Get your porch ready for fall with this 3-ingredient outdoor cleaning spray.
This is part two of the science-backed fall reset with Chemistry Cachet.
It’s time to give your outdoor area a quick reset for your fall and upcoming Christmas decor.
Even if you aren’t much of a decorator, this spray will do a great job of cleaning all your outdoor surfaces.
Fall decorating is more satisfying when the surface underneath the pumpkins and mums is clean.
After a long Texas summer, front doors, siding and patio furniture can hold a film of dust, pollen, fingerprints and outdoor grime.
You do not need a cabinet full of specialty sprays to freshen those areas. One gentle, three-ingredient mixture can handle much of the seasonal cleanup.
This is the kind of Chemistry Cachet recipe I return to because it is quick, inexpensive and versatile.
Make sure you read the expanded Chemistry Cachet guide on making this cleaner here including any questions on the exact ingredients.
THE RECIPE
Add 1 cup of water, 1 tablespoon of dish soap and 1 tablespoon of lemon-infused rubbing alcohol to a spray bottle; swirl gently instead of shaking hard, which can create excess foam.
Spray a small area, allow brief contact, then wipe with a microfiber cloth or non-scratch sponge.
For a fall scent, add a small amount of an autumn essential-oil blend, but fragrance is optional and the cleaner works without it.
WHY THIS WORKS
Water is the carrier and helps dissolve water-soluble soil. Dish soap supplies surfactants.
Each surfactant molecule has a portion attracted to water and a portion attracted to oily residue, allowing greasy dirt to disperse into the cleaning solution and lift away during wiping.
That is why a little dish soap can remove the film that plain water leaves behind.
Rubbing alcohol contributes solvent action and helps the surface dry more quickly. The lemon infusion softens the alcohol smell.
HOW TO USE IT
Use the spray to wipe front and back doors, vinyl siding in small sections, resin or sealed patio furniture, outdoor tables, glass tops, even the decor itself.
Check out our popular Instagram video to see how well it removes dirt and dust from doors.
See you next week for another science-backed fall reset tip!
Alexis Rochester is an investigative chemist, blogger, and founder of Chemistry Cachet, which is now celebrating 11 years of trusted, science-based tips on skincare, cleaning, gardening, and health. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 10, Alexis is passionate about pain management research, exercise and sharing realistic wellness solutions for women and families. She grew up in Stephenville and moved back several years ago to raise her kids! When she’s not working on skincare or cleaning experiments, you can find her spending time with her husband, a former Marine and first responder, their two children Amelia and Tucker. Or taking a pilates class around town. You can also find her posting pictures and fun stories daily on Instagram. Also look for Chemistry Cachet on Facebook and LinkedIn. Also, now on TikTok!
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