Handy ways to keep your outdoor space clean and safe

Because outdoor living areas are open to the elements, cleaning them is a little different from indoor cleaning. But, here are a few handy ways to keep your outdoor space clean and safe all year round without resorting to harsh cleaning chemicals.

• Use a broom, not a hose, to clean hard surfaces. Keep a stiff heavy-duty broom solely for outdoor use.
• A regular sweep will prevent a build-up of mould-causing leaves, twigs and other organic debris.
• Keep courtyard drainage grates free of leaves and pet hair.
• Clear guttering and downpipes regularly.
• Store canvas chairs and umbrellas out of the weather, otherwise they will rot.
• If you have a water feature, make sure the water in it is clean and free of mosquito larvae.
• To prevent rusting, put garden tools back where they belong after each use.
• Store your hose on a reel to keep it neat and prevent it from forming kinks or knots. It will work more efficiently and last longer.

• If you have a sandbox, cover it when it's not in use to keep animal droppings and rubbish out of it.
• If a wading pool seems dirty, clean it with a solution of 50 grams (1/4 cup) baking soda in four litres (four quarts) water.
• Regularly scrub play equipment – such as swings and slides – with warm soapy water and a soft-bristled brush to remove grime, sticky handprints and bird poop.

Moss can be unsightly and even dangerous on paved areas. Try one of these cleaning solutions.

• Add about a handful of salt to a 5:1 solution of water and vinegar. Paint the solution onto the moss, then sweep the moss away when it is dry.
• Spray a solution of one part vinegar to one part denatured alcohol on the moss.
• Pour a kettle of boiling water over the moss.
• For bad moss infestations, clean paved areas with a high-pressure washer (but first check the water restrictions in your area).
• Clean swimming pool tiles with a little bicarbonate of soda on a soft cloth.

Remember these various points to help you keep your outdoor spaces clean and safe.