10 Outdoor Spring Cleaning Projects
Spring cleaning isn’t exciting for a lot of us. But it is important. As the holidays and winter end and we start looking forward to spring and warm weather, something inside of us tells us to get our homes in order by cleaning, organizing and throwing away things we’ve collected throughout the winter months.
But who says spring cleaning is only for the interior of your home?
The outside of your home could likely use a little refreshing after a cold, wet winter, too!
It’s Time For Home Exterior Cleaning
Here are home exterior cleaning projects that will really improve the curb appeal of your home in Whittier, and, more importantly, will offer much-needed care and maintenance that will save you money over the years ahead.
1. Gutter Cleaning
Spring is the optimal time to clean out your gutters, because a lot of leaves and debris pile up during the fall and winter months. Pollen is at its highest during the spring, making a big mess in your gutters if they are not properly cleaned.
Plus, pests and animals are looking for places to build homes during spring, so having your gutters cleaned out will help stop an infestation in your home.
Gutter cleaning will consist of cleaning the inside and outside of your gutters, removing mold, mildew and stains and restoring them to a like-new appearance.
2. Window Cleaning
Residential window cleaning is a must for spring cleaning. Ground floor windows won’t give you too much of a problem, but second and third floor windows will be a bit trickier to reach.
Cleaning windows by hand is an exhausting chore, and will require a lot of supplies, not to mention climbing up and down a ladder! A soft wash or professional cleaning of your exterior windows is the recommended way to get the panes and the outer frame nice and clean.
3. Pressure Washing
You aren’t going to want clean gutters and clean windows on a dirty home. This means you will want to pressure wash your home too!
Pressure washing is fast, effective and doesn’t cost very much. You can clean your home, outdoor furniture, concrete patios, wood and stone porches and walkways with very little effort. It will remove dirt and mud so they will not permanently stain your home, and you can also stop the spread of mold, mildew and allergens.
4. Driveway Cleaning
Clearing off your driveway and giving it a good cleaning may seem silly because you will be driving on it, but actually, a clean, well-maintained driveway can increase the curb appeal of your home.
A professional pressure washer can do wonders when it comes to driveway cleaning, whether it’s concrete, asphalt, stone or some other material. Also think about adding a gravel border to your driveway to really help it stand out!
5. Patio Cleaning
Your patio probably gets the most use during the summer months, so it is easy to overlook it during the winter when you are not doing a lot of outdoor entertaining, leisure or grilling. Your patio might be in pretty bad condition the first time you step onto it in the spring.
Soap and water – and a little hard work – are sometimes be enough for patio cleaning, but if you see signs of mold or algae, you might need to think about a more aggressive option, like professional power washing, to ensure that friends and family can safely enjoy your patio all summer long.
6. Roof Cleaning
Algae and moss are typical roof issues in Whittier. While you’re cleaning the outside of your home, it’s a great time to clean your roof as well, but you will have to use a different process than what you use for the rest of your home’s exterior.
If you see streaks on your roof, algae is most likely the cause. Moss is usually obvious, too. These particles can’t be wiped off of shingles, nor can you pressure wash the roof. Both of these methods will ruin the shingles on your roof.
The ideal course of action for roof cleaning is to spray the shingles with a half-water, half-bleach mixture and let it sit. This will kill any organic organisms on your roof without lowering its lifespan.
7. Tidy up the Front
The front of your home is what most people see, so try to make the best impression you can for visitors and for yourself! Returning home to a well-maintained exterior will instantly improve your day, and will inspire you to spend more time outdoors.
You can clean your front porch with soap and water or a good pressure wash. Clean cobwebs and dirt off of the front door, and think about painting it for a really fresh look! Clean overlooked areas such as the porch ceiling, light fixtures and ceiling fans, too.
8. Organize Outdoor Tools
You will be spending more time outside, so spring is a great opportunity to organize everything you will need for outdoor chores.
Yard tools and pool care equipment need to all have an exact area outside your home – a place that it is safe from weather and out of sight so it isn’t a constant eyesore to anyone. Taking the time to organize in the spring will allow you to appreciate the outside of your home much more throughout the time of year that you are going to spend the most time outdoors.
9. Lawn Care & Landscaping
Your yard, trees and garden bushes make a huge impact on the overall look of your home.
Get rid of weeds around your flower beds and walkways and driveway, till up areas where you’ll be planting in the future and brush off walkways. You can also spray pre-emergent weed killer to make lawn care easier on yourself throughout the summer. Trim all the bushes too.
10. Clean the Grill
After being unused for several months, your grill could use a good cleaning, too. Leftover grease and food from your grill are unappetizing, but even worse they can also make you and your family sick.
Wet it down to remove ash, then scrub the grates with a plastic scrubber (so you don’t leave behind metal particles that can sometimes get into food) and a basic detergent or degreaser.
You can probably complete these projects after a few weekends but it will be a lot of hard work. Instead, give us a call! Whittier Pressure Washing provides professional home exterior cleaning services for driveway cleaning, patio cleaning, pressure washing, roof cleaning and more!