10 Outdoor Spring Cleaning Projects
Spring cleaning is not exciting for a lot of us. But it is important. As the winter end and we start looking forward to spring, something inside of us tells us to get our homes in order by cleaning, organizing and purging things we’ve hoarded over the winter.
But who says spring cleaning is limited to the inside of a home?
The exterior of your house could likely use a little tidying up after a cold, wet winter, too!
It’s Time For Home Exterior Cleaning
Here are home exterior cleaning projects that will improve the appearance of your house in Independence, and, more importantly, will provide much-needed maintenance and care that will save you money over the years ahead.
1. Gutter Cleaning
Spring is the best time to clean out your gutters, because so many of leaves and debris collect in the fall and winter. The pollen count is at its highest in the spring, making a mess in your gutters if they are not cleaned.
Plus, bugs and critters are searching for places to build their homes in spring, so having your gutters cleaned out will help stop an infestation in your home.
Gutter cleaning will consist of cleaning the inside of your gutters, removing mold, mildew and stains and returning them to a like-new appearance.
2. Window Cleaning
Residential window cleaning is a must for spring cleaning. Ground floor windows won’t cause you much of a problem, but any second and third floor windows will be a bit trickier to reach.
Cleaning windows by hand is a tiring job, and will require a lot of tools, not to mention climbing up and down a ladder! A soft wash or professional cleaning of your home’s windows is the best solution to get the panes and the outer frame nice and clean.
3. Pressure Washing
You do not want clean gutters and windows on a dirty home. Which means you will want to pressure wash your house too!
Pressure washing is quick, effective and doesn’t cost very much. You can pressure clean your home, patio furniture, patios, wood and stone porches and walkways with not much effort. It will knock off dirt and mud so they won’t stain your house, and you can also stop the spread of mold, mildew and allergens.
4. Driveway Cleaning
Clearing off your driveway and giving it a deep cleaning might seem silly because you will just be driving on it, but, a clean, well-cared for driveway can increase the curb appeal of your house.
A professional pressure washing company will do wonders when it comes to driveway cleaning, whether it is concrete, asphalt, brick or some other material. Also consider adding a gravel or mulch border to your driveway to really make it stand out!
5. Patio Cleaning
Your patio gets the most use throughout the summer, so it’s easy to forget about it in the winter when you are not doing a lot of outdoor entertaining, leisure or grilling. Your patio might be in pretty bad shape the first time you walk onto it in the spring.
Detergent and water – and a little muscle – are sometimes be enough for patio cleaning, but if you see signs of mold or algae, you need to consider a more serious option, like professional power washing, to guarantee that friends and family can safely enjoy your patio all summer.
6. Roof Cleaning
Mold and moss are common home roof issues in Independence. While you’re cleaning the exterior of your house, it is an excellent time to pressure clean your roof too, but you will need to use a different method than what you use for the rest of your home’s exterior cleaning.
If you see streaks on your roof, algae is probably the reason. Moss is usually obvious, too. These particles can’t be scrubbed off of shingles, nor can you pressure wash the roof of your house. Both of these methods will damage the shingles on your roof.
The best method for roof cleaning is to mist the shingles with a half-water, half-bleach solution and then let it be. This solution will kill all organic organisms on your roof without reducing its lifespan.
7. Spruce up the Front
The front of your house is going to be what most people passing by see, so try to make the best impression you can for visitors and for yourself! Coming home to a well-maintained exterior will instantly improve your day, and will probably encourage you to spend a lot more time outside.
You can clean your porch with detergent and water or a good pressure wash. Clean cobwebs and dirt off of the front porch, and consider painting it a new color for a really bright look! Clean forgotten areas like the porch ceiling, light fixtures and ceiling fans, too.
8. Organize Garden Tools
You’ll be spending much more time outside, so spring is a wonderful chance to organize the things you will need for outdoor work.
Yard tools as well as pool care equipment should all have a specific place outside your house – a place that it is safe from harsh weather and out of sight so it is not a constant eyesore. Spending the time to organize in the spring will allow you to appreciate the exterior of your house much more during the time of year when you spend the most time outside.
9. Lawn Care & Landscaping
Your lawn, trees and bushes make a big impact on the overall look of your house.
Remove weeds around the exterior of your flower beds and walkways and driveway, till up areas where you will be planting in the future and sweep off walkways. You can also spray pre-emergent weed poison to make lawn care easier on yourself throughout the next few months. Trim all the bushes too.
10. Clean the Grill
After sitting unused for several months, your grill could use a good cleaning, too. Leftover grease and food from your grill are unappetizing, but they can also make you and your family sick.
Wet it down to remove leftover ash, then scrub the grates with a scrubber or grill brush (so you don’t leave behind particles that can get into food) and a dish soap or degreaser.
You can probably finish these projects over the course of a few weekends but it will be a lot of tough work. Instead, give us a call! Independence Pressure Washing provides professional residential exterior cleaning services for patio cleaning, roof cleaning, driveway cleaning, pressure washing and more!