Clean Deck, Clear Conscience
Pressure Washing Done Right
The warm weather and sunshine beckon us to come sit outside. With more time outdoors, you may notice your deck is becoming dirtier with use and wear. You may feel compelled to pressure wash the area to freshen and rejuvenate it. However, you can’t just pick up a pressure washer at your local home improvement store and start spraying, as it could damage the wood beyond repair.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to refreshing your deck and giving it a clean, polished look. Gather materials: Before you begin, ensure you have everything you need. This includes a pressure washer, chemical-resistant gloves, a deck scrub brush, drop cloths, eye protection, your garden hose, a plastic bucket, putty knives, deck stripper, and oxalic acid powder. Prep the area: Remove or cover all plants nearby, spray down your siding with clean water, and repair any cracked or split boards. Apply and remove stripper: Using a wide- mouth nozzle on the pressure washer wand, apply stripper to the top rails and posts, then move to the deck itself. Apply the stripper one board at a time, using a gentle sweeping motion, and let it sit for the manufacturer’s recommended time. Once it’s ready, attach a 25- or 30-degree tip to the wand and set the
psi to 1,200 for pressure-treated wood or 600 for soft woods. Spray the area until all coatings have come off. Clean out board gaps: Use a putty knife to remove all trapped debris between your deck boards. You may need to sweep or vacuum after. Brighten the wood: Use a low-pressure setting to soak the deck with clean water. Mix the oxalic acid with warm water, and use the wide-mouth nozzle to spray the rails, posts, and deckboards. Scrub the area in the direction of the wood grain before rinsing off any brightener residue. Let it dry for 3–4 days before applying any paint or stain. You may also need to sand the area before staining the wood.
Now, you’ve got a beautiful deck primed and ready for entertaining!
Games, Giggles, and Gold Medals
Host a Family Field Day Everyone Will Remember
Some weekends are made for errands, and then there are weekends made for belly laughs, friendly rivalries, and cheering so loud the neighbors peek over the fence. A DIY Family Field Day falls firmly into the second category. It’s the kind of day that turns ordinary play into an unforgettable family tradition, with just enough chaos to make the memories last a lifetime. Choose your day, then claim your arena. Start by finding a date when the family calendar is blissfully quiet. A summer weekend usually works best, but any day with room to breathe works. Next, pick your battlefield of fun: the backyard, a local park, or even a scenic trail if your crew is feeling adventurous. Just make sure you think ahead about shade, space, and any permits you may need. Pick a theme and let the games begin. A theme gives your Field Day its personality. You could go classic with an Olympic-style competition, or lean into a game-show vibe. Let everyone toss out ideas and choose one that makes all ages excited to join in.
scavenger hunts or charades so every family member has a chance to shine. End the day with a closing ceremony and hand out homemade trophies so every competitor gets a moment in the spotlight. Make it personal, playful, and delicious. The details are where the magic really lives. Have the kids help decorate award ribbons or craft goofy trophies. Put together a playlist full of upbeat songs and let family members request tracks after each win. And when everyone gets hungry, serve easy snacks buffet-style, so nobody has to stop the fun for long. Capture the chaos. Don’t forget the camera. The best part of a Family Field Day is the evidence: the triumphant poses, the muddy sneakers, the dramatic tug-of-war faces, and the snack breaks in between. Those photos will be gold later, especially when someone says, “Remember when Dad slipped in the relay race?” A little planning goes a long way, and before you know it, your DIY Family Field Day will be full of movement, laughter, and stories the family will retell for years.
Now for the good stuff: the competitions. Mix high-energy favorites like tug-of-war and obstacle courses with more strategic games like
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