Clean up your act
Freshen up the exterior of your home with these spring cleaning tips and product recommendations from our Resene experts.
Spring is in the air, which means it’s the perfect time to get outside and give your home a little TLC. Damp, cold conditions can cause moss, mould, lichen and dirt to build up on paths, patios, decks and driveways, as well as the roof and your home’s precious paintwork. The good news is that Resene has made blitzing all these seasonal situations super easy with its range of outdoor cleaning products, which are all designed for Kiwi homes. It’s very important to always follow the specific directions and dilution instructions on each product to get the best results.
Deep impact
Resene Deep Clean is your saving grace when it comes to cleaning slippery paths, driveways, patios, decks and all of your exterior paintwork. It breaks down contaminants all by itself – once you’ve applied it, nature does the job for you. Patrick recommends using it twice a year on concrete and timber surfaces to keep them looking good. Simply dilute with the right amount of water or attach the trigger pack to your hose and spray on. Murdo says, “It will continue working with each rainfall and you’ll have a cleaner surface in time for summer.”
Refresh and renew
Resene Paint Prep and Housewash and Resene Bio-Cleaner are both
powerful and highly efficient ways to get surfaces ready for painting or to use annually to give homes and buildings a refresh. Murdo says, “a regular spring cleaning cycle will keep your house looking great and will extend the life of your paintwork.” Dilute the cleaner with the right amount of water, scrub vigorously using a nylon bristle broom or short handle scrubbing brush, then rinse with clean water for an instantly fresher surface.
Raise the roof
If you’re planning to freshen up your roof this summer, Patrick suggests first giving it a good clean before applying any paint. Resene Roof and Metal Wash is a specifically formulated cleaning and degreasing agent that is recommended for all new and previously painted iron or metal roofs, as well as a general cleaner and pre-treatment for repainting. Mix with water then apply by brush or spray, scrub vigorously and rinse with clean water.
Break the mould
Resene Moss & Mould Killer “is a very effective means of killing all manner of green stuff that has appeared over winter,” says Murdo. “Mould left untreated on paint is a major cause of paint disfigurement and can shorten the life of your paintwork. Resene Moss & Mould Killer is also highly recommended for exterior concrete surfaces where mould growth is normally present.” It’s a hypochlorite-based wash designed to kill and bleach most common moulds and fungus. Simply dilute with water or use a more concentrated mix on surfaces that have heavy infestations. Saturate the whole area with a brush or garden sprayer, then leave it for 48 hours before washing it off thoroughly with clean water.
Stain remover
If you have oil stains on your driveway or in your garage, hit them with a dose of Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover. This is a great product to have in your garage all year round, as it’s best to clean oil spots when they are fresh. It’s also a powerful, biodegradable, phosphate-free cleaner for removal of dirt and grease prior to painting. Simply dilute the concentrate with water, scrub vigorously and allow the cleaner to remain on the surface for 5-10 minutes before rinsing with clean water.
Wood wash
Resene Timber and Deck Wash will help clean off all the built-up gunk on your timber deck or fence so it’s ready for you to restain or paint. Mix the concentrate with water and saturate the timber surface. Leave wet for 10-15 minutes, scrub vigorously, then rinse with clean water.