Protect your patio chair cushions with an outdoor furniture cover.

Part of getting ready for spring and the grilling season is cleaning your outdoor furniture, including the cushions. Below are some tips for getting your cushions clean, free of mildew, and ready to use.

Outdoor Cushions Cleaning Solution:

• 1 teaspoon of dish detergent
• 1 tablespoon of borax
• 1 quart of warm water

Wash the Cushions

You can combine these ingredients in a bucket and use a sponge to wash the cushions, or you can pour the solution into a spray bottle. Either way, you will need to completely saturate the cushions, front and back. Make sure you get into every corner and crevice along the seams, edges, and piping. These hard-to-reach places are prime breeding grounds for mold and mildew.

Let Them Soak

Once you’ve thoroughly saturated the cushions with this solution, let the cushions sit for 15 minutes. When the time is up, rinse the cushions with a hose. The spray should be fairly strong in order to remove all of the solution from the cushions.

Dry and Protect the Cushions

Then set the cushions up on their edge out of direct sunlight. Let the cushions air dry.

When the cushions are still damp, you can spray them with a fabric protector solution to keep them clean for longer and to prevent mold and mildew growth.

If the cushions collect dust throughout the patio season, you can use a hand-held vacuum to clean them. To keep the cushions and patio chairs clean when not in use, protect them with outdoor furniture covers.

A grill cover keeps out dirt, dust, and rain.

Cleaning After Each Use

Taking a few minutes to clean off the grill after each use keeps it ready to use and prevents crud from building up on the grates.

After cooking, turn up the burners to HIGH, close the top, and let the grill run for 5 minutes before turning it off. Then scrub the grates with a wire brush or a piece of foil pinched between tongs.

If you don’t have time to clean the grill immediately, you can spray it down with a bottle of vinegar and water (equal parts). Let it soak for an hour to soften the crud. Then you should be able to clean the grill without using heat.

Always let the grill cool to the touch before installing the grill cover.

Deep Cleaning

We recommend deep cleaning your grill at least once a year. Cleaning your grill keeps it looking good and working efficiently.

To clean the inside of the grill, use a grill brush to scrub off the charred coating on the grates.

Use a non-scratch sponge or a nylon brush to clean interior surfaces that can scratch. For uncoated steel or iron, you can use a wire brush.

Wash the interior and exterior surfaces with soapy water. Rinse well. Let it dry thoroughly before closing the lid and installing the grill cover.

A motorcycle cover protects your bike from dirt, UV rays, and moisture.

Protecting your bike with a motorcycle cover is a simple, cheap way to keep it looking good and prevent weather damage. Different types of covers are available, depending on how you store your bike and where you ride.

Motorcycle Travel Cover

Need a compact bike cover for the road? Motorcycle travel covers are designed to protect your bike from rain, UV rays, and the elements while away from home.

Since travel covers are compact and lightweight, you can easily store them in a saddle bag with room to spare.

Motorcycle Dust Cover

If you store your motorcycle indoors, all you may need is a breathable cotton cover that repels dust and dirt. A motorcycle dust cover will not keep out moisture, so if your bike will be sitting out in the rain, you’ll need a waterproof cover.

Lined Storage Cover

A fully lined, water-resistant motorcycle cover provides protection from sun and weather exposure. The soft lining protects your bike’s finish, while the water-resistant, breathable outer cover protects your bike from rain and snow.

Some motorcycle covers are specially coated to protect your bike from UV rays. In sun-drenched states, UV protection is especially important.

Lined motorcycle covers can be used for travel, but they will take up more space in your luggage than a travel cover.

Support your boat cover with a pole or PVC frame.

If your boat cover is not properly supported, it can sag in the middle after a heavy rain. You don’t want rain, leaves, dirt, and other debris to collect on your boat cover, since they can promote the growth of mold and mildew.

You have two options for a boat cover support: buy a boat cover support system or build your own.

TinBoats.net offers instructions on how to build a PVC boat cover frame. Building your own frame means you can customize the frame to fit your boat perfectly.

As long as you have the time and energy, building your own support frame is one of your best options for a sturdy, customized frame.

Here is what you’ll need to build your own boat cover support:

Materials:

• 3/4″ or 1″ PVC (available at most hardware stores)
• 3/4″ or 1″ PVC elbows, couplings, and tee’s (how many you need depends on the size of your boat)
• PVC glue
• Garden hose (to help form the arches)

Tools:

• Hacksaw
• Measuring tape

Ready to start? Follow these instructions by TinBoats.net.

Make sure your jet ski is clean and dry before storing it.

Knowing how to store your jet ski is an important step in keeping your jet ski up and running. The tips below will help you learn more about jet ski storage and maintenance.

Get It Ready

Before putting your jet ski away for storage, make sure it is clean and dry. For long-term storage, you’ll also want to make sure you flush the system, remove the battery, and follow any other maintenance tips in your owner’s manual.

