If you have managed to take care of the inside of your home, the next step is to move things outside. (If you haven’t, be sure to catch up on your indoor spring cleaning with our previous blog post!) Just like the inside of your home, the lawn, garage, patio/deck, and the exterior all need some love after a long winter. This week we have the spring outdoor cleaning checklist to help.
The list has been broken down into four different sections, focusing on your home’s exterior, the garage, the deck/patio, and your lawn. Enlist your housemates for some help and tackle the list as you see fit.
HOME EXTERIOR LIST. The elements all impact your home’s outside curb appeal. For that reason, it is necessary to take care of the exterior, just as much as it is to take care of the interior. Using the appropriate tools to wash away cob webs, dirt, grime, and other items left by Mother Nature from the exterior, your windows, and the gutters will improve your home’s overall look.
Exterior Checklist
- Pressure wash exterior
- Wash windows
- Clean out gutters
GARAGE: Like the basement, oftentimes the garage becomes a “catch all”, collecting items throughout the winter that you don’t want to bring into your home. As a result, when springtime rolls around, it is often necessary to get back into the garage, organize, and clean out the remnants of winter.
Garage Checklist
- De-clutter and organize garage
- Sweep and wash floors
- Clean garbage and recycling bins
- Rinse off garage door
DECK/PATIO: Depending on the state of your deck and/or patio, you may need to pressure wash and then apply protective topcoats to maintain the area. If these tasks are not necessary, then be go ahead cleaning the furniture, grill, and other items that will turn your deck/patio into a retreat.
Deck/patio checklist
- Pressure wash (and re-stain) deck, if necessary and applicable
- Apply protective sealant on patio, if necessary and applicable
- Clean lawn furniture
- Degrease and clean grill
LAWN: You don’t have to be obsessed with your lawn to ensure that it looks nice and is prepped for spring and summer. Some raking, some fertilizer, some weeding, and some pruning may be all you need to get your lawn in order.
Lawn Checklist
- Fertilize lawn
- Rake leaves
- Prepare flower beds/garden
- Prune trees and shrubs
- Check fences/gates for rot and/or or holes
Hopefully these small, but essential, checklists will help you move through your outdoor cleaning process. Instead of thinking of it as another “chore” to do on the weekend, rather let it be your reason to get outside and get some fresh air.