(CBS 3) PHILADELPHIA Getting ready for your first outdoor get-together but your patio furniture and deck took a beating this winter? 3 On Your Side’s Jim Donovan says before the guests come over, a quick and easy clean-up is necessary.


Have the elements made your backyard deck, furniture and grill lose their luster? If so, good housekeeping has some suggestions, starting with the deck.

“The deck really takes a beating in the winter snow, rain, sleet. It’s important to make it look new again,” said Nate Benforado, a tester at Good Housekeeping Institute. First, brush off all the debris. Then toss on the cleaner.

Good Housekeeping tested three brands that work with water.

Oxiclean Miracle Foam performed the best and sells for only $5. This item also does a great job on concrete.
Now, how about your outdoor furniture? Tests showed CLR Outdoor Furniture Cleaner that sells for $4, cleaned up the best.

“Just with a couple of passes, it’s already gone,” said Benforado.

And for the metal and glass items, good housekeeping recommends Turtle Wax Super Hardshell Liquid Wax. This product sells for $3 to $4.

“Automotive wax is great on cars, helps protect the finish. But it also works on any smooth non-porous surface. So for metal or resin or even glass in your backyard, it will leave a nice waxy coating to protect from the elements and actually give it a nice shine, a nice sheen,” said Benforado.

Finally, don’t forget the grill.

You might have a little mess left over from last season and Dawn Power Dissolver did the job of cleaning up. The retail price is only $2.50.

And to keep the gunk from getting on the grill this summer, spray the grates with non-stick spray before you fire it up.

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