It may be lovely to see a variety of birds in your garden, but when they leave evidence of their visits in the form of droppings all over your patio and garden furniture, you can be forgiven for being less impressed. Here are a few cleaning tips to help you keep your garden as mess-free as possible:
Cleaning decking and patios
Bird droppings can be very acidic, and the high concentration of uric acid can leave a yellow residue and discolour wood and stone. The best action to take is to clean off droppings quickly, so there’s less time for any corrosion to occur. A damp cloth and some soapy water usually does the trick, but specialist disinfectants are available that target bird mess specifically and offer a greater level of protection. Ideally, check your furniture and surfaces every day, particularly if you have resident pigeons, magpies or crows in trees overhanging your seating areas.
Cleaning rattan, wood or metal furniture
The same rules apply with furniture – act quickly, use soapy water and a disinfectant if you’re playing host to some repeat offenders. Natural rattan garden furniture is less protected than coated synthetic rattan, so consider moving natural rattan pieces out of the firing line by storing them indoors when not in use.
Garden furniture cushions
Most cushions have removeable covers that can be machine washed, usually at low temperatures to avoid shrinkage. Treat affected areas with a pre-wash stain remover for better results, and never tumble dry cushion covers.
A completely dropping-free garden might not be possible, but a few minutes of cleaning each day should see your most used areas looking fresh and inviting.
