Take your spring cleaning outside!

With some tips on how to get the garden in shape for spending more time outside with the family 

Spring is fast approaching, and in keeping with the season we’re beginning to think about how to kick off a fresh start outside the home. It doesn’t have to be a ‘spring project’ we’ve put together a helpful guide to consider tackling some maintenance issues that may have been over looked during the colder wetter months. 

Clean up mission - Exterior 
Pressure washing is usually the first step for a lot of people looking to quickly improve the look of exterior surfaces without realizing the damage it is doing. Washing to close to the wood will cause holes in the surface and furs the wood grain up. Instead of pressure washing we would suggest using Algon Organic Path and Patio Concentrate, it’s so simple to spray or brush on and there is no need to rinse off later. Simply apply and walk away. It's non-toxic too, so it's safe for pets. Algon will start to clear the surface within a week or so and stay active cleaning progressively for months afterwards – Algon is not weather permitting so you can use this any time of year. Can be used on brick, stone, wooden surfaces, patio and more!

Squeaky-Clean those Windows!
Use a 50-50 mix of white vinegar and water as a natural alternative to clean the windows. Rub it on with newspaper rather than cloth and work in the shade so it doesn’t dry out too quickly. Tip: Work on the outside first then the inside or you’ll never be able to tell if they’re actually clean or not. 

Cleaning Grey & Weathered Timber 
Outdoor furniture can last for years if it's looked after correctly, we’ve had a decent amount of rain this winter and our wooden decking, timber cladding and garden furniture is showing it! To clean grey decking and fencing we would recommend using Osmo Wood Reviver Power Gel, it’s a jelly-like formula designed to refresh greyed exterior wood.  It’s is easy to apply – even on vertical surfaces. The gel penetrates the wood deeply and removes any grey patina. Re-applying oil will restore the fresh warm colour tone of the wood.

Brush those winter blues away
Winter weather can really take its toll on our wooden sheds, summer houses and doors. If you have bare wood, or if your old paint is flaking off so much you can easily remove it, we recommend Osmo Country Colour. It’s made with micro-porous oils that nourish the wood, allow the wood to breathe and gives exceptional resistance and durability. 
 

Peeling paints a thing of the past! 

Clear the gutters 
It’s the job nobody likes to do, but tackling it head on can save you money in the long term, just think about the water damage it could cause to your home! TIP: Take a hose up the ladder with you and it will tell you whether you have a blocked up spout or if you have leaky gutters! 

Rinse and Restain
Once you're finished removing the algae and the fungus has been cleared away, it's time to restain the wood to give it a new richer look. We'd recommend either Treatex exterior oils or Treatex external oak protection. It protects the wood from harmful UV rays and is water resistanct once finished in Treatex external oak protection. Treatex Repels Water - Protecting the wood and keeps them looking fresh! External Oak has a high class finish leaving wood with a natural finish.

Treatex External Oak also contains no biocides or preservatives, so it is also kind to the environment. 

Weed the beds
De-leaf and de-clutter the lawn, it has spent the whole winter being suffocated under a layer of debris, snow and in my case looking like a swamp! Get rid of soggy old leaves that could be chocking your flowerbeds, we've already seen daffodils popping out of the ground. TIP: Switch sides when raking the garden, your back will thanks us later!

Look for inspiration no further than the Cwtch Glanmordy in Aberporth. Their exposed coastal location is challenging for any exterior finish, which is why Osmo Country Colour in Dove Blue, White and Royal Blue was chosen for the wooden beach huts. Painted in October 2015 it is still looking great. Osmo country colour is biocide FREE so it’s kind to wildlife too!