How To Clean Backyard Patios

May 17, 2012 · 0 comments

How To Clean Backyard

How To Clean Backyard

For a beautiful yard from May until September, you need to know how to clean backyard patios to keep them looking as good as new. Routine maintenance every few weeks should involve spraying down the patio with a hose. This should be enough to wash away recent mold stains and spills. However, for badly stained patios, more heavy-duty cleaning is required. Here are some inexpensive and effective tips on how to clean backyard patios made of concrete or brick. With the cleaning complete, your patio will be ready for a beautiful patio shade structure installation.

How to Clean Backyard Patios Made of Concrete

  • Begin by spraying down the patio with a high-pressure hose. This should be enough to get rid of new stains that haven’t penetrated deeply into the concrete.
  • For remaining stains, mix one cup of washing soda into a bucket of hot water. Washing soda is nontoxic, but acts as a powerful cleaner to cut through grease and other stains. Moisten a push broom with the mixture and scrub the patio. Rinse the surface with clean water from a hose.
  • For persistent stains, spray oven cleaner liberally on the entire surface of the stain. Leave the cleaner for three to four hours and rinse with a hose.
  • Another tactic is to apply laundry stain remover to aged stains. Leave the cleaner for five minutes, then sprinkle with powder laundry detergent and a little bit of water. Scrub with a brush and rinse clean.

How to Clean Backyard Patios Made of Brick

  • Try power washing as your first course of action. This is usually enough to remove green stains caused by moss and black stains caused by mold. Use a nozzle that doesn’t exceed 3,000 psi or you could end up damaging the brick.
  • Stubborn stains may require a 10 percent solution of chlorine bleach and water. Put on rubber gloves and eye protection, then dip a stiff-bristle brush into the solution and scrub the area until clean. Try this on a small, out-of-the-way area first to make sure the brick doesn’t experience any undesired color changes.

By implementing these tips on how to clean backyard patios, you’ll soon have a shining, clean surface to play, cook and lounge on. To find out more about patio shade structures to complement your newly cleaned patio, please visit us at Alumawood.

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Green Home Living

May 14, 2012 · 0 comments

Green Home Living

Green Home Living

Green home living doesn’t need to feel overwhelming or impossible to do. In fact, it’s easier than ever to live green today, thanks to the attention the environment is getting these days. Many residents of homes with patio shade structures are interested in green home living so they can help preserve the nature they have come to love in their own back yard. Here are five tips to help you live greener every day.

Use Natural Cleaning Products

Purchase or create your own cleaning products to disinfect and deodorize the same as conventional cleaning products. If you choose to purchase natural cleaning products from a store, read the ingredients list rather than merely trusting the front label. If you plan to make your own, you’ll need plant- and vegetable-based ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, borax, cornstarch, mineral oil, lemon juice and washing soda.

Buy Eco Furniture

Furniture made from sustainable materials—such as responsibly grown plant fibers, recycled products and unbleached wool—is considered eco furniture. Eco furniture is often more expensive because sustainable growing and harvesting practices cost more; however, your green home living efforts result in a healthier interior with fewer chemical emissions coming from your furniture and textiles.

Grow an Organic Garden

Growing your own fruits and vegetables is sustainable in and of itself; however, by using organic compost and fertilizer, you can grow organic produce in your own back yard! The fruits and vegetables that result from this green home living idea will be more nutritious and far tastier than store-bought alternatives.

Install Solar Panels

This green home living tactic requires a significant financial commitment on your part. However, solar panels empower you with the ability to harness the sun’s rays for free energy. In addition, solar panels are an investment that will add value to your home for years to come.

These green home living ideas can be coupled with a new patio shade structure to help you enjoy the nature you’re working so hard to protect. To find out more about patio shade structures, please visit us at Alumawood.

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Amazing Vegetable Grilling Recipes!

May 14, 2012 · 0 comments

Summertime is quickly approaching, and with the warmer weather comes the chance to try some amazing vegetable grilling recipes! Grilled vegetables complement any meal and even help younger, pickier palates to enjoy their veggies. Here are three recipes you should try under the protective covering of a patio shade structure.

