Simple & Affordable Garden Furniture Cleaning Tips Using Household Items
As spring approaches, experts are highlighting budget-friendly methods for cleaning garden furniture, suggesting readily available household items as effective alternatives to expensive chemical cleaners. Indoor-outdoor living specialists indicate that common pantry staples like ketchup and used tea bags can revitalize outdoor spaces efficiently and inexpensively. According to these professionals, the most effective cleaning solutions are likely already present within our homes, simplifying garden upkeep.
Sam Stevens, a garden design authority at Pergolux UK, commented: “With spring just around the corner, many individuals are turning their attention to their gardens, preparing them for the brighter and longer days ahead. Garden cleaning need not be a costly endeavor. We all appreciate a thrifty and effective tip, and the good news is that numerous items already in your household can be repurposed for garden use.”
Utilizing Everyday Items for Outdoor Cleaning
“Whether you need to eliminate blemishes, achieve a spotless finish on glass surfaces, or eradicate rust, your home likely contains solutions for all these tasks,” Stevens added.
Previously, specialists have pointed out the surprising advantages of fizzy drinks in prolonging the freshness of cut flowers. Now, Pergolux’s cleaning experts reveal their utility in combating stubborn rust, attributing this to their rust-dissolving properties, which facilitate easier removal.
Fizzy Drinks for Rust Removal
This little-known trick, according to the firm, is applicable to various garden items, including corroded tools and furniture. It extends to components like hinges and metal barbecue parts.
- For smaller implements affected by rust, soaking them in fizzy drinks overnight is recommended.
- For larger items like furniture, saturate a cloth with fizzy drink and wrap it around the rusted area, allowing it to sit for several hours, or potentially overnight for significant rust accumulation.
Ketchup for Tarnished Metal
Ketchup also emerges as a potent agent for eliminating tarnish and oxidation from brass or copper decorative elements, as stated by Pergolux.
The company recommends ketchup for metal patio furniture, garden gates, and vintage metal watering cans. The suggested method involves applying a thin layer of ketchup to the affected area, letting it rest for about fifteen minutes, followed by gentle scrubbing and rinsing with water.
Tea Bags for Streak-Free Glass
Another unexpected, economical tip is the use of used tea bags on grimy glass, promising a “streak-free shine.”
This technique is also effective for greenhouses, glass patio furniture, and garden mirrors, the company notes.
Aluminum Foil for Metal Shine
Common kitchen foil can also impart a shine to metal surfaces. Pergolux advises crumpling foil into a ball and softly rubbing it on metal. While not a substitute for polishing, it can effectively remove superficial rust and buildup, temporarily enhancing the appearance of tools and furniture.
Pencil Erasers for Scuffed Plant Pots
For scuffed plant pots, Pergolux experts propose using a pencil eraser to buff away less stubborn marks.
Copper Coins to Prevent Algae in Bird Baths
Finally, a cost-effective solution for controlling algae in bird baths involves a common item often found in wallets. After thoroughly cleaning the bird bath, placing a copper coin in the fresh water can impede algae growth, according to the company.
Explore further cleaning tips and tricks for your home and garden to maintain a pristine living space both indoors and out.