When cold weather arrives in New York, it’s time to make sure your outdoor space winter-ready. A little patio cleaning now will make your life much easier come spring!

Prepare Furniture and Cushions

Before you store furniture and cushions for winter, it’s important to clean them properly. Dirt and grime may harm your furniture over time, so don’t neglect a good cleaning. The type of furniture you own will determine the cleaning method:

• Metal: Spray with a hose to loosen dirt. Go over furniture with a scrub sponge and soapy water to remove any remaining grime. Rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly.
• Wood: Use a dry dish brush to loosen grit, then sand rough areas with sandpaper. Spray furniture down with a hose, and then go over everything with soapy water and a cloth. Spray with clean water. When furniture has dried completely, coat it with an oil made for wood, such as teak oil. (Regular vegetable oil works in a pinch, too.)
• Wicker: Excessive water is the enemy of wicker furniture, so avoid drenching it while cleaning. Use a handheld vacuum or a stiff brush to remove as much dirt and grime as possible, then clean it with warm, soapy water. Rinse everything with clean water and then dry it off thoroughly.

If your furniture has cushions, check the care labels. You may be able to remove the cushion covers and clean them in your washing machine. If that’s not possible, spot-clean the cushions with soap and water. Dry them in the sun.

If your patio table has an umbrella, you’ll want to clean that, too. Wash it with soap and water, and let it dry completely before closing and storing.

Image Source: Flickr/US CPSC

Get Your Grill Ready

You grill needs to be prepared for winter, too. Start by turning a gas grill up as high as possible or lighting a hot fire in a charcoal grill. Let the fire go for a few minutes and then extinguish it. This will burn off any stuck-on debris. After your grill has cooled, scrape off any residue and clean all surfaces with warm, soapy water. If you’re putting a gas grill into storage, make sure to remove the tank. Wrap the tank and store it securely on your patio.

Image Source: MorgueFile

Wrap Everything Up

After you’ve cleaned your furniture and accessories, it’s time to wrap everything up. The most important thing is to choose a well-fitting cover. Amazon has a great selection, if you can’t find anything locally. Look for a heavy-duty cover that’s both UV- and water-resistant, and measure your furniture carefully before making a purchase. Secure the cover to your furniture tightly and check on it periodically throughout winter.

Other Things to Consider

Keep the following in mind during your patio cleaning, too:

• Bring plants inside. They’ll brighten up your apartment over winter. Discard anything that’s in bad shape and store the pots upside down to avoid collecting water.

• Clean leaves and other debris from drains.
• Secure everything tightly to your patio. You don’t want to lose anything to a gusty nor’easter.
• While you’re cleaning the furniture, keep an eye out for loose screws and other issues. Fix these issues now.
• Bring any glass inside if at all possible. At the very least, move it away from icicle-forming ledges and anything else that may shatter it.

Image Source: MorgueFile

Anyone who lives in an NYC apartment with an outdoor space should take note of these patio cleaning tips. Run down the list, and your patio will be ready for winter!

Main Image Source: Flickr

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