Summer is a time of warmth and sunshine – and it’s a great opportunity to break out all of those seasonal items that get stowed away during the colder months. Uncovering the grill, dusting off the cushions on the patio furniture, breaking out the pool toys… there’s something that’s so satisfying about pulling all of these summery reminders from their storage places.
But warm weather tools and toys aren’t always just fun and games – sometimes they can require a bit of work, especially if you want to maximize their useful life! That’s why today, we’re talking about some smart tips for some of your favorite seasonal goodies, and how you can keep them in tip-top shape for years to come.
- Grills (Gas or Charcoal)
After Use: While the grill is still warm, scrub it with a stiff-bristled brush to dislodge large pieces of debris and food. Once the grill cools off, wipe the grate and all of the other interior/exterior surfaces with a damp cloth. Leave the grill open to air dry before covering until your next use.
Before Storing: Similar to cleaning after cooking, you’ll want to clean all of the interior and exterior surfaces (including the grate) prior to storage. Use a grease removal product to tackle smoke stains and leftover grease, along with a stiff brush or abrasive scrubbing pad to get rid of any leftover food particles. Wipe everything down with a damp cloth and let it dry completely before storing.
- Pool Toys
After Use: Rinse all of your pool toys inside and out, then squeeze any lingering water out of each toy (if applicable) before laying it out in the sun to dry completely to avoid mold and mildew.
Before Storing: Clean all of your pool toys with a mixture of vinegar and water prior to storage. Be sure to let the air out of all of your inflatables, and push out any lingering water trapped inside. Store your pool toys for the season in a mesh bag, preferably inside the shed or garage.
- Bicycles
After Use: Your bike won’t need significant maintenance after every ride, but you should check the tire pressure frequently and re-inflate as needed – riding on a tire that’s low on air can wear the tire out a lot faster than normal. Every so often (particularly after a muddy ride), you should also wash the chain with a cloth soaked in warm water and some all-purpose cleaner. Pat the chain until it’s no longer damp, then let it dry completely in the sun before adding new chain lubricant to keep it from rusting.
Before Storing: Give your bike one last thorough cleaning (as described above) before storing it away for any significant amount of time. Make sure the bike is stored in a cool, dry place to avoid temperature changes affecting your tires or moisture causing your chain or brakes to rust.
- Gardening Tools
After Use: Once you’re done gardening for the day, rinse your tools off with your garden hose and dry completely with a cloth (or allow them to air dry fully). Place them handles-up in a bucket of sand to help eliminate any excess moisture – the sand will also push off any remaining debris.
Before Storing: When the gardening season is through and it’s time to stow your trowel for the winter, clean it as described above using a garden hose and dry fully. Spray on some lubricating oil (such as WD-40) and dip repeatedly into your sand bucket until all of the grime is gone. Brush off any remaining sand and oil, then store your tools handle-up in a bucket of fresh sand for the duration of the colder months.