Brad and I spent a lot of time working on outside projects this weekend. One thing we tackled was power washing our back patio. The last time we broke out our power washer and cleaned the patio was about three years ago. It was time for a bath.
Here’s the before– stained with mold and other goodies.
Here’s the during. How can one resist the urge to write their name on a grimy concrete patio with a power washer? Not I.
And here’s the after. Oooh ahhh.
While we had the power washer out, we decided to clean our vinyl fence. Brad power washed it a couple years ago, so it was in need of a cleaning too.
The power washer did a good job but there were places on the fence that needed more attention. Like where the birds use the fence posts as latrines. Or where the lawn mower has attacked the fence posts. Poor fence posts can’t catch a break.
Thankfully, Procter & Gamble and Lowe’s were kind enough to send me some cleaning supplies to put to use in our backyard. I grabbed the Mr. Clean Outdoor Pro Magic Erasers to take on the bird dropping stains and lawn mower marks.
And I tell you what, these bad boys did a heckuva job. Even Brad was impressed– he thought we’d need to spray paint over the marks. Nope, Mr. Clean (and a little Chelsea elbow grease) did the trick. I even left the little lawn mower mark to the right of the fence post so no one could accuse me of trickery.
I even made a fun ‘pinnable’ image to show the drastic before and after.
After mastering the art of bird poop stain and lawn mower mark removal, I moved on to our stainless steel grill. I used Mr. Clean Outdoor Pro spray and Bounty, as well as the Magic Erasers to get the grime off the grill.
Gross.
Yep. Ready for grilling.
Brad swore the grill wasn’t that dirty and grimy. The proof is above, dear husband.
Lora W. says
I would love to get some pretty plants but I need to get some cleaner and sealer for the deck.
Keri says
Buy stuff for my lawn
amanda s. says
Flowers for our new yard!
Amianne says
Buy stuff for our new house!
Lisa Brown says
I would get new plants and flowers for my side yard.
Ashley says
Since we moved into a new house this weekend, I could use this! I’d be looking for some organization tools!
Claire H. says
We are just beginning our first home-buying experience so I’d love to save the giftcard to use towards some patio furniture or a grill… looking forward to having a backyard!
kelly says
a raised garden bed–filled with lots of flowers and veggies!
Jessica L says
As much as I would love to use a Lowe’s giftcard for outdoor stuff, I currently reside in an apartment, so I would like to redo my craft room and get some supplies to build a new more open desk for photography and crafts.
Christine says
I’m still working on my Sandy-damaged home–these would be GREAT!
Ashley says
I would buy some new outdoor cushions!
Crlsweetie912 says
Wow! I must get these!!!!
Crlsweetie912 says
Oops…I would get come cleaner and wire brushes because my bathroom grout needs some attention!
Lindsey R says
I would buy some organizational tools for my new house or either ceiling fans…it gets to hot in the south in the summer time not to have ceiling fans.
Mary Happymommy says
I would buy gardening supplies. Thanks!
Val says
I LOVE Magic Erasers! They really are magic!! 😉
Also, I would totally buy some gardening supplies at lowes. Or paint. Or hardware… (I just moved so what DON’T I need right now??)
Steph says
I’d buy paint and items for my potential new home!
Kim says
Oooh yes, would love to buy some outdoor furniture or plants to up the ambiance outside!
Bliss says
Hey I never thought about taking my beloved Magic Erasers outside. I have a play ground with some tough grime, I wonder if Mr. Clean can come through on that for me? I’ll try it. Oh and I’d probably buy more plants at Lowes, I skimped this year on my initial purchase of flowers.
Bliss
Anne Haun says
I would buy some paint and cleaning supplies.
Sandy says
I would buy all of the products you mentioned above!! Plus some plants and flowers for our yard.
christine says
We’re just about to move into a new house and I know we’ll need lots of things! First thing that comes to mind is paint!
Vicki H. says
I’m reorganizing my craft/office room downstairs, so I would get some much-needed storage for that and a few little plants to add to the office/craft room as well.
