How to Properly Conduct Spring Cleaning of the Exterior of Your House

Cleaning Gutters

During fall and winter, gutters can get clogged with leaves, moss, and other debris. Therefore, cleaning gutters is an excellent start to spring cleaning the exterior of your house. If you want to do this job yourself, consider hiring a professional service. You can also ask for protective screens to be installed on gutters so they stay clean.

Cleaning Patios

The lack of sunlight and increased humidity during winter lead to the accumulation of algae and moss on garden paths, terraces, and entrances, making them less attractive. Before cleaning garden surfaces such as concrete or wooden floors, attach a brush and pressure washer or use a soap solution.

Grab a Brush

If your garden still looks somewhat gloomy after completing cleaning and washing, it might be time to grab a brush. Many surfaces in the garden can be brightened with paint, including fences, gates, plant pots, garden furniture, sheds, and even front and back doors. Spring is an ideal time for exterior painting since the temperature is warm enough to dry paint but not so hot as to cause fatigue quickly.

Take Care of Wildlife

Spring is not only a busy time for us but also an active season for birds in the garden, which build nests and feed chicks. To help them, consider filling bird feeders. If yes, a good idea is to clean and disinfect feeding tables, hanging feeders, and birdhouses before filling them with food to maintain the health of chicks and parents.

Organize Your Shed

As the growing season begins, you will open your shed more frequently. So now is a good time to make it neat and organized so that all weeding and sowing tools are easy to find. Boxes are convenient for storing pots and hand tools, while wall hooks are perfect for large garden tools. It's also a good idea to wash the shed floor and inspect dark corners to ensure you're not hiding insects or rodents there.

Restock Borders

After winter, borders and flower beds may look a bit empty. As the growing season begins, you can start sowing vegetables like beans, peas, and leafy salads such as mizuna and butterhead lettuce. You can also plant flowers like lilies, daisies, and rudbeckia to bloom in summer. Early spring is a good time for dividing snowdrop bulbs, hellebores, and hostas. This helps fill borders free of charge. To stimulate plant growth and minimize weed growth, add mulch to the flower beds. It's also recommended to install plant supports now rather than after they start growing.

Spring Cleaning of the Pond

The pond is another part of the garden that requires attention. Remove leaves and other plants from the bottom of the pond using a net or pond pump, and remove algae and unwanted plants from the surface using a net, garden stick, or rake. If you have a filtration and pump system, thoroughly clean it to ensure it works effectively all summer long.

Relax with Garden Furniture

If the weather allows, take garden furniture out of storage or unfold it to freshen it up before summer arrives. Plastic furniture can be washed with warm soapy water, while wooden furniture should be wiped and repainted or coated if necessary.

Show Love to the Grass

Grass may need a bit of renewal after winter, so rake out moss and dead vegetation before aerating if it's still a bit moist. If there are bare patches, sprinkle grass seeds and add nitrogen fertilizer if you think the lawn needs assistance for growth. If the grass still looks a bit messy, carefully trim the edges using an edger or spade.

Thoroughly Clean the Grill

As the weather warms up, take out your grill to inspect and thoroughly clean it. Check now for rust or damage so you can purchase spare parts if needed. If you cleaned it before storing, you might only need to wipe it down. But if you stored it without cleaning, you may first need to fire it up to burn off old food remnants. After that, let it cool and use a wire brush to remove any remaining grime.