Home Exterior Cleaning Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Did you know that an estimated 240 million people in the United States of America own their own homes? A big responsibility that comes with homeownership is the need for exterior cleaning in order to keep your home looking perfect. When the holidays arrive it’s important that the outside of your home is spotless and ready to go for all of your favorite decorations.
Learning how to clean the different parts of your home’s exterior is a great step toward an impeccable home, but that is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to making your home the envy of your neighbors. The good news is that you’ve found the perfect guide for some exterior cleaning tips that will take your home to the next level.
Keep reading this article to learn more about the best exterior cleaning methods to use today!
What Is the Purpose of Exterior Cleaning?
Cleaning the outside of your house is a lot of work, so it’s fair to wonder what the purpose is behind all of the work. Depending on the climate that you live in, it doesn’t take long for mold, dirt, and other contaminants to cover the outside of your home. You need to clean the outside of the home to prevent damage to the siding, roof, and gutters.
Your cladding is also at risk if you neglect to use exterior cleaning tips for your home. The cladding contains the home’s insulation as well as an air pocket. These components are important for providing more warmth during the winter and more protection from the elements.
What Will Cleaning the Outside of the Home Accomplish?
It’s fair to wonder what cleaning the outside of your home will accomplish. What you might not realize is the fact that your home’s exterior collects pollutants, contaminants, and more over the course of the year. You also need to worry about traffic film if you live in an area that is close to a major freeway.
Mold will show up as a green or black splotch on the side of your home. You can often find mold in areas that have a lot of moisture since they’re a great environment for mold to thrive. Look for areas around bushes and trees near your home, as these spots will give mold the right environment to continue growing.
Dirt is another common issue when it comes to keeping your home’s exterior clean. You can use cleaning products to remove the dirt that has found its way onto your home through wind, rainstorms, and traffic as a whole. It’s one of the easier things to clean when you start exterior cleaning your home.
You also need to worry about cobwebs if your home is located close to trees and shrubs. Cobwebs won’t do any harm to the structure of your home, but they’ll create an unkempt appearance. People that drive or walk past might develop a negative feeling about your home’s appearance if you don’t get rid of the cobwebs.
Clean Your Roof
It’s important to clean your roof if you plan on making the most of your home’s exterior cleaning this year. Working your way from the top down will make it easier to clean any dust or debris that falls off of the roof or out of the gutter during this stage of the cleaning process. Consider hiring a roof inspector when you’re getting started to ensure that your home’s roof is safe and stable.
If your home has asphalt shingles then you could discover areas where mold, bacteria, and moss are growing. The best way to get started with cleaning your roof is to get rid of any leaves and loose debris that is sitting on it. You can brush or blow this off to the ground below so that you can take care of it later.
Avoid using a pressure washer if you’re looking at cleaning your roof. Doing this could cause the shingles on your roof to become damaged or loose, which will open up your home to leaks and severe water damage. It’s best to hire exterior cleaning services to take care of this part of your home maintenance.
Clear the Gutters
While you’re on your roof, it’s also a good idea to take some time to clear your home’s gutters. You don’t want to allow your home’s gutters and downspouts to get clogged with dirt and leaves as this could cause water to start pooling on your roof. You’ll end up damaging your roof as well as your fascia and gutter system if you don’t take care of this important task.
Make sure that you have a ladder, a hose, a bucket, some gloves, and a small shovel when you start this part of cleaning the outside of the home. You can use your hands to move the branches and leaves out of your gutter and onto the ground below. The shovel is perfect for scraping any muck that has accumulated in the gutter from it for an easier cleaning process.
The hose will allow you to flush your home’s gutter system, which will prevent blockages that result in damage to your home. Allow the water to flow into the downspouts to clear them of any leftover debris from the past year. If you can’t get rid of the obstructions then it’s a good idea to consider a Gutter Guard Installation for your home’s roof.
Clean the Windows
The next area outside of the home that you’ll want to clean is the home’s windows. The best tool for this job is a soft microfiber towel or cloth. Hot water will do the trick if you’re looking to remove any pollen, residue, or contaminants that have found their way onto your home’s windows since the last time that you cleaned.
Adding some dishwashing detergent is another great pro tip if you’re having trouble getting your windows to look spotless. This step should help you cut through any layers of hardened dirt or grime that have made a home on your windows.
Be gentle with the window frames to avoid causing any unnecessary damage during the cleaning process. Outside shutters are another key area to focus on since they provide a great home for critters like spiders and other things like algae to thrive in.
Take Care of Your Siding
The siding is arguably the most important thing to clean if you’re worried about the appearance of your home. Besides the front door and the garage door, your siding is one of the first things that people notice about your home. You’ll want to create a cleaning solution to use during this stage of the exterior cleaning process.
Start by mixing water and white vinegar in a 70-30 ratio for the best results. If you’re worried about the dirt on your siding then it’s not a bad idea to mix in a bit of bleach to make your home look extra spotless. Next, look for anything that will be vulnerable to this cleaning solution and cover it so that it doesn’t get damaged.
Go inside and make sure that all of your home’s windows are closed before you start learning how to clean your siding. After confirming that all of the windows are closed, spray the siding with some water to get it ready for the cleaning solution.
A pump sprayer is the best tool for the job once you’re ready to get your siding looking new again. Don’t be afraid to use a brush with soft bristles if you’re having trouble with some areas that have built-up grime or dirt. It’s the best way to remove these blemishes from the siding of your home.
Sweep Up the Porch
The porch is one of the most iconic areas of the home’s exterior, so you don’t want to neglect it during the home cleaning process. The best way to start cleaning your porch is to remove any porch furniture and yard tools that might be there. You’ll have a much easier time sweeping your porch if there are no obstacles in the way.
Finding the right cleaning solution for your porch will come down to the building materials used to create it. You should have no issues cleaning your porch’s surface using a soft-bristled brush and some basic cleaning solution. If your porch is made from a delicate material like wood then it’s best to use a gentle cleaning solution to avoid creating damage.
Start Your Home’s Exterior Cleaning Today
The exterior cleaning of the home is just as essential as the interior cleaning as it will allow your home to look spotless while also preventing costly damage to the overall structure. Make sure to start with the roof first, and take your time to look for any signs of damage.
You should also clear your gutters of debris and muck to allow water to drain from the roof down to your yard. It’s also important to clean your home’s siding for that impeccable look that you crave.
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