How To Spring Clean Your Backyard

How do you spring clean a backyard after a winter of neglect?

An outdoor space that has been left alone over winter needs four things: the mould and algae removed from hard surfaces, the furniture and fences washed, the barbecue degreased, and the garden prepared for growth. Do them in that order and you avoid washing dirt onto surfaces you have already cleaned.

Landscape architect Matt Leacy of Landart contributed the garden advice in this guide. The Selleys products doing the work are Outdoor Multi-surface Cleaner for hard surfaces, Instant Sugar Soap for spot cleaning, BBQ Tough Clean for the barbecue, and Outdoor Window & Glass Cleaner for the windows.

1. Get rid of mould in alfresco areas

"Your alfresco areas will definitely need a spruce up after winter," says Leacy. "Tiled areas are prone to mould and algae from rain and cooler weather. It's essential to remove this so it doesn't overtake pavers. Scrub it away with warm water and a high-pressure washer."

Selleys' mould products can be used on ceramic tiles. For porous stone such as sandstone, Leacy recommends a diluted chlorine mix instead: "Use 10 per cent chlorine in warm water, spread it over the tiles, let it sit there for an hour or so, then hose it off. A high-pressure washer might disrupt porous stone though, so you'll need some elbow grease."

Note that Selleys Rapid Mould Killer is not suitable for metallic surfaces or fabric, and staining can occur on some matt finish tiles and in hard water areas — patch test before you treat a whole terrace.

2. Clean outdoor furniture

"Wash all the cushions and covers on any outdoor furniture," says Leacy. "Then wipe down the furniture itself."

Selleys Outdoor Multi-surface Cleaner removes dirt and grime from a range of surfaces, sealed outdoor furniture among them. Test it in an inconspicuous area for compatibility before use, then clean all over. To keep the furniture fresh through summer, give it a spray of Selleys Instant Sugar Soap as needed and wipe down with a damp cloth.

One caution: Instant Sugar Soap may damage aluminium and brass. A lot of outdoor furniture has aluminium framing — if yours does, keep the product off the frame or wipe it off immediately rather than letting it dry.

3. Wash the fences

"A clean fence can really lift an outdoor space, making it look fresh and inviting," says Leacy. Selleys Outdoor Multi-surface Cleaner is listed for weatherboards, garden walls, house siding and painted surfaces, which covers most fence types.

The product's own directions are for a hose-on application rather than a bucket: attach it to your garden hose, set the nozzle to SPRAY, and work from top to bottom in a sweeping motion, spraying sparingly. Let it sit for no longer than five minutes and do not allow it to dry, then switch the nozzle to WATER and rinse thoroughly. Scrubbing may be needed for stubborn and ingrained dirt.

4. Prevent future mould

A bit of preparation now saves work later. "If you have feature pots on your deck, elevate the plant inside and put drip trays underneath, so dirty water isn't spilling out on to your deck," suggests Leacy. "Then you can swap the plant out, clear the water and put it back. This also minimises the leaching of soils in water."

5. Prepare the garden

"Clip hedges now before they start shooting, and prune plants to get them in prime condition for growth in spring and summer," says Leacy. "Mulching means adding a compost and fertiliser to the soil, and is a really important part of spring cleaning your garden. It will help your soil retain moisture as the weather heats up — and it's also helpful for keeping weeds at bay. Dig it into the soil by hand where possible, but be wary of applying it too close to plant trunks and stems as excess moisture can cause stems to rot. As the weather gets hotter, keep an eye on your plants and keep topping mulch up."

6. Clean the barbecue

If the barbecue has been sitting untouched since last summer, give it a thorough clean before its first cook-up. Selleys BBQ Tough Clean contains cleaning agents that solubilise oils, actively removing grease and grime.

Its published directions matter here: apply to a cold barbecue only. Shake the can well, spray liberally, and allow at least 10 minutes before wiping with a damp cloth, then rinse thoroughly with water and wipe dry. Remove any hotplates and grills first so you can reach the surfaces underneath.

For upkeep during the season, Selleys BBQ Tough Grease & Grime Cleaner is the one you spray on a slightly warm hotplate or grill after each cook. Leave it two to three minutes, wipe clean with a damp cloth, then wipe again with a clean cloth to remove product residue. A Selleys Super Cloth suits both jobs. Rinsing after the contact time matters on anything food touches.

7. Clean outdoor toys

Outdoor toys respond to the same treatment as furniture. Selleys Outdoor Multi-surface Cleaner is a quick way to remove built-up dirt, and Instant Sugar Soap lists toys and sporting equipment among its outdoor uses. Test an inconspicuous area first, and keep both off aluminium.

