Your Outside House Cleaning Guide
How to Clean Your Home's Exterior (Without Breaking the Bank)
Whether you're getting ready to put your home on the market or you just want to spice up your curb appeal, the possibilities are endless when it comes to making your abode shine.
Outside house cleaning isn't something a lot of people think about, but when you get down to it, it's the very first thing you or someone else sees when you pull up in front of your home.
So how do you clean the exterior of your house with spending a fortune? Read on for some awesome tips that'll make your space sparkle and shine without breaking the bank.
Get Rid of Gunk with Pressure Washing
Pressure washing the outside of your home can do absolute wonders. This process involves using water at super-high pressure to get rid of mildew, dirt, and other unsightly debris.
You may need to contact a professional pressure washing service to ensure that the job gets done correctly. It's important to note that if you try to do it yourself, you may cause damage to the exterior of your home.
When you select a pressure washing company to clean up the outside, you'll be amazed at how much better your home's exterior will look without costing an arm and a leg.
Update Your Landscaping
Unsightly weeds and dead plants can look just that: unsightly. With an honest day's work, you can easily pull weeds and get rid of old leaves and other organic debris.
Once you've cleaned up the dead stuff, you can plant a few flowers along the front of your home. Most nurseries sell annuals and perennials at a reasonable cost and if you buy in bulk, you can save even more.
After you've planted your newfound plants, add a layer of mulch. Pick a color you like such as brown or red and place a layer all around the garden bed. A bag of mulch is fairly reasonable in terms of cost and it shouldn't take too much to cover the front area of your home.
Do Some Outside House Cleaning on the Driveway
Weather, oil, and wear and tear can do a real number on your driveway. Whether it's unsightly stains or cracks, cleaning and then sealing your driveway can make it look as good as new.
Calculate the square footage of your driveway and then purchase a quality sealant at your local hardware store. It's a good idea to buy around 10 percent more just to be safe. If you don't use it, you can always return any unopened containers.
Make sure you clean the driveway thoroughly before application and check the weather to make sure you'll have ample time allotted for the sealant to thoroughly cure and dry.
Wash Those Windows
You probably clean your windows from the inside, but odds are that the exterior part of your windows could also use a little TLC.
If you have windows you can access from the inside by opening them and angling in, cleaning them is super easy. Even if your windows don't allow for this type of access, you can easily clean them from the exterior.
With a bit of glass cleaner and a soft cloth or squeegee, you can have the outside windows looking brand new in no time. This can do wonders for your curb appeal, and it looks great when you're looking out, too.
The cost to clean windows is super inexpensive unless you have a very tall or large home, or if you have a home with unique windows that need special treatment. Otherwise, this process is super simple and definitely cheap.
It's important to note that pressure washing your windows is not advised since it can shatter the glass, and that will absolutely cost you a lot more money in the end.
Give Your Light Fixtures an Upgrade
If the porch or patio light is the same one you had when you bought your house, it might be time to update. Shop around and look for some great deals on exterior lighting.
If you're not completely confident when it comes to changing out lighting, an electrician can probably do it for a reasonable charge.
In order to make your home's exterior look clean, lighting is an essential piece of the puzzle. If you'd rather not purchase new lights, consider taking the fixtures off, dumping any dead bugs, and giving them a good washing.
Once you've reinstalled the clean fixtures, they should appear brand new and squeaky clean. An added bonus? The light emitting from them will probably be nice and bright.
Don't Forget the Patio or Deck
Decks and patios can be a harbor for things like mildew and gunky buildup. You can easily clean these areas by pressure washing, but there are other cost-saving ways to get them looking sparkly clean.
Use a special solution designed for wood or concrete pavers that will quickly and safely remove buildup. This solution is a cinch to apply and it should work well to get rid of that nasty discoloration.
You can also try home remedies like mixing baking soda with water or using dish soap and water to do a super-simple cleaning. Whichever way you choose, it's easy to clean these spaces without spending a ton of cash so they look visually appealing.
If you don't think you can tackle the entire project in one day or even in a whole weekend, no worries. Just start one section at a time until the whole area is complete.
Simple Maintenance is the Key to a Clean Exterior
Create a list of the things you want to accomplish and set a budget ahead of time before doing exterior cleaning. Whether it's pressure washing the brick or siding, or you're replacing outdoor light fixtures, a few simple updates will do wonders.
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