FLITZ.

Tip: Dried Egg Removal from House Exterior
Dried egg does not come off easily. You can try white vinegar or a liquid enzyme solution. The longer the vinegar or enzyme solution stays in contact with the dried egg, the better it can work on breaking it down.

Tip: Urine Stain and Odor Removal from Cement, Concrete or Bricks
Urine can saturate absorbent materials such as cement well beyond the surface area that can effectively be cleaned. It is extremely difficult to remove all of the urine from inside of cement, concrete and bricks, thereby creating ideal conditions for bacteria and mold growth (and thus malodors). However, you can still try. The newest technology uses peroxide and detergents to penetrate the soiled area to remove the stain and deactivate the odor. Simply spray a product such as PAWS - Pet Accident Washup Solution or Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate on the soiled area, and then allow it to penetrate for approximately five minutes. Rinse with clean water. If the odor persists, repeat the process.

Tip: Tar Removal from Concrete
To remove tar from concrete, you can try using mineral spirits and a nylon scrub brush, but removing tar from concrete is not going to be easy. You may also want to try a commercial product specifically designed for removing tar from concrete, available at your local hardware or home store.

Tip: Motor Oil Removal from Concrete
A fresh motor oil stain from concrete is easier to remove than an old stain. Squirt some liquid dish detergent (preferably one designed for cutting grease) onto the stain. Add water. Be sure to wet down the area surrounding the stain as well to prevent oil from spreading during the cleaning process and causing a secondary stain. Scrub the stain vigorously with a nylon scrub brush (not a wire brush which can erode or scratch the concrete), adding enough water to make a rich soapy lather. Rinse with clean water. The soap will emulsify the oil and lift it out of the concrete, but it may take several attempts to completely remove all of the oil. When rinsing the area, it is more environmentally responsible to blot the area with a towel to remove the soapy water, since rinsing the mixture with a hose will allow the motor oil in the water to seep into the ecosystem or sewer system. Another way to remove motor oil from concrete is to spread a thick layer of cat litter over the grease to absorb the excess motor oil on the surface. Allow the litter to sit for a day or two, then sweep it away. Pour dry concrete over the dried grease spot. Allow the concrete to sit for a day or two, then sweep away the dirty concrete. Be sure to gather both the cat litter and the dirty concrete in a bag and dispose of it properly so the motor oil doesn´t get into the ecosystem or sewer system. Contact your local waste collection service for more information.

Tip: Gutter Washing
Use a small broom to remove the leaves and debris from the gutters. Then use your hose to flush out any remaining debris. For tough jobs, TSP, hot water and a good brush should work. Always wear gloves when doing this chore to protect your hands from sharp edges. Proceed with caution when high pressure washing, as high pressure can dent the aluminum and/or remove the paint. Just give them a light scrubbing.

Tip: Permanent Marker Stain Removal from Sidewalk
Unfortunately, it is not called “permanent” marker for no reason, and depending on how fresh the stain is, this may not remove the stain completely and you may be stuck with the stain. Concrete is porous so you´ll need a cleaner that will penetrate the surface and you´ll need to allow the cleaner time to work on the stain. Try using a paint removing solvent designed for oil-based paints, such as turpentine. Saturate the stain and let it sit for an hour. Rinse with clean water; a bucket will do, but you may have better results with a pressure washer.

Tip: Wood Deck Cleaning
To clean your wood deck, the newest technology uses peroxide and detergents to penetrate the soiled area to remove the stain and deactivate the odor. Simply spray a product such as Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate on the soiled area, and then allow it to penetrate for approximately five minutes. Another method is to use a solution of 3 quarts warm water, 1 ounce of detergent and 3 ounces of trisodium phosphate (TSP). If you cannot find TSP at a paint or hardware store, you can substitute 4-6 tablespoons of powdered laundry detergent. With either method, use a longhandled brush to scrub the surface, and then rinse with a hose. The solution can also be applied with a garden sprayer or with a power washer which can be rented from a local home store.

Tip: Car Wax Removal from Brick Driveway
To remove car was from a brick driveway, squirt some liquid dish detergent (preferably one designed for cutting grease) onto the stain. Add water. Be sure to wet down the area surrounding the stain as well. Scrub the stain vigorously with a nylon scrub brush (not a wire brush which can erode or scratch the concrete), adding enough water to make a rich soapy lather. Rinse with clean water. It may take several attempts to completely remove all of the wax. Another way to remove the wax from the bricks is to spread a thick layer of cat litter over the grease to absorb the excess wax on the surface. Allow the litter to sit for a day or two, then sweep it away.

Tip: Canvas Mold and Mildew Removal
To remove mold and mildew from your canvas tent, or awning, first vacuum or brush soilded areas to remove any excess dirt. Wash the affected area with a solution of 1/2 cup Lysol to a gallon of hot water. Rinse with a solution of 1 cup lemon juice and 1 cup salt to a gallon of hot water. Allow the canvas to air dry in the sun.

You can also try applying a cleaner such as IOSSO Tent & Camping Gear Cleaner. This cleaner is made to remove tough dirt and mildew stains. Afterwards, you may want to treat the canvas with a water-repellent compound such as Canvak.

Tip: House Exterior Mold and Mildew Removal
Depending on where you live, the northern exposure of your house usually receives the most damage from moisture and weathering, because of limited exposure to the sun. Mildew is not only unsightly, but can cause rotting of wood and stucco. Moisture, and therefore mildew, can be somewhat controlled by arranging landscaping so that natural breezes can flow near the house and dry the siding if it becomes wet from rain or dew. It also helps to keep shrubs away from the walls. Gutters and downspouts, as well as a moderate roof overhang, will help. On sidings which may have a tendency to absorb moisture from rain or dew, a semi-gloss or gloss latex or oil paint with an appropriate primer is recommended.When wood siding is stained or left to weather naturally, use a water-repellent (often combined with a wood preservative) finish. These products are available in hardware and paint stores. To clean and remove mold and mildew and kill the spores that cause them, the newest technology uses peroxide and detergents to penetrate the soiled area to remove the stain and deactivate the odor. Simply spray a product such as Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate on the soiled area, and then allow it to penetrate for approximately five minutes. Another method is to use a solution of 3 quarts warm water, 1 quart bleach, 1 ounce of detergent and 3 ounces of trisodium phosphate (TSP). If you cannot find TSP at a paint or hardware store, you can substitute 4-6 tablespoons of powdered laundry detergent. With either method, use a longhandled brush to scrub the surface, and then rinse with a hose. The solution also can be applied with a garden sprayer or with a power washer which can be rented from a local home store.

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