10 Outdoor Spring Cleaning Projects

Spring cleaning isn’t fun for many of us. But it is important. As the winter end and we start looking forward to spring and warmer weather, something within us encourages us to get our homes in order by cleaning, organizing and getting rid of things we’ve piled up over the winter months.

But who says spring cleaning is only for the interior of a home?
The outside of your home 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 home in Oakland, and, more importantly, will provide much-needed care and maintenance that will save you a lot ofmoney in years ahead.

1. Gutter Cleaning

Spring is the optimal time of year to clean out your gutters, since so many of leaves and debris accumulate in the fall and winter months. The pollen count is at its highest in the spring, making a huge mess in your gutters and downspouts if they are not properly cleaned.

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

Gutter cleaning consists of cleaning the inside of your gutters, removing mold, mildew and rust stains and restoring them to a like-new appearance.

2. Window Cleaning

Residential window cleaning is a must for spring cleaning. Ground floor windows will not cause you too much of a headache, but second and third floor windows are trickier to reach.

Cleaning windows by hand is an exhausting job, and it will require a lot of supplies, not to mention going 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 home. Which means you will want to pressure wash your home too!

Pressure washing is quick, effective and doesn’t cost too much. You can pressure clean your home, patio furniture, patios, porches and walkways with not too much effort. It will knock off dirt and mud so they won’t stain your home, and you can stop the spread of mold, mildew and allergens.

4. Driveway Cleaning

Clearing off your home’s driveway and giving it a good cleaning may seem strange since you will just be driving on it, but actually, a clean, cared for driveway can increase the curb appeal of your home.

A professional pressure washer can do wonders when it comes to driveway cleaning, whether it’s pavement, asphalt, brick or another material. Also think about adding a gravel or mulch border to your home’s driveway to really make it pop!

5. Patio Cleaning

Your home’s patio probably gets the most use in the summer months, so it’s easy to overlook it in the winter when you are not doing a lot of outdoor entertaining, leisure or grilling. Your patio can be in pretty rough shape the first time you step onto it in the spring.

Detergent and water – and a little muscle – are sometimes be enough for patio cleaning, but if there are signs of mold or algae, you may need to think about 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 typical roof problems in Oakland. While you are cleaning the outside of your home, it’s a great time to pressure clean your home’s roof too, but you will have to use a different method than the one you use for most of your home’s exterior cleaning.

If you notice streaks on your home’s roof, algae is most likely the reason. Moss is usually obvious, too. These particles can’t be scrubbed off shingles, nor can you pressure wash the roof of your home. Both of these methods will damage the shingles on your home’s roof.

The best method for roof cleaning is to mist the shingles with a half-bleach, half-water solution and leave it sit. This mixture will eliminate any organic organisms on your home’s 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 you can for visitors, neighbors and for yourself! Returning home to a well-maintained exterior will instantly improve your day, and it will probably inspire you to spend a lot more time outdoors.

You can clean your front porch with detergent and water or a good pressure wash. Wipe cobwebs and dirt off of the front porch, and consider painting it for a really fresh look! Clean forgotten areas such as the porch ceiling, light fixtures and ceiling fans, too.

8. Organize Garden Tools

You’ll probably be spending more time outdoors, so spring is a great chance to organize whatever you will need for outdoor work.

Gardening tools and pool care equipment should all have an exact area outside your home – somewhere that it is safe from weather and not in sight so it isn’t a constant eyesore. Spending the time to organize in the spring allows you to appreciate the outside of your home so much more throughout the time of year that you spend the most time outdoors.

9. Lawn Care & Landscaping

Your lawn, trees and bushes can make a major impact on the overall look of your home.

Kill weeds around your flower beds and walkways and driveway, till up areas where you will be planting in the future and brush off walkways. You can spray pre-emergent weed poison to make yard care easier on yourself throughout the next few months. Trim all the bushes too.

10. Clean the Grill

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

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

You could probably finish these jobs after a few weekends but it will be a lot of hard work. Instead, give us a call! Oakland Pressure Washing offers professional home exterior cleaning services for driveway cleaning, patio cleaning, pressure washing, roof cleaning and more!