It happens every year: The weather warms up, the plants start sprouting, and suddenly it’s spring—and time to clean up after a few months of hibernation. The concept of spring cleaning is pretty popular, and for good reason: Scrubbing and decluttering offer a range of benefits, from lowering stress and boosting your mood to simple physical exercise. Plus, the chances are good that your home needs it.
For most people, the phrase “spring cleaning” brings to mind dusting and vacuuming the interior of the house. That’s a big part of it, of course, but you shouldn’t neglect the exterior of your house (or your car!), which has taken a beating during thse cold, snowy months. Now’s the time to gear up and plan an exterior spring cleaning to get the outside of your house in shape.
Inspect and repair
The first step of an exterior spring cleaning is an inspection to discover damage and other problems that need addressing:
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Examine the exterior walls. Cracks, rust, or warping in siding or stucco will need to be repaired before they turn into a leak. If you see brown, red, black, or green spots, that’s a sign of mildew that will need to be cleaned off.
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Look for nests or pest damage. Look for insect nests or holes and other entry points for rodents, carpenter ants, and other pests. Nests will need to be removed (be careful when dealing with stinging insects like hornets) and holes will need to be sealed up—but make sure nothing is living in your walls before you do, or you’ll have a smell problem in short order.
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Inspect the roof. Signs that your roof needs attention (even if you haven’t noticed an active leak) include missing shingles, obvious mold growth, ponding water, and cracks or visible sagging. You should also look for cracked flashing or gaps that need caulking.
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Inspect decks. Look for warped or cracked planks, loose screws, or other damage.
If you see any holes, cracks, or other damage, make repairs as necessary before you do any actual cleaning.
Clear away debris
Once you’ve assessed any damage or pest infiltration, your next step is to clear away the debris that built up during the cold weather, before it becomes a haven for pests, a barrier to drainage, and a really ugly scene once the sun starts shining again. A few things to do include:
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Rake up leaves that have been rotting under snowcover for a few months.
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Remove dead branches, cobwebs, and any trash that winter storms might have blown up against your house.
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Clean out the gutters and downspouts. It’s also a good idea to run a hose up to the gutters and test the water flow to make sure there isn’t a blockage somewhere.
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Clean off the roof—remove any branches or other debris up there. If you’re (understandably) not thrilled to climb up there, a roof rake can get the job done for you.
Wash your house
Once you’ve got the debris cleared away, it’s time to wash the house. While a pressure washer can be useful, you don’t necessarily need one—you can purchase an attachment that will turn your garden hose into an effective pressure washer, as well as attachments that turn it into a spray cleaner. A few places to focus on:
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Walls. If your siding or stucco has mildew or other dirt, wash it with a bleach-free cleaning solution that’s marked safe for plants (like this one). You might need a soft brush or sponge to scrub some areas.
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Decks and patios. If you’ve got a wood or composite deck or patio area, a good pressure wash can have it looking like new.
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Driveway. A pressure washer or garden hose with a washer attachment can do wonders. Use a driveway cleaning solution for any stains that have cropped up during the winter.
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Outdoor furniture. Even if it was covered or left inside the garage all winter, your patio set needs a brisk cleaning and inspecting for insects or damage.
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Roof. Once you’ve removed debris and made repairs, you only need to clean your roof if it shows obvious signs of mold, mildew, or other stuff growing on it. You can buy roof-cleaning solutions that attach to your hose to make this job a lot easier.
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Chimney. This is the perfect time to take a look at your chimney and give it a good cleaning (or hire someone to clean it for you).
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Windows and doors. Your windows have probably collected a lot of dirt over the winter, so take a moment to clean them with an outdoor glass cleaning solution. You should also clean the screens, which can get plenty dusty over time.