Brenda B. says
I am thinking I would use the gift card for some paint for 2 bedrooms.. Thanks for the chance to win!
Leanne Haken says
I need mulch but I’ve been putting it off because there are so many things I’d rather buy than mulch! lol
Kim says
We ripped out everything out of our back planter over the winter and now that I have a party to host in two weeks I’m scrambling to get it replanted in time. I need new plants and pots!
christine says
We put down a layer of mulch in the flower beds earlier this year, but the weeds are poking through! Looks like it’s time for a thicker layer so the flowers don’t have to compete.
Dana Taft says
I love Magic Erasers but had no idea they came for outdoors. You learn something new everyday! Thanks for sharing the great info.
Andrea Sgobbo says
I would buy a new screen door for our gazebo, tomato plants, herbs and some mulch!
Amanda says
My husband and I are closing on our first house on July 12th so we would love to be able to buy some paint for our new house!
ChiWei says
Um…casters for my card catalog which I’m NEVER going to finish. You figure with $100, I can get pretty decent casters right?
Kristen says
New lighting
MelissaO says
What can Mr. Clean Erasers NOT do? Wow! That is an amazing transformation! Would love to try those myself….
Jeffrey says
My wife would probably confiscate the card and buy some plants for the yard.
KimberlyH says
I would absolutely buy these cleaning products first- they work amazingly!!! AND then with some leftovers I’d hunt for a patio umbrella…. Thanks for the giveaway!
Mary Ann Dunn says
I love outdoor Magic Erasers. They really helped clean our outdoor furniture. I would love to buy some patio pavers for our backyard. We could use a few more bushes around our yard too.
Stephanie C. says
I would love to get a new outdoor rug for our back deck.
Lindsay says
I would give the gift card to my parents to help offset the cost (any bit counts!) of the new kitchen they are remodeling and building!
Kesha says
I would buy some flowers for my yard
lizzy says
I would get some patio furniture!
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen says
Towards a cordless drill for my hubby!
Elissa Corsale says
I would use the Gift Card to purchase accessories for the Grill I recently purchased at Lowe’s 🙂
eileen marie says
Definitely some hedge clippers & a lawn edger. We’re getting a lot of stink eye from the neighbors.
Lura says
If I won the gift card, I would purchase the entry light I’ve been eyeing for quite some time. What would you buy?
Teri says
If I won the gift card, I would buy screen doors for the patio 🙂
julie says
OH my gosh….your fence looks so much better! I’ll have to try those in our yard for sure. If I won I would use the money towards new plants and planters for our backyard.
Kyra says
I would put it toward the purchase of the glass/hidden screen door I want for our front entrance!
Alane says
We are moving soon and I could use a nice Lowe’s treat!
LinhC says
A new outdoor light for our side door.
Irene Lund says
I would get paint for the 1/2 bath I’ve wanted to paint since we moved in 8 years ago and a new grill cover to replace the one that blew away last week (oops).
Emma P says
I think I would have to purchase all the products you mentioned above… and then, I think I would buy some wood to put towards building a shed to hold all of my garden tools!
[email protected] says
I think I’d put that $100 towards some patio furniture!
[email protected] says
Hmmmmmm….. I think I’d go for something in the garden center. Maybe some new hanging pots to transplant my ferns. And/or a rocking chair.
Thanks for the great giveaway. I’m impressed by all your clean-up. Our yard badly needs this, too. Especially the grill.
BrieAnn says
well since we are going to be moving to Kentucky in August, I ‘d buy some new things to setup the new house!
Kristina Fisk says
I would put it toward a new spiffy grill…
Caroline Calcote says
We just moved into a new house and I’m at Lowe’s several times a week. I have so many things I could use the gift card for! Paint supplies, for one 🙂
Hannah B. says
We are in the process of refinishing some furniture, so we would buy some materials for that.
Susannah says
I’d love to put it toward a pressure washer!
