Most people associate spring cleaning with dusting and spritzing the inside of the house from corner to corner to achieve that clean, fresh feeling.
It’s equally important to spend time in early spring cleaning and sprucing up the outside of your home. Make it as welcoming from the street as it is when your guests walk through your front door. Early spring is an excellent time to start. In general, every 6 to 12 months is a decent rule of thumb.
INSPECT FOR DAMAGES
Your home has been in contact with cold winds, rainstorms, and snow over the winter months. When you’re cleaning the outside of your house, make time for a spring inspection. Colder temperatures can cause wood siding or trim to break and paint to peel. Look for signs of cracking or uneven surfaces on sidewalks and driveways.
Look for signs of loose shingles, missing shingles, or animal damage on the roof. Make a plan to clean up the gutters and inspect them to ensure they are in good working order. Determine whether trees are encroaching on your home’s roof or sidewalls, and get a professional to trim them if necessary.
CLEANING YOUR HOME’S EXTERIOR
You can wash the outside of your home using a power washer or a garden hose, depending on the outside of your property. If you reside in a location where the winters are harsh, a power washer or hand scrubbing is usually the best option.
Choose the best exterior cleaning option for your home. You can clean many surfaces with dishwashing liquid and water. Specific cleaning solutions for siding, brickwork and wood decks are available in hardware and home improvement stores.
Don’t forget to scrub and hose down your garage door to remove cobwebs, dirt, and pollen during your spring cleaning. Clean your window screens by removing them and scrubbing or hosing them down. Inside and out, a spritz of glass cleaner will make them sparkle.
It’s easy to overlook some of the areas of your home that you don’t usually pay attention to. Brush away cobwebs and other debris under the eaves, on the underside of decks, and in window wells with a brush that has an extender handle.
Algae, moss, mold, and or mildew may be developing on your home, deck, or fence if it’s turning green. Harmful bacteria is especially problematic in rainy or shady environments.
Plants can grow through your roof or siding, causing shingles or siding to lift, requiring a pricey repair. It’s simple to get rid of these plants.
