Who’s super excited for summer?! This weekend we did outdoor cleaning to get set up for warm weather and neighborhood block parties. I’m partnering with Clorox to for this story on fighting germs (or even mold and mildew) on everything from my favorite patio chair to the greasy BBQ grill and even learning how to clean a concrete patio.
It’s true, I get excited when seasons change; the newness of one moment evolving into the next makes me giddy with anticipation! Right now, the weather is cool and spring is in the air, but summer heat makes an appearance every now and again reminding us that outdoor fun is right around the corner.
I went on a cleaning spree inside our home during spring cleaning season and now it’s time to get our outdoor space ready for summertime fun. My plan of attack starts on getting the grime off our patio steps and furniture because its where the kids and their friends hang out most. The thought of having my friends over to sit in a clean space makes me happy, too.
Clorox Outdoors
With Clorox ® Regular Bleach 2 with CLOROMAX ® Technology and Clorox ® Clean-Up ® Cleaner + Bleach, we can disinfect with the bleach power we trust while getting our space ready for amazing summer memories.
How to Clean a Concrete Patio + Furniture
First up is cleaning our concrete patio that gets covered in mud throughout the rainy season. I love our neighborhood and that our kids are constantly playing outside, but we don’t have rain gutters and that makes our front porch super dirty on even an overcast day. The kids track up so much dirt and it all makes the concrete look filthy!
Related: How to Kill Germs Using Bleach
To clean a concrete patio using bleach, I first sweep the area and clean any debris. I then mix a bit of Clorox Regular Bleach2 with CLOROMAX with a gallon of water and pour the mixture onto the concrete. To apply the bleach solution, I used a broom (you can also use a brush) and spread the solution around on the surface. For really stubborn areas, I use my broom to work the bleach into the concrete with some added pressure. Then wait only 5 minutes for disinfecting, hose the area down with water and you’ve got a brand new, clean concrete patio!
This video shows a deck, but the process is the same for how to clean a concrete patio. Check it out!
How to Clean Outdoor Furniture
Our friends want to come over and hang out, so we need places to sit! Also, this spot might be my favorite seat in the house during summer months. Nothing is sweeter than watching my kids play outside while relaxing on the porch with the sun kissing their faces. Sounds blissful, right?
Related: How to Make a Natural Concrete Cleaner
But wow, these chairs were filthy! By the time I pull them out of the shed to use, the mold has gotten disgusting and figuring out how to get rid of mold with bleach becomes a big deal.
I asked Clorox how to remove mold and mildew with bleach and these are the steps they told me to follow to make sure our outdoor furniture is disinfected and clean.
• Step 1: Wipe down the surface with a wet sponge
• Step 2: Mix 3/4 cup of Clorox ® Regular Bleach 2 with CLOROMAX ® with 1 gallon of warm
• water
• Step 3: Wipe down the furniture with the solution
• Step 4: Wait 10 minutes for disinfecting
• Step 5: Rinse thoroughly with warm water
• Step 6: Let air dry; repeat, if necessary, on heavily soiled surfaces
If you don’t have any mold or mildew on your furniture, you can follow the same steps as washing your patio or deck shared above!
Making Summer Memories
Once I’ve done a thorough cleaning of our outdoor space, I feel ready to sit back and enjoy this season of life. For cleaning daily messes or smaller surfaces like my outdoor patio table, I use Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach and it works out perfectly. Just a few sprays, let it stand for 30 seconds and wipe clean!
As you know, I really do love and use these Clorox products daily. They’re such lifesavers! Check out my post on how to use bleach or read about the quick + easy way to help a teacher using Clorox wipes.
The kids and I are wrapping up this busy school year and I’m just so excited to lay back in the lawn chair, enjoy a great book in the refreshing sunny summer air, and watch as my babies live their best lives. Taking an afternoon to clean our outdoor areas and create welcoming spaces to is crucial to the backdrop of all the summer memories we’re about to create.