Store It

Indoor storage is your best option. It keeps your jet ski protected from weather damage and UV exposure. A climate-controlled environment is ideal, but even a garage or shed is better than outdoor storage.

Cover It

Whether you store your jet ski indoors or out, we recommend using a jet ski cover to protect your PWC. A jet ski cover keeps out dust, dirt, and debris when your PWC is stored indoors. For outdoor storage, the cover also protects your PWC from rain, snow, UV rays, and harsh weather.

Let It Breathe

Make sure the jet ski cover fits snugly and is made with fabric that will repel water but still allow the jet ski to “breathe.” Airflow underneath the cover prevents moisture buildup, rust, mold, and mildew.

George Lee, CEO of DuraShield Covers, took a motorcycle trip out in Arizona last week with a few friends. The guys shipped their bikes out ahead of time and flew down south for warm weather, spectacular views, and plenty of stories to tell.

See a few of the photos from their trip below.

Group photo at Zion National Park

Loading the bikes to ship out to Arizona

Dirt road overlook

Replacing a tire on Arch's Harley

Stopping for a bite at the Rocking V Cafe

Taking a break in Death Valley

Patio furniture covers include elastic and tie downs around the bottom hem to keep the cover in place.

Patio furniture covers keep your deck furniture clean and make it last longer and look better. To install and secure your patio furniture covers, see the instructions below.

Installation Instructions

Check the patio furniture to make sure there are no sharp objects or corners that could snag the cover as you pull it on. Cover sharp areas with padding if needed.

Slip the cover over the top of your furniture and then pull the cover down.

Your cover should come with elastic cords, ties, or buckled straps on the bottom of the cover. These keep the cover from blowing away on windy days. Secure the elastic cord, ties, or buckled straps around the furniture legs.

Cleaning Instructions

Occasionally your patio furniture covers may need to be cleaned. Dirt, dust, and debris can clog up the fabric and keep the cover from protecting your furniture as well as it should.

To clean the cover, use a soft brush and lukewarm water. Do not use soap or chemical agents to clean your patio furniture cover. You may also machine wash the cover in cold water with no detergent. Soap, detergent, and other chemicals may remove the protective coatings added by the factory.

Allow your cover to line dry, or machine dry on the air or delicate setting. The cover must be completely dry before folding the cover for storage. This prevents mold and mildew growth.

Get your grill ready for spring barbecue season!

Grilling season is here. Time to take off the grill cover and get your grill ready for the beef.

Take Off the Cover

First, remove the grill cover. Free the elastic straps or bungee cords that secure the cover to the grill. Then lift the grill cover to remove. Watch out for sharp points on the grill that could rip the cover.

Connect the propane tank (if disconnected). Make sure it’s hooked up correctly.

Burn It Off

If you didn’t do this at the end of the grilling season, you’ll need to burn off the crud left on the grate. Close the lid, turn on the grill, and let it sit for 15 minutes or longer. The leftover food should burn up and turn to ash.

Scrub It Down

Open the lid and use a wire brush to scour the grate. If you don’t have a wire brush, you can crumple a piece of aluminum foil, pinch it with tongs, and use that to scrape the grate.

If needed, clean the burners, inside walls, and the outside of the grill. Empty or replace drip pans. Wash and scrub the large one that catches food, and replace the disposable grease tray when it is half full.

Inspect for Damage

Make sure the grill is working properly before you fire it up for the inaugural spring barbecue party. Inspect all the hoses and feed tubes for crimps, punctures, or other damage. Replace as needed.

Protect your UTV from weather and sun damage, dust, and dirt.

A UTV storage cover protects your UTV or side-by-side from weather damage, sun damage, and dust and dirt buildup. Here are a few tips on how to install, clean, and store your UTV cover so that it lasts for years of use.

Installation

Before putting the UTV cover on your vehicle, check the UTV for any sharp objects or corners (such as the windshield, side mirrors, utility rack, etc.) that could snag the UTV cover as you install it.

For added protection, cover any sharp points with foam or other padding.

Install the UTV cover by slipping it over the top of your UTV and pulling the cover down on all four sides.

Cleaning

To clean your UTV cover, first use a soft brush to remove loose debris and dirt. Then, using a soft brush and lukewarm water, clean the UTV cover by hand washing. Do not use soap, as this may remove the protective coatings added by the factory.

If desired, you may clean your UTV cover in a washing machine with cold water and no detergent.

Line dry the cover or machine dry using the “air only” or “delicate” setting.

Storage

When not using your UTV cover, store it in the storage bag included with the cover. Make sure the cover is completely dry before rolling or folding it for storage. Keep the cover out of direct sunlight and protected from harsh conditions.

Spring is in the air at DuraShield Covers, and we’re ready to peel off the motorcycle covers, tune up the bikes, and hit the pavement. Here are a few pics that got us reminiscing about last year’s rides.

Take any pics lately? Post them on our Facebook page.

Rick's Ride 2011

Showing off a brand new Harley