Outdoor Living And...Dirt

by Marjorie Dorfman | More from this Blogger

04 Feb 2007 10:30 AM

The great out-of-doors offers no escape from the world of dirt and grime. Keeping your backyard safe from bacteria and for democracy is a tireless task, and one must always be on top of it. Sleep may come to the weary, but dust and dirt are alive and dancing 24/7. Here's some help even if you are tired.

BBQ Cleaning Get your grill to clean as if it were a self-cleaning oven by placing a sheet of aluminum foil on the grill, shiny side down. Turn the flame on high and leave the BBQ closed for a few minutes. Another non-messy way to clean a grill is to place it in a large plastic garbage bag, throw in ¼ cup ammonia and tie it closed. Lay the bag flat and leave it outside overnight. Then hose it off the next day. Remember to spray your grill first with non-stick cooking oil as it will make your clean up easier.

Metal Furniture Care Make a mixture of 5 parts petroleum jelly and 1 part lanolin and apply it to your metal outdoor furniture. It will add a protective layer to it. You can also use mineral oil, if you prefer. When storing away for winter, wipe the furniture down with cooking oil and then wash it off in the spring. To remove rust from garden furniture, wrap the rusted part in a kerosene-soaked cloth for 2 or 3 days. Sand with medium sandpaper. Paint as desired with a good rust paint.

Outdoor Resin Furniture Wearing rubber gloves, mix a solution of 8 parts bleach and 1 part dish soap. Apply to furniture and let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse off well with clean water but DO NOT follow this treatment with any cleaner than contains ammonia. This should remove any grime from outdoor and plastic furniture as well as anyone unfortunate enough to be sitting in it at the time of your application.

Do YOU have any tips to share? Please do.

Related Reading:

How Does Your Garden Clutter?

"Garden Tools and Their Care" http://blogs.families.com/admin/b2browse.php?blog=23&p=22492

"Clutter: Attack and Destroy" http://blogs.families.com/admin/b2browse.php?blog=23&p=21433

"Don't Go In The Basement Clutter"

Learn more about Marjorie Dorfman

Marjorie Dorfman is a freelance writer and former teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York.

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