10 Outdoor Spring Cleaning Projects
Spring cleaning is not exciting for many of us. But it is important. As the winter end and we begin looking forward to spring and warm weather, something inside of us pushes us to get our homes in order by cleaning, organizing and getting rid of things we’ve collected over the winter.
But who says spring cleaning is limited to the interior of your home?
The outside of your home could use a little refreshing after a cold, dreary winter, too!
It’s Time For Home Exterior Cleaning
Here are home exterior cleaning projects that will improve the curb appeal of your home in Temple, and, even more important, will offer much-needed maintenance and upkeep that will save you a lot of money over the years ahead.
1. Gutter Cleaning
Spring is the best time to clean out your gutters, since a lot of leaves and debris accumulate in the fall and winter. The pollen count is at its highest in spring, making a big mess in your gutters and downspouts if they are not cleaned.
Plus, bugs and animals are searching for places to build their homes in spring, so having your gutters cleaned out will help to prevent an infestation in your home.
Gutter cleaning will consist of cleaning the inside of your gutters, removing mold, mildew, rust stains and restoring them to a like-new appearance.
2. Window Cleaning
Exterior window cleaning is a must for spring cleaning. First floor windows shouldn’t cause you too much of a headache, but second and third floor windows can be trickier to reach.
Cleaning windows by hand is an exhausting job, and it will need a lot of tools, 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 clean.
3. Pressure Washing
You do not want clean gutters and windows on a dirty home. This means you are going to want to pressure wash your home too!
Pressure washing is quick, effective and affordable. You can clean your home, outdoor furniture, concrete patios, porches and walkways with very little effort. It will knock off dirt and mud so they won’t permanently stain your home, and you can also prevent the spread of mold, mildew and allergens.
4. Driveway Cleaning
Clearing off your driveway and giving it a good cleaning may seem silly since you will just be driving on it, but actually, a clean, maintained driveway can increase the curb appeal of your home.
A professional pressure washing service can do wonders for driveway cleaning, whether it is pavement, asphalt, brick or another material. Also consider adding a gravel border to your driveway to really make it pop!
5. Patio Cleaning
Your patio gets the most use during the summer, so it can be easy to forget about it in the winter when you are not doing as much outdoor entertaining, leisure or grilling. Your patio can be in rough condition the first time you go onto it in spring.
Soap and water – and a little muscle – can sometimes be enough for patio cleaning, but if you notice signs of mold or algae, you may need to consider a more aggressive option, like power washing, to ensure that friends and family can safely enjoy your patio all summer long.
6. Roof Cleaning
Algae and moss are typical home roof issues in Temple. While you’re cleaning the outside of your home, it is an excellent time to clean your roof as well, but you will need to use a different method than what you use for the rest of your home’s exterior.
If you notice streaks on your roof, algae is most likely the cause. Moss is fairly obvious, too. These particles cannot be scrubbed off shingles, nor can you power wash the roof of your home. 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-bleach, half-water mixture and then leave it be. This mixture will eliminate any organisms on your roof without lowering its lifespan.
7. Spruce up the Front
The front of your home is likely what most people passing by see, so make the best impression possible for visitors, neighbors and for yourself! Returning home to a well-maintained exterior will immediately improve your day, and it will motivate you to spend more time outside.
You can clean your front porch with detergent and water or a good power wash. Wipe cobwebs and mud off of the front porch, and consider painting it for a really fresh look! Clean forgotten areas like the porch ceiling, light fixtures and ceiling fans, too.
8. Organize Outdoor Tools
You’ll be spending a lot more time outdoors, so spring is an excellent opportunity to organize whatever you will need for outdoor chores.
Gardening tools and pool care equipment should all have an assigned place outside your home – a place that it is safe from harsh weather and not in sight so it is not a constant eyesore. Taking the time to organize in the spring will allow you to appreciate the outside of your home so much more during the time of year that 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 home.
Get rid of weeds near your flower beds and walkways, till up areas where you might be planting later on and brush off walkways. You can also spray pre-emergent weed poison to make lawn maintenance easier on yourself throughout the next few months. Trim all bushes too.
10. Clean the Grill
After being unused for months, your gas or charcoal 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 ash, then scrub the grates with a plastic scrubber or grill brush (so you don’t leave behind particles that can sometimes get into food) and a detergent or degreaser.
You can probably finish these projects over the course of a few weekends but it is going to be a lot of hard work. Instead, give us a call! Temple Pressure Washing provides professional residential exterior cleaning services for patio cleaning, roof cleaning, driveway cleaning, pressure washing and more!