DIY Network

Great Outdoors: Q & A and Bird Baths and Feeders From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-144

Figure A

If you love the great outdoors, but hate the mess, put on your gardening gloves and get ready for fall clean-up. We're putting the garden to bed, bathing the bird bath, cleaning out the gutters and giving the outdoor surfaces some TLC -- tender, loving cleaning as we tidy up and prepare for winter weather (figure A).

But first a few questions:

Q: Will anything remove rust from concrete?

A: Sprinkle lemon flavored drink mix on the wet stain, let it sit, scrub with a brush, and rinse. Repeat if needed.

Q: How do you remove glue residue left behind from outdoor carpet?

A: Sometimes the residue has to be sanded off, but first check with a carpet store to see if they have a product that will remove the residue.

Q: What's the best way to remove grime from the pattern grooves in vinyl flooring?

A: Use a microfiber mop and water to clean the floor. If residue is hard to remove, add a little borax to the water.

Cleaning Bird Feeders and Baths

A bird feeder is actually a bird's kitchen and the bird bath is their bathroom; both are places where harmful bacteria can grow if they aren't kept clean.

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Figure B

• Take feeders apart and soak in 9 parts water and 1 part chlorine bleach. Let them soak, then scrub with a task-specific brush. Rinse thoroughly. Clean feeders often during summer months, when bacteria multiplies rapidly.

• Scrub the bird bath with a mixture of 1 part vinegar added to 1 cup of water. The acidity in the vinegar will help remove calcium and mineral build-up (figure B). Rinse thoroughly. If the bath has a slippery surface after cleaning, add some stepping stones for the birds after filling with water.

Tip: Bring terra cotta pots indoors before it turns cold. Freezing temperatures can cause terra cotta to crack and break.