The Quick & Easy Spring Chore That Makes Your Yard Clean And Guest-Ready

If you live in a climate that grows frigid over the winter season, chances are you haven't touched your outdoor furniture in months. Your chairs, couches, and tables have been collecting dirt, debris, rain, snow, and, most recently, pollen. As we enter the warmer months and longer days, it's time to begin cleaning our outdoor spaces in preparation. While there are a ton of chores to tackle during this time, like spraying spring weed and feed or starting to water your lawn, deep cleaning your outdoor furniture is key. Not only will this redeem your yard's aesthetic after a long winter, but it will prep your furniture to be guest-ready.

Pollen season typically begins from late February to early March. Then is the time to start being vigilant about keeping outdoor furniture clean and, as the weather gets warmer, you can give them a solid deep scrub. Some furniture materials react better to pollen than others. Some pieces might only need a light wipe down, particularly if they are made with non-porous materials like powder-coated aluminum, plastic, and sealed wood or teak. Those with parts made of denim, cotton, or polyester will be tougher to de-pollen.

Removing pollen from your outdoor furniture is necessary for reasons other than just spring cleaning. This airborne allergen can quickly collect on benches, chairs, and tables and adversely affect you and your loved ones with seasonal allergies. Over 100 million people in the U.S. struggle with allergies that can be triggered by pollen. While it is a natural part of plants' reproduction processes, it's not exactly what we want on our furniture. This deep cleaning process will get your patio and garden ready for guests, allowing you to have allergy-free gatherings throughout the spring and summer. 

As tempting as it may be just rinse your pollen-covered outdoor furniture with water, this is a classic mistake. Instead of getting rid of pollen, water just makes it stickier and harder to remove. In order to clean pollen off outdoor and patio furniture with ease, you can just use a simple mixture of dish soap and warm water, or opt for vinegar instead. If you're wiping a dry surface, avoid sweeping. Instead, use a microfiber cloth or a vaccum.