10 Outdoor Spring Cleaning Projects
Spring cleaning is not always fun for many of us. But it should be done. As the holidays and winter come to an end and we begin 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 inside of your home?
The exterior 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 really improve the curb appeal of your home in Raleigh, and, even more important, will provide much-needed maintenance and care that will save money over the years to come.
1. Gutter Cleaning
Spring is the ideal time of year to clean your gutters, since so many leaves and debris pile up in the fall and winter. The pollen count is at its highest in spring, making a huge mess in your gutters and downspouts if they aren’t cleaned.
Plus, pests and critters are looking for places to build their homes in spring, so getting your gutters cleaned will help stop an infestation in your home.
Gutter cleaning will consist of cleaning the inside of your gutters, removing mold, mildew, stains and returning them to a nice appearance.
2. Window Cleaning
Residential window cleaning is essential for spring cleaning. First floor windows shouldn’t cause you too much of an issue, but second and third floor windows will be a bit trickier to reach.
Cleaning windows by hand is an exhausting chore, and it will need a lot of tools, not to mention going up and down a ladder! A soft wash or professional cleaning of your exterior windows is the best way to get the panes and the outer frame nice and clean.
3. Pressure Washing
You aren’t going to want clean gutters and windows on a dirty home. This means you will want to pressure wash your home too!
Pressure washing is quick, effective and affordable. You can clean your home, outdoor furniture, concrete patios, wood and stone porches and walkways with very little effort. It will knock off 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 deep cleaning might seem silly since you’ll still be driving on it, but actually, a clean, cared for driveway can increase the curb appeal of your home.
A professional pressure washing service will do wonders when it comes to driveway cleaning, whether it’s concrete, asphalt, brick or another material. Also think about adding a gravel or mulch border to your driveway to really help it pop!
5. Patio Cleaning
Your patio probably gets the most use in the summer, so it’s easy to forget about it in the winter when you aren’t doing any outdoor entertaining, leisure or grilling. Your patio might be in rough shape the first time you step onto it in spring.
Soap and water – and a little muscle – can sometimes be enough for patio cleaning, but if you see signs of mold or mildew, you may need to think about a more serious option, like power washing, to guarantee that friends and family can enjoy your patio all summer long.
6. Roof Cleaning
Algae and moss are common home roof problems in Raleigh. While you are cleaning the exterior of your home, it’s a great time to clean your roof as well, but you’ll need to use a different process than the one you use for the rest of your home’s exterior cleaning.
If you start to see streaks on your roof, algae is probably the reason. Moss is fairly obvious, too. These contaminants can’t be wiped off of shingles, nor can you pressure wash the roof. Both of these methods will destroy the shingles on your roof.
The best process for roof cleaning is to spray the shingles with a half-bleach, half-water solution and then leave it be. This will kill any organic organisms on your roof without lowering its lifespan.
7. Spruce up the Front
The front of your home is probably what most people see, so try to make the best impression you can for visitors, neighbors and for yourself! Returning home to a clean exterior will instantly improve your day, and it will probably encourage you to spend more time outdoors.
You can clean your front porch with soap and water or a good pressure wash. Clean cobwebs and mud off of the front porch, and think about painting it for a really bright look! Clean unnoticed areas like the porch ceiling, light fixtures and ceiling fans, too.
8. Organize Outdoor Tools
You’ll probably be spending a lot more time outdoors, so spring is a great chance to organize everything you’ll need for outdoor chores.
Gardening tools and pool care equipment need to all have an exact area outside your home – 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 will allow you to enjoy the exterior of your home much more during the time of year that you spend the most time outdoors.
9. Lawn Care & Landscaping
Your yard, trees and garden bushes can make a big impact on the look of your home.
Kill weeds near your flower beds and walkways and driveway, till up areas where you’ll be planting later on and brush off walkways. You can also spray pre-emergent weed poison to make yard maintenance easier on yourself throughout the summer. Trim all bushes too.
10. Clean the Grill
After sitting unused for several months, your gas or charcoal grill could use a good cleaning, too. Leftover grease and food particles from your grill are definitely unappetizing, but they can also make you and your family ill.
Wipe 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 dish soap or degreaser.
You could probably complete these jobs over the course of a few weekends but it will be a lot of tough work. Instead, give us a call! Raleigh Pressure Wash Plus offers professional home exterior cleaning services for driveway cleaning, patio cleaning, pressure washing, roof cleaning and more!