Martha says
Paint and wood to finish kitchen remodel
Mireya says
I would get new pillows to spruce up my patio dining set!
Chiara Aldridge says
Wow, what a difference that makes. I would use it for wood, tools for the hubby to get more projects done.
Talitha says
So many projects so little money! Lol. I would probably use it to get either more paint, go towards new flooring or buy some Airstone!!
Samantha says
I’d get some chairs for our back deck! We have zero furniture on the deck right now.
Tricia says
I love your blog and doing home imporovent projects….. so you inspire me! I could so go for a Lowe’s gift right about now to put towards some stuff we need! Thanks for the chance to win!
Elena says
I would buy new flowers for my backyard
Jen M. says
I would love to “freshen” the patio area with new cushions, pillows and flowers. 🙂
Natalie G. says
Plants for our new planting beds my husband built!
Kate says
I would buy gardening supplies.
Tommi Sparkman says
I would use it to buy flowers and hanging baskets to spruce up the front of the house.
Lauren K says
I’ve been eying a patio set for my new home – I’d either put the gift card towards that, or towards plants for my new garden!!
christina @ homemade ocean says
I have been working feverishly on our backyard….there is plenty we still need to get!!!
Mandy DeTurk says
I would buy a screen for my front door!
Stacey R says
Planters for our front porch – it looks so bare!
Whitney Moberg says
I would get a power washer and some paint to re-do my house- it needs it desperately! Thanks for the giveaway!
Holly says
I would get some plants and mulch to spruce up our front yard!
Kathryn Campbell says
MR CLEAN MAGIC ERASERS are the BOMB! I remember the first time I used it, I was in heaven, it is a delightful memory I have! lol
Think of all the magic eraser I could buy with that gift card! Thanks!! : )
Kristen | Popcorn on the Stove says
I would love to get some paint to freshen/clean the walls in our apartment, but then definitely planters for my herb garden!
Julie Robertson says
I would buy flowers, plants, and mulch for my garden and flower bed!! Thanks for the chance to win!
Nicole Bowen says
My bathroom needs an update so I would buy paint and some new decorations.
[email protected] says
Woohoo! I want to build one of those flower towers that Michelle shared! Or get some stuff to refinish our patio!
Sharon D says
Wow, where do I start?….we need yard tools, cleaners and cleaning equipment, etc. etc. for the exterior then there is the inside too where we need lots of home improvement items that Lowes has…….! Thanks for the inspirations and the chance to win!
Lauren E. says
I would buy some plants and flowers for my yard.
Keri says
We need everything for our new home but I’d probably spend it on materials for a new en suite!
Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says
I would totally buy a paint sprayer…I have quite a few makeovers coming up, including some Craigslisted porch furniture. 🙂
Becky says
I love my Magic Erasers! I would buy the new outdoor erasers and more rose bushes!
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
I’d get me some junk for our flower beds!
Forrest says
I’d buy plants for our front porch, or maybe wood to build a porch swing? So many options!
Christine at First Home Love Life says
I need to buy a power washer! So I would totally put that card towards it!
courtney b says
we would get some paint!
vaishali says
Oh I would put it towards a power drill that I have been planning on buying..:)
Gypsi says
Wow–your patio and fence look great! We’re doing a lot of shelf building right now, so I would certainly use it for that!
Gypsi says
Edit: I am Medb O’Hanlon on facebook and rafflecopter. 🙂
Tracie says
I’d love to try out these cleaning products and buy some decorative items for our deck too!
Jessica says
I would definitely buy paint for our bedroom and bathroom! 🙂 Gotta mark some things off the list this month! 🙂
Jessica says
I love a good powerwashing!!! Want to do this to our patio as well!!
Peggy Sullivan says
I would get lumber to replace our front porch stairs. And some more Mr. CLEAN MAGIC SPONGEES?
Jennifer says
I would get paint to finish our newly renovated bathroom and make our claw foot bathub two-toned 🙂
Sky says
The Magic Eraser for Outdoors would be a must buy…and I’d love to get some flowers to spruce up our joint.
