Every year, on the last Monday of May, Americans come together to honor Memorial Day. This federal holiday remembers United States Armed Forces members who passed away during their tours of duty. It’s also a day to appreciate living in America, and many find it fitting to celebrate the lives of fallen soldiers by enjoying the freedoms they fought so hard to defend.
Before inviting everyone over for a Memorial Day gathering, you must think about your outdoor spaces. Chances are, you may not have cleaned or fixed them up since before winter, meaning they’ll need some care to ensure they’re ready for guests. Consider these home improvement tasks and outdoor living preparations to complete before Memorial Day rolls around, marking the unofficial start of summer.
Clean Your Grill
Are you having a Memorial Day party? Or maybe you simply want to spend your holiday cooking up delicious meats for your family. Either way, it’s always a good idea to clean your grill before Memorial Day, especially if you’ve already been using it throughout the spring. Depending on the type of grill you own, you can clean it in one of many ways. Cleaning processes for the most popular grill types include:
Charcoal Grills
While charcoal grills offer unique, smoky flavors, they also need the most cleaning compared to other grill types. This is because as charcoal burns, the ash falls to the bottom, potentially leading to a buildup, which can block bottom grill vents and make it challenging for you to control grill temperatures. That’s why you should not only clean these grills when first breaking them out for the season, but also periodically as you use them.
To begin cleaning, you should wait until the charcoal cools, then begin taking out bricks and brushing ash out. Start by scrubbing grates with a stiff-wire brush, removing leftover food remnants and other debris. Then, rub them with vegetable oil on a paper towel or rag, allowing for rust and food buildup resistance.
Next, you must clean the inside of the grilling bowl, which is best done with a steel brush and grill cleaner solution. If Memorial Day weekend is the first time you’re bringing your grill out for the season, you’ll also want to clean your grill’s exterior, ensuring to towel-dry it right after to keep rust from forming.
Gas Grills
Gas grills are a popular option amongst those who love fresh-grilled flavor without all the maintenance. But if you haven’t broken out your grill until now, you must give it a full cleaning, starting with pre-heating grills for 15 minutes on high heat. This makes debris easier to clean by burning and flaking it off grill grates and surfaces. However, before heating propane grills, you must make sure your propane tank is full and working. If you find you need more, consider taking it to your local Tractor Supply store for a propane refill.
To start the grill cleaning process, make sure to disconnect the propane tank or turn gas off. As grates are still warm from preheating, you must clean them, as well as grill surfaces, with a stiff wire brush. After grates cool, you can go back in with a damp cloth to wipe out any remaining residue.
Now, it’s time to clean interior components, which may require you to remove burners so you can reach gas ports and burner valves. Finally, wipe down the inside of your grill, and dry off burners for reattachment.
Freshen Up Your Deck or Patio
Now that you have your grill ready to go, you can’t forget about your deck and patio spaces. Decks give us a designated area to grill and spend time with loved ones, and they make it easy to keep conversations going at parties and barbecues. Because of this, you must have decks ready for your Memorial Day celebration. Some deck materials, such as composite or plastic, may only need a quick washing to give it a fresh appearance. However, other types, such as wooden decks, require a little more work.
Start by sweeping off leaves and debris and inspecting surfaces, watching for rotting on wooden deck types, which can impact their structural integrity. If you see any raised or out-of-place nails, use a hammer to push them back in, or pry them out and install new wood screws to secure boards back down. Additionally, be sure to replace damaged deck boards promptly to ensure everyone’s safety. Next, check your deck rails, giving them a small wiggle to see if they’re stable and tightly attached to your deck. You should also look for any rusted or corroded hardware and replace them as needed.
After inspecting your deck, it’s time to clean it using a pressure washer on a low setting. Deck treatments can also help during this stage, working to remove dirt and grime. Wood decks require frequent staining and sealing to ensure ample protection from the elements and to stay looking good for longer. So, you’ll want to complete this step after spaces dry from power washing, starting with sanding surfaces to prepare them for deck stains and painting.
Now, gather your painting supplies, using paint brushes or paint rollers to apply stains with ease. If you’re looking to give your deck space a makeover, consider using an exterior paint to give it a new, fresh look.
Clean Off Your Outdoor Furniture and Decor
With the grill ready to go and your deck or patio sparkling, all that’s left is cleaning your patio furniture and decor – the last thing you want is to welcome your guests with dirt-covered tables, seating or patio sets. Before the big Memorial Day bash, be sure to spruce up these outdoor living pieces:
- Patio furniture and outdoor decor: Depending on the material these items are made of, your cleaning approach will differ as follows:
- Plastic and metal: Remove dirt and debris with a dry brush or vacuum with a brush attachment, and then softly scrub furniture with a mixture of water and mild soap. Lastly, rinse with clean water and pat dry.
- Wicker: This material requires more frequent care, as it is more fragile and typically can’t hold up to more abrasive cleaning solutions. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment or dry brush to remove dust, dirt and other debris, and then wipe it down with a gentle soap and water. Next, take a soft-bristle brush to the wicker’s crevices, gently scrubbing away any lingering debris. When finished, rinse thoroughly with clean water and pat dry.
- Wood: To begin, the steps will sound familiar – remove dust and dirt, followed by washing it with a mixture of mild soap and clean water. Before rinsing the solution, use a brush to softly scrub the entire surface area. Rinse and pat dry.
- Fabric: Check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to determine which cleaning solutions are safe for your performance, piece-dyed or solution-dyed fabric. In some cases, you can machine-wash removable covers in cold water with bleach-free, gentle detergent and hang to air dry. Otherwise, mild liquid soap and lukewarm water make a safe solution for wiping down fabrics, and follow up by rinsing with clean water and air drying.
- Umbrellas and stands: Get started by removing the canopy of the umbrella, gently shaking it to get dirt and dust out. Next, use a vacuum or brush to free remaining debris, and then treat any stains with the right detergent for your fabric. Rinse and air dry before placing back on the stand – never place your canopy in the dryer. Meanwhile, the stand and other umbrella components can be washed with mild soap and water.
- Rugs: After shaking the rug to loosen up dust, vacuum it to remove deep-down dirt and other particles. Then, scrub the rug with a mixture of mild soap and water, and use diluted vinegar to address areas with mildew, mold or algae growth. If there are any odors, sprinkle baking soda to combat them.
Get Your Home Summer-Ready with Help from Tractor Supply
No matter what your plans are for Memorial Day, the warm weather the holiday brings makes this an ideal time to complete yard tasks. Shop with us to find everything you need to get the job done, from fencing supplies to lawn tools and beyond. Learn more about what we offer or start shopping by visiting your local Tractor Supply store or browsing online.