10 Outdoor Spring Cleaning Projects

Spring cleaning isn’t always fun for most of us. But it has to be done. As the winter end and we start looking forward to spring, something inside of us encourages us to get our homes in order by cleaning, organizing and purging things we’ve hoarded throughout the winter months.

But who says spring cleaning is only for the inside of your house?
The exterior of your house could probably 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 really improve the curb appeal of your house in Lake Forest, and, even more important, will provide much-needed care and maintenance that will save a lot ofmoney in years ahead.

1. Gutter Cleaning

Spring is the optimal time of year to clean your gutters, because so many of leaves and debris collect in the fall and winter months. Pollen is at its highest in the spring, making a huge mess in your gutters if they are not properly cleaned.

Plus, pests and critters are scavenging for places to build their homes in spring, so getting your gutters cleaned will help prevent an infestation in your home.

Gutter cleaning will consist of cleaning the inside and outside of your gutters, removing mold, mildew and rust stains and returning them to a like-new appearance.

2. Window Cleaning

Home 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 are tougher to reach.

Cleaning windows by hand is an exhausting job, and will require a lot of supplies, not to mention climbing up and down a ladder! A soft wash or professional cleaning of your exterior windows is the recommended solution to get the panes and the outer frame clean.

3. Pressure Washing

You do not want clean gutters and clean windows on a dirty house. Which 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, concrete patios, wood and stone porches and walkways with not too much effort. It will remove dirt and mud so they will not stain your house, 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 strange because you’ll be driving on it, but, a clean, cared for driveway can increase the curb appeal of your house.

A professional pressure washer will do wonders when it comes to driveway cleaning, whether it is pavement, asphalt, stone or another material. Also consider adding a gravel or mulch border to your driveway to really help it stand out!

5. Patio Cleaning

Your patio gets the most use during the summer months, so it can be easy to forget about it in the winter since you are not doing a lot of outdoor entertaining, relaxing or grilling. Your patio could be in bad shape the first time you step 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 algae, you may need to consider a more serious option, like professional power washing, to guarantee that friends and family can enjoy your patio all summer long.

6. Roof Cleaning

Mold and moss are common home roof issues in Lake Forest. While you’re cleaning the exterior of your house, it is an excellent time to clean your roof too, but you’ll have to use a different method than what you use for most of your home’s exterior.

If you start to notice streaks on your roof, algae is most likely the reason. Moss is typically obvious, too. These particles can’t be scrubbed off of shingles, nor can you power wash the roof of your house. Both of these methods will destroy the shingles on your roof.

The ideal method for roof cleaning is to mist the shingles with a half-water, half-bleach solution and leave it be. This solution will kill any organisms on your roof without reducing its lifespan.

7. Clean up the Front

The front of your house is going to be what most people passing by see, so try to make the best impression possible for visitors, neighbors and for yourself! Returning home to a well-maintained exterior will improve your day, and will probably encourage you to spend a lot more time outside.

Clean your porch with soap and water or a good power wash. Wipe cobwebs and dirt off of the front door, and consider painting it for a really fresh look! Clean unnoticed areas like the porch ceiling, light fixtures and ceiling fans, too.

8. Organize Outdoor Tools

You’ll be spending more time outside, so spring is a wonderful time to organize the things you’ll need for outdoor chores.

Gardening tools as well as pool care equipment should all have an exact place outside your house – somewhere that it is safe from harsh weather and out of sight so it isn’t a constant eyesore. Spending the time to organize in the spring will allow you to appreciate the exterior of your house much more during the time of year when you spend the most time outside.

9. Lawn Care & Landscaping

Your yard, trees and bushes can make a big impact on the look of your house.

Kill weeds around the exterior of 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 yard maintenance easier on yourself throughout the next few months. Trim all the bushes too.

10. Clean the Grill

After being unused for several months, your gas or charcoal grill could use a good cleaning, too. Leftover grease and food from your grill are unappetizing, but even worse they can also make you and your family sick.

Wipe it down to get rid of leftover ash, then scrub the grates with a plastic scrubber or grill brush (so you do not leave behind particles that can sometimes get into food) and a detergent or degreaser.

You could probably finish all of 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! Lake Forest Pressure Washing provides professional home exterior cleaning services for patio cleaning, roof cleaning, driveway cleaning, pressure washing and more!