Notoriously Neat (21 page)

While the grill’s cool, poke away grease and goop from the burner holes with all-purpose bamboo skewers (as my Constant Reader, you always have them handy, right?), then whisk clean with a toothbrush. We only wire-brush once, at the end of the year. Also, if you use lava rocks, flip them over from time to time so grease drippings can burn off.

Extra, extra:

If your flame is an orangey red color, it’s a sign the grill has clogged burners and needs some TLC (tender loving cleaning).

Wood decks will last longer if you simply sweep away the leaves, sticks, pods, and common windblown foliage that find resting places between the boards. Think of it as mulch, in the sense that it holds moisture. That’s great for garden plants, but
not
your deck, since it can cause stains and mildew.

At least once a year, wash the deck with a bucket of warm water and a long squirt of dish detergent. And every
couple
of years, call in the guys to do the power wash.

Iron fencing, gates, patio furniture, lanterns, and so forth are generally low maintenance. But they do need occasional cleaning. Scrub away rust with a wire brush, steel wool, or medium-grade sandpaper. If the birds have “dropped by,” a damp cloth and soft brush will do the trick.

Before putting that cheerfully colored sign of summer away for the season . . . please clean it! Dirt that has accumulated on the umbrella can make for a dull, faded opening next year. In this case the fastest and easiest method for umbrella cleaning
does
belong to Mother Nature: a soaker of a rainstorm can’t be beat. But from time to time, give her an assist. Just use a mild dish soap, wash, rinse, and dry.

First, vacuum with your brush attachment. Next, using as little water as possible to avoid wood swell or rot, brush clean, sun dry, or use an electric fan to dry it off. Remember that wicker can be fickle—it needs humidity so it won’t crack, but too much moisture creates mildew. And while it’s fine in the sun, too much sunlight can dry it out and cause breakage. Keeping this in mind when placing your outdoor furniture will make it last a lot longer.

Everyone loves that old crumpled newspaper method . . . except me! For one thing, newspaper isn’t absorbent. For another, the newsprint gets all over your hands. Do yourself a huge favor and get a squeegee for window-cleaning. It’s really the drying process that creates streaks on glass, and nothing beats the rubber side of a squeegee for eliminating them.

That’s it for now . . . I’m heading out to soak up some sunshine!

About the Author

Suzanne Price
is the pseudonym for a national bestselling author. While Suzanne has never solved a murder, she’s as quick with cleaning hints as her heroine is.