10 Outdoor Spring Cleaning Projects
Spring cleaning is not always exciting for most of us. But it is important. As the holidays and winter come to an end and we begin looking forward to spring and warm weather, something within us pushes us to get our homes in order by cleaning, organizing and purging things we’ve piled up throughout the winter.
But who says spring cleaning is limited to the inside of a home?
The exterior 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 improve the curb appeal of your home in Naperville IL, and, even more important, will offer much-needed maintenance and upkeep that will save a lot of money over the years ahead.
1. Gutter Cleaning
Spring is the optimal time of year to clean out your gutters, because a lot of leaves and debris pile up during the fall and winter. The pollen count is at its highest during the spring, making a mess in your gutters and downspouts if they are not cleaned.
Plus, bugs and critters are searching for places to build their homes during spring, so having your gutters cleaned out will help prevent an infestation in your home.
Gutter cleaning will consist of cleaning the inside of your gutters, removing mold, mildew, rust stains and returning them to a nice appearance.
2. Window Cleaning
Exterior window cleaning is essential for spring cleaning. First floor windows won’t cause you much of an issue, but second and third floor windows will be tougher to reach.
Cleaning windows by hand is a hard job, and will require a lot of supplies, not to mention going up and down a ladder! A soft wash or professional cleaning of your home’s windows is the perfect way to get the panes and the outer frame clean.
3. Pressure Washing
You don’t want clean gutters and 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 too much. You can pressure clean your home, outdoor furniture, patios, wood and stone porches and walkways with very little effort. It will knock off dirt and mud so they won’t stain your home, and you can prevent the spread of mold, mildew and allergens.
4. Driveway Cleaning
Clearing off your driveway and giving it a deep cleaning may seem strange because you’ll be driving on it, but, a clean, cared for driveway can increase the curb appeal of your home.
A professional pressure washer will do wonders for driveway cleaning, whether it is concrete, asphalt, brick or another material. Also think about adding a gravel or mulch border to your driveway to really make it stand out!
5. Patio Cleaning
Your patio gets the most use during the summer, so it is easy to overlook it during the winter when you are not doing any outdoor entertaining, leisure or grilling. Your patio can be in pretty bad shape the first time you walk onto it in the spring.
Detergent and water – and a little elbow grease – can sometimes be enough for patio cleaning, but if there are signs of mold or mildew, 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.
6. Roof Cleaning
Algae and moss are typical home roof issues in Naperville IL. While you’re cleaning the exterior of your home, it is an excellent time to pressure clean your roof as well, but you’ll have to use a different method than what you use for most of your home’s exterior.
If you start to see streaks on your roof, algae is most likely the reason. Moss is usually obvious, too. These contaminants cannot be scrubbed off of shingles, nor can you power wash the roof. Both of these methods will damage the shingles on your roof.
The best course of action for roof cleaning is to mist the shingles with a half-bleach, half-water mixture and then let it sit. This mixture will kill all organisms on your roof without reducing its lifespan.
7. Clean up the Front
The front of your home is likely what most people passing by see, so try to make the best impression possible for visitors and for yourself! Coming home to a clean exterior will improve your day, and will even motivate you to spend more time outdoors.
Clean your front porch with detergent and water or a good power wash. Wipe cobwebs and dirt off of the front porch, and think about painting it a new color for a bright look! Clean unnoticed areas such as the porch ceiling, light fixtures and ceiling fans, too.
8. Organize Outdoor Tools
You’ll probably be spending more time outdoors, so spring is an excellent time to organize everything you’ll need for outdoor chores.
Gardening tools as well as pool care equipment need to all have a specific area outside your home – somewhere that it is safe from harsh weather and out of sight so it is not a constant eyesore to anyone. Taking the time to organize in the spring will allow you to enjoy the exterior of your home much more during the time of year when you spend the most time outdoors.
9. Lawn Care & Landscaping
Your lawn, trees and bushes can make a huge impact on the look of your home.
Eliminate weeds near the exterior of your flower beds and walkways, till up areas where you’ll be planting in the future and sweep off walkways. You can spray pre-emergent weed killer to make yard maintenance easier on yourself throughout the summer. Trim all the 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 from your grill are definitely unappetizing, but they can make you and your family ill.
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 get into food) and a dish soap or degreaser.
You could probably complete all of these jobs after a few weekends but it will be a lot of tough work. Instead, give us a call! Naperville Pressure Washing provides professional residential exterior cleaning services for driveway cleaning, patio cleaning, pressure washing, roof cleaning and more!