1. Prepare Your Home For Cleaning
To start, you’ll want to move any outdoor furniture out of the way and protect plants and shrubbery by giving them a big drink of water at the base of their roots. Be sure to cover any outdoor electric outlets, light fixtures, and vents. Ensuring you have the right coverage over your belongings will help you avoid creating any issues down the line.
2. Start with the Gutters
The next thing you’ll want to do is dust off the old ladder and get to work on your gutters. Cleaning your gutters will prevent clogging that could cause damaging leaks in your home’s roof and foundation.
3. On to Your Siding
Cleaning your siding keeps your home looking brand new, but it also eliminates harmful substances like mold and mildew. If left unchecked, these substances can breed harmful bacteria that can threaten the environment and your health.
Stone siding is very porous and lets the mold and mildew penetrate the surface. In this case pressure washing does not get the job completely done. A softwash style cleaning with hypochlorite spread over the stone is the only way to eliminate mold and mildew from your stone. If there is no mold or mildew present, all you need to clean any general griminess off your siding, is to grab a soapy bucket of water, a soft bristle brush, and your garden hose.
4. Washing the Windows
Cleaning your windows, window and frames has benefits beyond improving the visual appeal of your home. It also removes the build-up of substances such as dirt, mold, and algae, which could potentially damage your home over time.
Start by gently scrubbing the frames with soapy water, then move on to the window glass. Once scrubbed, use a squeegee or cloth to remove the soapy water, revealing a clean, sparkling window. Warning! Make sure your towel and sponge are safe for glass surfaces.
5. Cleansing Your Patio & Deck
Next up, is one of the outdoor spaces where people gather the most: your patio or deck. You’ll want to look out for accumulations of dirt, algae growth, stains, and discoloration. Neglecting to address these signs promptly could lead to more severe consequences, such as structural damage and slippery surfaces. Now, gather the necessary materials, including a high-quality patio cleaner, a stiff-bristle brush, and safety equipment. Follow the instructions on the cleaner, ensuring you dilute it correctly if required. Start by thoroughly scrubbing the area with the deck cleaner and brush to dislodge tough grime and stains. For the completed look, rinse the patio or deck with a hose.
6. Finish Up with the Driveway
Finally, it’s time to move onto the driveway. Before you begin, look for noticeable dirt buildup, tire stains, mold growth, and discoloration. These are signs that your driveway needs cleaning, and by doing so, you can avoid more dire consequences, such as surface degradation, cracking, and the growth of unsightly weeds. Before you can wash your driveway effectively, you’ll need a high-quality driveway cleaner, a sturdy broom, and safety gear. Depending on the level of grime and stains, you can use a mixture of water and driveway cleaner to scrub the surface manually or use a pressure washer with a surface cleaner.
This investment in your time and effort to clean your home and its surrounding surfaces of stubborn stains, mold, mildew and bacteria helps preserve your properties overall structural integrity, curb appeal and environment.
