Outdoor Entertaining Preparation

(HIT) - Gone are the days of plastic chairs and aluminum tables. The new outdoor lifestyle movement has brought sophistication to the backyard -- from state of the art kitchens to stainless steel grills and propane heating lamps.

Just as high-end surfaces in the home need to be cleaned, polished and protected, so too do the backyard investments (perhaps even more as they battle sun, wind and rain).

Weiman Products (www.weiman.com) offers the following tips to clean, protect and prolong the life of your outdoor surfaces this spring and summer.

Stainless Steel Surfaces

• For the full range of stainless steel surfaces in the backyard (grills, sinks, beverage coolers, cabinets, fire pits, etc) always clean in the direction of the grain with a soft, damp cloth; then, buff dry.
• Never use a metallic scourer or brush with metal bristles that can scratch the surface.
• Use a streak-free product that cleans, shines, polishes and protects in one step like Weiman Stainless Steel Wipes or Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish.

Wood Furniture

• Check the wood furniture for any scratches that may have occurred late last year or during storage. If any scratches are noticeable, select a wax crayon or paste shoe polish that matches the color of your wood. Apply to the scratch to hide the damage. Buff area with clean soft cloth. Deep scratches will normally require professional repair.
• Direct and in-direct sunlight causes wood to dry, become brittle and fade. To protect and prolong the life of out door furniture, use a cleaning product specifically for wood that contains UVX-15 sunscreen like Weiman Furniture Wipes to protect your outdoor wood furniture from sun damage.

Glass Surfaces

• Clean windows and glass tables on a cloudy day to prevent your cleaning solution from drying too quickly. Also cooler weather prevents streaking.
• Wash your home's exterior windows with a no-drip glass cleaner like Weiman Professional Glass Cleaner that coats glass surfaces with an invisible protective barrier, making them less susceptible to visual marks and easier to clean in the future.

For more tips for cleaning surfaces in and around the home, visit www.weiman.com/tips

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center