8. Hide eyesores

"If some outdoor areas just can't be cleaned effectively, it's time to get creative," says Leacy. "Ornamental grasses are a great way to hide eyesores. They cover large areas for a relatively low budget, grow quickly, and have a lovely soft appearance in pots."

9. Add plants

"Succulents work well in pots or in soil, are water-wise and bring a lot of structure to an outdoor space," says Leacy. "A big succulent can be a great main feature. You can add texture by planting native ornamental grasses such as Lomandra, Westringias and Casuarinas. These can create really interesting palettes with varying textures and colours. A few new plants in the right place can make your garden look fresh and ready for the entertaining season."

10. Clean exterior windows

Selleys Outdoor Window & Glass Cleaner works on a spray, sit and rinse cycle straight from the bottle, leaving windows streak-free and clear.

What the outdoor cleaner's figures mean in practice

Pack size	2L bottle
Coverage	Up to 175m²
Spray reach	Fan spray up to 2m; jet stream up to 2.5m (at normal pipe pressure, 500 kPa)
Maximum dwell	No longer than 5 minutes — do not allow to dry
pH	~7 (non-acidic, bleach free)

Indicative data only, not intended for the preparation of specifications.

The five-minute ceiling is the number that matters most. It is not a minimum you should exceed for a better clean — it is a maximum, and the "will not stain" claim is conditional on using the product as directed and rinsing it off within five minutes. On a hot, windy day a large wall will dry faster than you can work across it, so break the job into sections you can rinse in time.

The neutral pH is why this product suits painted surfaces, render and sealed timber, where an acidic or bleach-based cleaner would be a risk.

Limitations — what to watch for outdoors

• Outdoor Multi-surface Cleaner — test in an inconspicuous area for compatibility before use. Heavily contaminated surfaces may still require scrubbing. Keep pets and children indoors during use, rinse plants off immediately and thoroughly, and keep pets away from treated surfaces until they have been rinsed. Do not mix it with other detergents or chemicals. Wear protective gloves, clothing and eye or face protection.
• Sealed surfaces only. The product's listed uses specify sealed timber and sealed outdoor furniture. Unsealed timber is not on the list — test it, or leave it.
• Instant Sugar Soap — may damage aluminium and brass; wipe off immediately on contact. Absorbent, porous and unsealed surfaces should be tested for staining first.
• BBQ Tough Clean — apply to a cold barbecue only, and rinse thoroughly after the contact time.
• Rapid Mould Killer — not for fabric, mirror tiles, metallic surfaces, or older baths and basins; patch test matt tiles and hard water areas.
• Porous stone — a high-pressure washer can disrupt sandstone and similar. Use less pressure and more effort.

Common questions about spring cleaning a backyard

How long do I leave the outdoor cleaner on?

No longer than five minutes, and do not let it dry on the surface. Then rinse thoroughly with water.

Do I dilute the outdoor cleaner in a bucket?

The product's own directions are for hose-on use: attach the bottle to a garden hose, set the nozzle to SPRAY, apply from top to bottom, then switch to WATER to rinse. Following the pack directions is what the no-stain claim is conditional on.

How much will one bottle clean?

Up to 175m² from the 2L bottle.

Is it safe around plants and pets?

Keep pets and children indoors while you use it, rinse any plants off immediately and thoroughly, and keep pets away from treated surfaces until they are rinsed.

Can I use it on unsealed timber or raw sandstone?

The listed uses cover sealed timber and sealed outdoor furniture, not unsealed. Test an inconspicuous area first. For porous stone, the guide's advice is a diluted chlorine mix and manual scrubbing rather than high pressure.

Should the barbecue be hot or cold when I clean it?

BBQ Tough Clean goes on a cold barbecue and needs at least 10 minutes before wiping. BBQ Tough Grease & Grime Cleaner goes on a slightly warm hotplate or grill and needs two to three minutes.

Do I need to rinse the barbecue after cleaning?

Yes. Rinse thoroughly with water after the contact time and wipe dry — this matters on surfaces that food touches.

What is the difference between the two BBQ products?

BBQ Tough Clean is the aerosol for the annual deep clean: cold barbecue, 10 minutes or more. BBQ Tough Grease & Grime Cleaner is the trigger spray for maintenance after each cook: slightly warm surface, two to three minutes.

Will the mould killer damage my pavers?

Selleys' mould products can be used on ceramic tiles. Staining can occur on some matt finish tiles and in hard water areas, so patch test. For porous stone, use the diluted chlorine approach instead.

What is the best way to keep the deck from going mouldy again?

Stop the standing water. Elevate plants inside feature pots and put drip trays underneath so dirty water is not spilling out onto the deck.

What cloth should I use?

A Selleys Super Cloth for wiping down, and a Wash Up Wiz where you want a non-scratch scouring cloth.