Ursula says
I have so many things I could do if I win, where do I begin?!! I would tackle my baseboards, my patio furniture, and repurpose my dresser!
Amy Orvin says
I’d buy screen and lattice. I am redoing my back porch and would need those supplies.
Heather Sp says
I would buy some plants and other supplies like paint for our new house!
Rachel H says
What would I do with $100… replace the AWFUL steps we have out back. they’re rapidly approaching NOT SAFE! (or I would buy paint b/c who doesn’t love an easy peasy paint make-over?!)
David says
We already have a power washer, The item we need and that I would likely buy is a hedge trimmer.
Leah A. says
I would apply it towards a push mower.
Season says
A new light fixture for the bathroom 🙂
Susan @SugarBeans says
I would love to power wash my patio, deck and vinyl fence too!! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Amanda Sakovitz says
I would buy lightbulbs, stringlights and stock up on batteries.
kathy says
SPRAY PAINT, PAINT, LIGHTING, WEDDING DIY’S – YAY LOWES!! 🙂
Suzanna says
I would get some pretty plants to dress up my front stoop, as well as some window boxes (and plants/herbs) to dress up my deck!
Thomas Murphy says
I would buy paint for my bathroom
Jill says
I would put it towards a new gas grill. I’m afraid ours is on it’s “last legs”. Thank you.
Kristin @ Little Corbin Hill says
We just moved into our new home in December and are still making it ours. I think, being it is summer, I’d use on the outdoors. Fresh flowers, pots, maybe paint the vinyl shutters and our front door =)
Julia says
This could definitely help me moving between apartments!
Jessica says
I’d use it for bathroom shelves and new blinds for my laundry room!
Kimberly says
I would buy all of the items we need for the finishing touches on our vegetable garden! We are renters, so we built a corner planter out of some wood and have it set on our back patio. It would be nice to fill that baby up with some more good eats, fertilizer, tomato cages, etc. EEEK!!
Stephanie Piontkowski says
This looks like an awesome prize pack – I would love to win. The gift card alone would be great. Fingers crossed! 🙂
Julianne Johnson says
Outdoor chairs to watch my husband grill 🙂
Amy Reed says
I would buy several gallons of paint to re-paint one of my daughter’s bedrooms after allowing her to pick her own color. Ugh.. NEVER again will that happen!
Shantel says
The before and after is impressive!! I would put it toward new patio furniture so we could spend more time and dine out on our patio!!
Bonnie says
I would get some perennial shade plants – I’m in the midst of relandscaping!
Valerie says
I <3 Magic Erasers! I'd buy the outdoor versions and a few more plants to add to our garden.
Rosalynn says
I’d get a ceiling fan for our master bedroom. We’ve been wanting to put one in for a while! Thanks for the chance to win!
Sara says
I would buy new cushions for our outdoor seating!
Jessie C. says
I would put it towards a new grill purchase.
Alison says
Wow! What a difference without the use of a ton of chemicals. I didn’t know that Mr. Clean made outdoor Magic Erasers. Need to give our grill some love!
Audrey Dawkins says
plants for around my deck
Amber @ Wills Casa says
Whoa I can’t believe you got that fence totally white!
Laura Jacobson says
I would love to put it towards a grill! We do not have one and I know we would really enjoy one and use it all the time! I LOVE how your cement turned out! I really need to do that!
Heather says
I would definitely buy some supplies for the new house!
Kelly @ Corner of Main says
We could definitely do some backyard cleaning also! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!
Laura McCord says
A fire pit! I have wanted one forever!
angela says
My backyard could use a spruce up! I hope I win! Thanks!
Susan Christy says
Plants, flowers, fertilizer, weed killer.
Cassi says
I would buy plants!
Jessica says
I would buy paint
Emily says
I’d buy supplies to build the 4 foot fence we’re adding to our backyard!
barbara n says
I would buy a new bathroom faucet!
