March 28, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I & III • Page 27 (ARA) If the warmer temperatures, bright sunshine, and greening of spring give you the urge to clean, you’re not alone. If you want to make spring cleaning easier, especially outdoor spring cleaning, a little planning will save lots of elbow grease. Make outdoor spring cleaning a breeze with these simple tips to ensure that you will be ready for warm weather fun. Get the grill ready. Barbecues and picnics are as much a part of summer as baseball and trips to the beach. Your grill is central to the fun when you’re cooking and dining outdoors, so get it ready with a good cleaning. If you were diligent about cleaning the grill after every use last year, a good cleaning with a wire brush may be all the cooking grates need. If your grates have a lot of buildup, remove them and soak them in warm soapy water to loosen the debris. Use a wire brush and a little soapy water to clean out the inside surfaces of the grill, including the inside of the lid. Check the hose connection for the propane tank and repair or replace it if needed. Clean outdoor surfaces without scrubbing. Over time, wood and composite decks, concrete, railings, awnings, and outdoor furniture can accumulate mold, moss, mildew, and algae. An environmentally-sensitive mold and mildew cleaner like Wet & Forget works over Easy steps to jump-start outdoor spring cleaning time to gently remove outdoor stains on virtually any exterior surface without scrubbing. Perfect for mildew and mold removal, the non-caustic, non-acidic and bleach-free, biodegradable formula can be easily applied with a pump garden sprayer instead of a more labor-intense power washer. The multi-surface outdoor cleaner reduces water use and is designed for use around landscaping plants. Spruce up your view. Clean windows not only brighten the interior of your home, they can make the exterior look fresher, too. Spring is a great time to remove screens (if you haven’t stored them for the winter) and give them a good cleaning. Hosing them off should do the trick, but if they are very dirty, try cleaning with a little soapy water and a soft scrub brush. Before you replace the screens, give the windows a good cleaning. Arm yourself with a good glass cleaner. One that contains vinegar will be effective and eco-friendly if you are concerned about exposing your landscaping to harsh chemicals. Be sure to clean the outside of your windows first. It will make another popular spring cleaning chore -- washing the inside of windows -- a bit easier. Take care of your tools. Yard work and gardening are realities of warm weather. All your landscaping mainte- nance chores will be easier if your tools are clean and in good repair. Unload the tool shed or garage of all the equipment you will use this summer, from rakes and hoes to lawn mowers and trimmers. While you probably cleaned your garden tools before you stored them for winter, they will still have accumulated dust, and possibly rust, from sitting idle for so many months. Clean rust and dirt from metal tools, and use a coating of mineral oil to ensure the rust doesn’t return. Clean lawn mower and trimmer blades, and replace the line on string trimmers. Get blades sharpened if necessary, and run through all the maintenance tasks recommended in the manufacturer’s handbook for any power equipment. Home office (continued from page 25) on when you will be doing the bulk of your work and can vary drastically throughout the day. Installing light dimmer switches and adding window treatments can keep light at optimum levels. Painting a splash of color on the walls, and adding colorful textiles or artwork reflective of your personality will make the space feel lively and inspiring.