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"Biggest Challenges 1. Dirty dining set 2. Charred, greasy gas grill 3. Tangled garden hose and faded flowers Fastest Fixes 1. Quick-clean furniture. Now&amp;#039;s not the time for a marathon scrub-down because, even covered, your dining set will get grimy before warm weather returns. Instead, whisk loose dirt from tables and chairs with a soft brush, nabbing any debris stuck to the legs, wheels, and crevices. Next, quickly rub down the cushions with a scrub sponge dipped in a bucket of dish soap and warm water. Rinse sponge, then wipe down again to rinse cushions; let them air-dry. (Before you dump out your suds, use the sponge to scrape off any gunk \u2014 dried berries, bird droppings \u2014 on furniture surfaces.) Store furniture in the garage or shed or, if leaving it outside, cover it (GHRI&amp;#039;s top-tested covers: Lowe&amp;#039;s Garden Treasures; lowes.com), tying each cover to furniture legs so it stays in place. Wrap cushions in a clean old bedsheet and store them indoors. 2. Degrease the grill. Fire up your outdoor cooker one last time for about 10 minutes to burn off any residue, then turn off the flame and scrape the grates clean with a wire brush or ball of aluminum foil. Once the grill cools, remove the grease tray and wash it in the sink so leftover drippings won&amp;#039;t attract critters. Wipe the grill&amp;#039;s lid, knobs, and side trays with a sudsy sponge; rinse. If you&amp;#039;re moving the grill inside, disconnect the propane tank (never store tanks indoors); loosely cover the tank with a trash bag to keep it dry, and keep it in a safe spot outside, away from kids and pets. If the grill lives outdoors, be sure to turn off the tank and cover it all. 3. Stash garden gear. If a twisted hose has you in knots, find an end and start pulling it straight out into the yard, unkinking as you go. Now head over to the other end and begin neatly winding the hose into a circle on the ground (any water that&amp;#039;s inside will come out as you reel it in). Store it inside so it won&amp;#039;t freeze and crack. Next, toss out any potted plants you&amp;#039;re not bringing indoors. Empty pots, discarding the soil \u2014 it&amp;#039;s best to start over with fresh next year. Give pots a dusting with your soft brush; store the smaller ones. Turn larger containers upside down to keep water from collecting inside and freezing. If a planter is too big to overturn, leave it filled with soil, which will keep its temperature more constant and prevent the container from cracking when the temperature drops. Make It Easier Next Time  To repel dirt, coat aluminum and wrought iron furniture with car wax in the spring, after a thorough cleaning. Before your first cookout, line your grill&amp;#039;s grease tray with foil or a disposable aluminum pan for easier cleanup at season&amp;#039;s end. Wind hoses on reels or in pretty hose pots. Plant perennials in weatherproof containers, so only annuals will need attention come fall.  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a18001/how-to-clean-a-patio/>