Natalie says
I would finally get a real herb garden going!
sarah says
I would use the money toward get my husband a nice new grill!
Kristy says
New cushions for my outdoor furniture- they’ve seen better days!
Rosie says
Stuff for the garden!
Adrienne says
Outdoor lighting! Ours is crazy dated.
Ericka says
With the $100 Lowe’s gift card I would get some supplies to give our lawn a face lift…fertilizer, dirt, grass seed, spreader, more hoses, sprinklers, etc…all the little things we need!
amy pugmire says
I would put it towards blinds
Ashley Tucker says
I’d buy some new blinds.
Julie says
I would put it towards organizational units for our closet!
Andrea Anderson says
Items for some projects I want to work on.
Debra says
I feel like we live at Lowe’s! I’d either get (more) paint or patio furniture to spruce up our patio.
JenW says
We’d buy deckboards for redoing ours!
Keara says
My porch needs a good scrub and some pretty plants.
Maira says
I would buy a leaf blower!
Danielle says
I’d purchase a few wooden boards and some paint to create some great blog photo backdrops!
Danielle at Framed Frosting
Hannah C. says
I would buy paint and supplies to redo my classroom over the summer. Right now its basic white and has scuff marks all over it from years of student abuse.
Heidi says
I’d put the money toward a new mower for the hubby 🙂
rachel says
New closet doors!
Tabathia B says
I would replacing some flooring in the bathroom and some paint for the back bedroom
Erin says
I have been doing a lot of reorganization projects and would love to get some tools to help me stay organized/pretty up my space.
terri Baker says
We had a new patio slab installed at our townhosue and they left big gaps and a mess.. so id buy some filler dirt, pebbles and some other pretty things to make the patio safe for the kids and nice to look at!!
Sara Floyd says
I would get gardening supplies
lana says
stuff to decorate my front yard flower beds
amber says
we’d get a fruit tree for our yard
LeeAnn says
Wild love to get some more plants/flowers to fill our planters and would love to fix our window box.
Harmony B says
I would put it towards a new grill
Alison C says
I would buy some bricks to edge all my garden and driveway.
Thanks for the chance to win a gift card!
Kristin @ The O.C.D. Life says
I would use the gift card to purchase paint for my dresser and a new doormat that I have been eyeing.
Amanda Christensen says
I would buy a couple of new light fixtures for my bathroom! I found some beautiful ones at Lowe’s this weekend!
Lindsey Jo Stewart says
I would buy us some patio furniture as a surprise for my husband! We moved here with the Air Force a few months ago, and we won’t be able to afford any furniture for outside anytime soon, so I’d love to get it and set it up for him while he’s at work and surprise him!
mary says
I’d buy pretty planters/flowers for my back deck.
Leslie Moore says
Deck restore to paint on our old splintered deck!
Tipling says
I would use it to buy an outdoor holder for our garden hose. You know, one of those nice ones that can sit on your patio and keep the hose from getting tangled. And some magic erasers because our grill looks like the “before” of yours and it needs some help 🙂
Jennay says
I would use it towards a new deck!
Lisa says
I would use it towards patio furniture.
shae johnson says
This would go towards creating a mudroom!
Katie says
We would use the $100 gift card for paint! Our downstairs needs a pretty color 🙂
Whitney Dupuis says
I would get some ant killer (ha!) and some pretty potted plants!!!
katie says
Oh I had no idea they had “outdoor” magic erasers! Must go grab some asap… so I guess that is what I would do with the $100 gift card!
Brooke says
Our grill is disgusting! Plus we’re in a new house so any help would go a long way!
Wendy says
Wow, that stuff looks like it is amazing and I could really use all of it! Please choose me!! 🙂
Kaitlin Boles says
I am getting married in October and we are currently building our first home together, so there are so many things we would use this gift card on. To start a we could use it on any of the following a grill, a lawn mower, weed eater, etc.
Wes says
Wow! squeaky clean. Looks amazing. Thanks to your power washer and good cleaning supplies. Great job!