Outdoor Dining Starts with a Clean Space
Patio season is finally here and, as Anthony Bourdain once said, barbecue may not be the road to world peace – but it’s a start! Dining outdoors has several benefits, in terms of both your health and your lifestyle. So, create an outdoor space that is not only welcoming but also functional. Patio furniture, sun umbrellas, plants in pots, and citronella candles top the list. But don’t forget the barbecue, it’s central to most summer activities! Of course, amid the pandemic, before hosting any type of outdoor gathering make sure you’re following all the social distancing norms to keep yourself as well as those around you healthy and safe.
We’ve found a lovely rosemary & lemon cleaning spray online at HGTV.com that is inexpensive, non-toxic and will not only clean the grill but can be used to disinfect a wide variety of surfaces outdoors!
Ingredients:
2 sprigs of rosemary
Peel of 2 lemons
2 cups of water
2 cups of white vinegar
In a mason jar, combine rosemary, lemon peels, water and vinegar. Allow to rest 10-14 days in a cool location to allow oils to infuse. Strain lemon peels and rosemary and transfer liquid to a spray bottle. If desired, lemon peels and rosemary may be placed directly inside the spray bottle. The scent will intensify over time before breaking down and the bottle will look great sitting on the shelf.
Ready to clean? Heat up the grill. Using a wire brush and balled up aluminum foil or an old lemon, carefully scrub grill to remove debris. Turn off heat. Lightly spray the grates with the rosemary-lemon solution and continue scrubbing until clean. You can even use this solution with a clean microfibre cloth for the outside of your barbecue if it looks lacklustre.
PRO TIP: Lemon is a common stain buster but rosemary is less known for its antibacterial elements. Once a staple in hospitals, rosemary is not only antibacterial but antifungal and an antiseptic. In addition, its woody aroma has therapeutic properties as a natural stress reliever.
Photo by Joe Crema on Unsplash