Vegetable Grilling Recipes

Vegetable Grilling Recipes

Grilled Asparagus

This is one of the easiest vegetable grilling recipes you’ll ever find! Grilling asparagus is just as easy—if not easier—than steaming or sautéing it.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound fresh asparagus spears, trimmed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Preheat grill to high heat.
  2. Lightly coat the asparagus spears with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Grill asparagus over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the desired tenderness is achieved. Serve immediately.

Grilled Potatoes and Onions

Nothing goes better with steak or grilled chicken than grilled potatoes and onions! This vegetable grilling recipe takes about a half an hour to cook, so start early.

Ingredients:

  • 4 potatoes, sliced
  • 1 red onion, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons butter

Directions:

  1. Preheat grill to medium heat.
  2. Tear off two or three aluminum foil squares for each packet, making the squares large enough to easily wrap the vegetables. Using two to three layers per packet ensures the foil won’t tear.
  3. Mix potatoes and onions together and fill the center of each packet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and dot with butter. Wrap into a flattened square and seal the edges. Repeat with the remaining potatoes and onions.
  4. Place the aluminum-wrapped packages over indirect heat and cover. Cook for approximately 30 minutes, turning once. Serve hot off the grill.
Vegetable Grilling Recipes

Vegetable Grilling Recipes

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Combine Portobello mushrooms with marinade and a grill, and you can’t go wrong! The marinade needs time to do its magic, so plan ahead. We suggest serving this vegetable grilling recipe with your favorite steak.

Ingredients:

  • 3 Portobello mushrooms
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 3 tablespoons chopped onion
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Directions:

  1. Wash the mushrooms and remove the stems, reserving them for another use. Place the caps on a plate with the gills up.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the oil, onion, garlic and vinegar. Pour the mixture evenly over the mushroom caps and let stand for 1 hour.
  3. Grill over a hot grill for 10 minutes and serve immediately.

With these vegetable grilling recipes, your patio will become the neighborhood hotspot in no time! You’ll be even more popular with your friends and neighbors if you have a sun-blocking patio shade structure to grill and munch comfortably beneath. To find out more about patio shade structures, please visit us at Alumawood.

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Spring Cleaning List: Basics

April 26, 2012 · 0 comments

Spring Cleaning List

Spring Cleaning List

Making a spring cleaning list is a great way to revitalize your home after the cold of winter has subsided. But how do you know what items should be included? If you’re thinking of adding a patio shade structure to your yard, there are certain tasks you should make sure to include on your spring cleaning list. That way, the new addition will have an even greater impact this spring and summer! Here’s a look at the top 7 basics all spring cleaning lists should have.

  • Clean the Windows

This brightens up your home and makes it look more inviting. Window cleaning is easy if you have the necessary tools. Read more about the best ways to clean windows here.

  • Wash the Blinds

Another way to brighten the windows that look out on your patio shade structure is to clean the blinds. If you have wooden blinds, wipe them with a nearly-dry cloth or sponge. Take aluminum blinds outside and scrub them with water and a gentle cleaner. Spray them down with a hose and dry them immediately to prevent rust.

  • Dust Light Bulbs

This may seem like a mundane task, but the result is brighter light in every room. Plus, it simply feels good to clear away the dust and cobwebs that collect on light bulbs through the winter.

  • Switch Out Bed Linens and Curtains

Replace warm flannel sheets with cooler, silky sheets for summer. Pack the heavy comforter away and replace it with a light duvet. Also, replace heavy wintertime curtains with lighter, airier drapes. Be sure to vacuum the wintertime curtains to remove dust before packing them away.

  • Clean the Refrigerator

Turn off the power so the fridge doesn’t run continually with the door open. Remove all the food and throw away anything past its expiration date. Then, take out any removable shelves and wash them in the sink with warm water and dish soap. Wipe out the interior of the fridge with a damp cloth. Finally, vacuum the condenser coils to help prevent overheating.

  • Get the Carpets Cleaned

Freshly cleaned carpets add freshness to your home, making it a perfect task to include on your spring cleaning list. You can use household carpet cleaning equipment and cleaners or you can leave the job to a professional company.

  • Replace Smoke Detector Batteries

This task should be done twice a year. Include it on your basic spring cleaning list to help ensure you don’t forget in the spring. Try to make it a habit to change the batteries when you set the clocks back at daily savings time in the spring and fall.

