$2 cleaning hack that can transform your entire outdoor area

9honey Living’s The Wash Up: Your 30-day spring cleaning guide is a month-long series aimed at making your annual house clean easier with hacks and expert advice.
Front and backyards tend to look a little tired after winter, making spring the perfect time to spruce them up before summer entertaining season begins.
There are two main things that will need a clean, plus another that you might not have thought about but your guests will certainly remember if it’s not done.
Cleaning pavers, outdoor furniture and wheelie bins can all be easily cleaned using water and dishwashing liquid, which you can find in supermarkets for less than $2.
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While the method is easy, these tasks do take a bit of energy and a lot of elbow grease so sharing the jobs or spreading them out over a few weekends is a good idea.
1. Give the area a good sweep to remove leaves and debris.
2. Make a solution of warm soapy water in a bucket using dishwashing liquid, you can add some vinegar for an extra boost of cleaning power.
3. Apply the soapy warm water to the pavers. You can get started right away unless there is some mould or mildew or a stubborn stain, then leave the solution to sit for a few minutes.
4. Start scrubbing using a stiff-bristled broom.
5. Rinse off and allow to dry.
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For tough stains and discolouration, consider using a specially designed stone and paver cleaner from a hardware store.
A pressure washer can also make quick work of cleaning pavers if you have a large space or its heavily stained and discoloured.
To remove oil stains Tricleanium is a good option that can also be used on brickwork if that needs a clean too.
1. Dust or brush off dirt, leaves and cobwebs before washing.
2. Make a warm soapy water solution with dishwashing liquid and grab some rags or cleaning cloths you don’t mind getting thoroughly dirty.
3. Submerge a cloth in the warm soapy water and start scrubbing off the dirt and grime. Some nooks and crannies might need a gentle scrubbing brush like a toothbrush.
4. Rinse off using a hose and allow to air dry, unless the furniture is wooden or metal then it is best to pat dry with a cloth.
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Cushions used on outdoor seating might also need cleaning too. Check the care instructions on the tag before launching into the cleaning process.
If the cushion or cushion cover is machine washable then toss in the appliance for an easy clean.
For other cushions, dust off dirt and debris with a soft bristle brush or a clean cloth. Then spot clean by scrubbing with a cloth dampened with warm soapy water. Rinse with a clean damp cloth and then let air dry.
To prevent a big cleaning job next year, consider using furniture covers and packing cushions away when not in use.
Top of the list of household items people forget to clean is the garbage bin.
But if you leave it too long before cleaning it or put some particularly stinky rubbish in there it will smell pretty bad and your guests will certainly notice the odour wafting from it as they arrive for your gathering.
Cleaning is really easy though and just takes dish soap and a hose.
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1. After the bin has been emptied check inside and remove any bits of paper or plastic still sticking to the sides.
2. Grab your dishwashing liquid and squirt some inside. Use the hose to wash the bin, pointing the water stream at all sides and areas of the bin, even the underside of the lid. You can also add some white vinegar for extra odour and germ-busting power.
3. If the bin needs scrubbing, use warm soapy water and brush. A broom or something with a long handle might be useful here to reach the bottom.
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4. Empty the water from the bin and clean the outside either with the hose and some more dish soap or a bucket of warm soapy water and a brush.
5. Leave open and turn upside down to allow the bin to fully dry. Just don’t leave an empty open bin to dry in the front yard otherwise people will toss rubbish into the wet bin.
Cleaning the bin is a task made easier if done each time the bin is emptied with just the hose and dishwashing liquid, then it’s unlikely that you’ll need to scrub or use a heavy duty cleaning solution.
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