With the upcoming 3-Day Independence Day weekend approaching, many of us will be spending that much-needed time off soaking in the sun and enjoying the company of our loved ones. There’s nothing more American than firing up the grill for your family and friends while hosting everyone in your backyard for some fun summer memories. Before your July 4th party can get going, you need to make sure your backyard is ready for the occasion. Lucky for you, we compiled a foolproof July 4th weekend cleaning checklist that effectively covers all the bases so your annual backyard celebration will go off without a hitch!
Cleaning Your Concrete Driveway: The first thing your guests will notice is your driveway when they are first arriving. Don’t let grease and oil stains greet your visitors before you have the chance. To remove oil, gas, grease, & even stains caused by mold, mildew, and algae, use a powerful solution that can remove all of these efficiently. Our Clean Shot Concrete & Driveway Cleaner is the perfect solution to get your concrete flawlessly clean.
Cleaning Your Pool: Before people can just cannonball into your pool and dip their toes in, you need to make sure your pool looks the part before the party can truly get started. One of the most reoccurring problems you’ll run across as a pool owner is calcium buildup developing on your pool’s waterline tile. This persisting problem stems from a number of sources and if you’re in the know about these sources, you’ll be better prepared with handling tile cleanup down the road. One of the best products we can strongly recommend to help remove calcium deposits and soap scum from your pool tiles is our P-M-C Plus Porcelain, Tile & Metal Cleaner. Simply apply a generous amount to a sponge or rag and scrub the surfaces in need of cleaning. Another worthy candidate for cleaning your pool’s tiles would be our PTC-85 Porcelain and Tile Cleaner. This excellent, mild acid cleaner reacts to release mineral film from a number of surfaces, leaving behind a beautiful appearance.
Cleaning Your Deck: If your backyard has a deck, chances are that your guests will be spending the vast majority of their time in this setting. It’d be offputting if your deck hadn’t been properly pressure washed in some time and you don’t want your family and friends to notice this. According to HGTV, they recommend using “500 to 600 psi on soft woods such as cedar and pine. For harder woods, it can go up to 1200 to 1500 psi.” Using your Clean Shot House Siding & Deck Cleaner, spray a designated section of your deck, starting from one section and working your way to another. Make sure you start in a safe area that isn’t facing glass or people and never spray too close (12 to 18 inches away is preferred).
Cleaning Your Grill: Lastly, the star of the show for the annual 4th of July get-togethers aside from the fireworks is always the food, period! Don’t start your cooking off on the wrong foot, make sure you keep the following points in mind when ensuring your grill is ready to be put to work. Start by unplugging the gas from your grill! Use a metal bristle brush to scrape off buildup from previous uses. However, this isn’t the only step. Not only are there a lot of spots that the brush missed, the bristles often times fall off and can get stuck in food. The next step is to fill up a bucket with water and a soap that can degrease & break down ash particles. Let it soak, then finish wiping it down with a rag. Wipe down the burners with a sponge that has water and a strong degreaser such as our Clean-All Degreaser. Most grills have removable drip pans at the bottom that you can clean out. If yours doesn’t, you should try to get as much grease out through the grease hole, then spray down the bottom of the grill with your strong degreaser and let it sit before cleaning it out with your sponge. After you are happy with your grill, plug the gas back in and let it run for 15 minutes to get rid of any soap and water residue leftover. Before your next barbecue, make sure to cover your cooking grates in vegetable oil to stop food from sticking to them.
By covering these simple bases before your Independence Day guests arrive, you’re ensuring a safe and unforgettable time for all your family and friends. Of course, Theochem Laboratories also recommends practicing safe firework handling measures if you plan on popping fireworks such as keeping fireworks out of the hands of small children. We hope you have a wonderful and safe Independence Day weekend!