These tasks are just to get you started. To learn more about adding a patio shade structure to compliment your newly spring-cleaned home, please visit Alumawood.

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Ideas for Your Outdoor Living Space Plans

April 19, 2012 · 0 comments

Outdoor Living Space Plans

Outdoor Living Space Plans

With summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to begin forming outdoor living space plans for your yard. By making the backyard an extension of your home’s living area, you create the perfect place for your friends and family to gather on warm summer evenings. Here are 3 ideas for your outdoor living space plans that are sure to drive relaxation and entertainment to the backyard.

Add a Patio Shade Structure

This should be the first step when implementing your outdoor living space plans because a patio shade structure is essential for backyard comfort when the sun is beating down. In addition to providing relaxing shade, a patio shade structure also adds to the decor of the yard. Transform a drab slab of patio concrete into an oasis with a free-standing patio shade structure or a retractable version that is attached to the house. Your final choice will depend on the style you want, your budget, and the uses you have in mind.

Build the Atmosphere Further

A patio shade structure is a great place to start, but your outdoor living space plans should strive to make the yard even more inviting. One important consideration is keeping insects away. Citronella candles ensure the absence of mosquitoes and a bite-free evening of entertainment and relaxation. Also, consider adding potted plants and weather-proof furniture to create something of a living room out-of-doors. A fireplace or fire pit ensures warmth on cooler evenings and presents the opportunity to roast marshmallows or hotdogs over the open flame.

Consider Lighting

While your patio shade structure allows you to enjoy the yard in the middle of the day with protection against the unrelenting sun, much of your outdoor entertaining will take place at night. The fireplace or fire pit mentioned earlier is a great way to provide lighting. Torches, garden landscaping lights, or even lights strung through tree branches can provide a dreamy, relaxing atmosphere for your backyard getaway.

These ideas are just to get you started. Don’t hesitate to include a complete garden makeover as part of your outdoor living space plans! To learn more about adding a patio shade structure to your yard, please visit Alumawood.

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The Best Ways to Clean Windows

April 12, 2012 · 0 comments

Best Ways to Clean Windows

Best Ways to Clean Windows

This is the time of year for spring cleaning, so if creating spotless windows are on your to-do list, you need to know the best ways to clean windows. One motivator that people use to get the task done is the desire to make a real impression when they install a new patio shade structure. The combination of freshly cleaned windows and a beautiful patio shade structure create a real backyard transformation. Here are 8 steps to implement if you want to know the best way to clean windows.

Clean at the Right Time of Day

Choose to complete your window-cleaning project either in the morning or early evening. This is the best way to clean windows because if you attempt the project at midday, the hot sun could dry up the cleaning solution applied to the windows, leaving streaks behind.

Scrub the Window Frames

Dust away cobwebs and dirt with a soft-bristle brush. Open the window so you have access to all areas, including hinges, sills, and tracks. Protect your hands with rubber gloves.

Concoct a Cleaning Solution

Mix equal parts white vinegar and hot water. This easy homemade window cleaning solution is just as effective as store-bought products, but it’s much cheaper to make your own.

Prepare the Windows for Cleaning

The best way to clean windows is to prevent damaging the windowsills. Lay a towel along the windowsills to catch the dripping water and vinegar solution as it runs down the window pane.

Begin Cleaning

Dip a sponge in the window cleaning solution and wring it out partially. Wet the windows and rub away the dirt with the sponge. Try to prevent the window frames from getting wet so they aren’t damaged.

Prep a Squeegee

Wet the blade of a squeegee with a dip into the window cleaning solution and wipe it with the sponge. This prevents the squeegee from skipping on the glass.

Wipe the Glass

Start in an upper corner of the window pane and draw the squeegee down in a smooth, straight stroke. Wipe the liquid off the blade with the sponge and repeat the motion a little further over from the first one. Overlap the first stroke slightly to help prevent streaking. Do a final swipe across the bottom of the window and dry the sill.

Wipe the Frames

Run a cloth dampened by a non-ammoniated all-purpose cleaner and water over the frames. Use a separate cloth dampened with only water to remove the cleaning solution. Dry the frames immediately with a third dry, clean cloth.

These are the best ways to clean windows for a pristine final product. To learn more about adding a patio shade structure to compliment your newly cleaned windows, please visit Alumawood.

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