10 Outdoor Spring Cleaning Projects
Spring cleaning is not fun for a lot of us. But it has to be done. As the winter comes to an end and we start looking forward to spring, something within us pushes us to get our homes in order by cleaning, organizing and getting rid of things we’ve hoarded over the winter.
But who says spring cleaning is only for the interior of a house?
The exterior of your house could likely use some tidying up after a cold, wet winter, too!
It’s Time For Home Exterior Cleaning
Here are home exterior cleaning projects that will really improve the appearance of your house in Surprise, and, more importantly, will offer much-needed care and maintenance that will save money in years ahead.
1. Gutter Cleaning
Spring is the optimal time of year to clean out your gutters, because so many of leaves and debris pile up during the fall and winter. Pollen is at its highest during spring, making a huge mess in your gutters and downspouts if they aren’t properly cleaned.
Plus, bugs and critters are scavenging for places to build homes during spring, so getting your gutters cleaned out will help prevent an infestation in your home.
Gutter cleaning consists of cleaning the inside and outside of your gutters, removing mold, mildew and stains and returning them to a nice appearance.
2. Window Cleaning
Residential window cleaning is necessary for spring cleaning. First floor windows won’t give you too much of a problem, but second and third floor windows can be trickier to reach.
Cleaning windows by hand is an exhausting job, and will require a lot of tools, not to mention going up and down a ladder! A soft wash or professional cleaning of your home’s windows is the perfect solution 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 house. This means you will want to pressure wash your house too!
Pressure washing is fast, effective and doesn’t cost too much. You can clean your house, patio furniture, patios, wood and stone porches and walkways with not too much effort. It will knock off dirt and mud so they will not permanently stain your house, and you can prevent the spread of mold, mildew and allergens.
4. Driveway Cleaning
Clearing off your driveway and giving it a good cleaning might seem counter-productive because you will still be driving on it, but, a clean, well-cared for driveway can increase the curb appeal of your house.
A professional pressure washer will do wonders for driveway cleaning, whether it is concrete, asphalt, brick or another material. Also consider adding a gravel border to your driveway to really help it pop!
5. Patio Cleaning
Your patio probably gets the most use throughout the summer, so it’s easy to overlook it during the winter since you aren’t doing as much outdoor entertaining, relaxing or grilling. Your patio can be in pretty rough condition the first time you step onto it in spring.
Detergent and water – and a little hard work – are sometimes be enough for patio cleaning, but if there are signs of mold or mildew, you need to consider a more serious 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 common roof issues in Surprise. While you’re cleaning the exterior of your house, it is a great time to clean your roof as well, but you will need to use a different process than the one you use for the rest of your home’s exterior.
If you start to see streaks on your roof, algae is most likely the cause. Moss is typically obvious, too. These particles can’t be scrubbed off shingles, nor can you pressure wash the roof of your house. Both of these methods will ruin the shingles on your roof.
The ideal process for roof cleaning is to mist the shingles with a half-bleach, half-water solution and let it be. This solution will eliminate any organisms on your roof without reducing its lifespan.
7. Tidy up the Front
The front of your house is likely what most people see, so make the best impression you can for visitors and for yourself! Coming home to a beautiful exterior will improve your day, and will even encourage you to spend more time outdoors.
Clean your porch with detergent and water or a good pressure wash. Wipe cobwebs and mud off of the front door, and think about painting it for a really bright look! Clean overlooked areas such as the porch ceiling, light fixtures and ceiling fans, too.
8. Organize Garden Tools
You will be spending more time outdoors, so spring is a great time to organize the things you will need for outdoor work.
Yard tools and pool care equipment should all have an exact area outside your house – a place that it is safe from weather and not in sight so it is not a constant eyesore. Spending the time to organize in the spring allows you to appreciate the exterior of your house so much more throughout the time of year when you are going to spend the most time outdoors.
9. Lawn Care & Landscaping
Your yard, trees and garden bushes can make a huge 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’ll be planting in the future and brush off walkways. You can spray pre-emergent weed poison to make yard maintenance easier on yourself throughout the summer. Trim all bushes too.
10. Clean the Grill
After being unused for several months, your grill could use a good cleaning, too. Leftover grease and food particles from your grill are definitely unappetizing, but even worse they can make you and your family ill.
Wet it down to remove leftover ash, then scrub the grates with a plastic scrubber (so you don’t leave behind metal particles that can get into food) and a basic detergent or degreaser.
You could probably finish these projects after a few weekends but it will be a lot of hard work. Instead, give us a call! Surprise Pressure Washing provides professional home exterior cleaning services for patio cleaning, roof cleaning, driveway cleaning, pressure washing and more!