Spring cleaning is just as important outside as it
is inside, especially after a long cold winter such as
we have in the Midwest.
The first step is to assign your kids or grandkids
jobs that match their age group and provide fun
snacks and drinks during breaks as a reward. Remind
them that we tackle one task at a time, and with
everyone pitching in it will be done in no time!
-Rain Gutters: Check all of your gutters and the downspouts
for debris. Wash them out with a hose-you can
buy small power nozzles to fit on the end of your
hose. (more uses for this later!). Make repairs if
anything has come loose or add to your list of replacement projects if need be.
-Porches: Sweep and clean off, then if you've
been bothered by stray cats or other animals,
wash down the porch with white vinegar and
rinse with the hose. Determine again if you
need to paint or repair. I also like to find new
things to add to my porch each year. I find
birdhouses and decorative feeders to hang
and watch for wooden signs, wicker decor
and plaques at garage sales. It's fun to add
new things each year! I have a bench I'm
going to paint this year.
-Window wells: All kinds of debris makes it's
way into basement widow wells. Clean
them out completely and wash the basement
windows. (Great job for the kids!).
-Using your hose: My husband loves his hose,
or actually, his power nozzle. This is not an
expensive power washer-it's a simple nozzle
we found at Home Depot last year-it's only
about 2-3 inches long, but it has VERY strong
spray. It was less than $5.00! I'm sure you'll
find something similar yourself and you can
use it for all of the following this spring:
*Wash out all of your garbage/refuse containers,
recycle bins, large plastic pots and pails.
*Spray off the driveways, walkways, stone and
brick walls or fences, cement porches, patios
and decks.
-House Checks: Look around every inch of your
house (chimneys, vents, foundations, etc) for any
bird's nests or other debris that may have stuck in
small spaces. While doing this take note of cracks, peeling paint or any other damage that happened
over the winter. Add to your replacement or repair
list.
Tool Check: Put away any tools you used this
winter like shovels and snowblowers. Clean
them and store them out of the way. Get out
all of your garden and yard tools, the lawn
mower and any other items you've had stored.
Check them for condition, clean them and use
the time to make sure everything is within easy
reach and organized. Same goes for your pots
and other gardening containers.
Grilling Time: It's
time to fill the gas grill tanks, and check the
connections, replace the lava rocks and give
the grill a good cleaning. To check your tank
connection to make sure it's not leaking mix
dish soap with water and brush or spray it on
the connection. If any bubbles form it's a sign
of a leak. Use a good wire brush to clean the
grill. Heating the grill first makes this easier. If
you have a chiminea or other type of barbecue
give that a good cleaning too. Don't forget that
wood ashes can be added to the compost pile
or your soil!
Birdfeeders and Birdhouses: Clean them out!
The birdhouses should be emptied of any
nesting materials from last year. The birds
will make new nests-the old material can
harbor insects and fungus. Clean them out
and if you wish you can add cedar shavings-
the kind used for pet bedding-in a thin layer
on the bottom. Feeders should be emptied,
and soaked in a solution of one cup bleach
per gallon of water. Use a bucket and soak
the feeders. Use an old toothbrush to really
get in there and clean out the corners and
bottoms of the feeders. Rinse and allow to dry.
Outdoor Iron Furniture: Spray it down with that
nifty power nozzle and allow it to dry. If they are
rusty, use a wire brush and some course sand
paper to get off the rust or old paint. Wash it
down, and allow to dry. Paint it with a metal
primer and allow to dry completely, then spray
paint with a new color!
Fishing Equipment: It's time to get out the tackle
boxes and clean all that worm residue and other
stuff that's in with the broken hooks and loose
splitshot. Work on a flat surface and take all the
items out-throw out the broken stuff-clean the
inside and outside of the tackle box. Oh,by the way, get rid
of the old fishing guides from 1988 and 1990...
then put it all back in, buy your new license, spool
new line and get ready to catch fish!
About the Author:
Brenda Hyde is a wife, mom to three kids and a freelance
writer. She is the editor/owner of Old Fashioned Living and sends out
two free email newsletters. You can sign up for them HERE
