When the weather is nice and the outdoors beckons, no one wants to be stuck doing cleaning instead.
By designing your outdoor space to be low maintenance, you can spend more time relaxing and less time cleaning.
Wood garden benches, a popular mainstay of patios and garden, are low maintenance and usually pretty easy to clean.
Here is how you can keep your wood garden benches in good shape all year long: Start by removing dirt and dust from your benches.
If you don't remove the dirt first, you will only make a mess once you try to wash it.
Check the type of wood your benches are made from.
Some types of wood are easy to care for, while others require more effort.
Teak is a durable wood that is highly water resistant and durable.
Teak is so durable, in fact, that it is often used in the manufacturing of boats.
In India, some ancient temples contain teak beams that are over 1000 years old.
If your wood garden benches are made with teak, they can usually be cleaned with a mixture of bleach, water and laundry detergent.
Sometimes, just some warm water alone will do the trick.
If you prefer to buy commercially prepared cleaning products, look for one that is designed for teak and similar woods.
If you need to remove grease, wine, ketchup or other hard-to-remove stains, look for a cleaner designed for this purpose.
If you are unsure, ask a store sales representative to help you.
You can also try looking for recommendations or helpful ideas by searching the internet.
If you are buying a new set of wood garden benches, you might want to stain or seal them first to try to prevent stains from discoloring your new furniture.
Once you are done using a cleaner, be sure to rinse your wood garden benches thoroughly with a garden hose.
A pressure washer may be too tough on outdoor furniture.
You may also want to dry them with an absorbent towel, just to ensure that water doesn't collect in any spots and attract mosquitoes.
If your bench is made from a wood other than teak, be sure to use a cleaner that will work for that particular wood.
Cedar is often used in the manufacture of outdoor furniture.
Cedar, with its pleasing aromatic odor, is resistant to moths and other insects.
It is also water-resistant and good for use outside.
Cedar should be cleaned gently with a mild cleanser.
To preserve the aroma, be sure to use a cleaner without strong chemicals.
Soap and water often works well and won't cause damage.
If your wood garden benches have cushions on them, you will want to be sure to brush off any dirt and clean them at the same time that you clean the furniture.
There would be little point in putting a dirty cushion on a freshly cleaned bench.
Some cushions can be removed or unzipped and tossed in the washing machine.
This is a great way to keep your outdoor set fresh and clean.