10 Outdoor Spring Cleaning Projects

Spring cleaning is not 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, something within us encourages us to get our homes in order by cleaning, organizing and throwing away things we’ve collected throughout the winter months.

But who says spring cleaning is only for the interior of your 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 improve the curb appeal of your house in Irvine, and, more importantly, will provide much-needed care and maintenance that will save a lot of money over the years ahead.

1. Gutter Cleaning

Spring is the optimal time to clean your gutters, because a lot of leaves and debris pile up in the fall and winter months. Pollen is at its highest in the spring, making a huge mess in your gutters and downspouts if they are not cleaned.

Plus, pests and animals 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 restoring them to a like-new appearance.

2. Window Cleaning

Home window cleaning is essential for spring cleaning. First floor windows won’t give you much of a problem, but second and third floor windows are a bit tougher to reach.

Cleaning windows by hand is a hard 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 home’s windows is the recommended solution to get the panes and the outer frame nice and clean.

3. Pressure Washing

You do not want clean gutters and clean windows on a dirty house. That means you are going to want to pressure wash your house too!

Pressure washing is quick, effective and doesn’t cost too much. You can pressure clean your house, outdoor furniture, concrete patios, porches and walkways with very little effort. It will knock off dirt and mud so they won’t 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 deep cleaning might seem counter-productive because you’ll still be driving on it, but actually, a clean, maintained driveway can increase the curb appeal of your house.

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 border to your driveway to really make it pop!

5. Patio Cleaning

Your patio probably gets the most use during the summer months, so it’s easy to overlook it in the winter when you are not doing as much outdoor entertaining, relaxing or grilling. Your patio could be in rough condition the first time you go onto it in the spring.

Soap and water – and a little muscle – can sometimes be enough for patio cleaning, but if you notice signs of mold or algae, you need to think about a more aggressive option, like power washing, to ensure that friends and family can enjoy your patio all summer long.

6. Roof Cleaning

Algae and moss are typical roof issues in Irvine. While you are cleaning the exterior of your house, it’s a great time to pressure 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 notice streaks on your roof, algae is probably the cause. Moss is pretty obvious, too. These contaminants cannot be wiped off shingles, nor can you power wash the roof. Both of these methods will destroy the shingles on your roof.

The best method for roof cleaning is to spray the shingles with a half-bleach, half-water solution and leave it sit. This solution will eliminate any organic organisms on your roof without reducing its lifespan.

7. Tidy 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 you can for visitors, neighbors and for yourself! Coming home to a beautiful exterior will improve your day, and it will probably encourage you to spend more time outdoors.

Clean your porch with detergent and water or a good power wash. Wipe cobwebs and dirt off of the front door, and consider painting it a new color for a really bright look! Clean overlooked areas such as the porch ceiling, light fixtures and ceiling fans, too.

8. Organize Outdoor Tools

You will probably be spending more time outside, so spring is a great opportunity to organize everything you’ll need for outdoor work.

Gardening tools as well as pool care equipment need to all have a specific place outside your house – a place that it is safe from weather and not in sight so it is not a constant eyesore to anyone. Spending the time to organize in the spring allows you to appreciate the exterior of your house much more throughout the time of year that you spend the most time outdoors.

9. Lawn Care & Landscaping

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

Get rid of weeds near your flower beds and walkways, till up places where you will be planting later on and sweep off walkways. You can also spray pre-emergent weed killer to make lawn care easier on yourself throughout the summer. Trim all the bushes too.

10. Clean the Grill

After sitting unused for months, your gas or charcoal grill could need a good cleaning, too. Leftover grease and food particles from your grill are unappetizing, but they can also make you and your family sick.

Wipe it down to remove leftover ash, then scrub the grates with a plastic scrubber (so you don’t leave behind particles that can sometimes get into food) and a detergent or degreaser.

You can probably finish these jobs after a few weekends but it is going to be a lot of hard work. Instead, give us a call! Irvine Pressure Washing provides professional residential exterior cleaning services for driveway cleaning, patio cleaning, pressure washing, roof cleaning and more!