garden98011's Blog
garden98011's Blog
Apr 12, 2008 | 7:49 AM PST
My sweet friend and her son are coming over in an hour. I hired him to work in the garden & get the furniture ready to stain and she wanted to come along and garden with me!!!!
I have a question about what to use for cleaning outdoor wood furniture, organically. This is our first year with wood (Balau) furniture; we had metal in the past. and the maintenance was simple. Unfortunately, we have to leave everything outside over the winter and the wood has discolored. Years ago, I would have mixed up a light solution of TSP & bleach-not now. I rarely use chemicals. I Googled solutions w/o success this morning so thought I'd ask you all for any ideas. Do you have a solution to kill dandelions (and not lawn) ?
The sun is out-what a great day! Hope to see some hummers, the feeders are so pretty with the morning sun on them. My husband took the camera w/him on a business trip otherwise I'd share the sun with those of you still experiencing winter-like conditions.
Thanks~Andrea
7 Member Comments
| Page 1 of 1 |
|
Apr 12, 2008 | 8:32 AM PST
Organic cleaner? Yes, one does come to mind, elbow grease. The old tried and true cleaner. I'm so sorry for that, but I can't seem to be able to control myself. A mild solution of dish detergent, which is biodegradable plus the elbow grease might be a trade off. About the dandelions, a weed digger is the most effective green way to do the job. It takes a bit more time and again, elbow grease. Your friend, The Hillbilly |
|
Apr 12, 2008 | 8:50 AM PST
Thought I'd ck for responses b4 I go out. Thanks Bill-I was going to use an biodegradable soapy solution, but started wondering how to remove the discoloration. So I'll have him lightly sand the furniture then use the detergent and recoat once it's dry-tomorrow? Appreciate your quick response, but could you please come up with a better one for those darn dandelions!!! I trashed my elbow & rotator two years ago and am NOT going back to that pain, very careful now, that's why I hire so many kids to do the heavy gardening. :) ~Andrea |
|
Apr 12, 2008 | 9:04 AM PST
I had a rattan furniture in my previous house and when I wanted to lighten the varnish to oak, I used a drill and very fine sandpaper. Lots of elbow grease but I enjoyed the time doing it. Only warning is, be very careful with the drill as it can disfigure the wood if you are not careful. That's why it took me so long, I had to be extra careful. But it was time well spent for me. As for your dandelions, keep hiring kids or students, they need the exercise (lol). Good luck Andrea. Dee |
|
Apr 12, 2008 | 11:01 AM PST
Hey Andrea, you might try vinegar for those dandelions. It will kill plants. But I think if you were careful and just put a few drops in the center of the dandelion? that might work. Just be sure you don't get the vinegar on anything else. Linda B |
|
|
Apr 12, 2008 | 10:44 PM PST
Linda-thanks for the reminder about vinegar. I have used it on weeds growing out of the cracks in the sidewalk w/great success. I just read the ingredients on an organic weed killer I had bought (but kills grass as well) and the first ingredient-VINEGAR!! I am taking it back and buying a gallon of vinegar at Costco for a fraction of the price. Thanks again~Andrea Oh, a light sanding on the furniture followed w/a slightly damp rag worked perfectly-thanks for all the assistance :) Last edited by garden98011 on April 12th at 10:46 PM. |
|
Apr 13, 2008 | 5:57 AM PST
Good for you hiring a kid to help you out with the heavier stuff. I used to be one of those kids -- that's how I got my green thumb! |
|
|
Apr 13, 2008 | 8:39 PM PST
H~Hadn't thought of that possibility, but now that you mentioned it he does have that potential as well. I only have him for another year, he's going away to play college basketball.~Andrea |
Add a Comment
