Outdoor Spaces Getting Messy? Experts Share 9 Tips for Maintaining Them

When it comes to outdoor maintenance, consider the elements and the critters. To fully tackle all your yard, patio, and garden space, break it up into sections a make a to-do list.

“The biggest offenders of dirty outdoor furniture are springtime, trees overhead, and rain,” says Sean Busch, cofounder of Puracy, a cleaning product company. 

"Any overhanging trees can drop leaves, branches, sap, and other substances. It could also harbor lots of birds, squirrels, and other creatures which may make a mess."

We've curated a quick guide to help you quickly and efficiently whip your yard (and everything in it) into shape.

Maintain Blooming Gardens

To keep your outdoor space looking fresh, always have something blooming, recommends Jean Prominski, certified professional organizer at Seattle Sparkle.

Regardless of whether you use containers or plant directly into the ground, pay attention to when the blooming season is over, especially for annuals. Make sure you snip any deadhead blooms, so you avoid having any dull or dead plants or flowers in your gardens.

Check the Sprinkler System

By taking care of your lawn, you’re actually helping the entire backyard ecosystem, says Teri Valenzuela, a natural science manager at Sunday which is a custom lawn care product service.

Start by ensuring that the sprinkler system is working properly—no clogs or leaks. Once your system is good to go, keep an eye on the weather and set timers.

If it's not raining enough, water your lawn about three times a week for around 30 minutes each time.

This method is called "watering deeply and infrequently," Valenzuela says.

It helps the roots of the grass to grow deeper into the soil, and it keeps your lawn from getting too much or too little water, both of which damage your grass.

Know Your Grass

Different types of grass have different watering needs. “It's important to know the best length for your grass,” Valenzuela says.

“This helps the grass stay healthy and grow strong roots," she says. "Cool-season grass should be kept at three to four inches, while warm-season grass is best at two to three inches.”

Don’t forget to sharpen mower blades at the beginning of each season, as it will minimize grass blade damage, which can stunt growth. 

Tackle Standing Water

Pools of water can often attract bugs. Mosquitos, in particular, love to multiply in puddles, so make sure you get rid of standing water pronto and you'll be able to naturally prevent any pests. Clean gutters, check empty planters, and cut back overgrown plants.

“This isn't just to make your yard look nice, but it also helps keep bugs like mosquitoes, ticks, and ants away,”  Valenzuela says. 

Outsmart Weeds

You can deal with weeds by pulling them out or applying a treatment, but the trick to keeping weeds from coming back is to fill their space with better grass.

“Plant new grass as soon as possible,” Valenzuela suggests. “Opt for a grass type that does well with your local climate. By choosing the right grass for the right spot, you help create a more resilient lawn.”

If your lawn isn’t the best for turf grass, consider a tapestry lawn.

“While some people may consider flowering plants like clover a ‘weed’, it's actually really good at crowding out more harmful weeds,'” Valenzuela says.

“Plus, clover and other flowering lawn species are quite resilient to harsh conditions and can maintain ground cover in heat or drought stress. It's also a nitrogen-fixer plant, meaning it takes in nitrogen from the air, and ‘fixes it’ to return to the soil, which is beneficial for other plants.'” Bonus: it is also pollinator friendly. 

Deal With Mold

“Mold can definitely grow outdoors, particularly in areas where sunlight does not impact directly,” says Alessandro Gazzo, cleaning expert at Emily’s Maids in Dallas.

The best way to deal with this pesky growth is with bleach. Gazzo recommends a solution of one part bleach and 10 parts water solution paired with a stiff brush. You can apply this treatment to pavers and screens. Once you’re done cleaning, rinse with plenty of water. Avoid the bleach solution on upholstery and other fabrics as it can discolor materials. 

If you have a pool, Gazzo recommends shocking it once a month. “Adding chlorine around your pool will balance out chlorine levels and kill any algae or bacteria that are growing in your pool,” he says.

Invest in Outdoor Furniture Covers

Bad weather can be detrimental to outdoor furniture, but so can landscape debris.

“When a client decides to invest in their outdoor spaces, we are clear upfront that outdoor furniture has a significantly higher budget than furniture meant for indoors,” says Ashley Macuga, the principal designer at Collected Interiors.

“The cost driver is the material and the construction, which must withstand the harshest of conditions—the blazing sun, drenching rain, and not to mention, snow and ice.”  

Make sure the size of the cover fits the size of the furniture. If it is too small, it won’t fit properly and can expose parts such as the legs of a table or sectional. If it is too large, it can bunch up and create spots for water to pool.

Upkeep Outdoor Furniture

Just because furniture is made to be weatherproof doesn’t mean you can skip maintenance.

“When it rains, unless it is a solid downpour, it typically ends up activating the dust, pollen, and fallout on your cushions,” Busch says. “It makes them dirtier because it embeds those contaminants into the fabric.” 

The best way to protect outdoor furniture is to buy covers, as mentioned above, but everyone knows that those don’t get put back on all the time. In that case, keep a small brush handy to remove surface dirt like leaves and pollen.

Busch adds that the most neglected spots are typically outdoor couches and large chairs. If you don’t have time to cover the set, at least flip the cushions up to reduce the surface area, so there is less dust and pollen to collect.

If a piece needs more care, use a soapy solution. Diane Lee, the director of marketing at Rove Concepts recommends one part neutral detergent to five parts cold water. Spot test the solution (swatches are great for these, and most furniture companies will send these to you free of charge).

Once you’re done cleaning, pat dry to remove excess moisture, then allow the cushions to dry completely for two to three overs before covering. This will help prevent mold and buildup, even in pieces that have fast-drying foam. 

Employ Outdoor Storage

Create an outdoor organization system, so you lessen the risk of having stray chalk, balls, and mini shovels all around your outdoor space. Divide everything into categories and allocate a container for each. The sports equipment can go in one bin while gardening supplies are in another. This way, you can find what you need when you or your kids are outside.