Many of my May recollections center on my mother hustling and bustling with spring cleaning -- mattresses and pillows were toted outside to air, curtains were washed and starched, window blinds were taken down and cleaned in the bathtub. My parents also spruced up the exterior, making the to-do list even longer. (To our annual dismay, we three kids were put to work, too. No slackers lived at 101 Redbud Lane.)
Taking a couple of pages from my folks' book, I've re-written the manual for readers with some help from Heloise, the famous "hint" lady whom I much admire. So what can you do to make your outside items shine?
Ellen Phillips* Bird feeders. Take each feeder apart, and clean all pieces thoroughly before putting it back together. If the exterior has never had a coat of polyurethane, and it's a feeder you want to keep for a while, then get out the paintbrush. Just be certain everything is dry, dry, dry before inviting your feathered friends back.
* Clay pots. First, scrub inside and out to remove debris, critters and just plain yuck. To eliminate white lime stains on the outside of pots, wipe down with an old towel soaked in vinegar.
* Decks. If the wood is treated or composite, sweep well, and hose off after fixing any cracks, splinters or protruding nails. Take three to five drops of mild dishwashing detergent (Dawn is a great jack-of-all-trades), and mix with one gallon of water. Scrub well.
* Grills. Once again, pull out the Dawn; add a couple of drops to one-half gallon of water, and clean the grates. Rinse well, and allow to dry before cooking.
* Natural-wood picnic tables/furniture. Mix one cup of ammonia with one-half cup of vinegar and dissolve them into one gallon of water. Scrub first, and then rinse well.
* Plastic furniture. Take one tablespoon of laundry detergent and 3/4 cup of household bleach; mix with a gallon of water and wash. Rinse well. If furniture isn't too dirty or mildewed, a good swiping of plain soapy water usually does the trick.
* Swing sets. Check carefully for loose screws or other parts that might snag clothes or skin. Depending on its material, you can clean the swing set utilizing whichever appropriate method is found in my other tips.
* Storm screens. Remove screens from windows, and stand them against a wall. Hose them first, then scrub horizontally and vertically with an all-purpose cleaner. Once they're dry, apply a thin coat of car wax to the frames to prevent rust and stain, then reinstall. The same method can be used to clean storm doors.
* Wicker furniture. Turn each piece upside down and shake thoroughly. Dispense with any remaining dirt with a clean paint brush or your vacuum's upholstery brush.
* Wrought iron. Brush off dirt, then wash well with dishwashing detergent. Pull out the Dawn again, and add water. Dry. If the finish is peeling, sand the furniture, and apply a coat of rust-inhibiting paint.
And when you complete all your own spring cleaning, please come on over to my house.
Ellen Phillips may be reached at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com.