Backyard clean-up
How to clean wheelie bins, barbecues and outdoor furniture
Bins, barbecues and outdoor furniture each need different treatment — plastic bins and frames handle a firm rinse well, while mesh, rattan and cushions need a gentler approach to avoid damage. Here's how to get every surface properly clean.
Wheelie bins
Bins are one of the most satisfying quick wins for a hose — tough moulded plastic handles a concentrated jet well, and a good rinse-out prevents odour and pest issues far better than a light hose-over.
- Tip the bin on its side or use a bin-cleaning stand if you have one, away from garden beds.
- Use the concentrated jet to blast grime from the base and walls, working from the top down.
- Add a squirt of dish soap or a bin-safe disinfectant, scrub with a long-handled brush, then rinse thoroughly.
- Leave the lid open to air-dry fully before closing, which helps prevent lingering odours.
Barbecues
Never spray water directly onto hot barbecue plates, gas jets or electrical ignition components — let the barbecue cool completely first. Once cool, the hotplate and outer housing (never the gas connections) can be rinsed with a fan spray after scraping off loose grease, finishing with your usual barbecue cleaner.
Outdoor furniture: know your material
| Material | Nozzle setting | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic/resin furniture | Concentrated jet | Handles pressure well, rinses clean fast |
| Powder-coated aluminium frames | Fan spray | Concentrated jet can wear the coating over time |
| Rattan/wicker (synthetic) | Fan spray | Low angle to avoid forcing water into the weave |
| Mesh sling chairs | Fan spray | Avoid stationary close-range jet, which can stretch mesh |
| Fabric cushions | Hand wash separately | Don't hose cushions directly — remove covers if possible |
Cushions vs frames
Treat cushions and frames as two separate jobs. Frames — aluminium, steel, plastic or timber — can be rinsed in place with the hose. Cushions are better removed, covers unzipped where possible, and either machine washed or hand washed with mild soap, then left to dry fully in the sun before going back outside, to avoid trapped moisture and mould.
The method, step by step
- Remove and set aside all cushions before you start hosing any furniture.
- Rinse frames from the top down with the appropriate setting for the material from the table above.
- For rattan and mesh, hold the nozzle at a low angle rather than pointing straight into the weave.
- Scrub any stubborn grime with a soft brush and mild soap, then rinse again.
- Let frames air-dry fully in the sun before returning cushions.
How long it takes
A wheelie bin takes about 10 minutes for a thorough clean. A barbecue exterior and hotplate takes 15-20 minutes once fully cooled. A standard outdoor setting of a table and six chairs, including cushion removal, takes around 30-40 minutes.
Mistakes to avoid
- Spraying water anywhere near a barbecue's gas connections or ignition system
- Using the concentrated jet on powder-coated aluminium or synthetic rattan, which can wear the finish or force water into the weave
- Hosing fabric cushions directly rather than removing and washing them separately
- Storing furniture away while frames are still wet, which can trap moisture underneath
Questions
Frequently asked
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