5 Eco-Friendly Tips For Cleaning Up Your Backyard

We know you want to make the most of the fantastic weather! And getting your backyard cleaned up and ready for you to enjoy is a must! We've figured out the best, easiest, and most eco-friendly ways for you to do just that! 

Ah, the weather is starting to get warmer and it has us excited for backyard barbecues and summer nights relaxing on the patio. If you’re like us, you practically live in your backyard during the summer months! So getting your backyard cleaned up and ready for the nice weather is probably on your to-do list.

We know we’ve covered Eco-friendly Ways to Spring Clean the inside of your home, but as the warmer weather kicks your backyard is going to need some attention as well. And because green cleaning doesn’t just apply to the inside of your home, we have some helpful, eco-friendly tips to help you make your backyard a clean, safe, and enjoyable space for you and your family! 

Check out our 5 eco-friendly spring cleaning tips for easy and safe yard cleaning!

1. Get Your Deck Clean with this DIY Eco-Friendly Deck Cleaner

Varying weather conditions throughout the year can cause a year's worth of build-up on your deck. While some may wash off in the winter or with rain, there may still be visible stains, dirt, mold, mildew, fungus or other contaminants lurking on your deck. 

It can be unsightly once the warmer weather hits and the snow melts, especially if they cause green or dark discolorations on the wood. We know that getting your deck clean can seem like a big task and you may be thinking that it would require some harsh chemicals and lots of scrubbing to remove all the dirt and gunk. 

Well, what if we told you that you can remove stains from your deck with simple, eco-friendly ingredients that you more than likely already have in your kitchen! That’s right, you can clean your deck without having to use bleach, chlorine, or other harsh chemicals that can harm you and the planet. 

You can make a DIY wooden deck cleaner using white vinegar, dish soap, and water. Remove those green stains and gunky algae from your deck with this easy-to-make solution! 

To properly clean your deck, first, remove all furniture and fixtures from your deck. Sweep over the surface of the deck to remove any loose dirt or sand.  Then using your garden hose, spray down your deck. 

Once sprayed down, you are ready to make your natural deck cleaner! Mix 1 gallon warm water and 1 gallon white vinegar in a big bucket. Add ¼ cup of natural, biodegradable dish soap and stir the mixture. 

To scrub your deck use a deck brush or a stiff-bristled broom. Dunk the brush into the bucket and gently scrub your deck, making sure to give extra attention to areas where stains are more prominent. 

Once you are done scrubbing, wash away the solution with your hose and allow for your deck to air dry before placing the furniture back onto it. 

This DIY deck solution is a lot safer to use, doesn’t emit harsh fumes, and doesn't harm the planet, unlike traditional deck cleaning solutions or DIY deck cleaners that involve toxic chemicals. 

Make cleaning your deck a priority when spring cleaning your yard this year - and say goodbye to unsightly stains and contaminants, without the use of toxins.

2. The Best Way to Effectively Clean Patio Cushions 

Patio cushions can get stained, weathered, and dirty from being outside and from varying weather conditions during the warmer months. But before you run to the store to buy new ones, try this spot treatment solution to get your patio cushions looking brand new! 

Cleaning them with an eco-friendly solution can help them to look as good as new - and ready for barbecues and summer nights spent in your backyard oasis.

Most cushions come with removable cushion slips! If that’s the case for yours, remove the slips from the cushions for easier cleaning. 

Mix together ½ of baking soda (a great, eco-friendly alternative to borax), 2 tablespoons of dish soap into a bucket and fill the rest with water. 

Stir the mixture and use an eco-friendly scrub brush (we love this one from Full Circle, with its ergonomic, easy to use design and sturdy, strong bristles!) to rub the mixture into the fabric of the cushion slips. Leave the mixture to sit on the fabric for about 25 minutes, then rinse off. 

Ring the cushion slips of excess water. Lay flat and leave them outside in the sun to air dry.

If you have any dark or hard-to-remove stains, you can use Method laundry detergent as a pretreatment to effectively and safely remove stains from your patio cushions. 

Place a drop of detergent onto the stain (may need more than one depending on the size of the stain) and rub using the scrub brush. Leave the solution to sit for about 5-10 minutes to effectively lift the stain, then wash the cushion slip and leave laying flat to air dry. 

Once the cushion slips are dry, place them back on your cushions and they should look as good as new! 

3. The Best Patio Furniture is Eco-Friendly and Sustainable

If you’re looking to redo your patio this season and purchase some new patio furniture, there are a few things that you should consider! Just like the furniture you choose to put in your home, your patio furniture should be picked out with the same thought and care. 

Choosing eco-friendly patio furniture made from safe, non-toxic, recycled materials is the best choice when picking out patio furniture. 

Opting for plastic-free patio furniture made from sustainable or recycled wood or natural wicker materials not only is the best eco-friendly option, but also looks nice and gives your backyard the feeling of an oasis getaway! 

If you are a DIY-er or looking for a new project this summer, you could even go so far as to building your own patio table or sewing your own patio cushions, made out of upcycled materials! 

Create an ambiance in your backyard with LED outdoor string lights and placing a few natural soy-based candles on your table. We like Mrs. Meyer’s Lavender scented candle; the smell can also help to naturally deter mosquitoes without having to use harsh chemicals or sprays. This means your backyard space can be more enjoyable, especially during those hot summer nights!

4. Grow a Green Thumb and Discover the Benefits of Trees

There are many benefits to having trees, plants, and flowers in your backyard! Not only does gardening allow for an enjoyable hobby, it also increases your exposure to Vitamin D and being outside can boost your overall mood! Gardening is also something that can be done as a family and is a great way to teach your children about different ecosystems. 

Growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs from the garden can also allow you to grow fruits and veggies without the use of pesticides, or other harsh chemicals. 

Having your own garden also encourages you to use food scraps that would otherwise end up in the garbage as compost. You can use things like the peels and cores of fruits and vegetables, coffee grounds and filters, and egg shells to create a compost to help give your plants some extra nutrients - and also reduce the amount of garbage you contribute to landfills. 

Planting trees in your backyard can also help to reduce the amount of air pollution, contribute to improving the overall air quality, and help to create more oxygen. Having trees around your home can also help to keep your home cool in the summer months. Having trees create some shade around your home can cool down the inside of your home, thus reducing the amount of A/C your home uses. 

Lastly, adding some greenery to your backyard makes your backyard space cozy and enjoyable - we guarantee you’ll be spending the days of summer out in your backyard!

5. The Easiest Way to Clean Patio Furniture 

Just like the patio cushions, your patio furniture could probably use a little love too! Have them looking as good as new with this easy-to-make, non-toxic cleaning solution -  perfect for patio tables, chairs, and even your children’s swing set. 

For furniture that can be taken apart, it is recommended to do so, so that you can fully clean and remove dirt from any cracks or corners. 

Mix ½ a cup of dish soap in a bucket filled with white vinegar and warm water. Using a scrub brush, gently scrub your patio furniture. Make sure to get deep within cracks and crevices and hard-to-reach areas to lift and remove all dirt.

Rinse the furniture off with your hose. Let the furniture dry out in the sun before putting back together. Once clean, assemble the furniture. 

This non-abrasive solution and the all-purpose sturdy scrub brush will work hard to remove dirt, stains and build-up without having to use harsh chemicals. So your patio furniture can be clean, safe and enjoyable to use all summer long!

Conclusion

Your backyard should be your oasis! Make it a sanctuary that is safe and enjoyable for everyone with these eco-friendly spring cleaning tips to make your backyard the ideal space.