Maintain a Picture-Perfect Porch
Once the warm weather arrives, a front porch can increase your living space by several square feet. All you need is a comfortable chair or two, or if you have the space, an iconic porch swing allows you to enjoy an early morning cup of coffee or a cool glass of lemonade later in the day. During quarantine, the front porch is the perfect place to catch up with neighbours, and on neighbourhood gossip. If you’re on the porch talking to your next-door neighbour who’s on their porch, or chatting with a friend who’s walking by on the sidewalk, chances are you’re safely 6-feet away.
Keep your porch looking its best with a regular cleaning routine. Here’s what we recommend:
- Remove and shake out the doormat.
- Dust the front of the house, removing any cobwebs and other collected debris. A vacuum works best on wicker and cane furniture to remove dust within the weave. If dirt is stubborn, loosen with a stiff brush – an old toothbrush is perfect for this job.
- Wash furniture with warm soapy water, rinse with a soft cloth and clean water and let it dry. Next, wash the windows and their tracks (again, haul out that used toothbrush).
- Sweep remaining dirt and debris off the porch starting in the far corner and working toward the steps.
- Continue sweeping down each step before turning to admire your work.
PRO TIP: Children love to use sidewalk chalk, but it often creeps up onto the bricks of your home. Unfortunately, bricks are porous so their artwork is easily absorbed. The answer? Warm soapy water and a stiff-bristled brush. All you need is 1 tsp. of mild laundry detergent in a spray bottle filled with warm water. Before getting to work, wet the chalk marks on the brick with a garden hose, then spray the brick generously with the soap solution and scrub. Wet the brush as needed and rinse with the garden hose.
