Use old teabags and ketchup to transform your garden furniture ahead of spring
The days are getting brighter and temperatures are slowly creeping up, meaning spring is definitely on its way.
As the warmer weather approaches, many of us will be looking to give our gardens some extra attention to get them looking their best for summer.
According to the experts, the best cleaning tools are already in our homes and can be used when refreshing the garden and its furniture.
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Kitchen cupboard staples such as ketchup and foil can be used to remove tarnish and give furniture a temporary shine while fizzy drinks can be used to salvage rusty tools and hinges.
Indoor-outdoor living experts at Pergolux UK have shared six different household essentials that can be used in the garden.
Household items to clean your garden
Break down rust with fizzy drinks
The acidity in fizzy drinks reacts with rust and breaks it down, making it easier to remove. This hack can be used on a range of things in the garden from rusty tools and furniture to hinges and metal parts of your barbecue. Small tools can be soaked in the fizzy drink overnight. For furniture and other areas of the garden, pour some of the fizzy drink onto a cloth and wrap it over the rusty area for a few hours or overnight for strong rust.
Ketchup to remove tarnish
For brass or copper garden decor, ketchup can be used to remove tarnish and oxidation. This is great for those with metal patio furniture, garden gates or old metal watering cans. Apply a thin layer of ketchup to the affected area and let it sit for around fifteen minutes before gently scrubbing it away and rinsing the area with water.
Tea bags for streak marks
Next time you make yourself a hot brew, keep your tea bag to the side and use it on any dirty glass to achieve a streak-free shine. This will work for greenhouses, glass patio furniture and garden mirrors.
Place a penny in bird baths
Algae in bird baths can occur from debris falling into the water which is why it’s important to refill them every couple of days. If you notice algae is persistently coming back then give your bird bath a thorough cleaning and place a copper coin into the fresh water. This can help slow down the growth of algae.
Shine with aluminium foil
Crumple some foil into a ball and gently rub it over metal to give it a shiny finish. While foil doesn’t necessarily polish, it can remove surface rust and build-up to give tools and furniture a temporary shine.
Remove plant pot scuffs with a pencil eraser
If you’ve noticed scuffs and marks on your plant pots try buffing over them with a pencil eraser. If the mark isn’t too stubborn it should come away.
Sam Stevens, garden design expert at Pergolux UK said: “Spring is on its way and a lot of people will be looking at their gardens and getting them ready for brighter and longer days ahead. Cleaning the garden doesn’t have to be an expensive job at all. We all love a cheap and cheerful hack and the good news is that there are plenty of items you’ll already have in your home that can be used in the garden.
“Whether you need to buff away stains, achieve a streak-free finish on glass or get rid of rust, there will be something in your house for everything.”
