How to Prep Your Yard for Summertime

May 27, 2020

Summertime means outdoor time for many  families. Some families choose bicycle rides in the park, some choose camping, and some choose to hang out in their own yard. For yard dwellers, that picture-perfect summer day might look something like this: sitting in your favorite lawn chair watching the kids play while your other half throws some burgers on the grill.

Given the social distancing guidelines that have been laid out for the next few months, you and your family will likely spend a lot of time in the yard. With that being the case, there’s no doubt that you’ll want to make sure everything in your yard is fresh, clean and ready for use. Here are some of our tips for prepping your yard for the summer: 

Patio Furniture

One unfortunate aspect of living in a region with changing seasons is the impact it has on certain fixtures right outside your home. Sadly, your patio furniture (if it hasn’t been covered) is likely the hardest hit. Between the wind-lifted soil on your tabletop and the rusting and water spots caused by previous rainfall, you might feel overwhelmed by the amount of work ahead of you. Luckily for you, that furniture is pretty easy to clean – especially if you’re using the right methods and products.

If your patio furniture is primarily composed of metal that has since rusted, Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser and Soft Cleanser can make your table look as good as new. If you choose the classic cleanser, mix some powder with a little water – just enough to create a paste – and leave on the surface for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, rub the cleanser into the surface with a soft cloth and rinse thoroughly. You may follow the same steps with our Soft Cleanser.

For patio tables with glass tops that have accumulated water spots, we recommend a few squeezes of our Soft Cleanser and a cloth. Pour some Soft Cleanser onto the table, wipe vigorously and wipe away with a wet washcloth. For daily upkeep, we recommend our BKF MORE Spray + Foam. Simply spray (or foam) and wipe for a lovely shine.

Outdoor Grills

Grilling is usually a family favorite when it comes to summer and warm weather. The one downside, however, is that outdoor grills and cooking tools (spatulas, brushes, etc.) can be susceptible to nasty grime and food particles from previous uses. 

Whether you have an electric, propane, or good ol’ charcoal grill, they will all require cleaning and maintenance at some point – especially at the beginning of the season. Dirt, grease, and leftover food particles can stick to your grill’s grates and exterior from year to year. Over time, if not cleaned properly, this build up is not only unsightly, it’s unhealthy.

Just as we recommended for your patio furniture, we recommend Bar Keepers Friend Powder Cleanser or the Liquid Cleanser once again. For the inside of your grill (arguably the most important), we recommend pulling the grates out for easier, more thorough cleaning. Use a brush to scrape off dried particles and then proceed to use our powder or liquid cleaner. For the Powdered Cleaner, create a paste using water, wipe vigorously with a cloth and be sure to  rinse thoroughly. Follow the same steps with our Soft Cleanser if you want easier application of the product. 

As far as the outside of the grill goes – if it’s made of metal or stainless steel, we recommend the Soft Cleanser (for ease of application) for very soiled and/or rusted surfaces. However, if your grill is just a little dirty, BKF Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish is ideal. It also serves as a great polish for daily maintenance   

Outdoor Decorations 

Every house has its own style. Whether that means farmhouse decor or pink flamingos in the front yard, those decorations are gonna get dirty with every season. What you have in your front lawn (or even your backyard)  says a lot about you – so why not keep those decorations pristine, clean and rust-free?

Outdoor decorations are made from a multitude of different materials – metals, plastics, glass, porcelain, etc. Given the sheer variety of materials available, determining how to clean certain pieces of decor can get tricky. Bar Keepers Friend’s core products (our Cleanser and Powdered Cleanser) are highly versatile, and can clean a number of different materials:

• Stainless steel
• Copper
• Brass
• Glass
• Fiberglass
• Ceramic
• Tile
• Chrome
• Formica
• Porcelain
• Corian

Note: Different materials are more sensitive than others. Take this into consideration when choosing your cleaning utensils. 

Bar Keepers Friend has a number of other products to help clean up your decor too. For plastic materials (or products that can’t be cleaned with normal BKF), we recommend using our MORE Spray + Foam. For mild dirt and dust on steel or metal decor, our Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish does wonders. And   if you’re a fan of stone or sculptures, BKF’s Granite and Stone Cleaner is made specifically for those surfaces. Simply spray and wipe.  As always, we ask that you test Bar Keepers Friend products on a small spot before you begin your cleaning product.

How Do You Use BKF?

We love seeing Before-and-After photos from our satisfied customers. Have photos of a cleaning project you’d like to share? Just fill out the form below – and thanks for using BKF!