Spring has officially begun, with brighter, longer days and warmer evenings. But, after months of inclement weather, is your yard looking ready for hosting?
If not, now is the perfect time to wash away the dirt and debris of winter. From power washing your patio to washing windows, there's no time like the present.
Here, experts share their cleaning tips for refreshing your outdoor space for the new season.
1. Clean your patio and walkways
As Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, says, 'Over winter, dirt, mildew, and grime accumulate on patios and walkways. Cleaning them early in the season prevents buildup and makes your space look fresh,' which is why it's one of the things people with clean patios always do.
To do so, Rhonda Wilson, quality lead cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning, advises moving any furniture, plants, and anything else that's in the way before getting started.
'Then, use a broom or a leaf blower to remove leaves and dust,' she says. We recommend the Libman Push Broom available at Walmart for this, as it has durable, heavy-duty bristles made from recycled PET fibers.
'If you want to deep clean, put a few drops of dish soap in a bucket of warm water, and brush the surface with a stiff-bristle broom,' adds Rhonda.
You can then use your garden hose to rinse everything down, or pressure wash your patio on a low setting, as high-pressure water is one of the things you should never clean a patio with. These can be rented or bought. Afterward, leave your patio or path to air-dry, which is why it's best to pick a warm and sunny day to get this task ticked off, swerving any patio cleaning mistakes to avoid.
'If you have a wooden deck, it's best to apply a protective finish,' continues Rhonda. 'When it comes to weeds, grab them at the base and pull slowly to get the roots. If you just rip the tops off, they'll grow right back.'
All prices correct at time of publication.
This wide push broom easily collects dust, dirt, debris and leaves from any surface, with an angled pole and ergonomic handle.
This gentle, all-natural dish soap won't cause any damage or discoloration to your decking or patio and can be used when cleaning concrete statues as well.
This electric pressure washer has a deep-cleaning water pressure, with four different nozzles.
2. Wash windows and screens
We're all happy to see spring sunshine, but, while lifting your spirits, it will also highlight dirty windows and screens.
To clean a window well, Karina advises, 'Use a window cleaner and a squeegee for streak-free glass. The Tyroler Professional Window Squeegee available at Amazon is designed for exterior windows.'
You can also use a dish soap solution for streak-free windows, make the best homemade window cleaner with Castile Soap and distilled water, or use a magnetic window cleaning tool for hard-to-reach areas. This is a great way to avoid having to climb up a ladder and is therefore one of the things people with clean windows always do.
For screens, adds Karina, remove and hose them down before allowing them to air-dry thoroughly before replacement.
This versatile window cleaning kit offers streak-free results with ease, with absorbent, machine-washable pads.
This Castile soap is EWG verified and certified palm oil free, with a mild and unscented formula.
Chiana Dickson, content editor on Solved here at Homes & Gardens, recently tried this exact magnetic window cleaner and says it 'saved' her constantly grubby windows.
3. Clean and refresh outdoor furniture
Next, an outdoor cleaning task to get done as soon as possible is cleaning and restoring faded outdoor wood furniture. 'A thorough clean extends its lifespan, and ensures it's guest-ready,' says Karina, ready for hosting over the warmer months.
Begin by brushing off all the loose dirt, or wipe with a rag such as the Great Value Multipurpose Microfiber Household Cleaning Cloth available at Walmart, and shake out cushions, advises Rhonda. To clean white outdoor cushions and clean mold off outdoor cushions, she adds, 'If they have removable covers, wash as usual, let them dry, and then put them back on.
'Want to make it cleaner for longer? Use a fabric protectant spray,' such as the Scotchgard Sun and Water Shield available at Amazon, 'and for easy, no-fuss cleanups, try Carbona Pro Oxy Powered Outdoor Cleaner available at Amazon. Aside from furniture, you can also use it on rugs, planters, decks, and even umbrellas, so you're getting your money's worth.'
You can also, as Karina suggests, use warm soapy water and a microfiber cloth to wipe down tables, chairs, and cushions. 'For stubborn stains, cleaning with vinegar with a diluted vinegar solution works well,' she suggests
This handheld brush has soft bristles, ideal for cleaning teak outdoor furniture without leaving it scratched.
These lint-free and absorbent microfiber cloths can be used for outdoor cleaning, before being popped in the washing machine and used inside afterward. Just skip fabric softener as it'll reduce its capacity for soaking up water.
This teak oil enhances the natural beauty of wood, and is easy to apply with a premium natural formula.
4. Clear out gutters and downspouts
While spring does bring sunshine, it also brings rain, and these showers can quickly lead to clogged gutters.
'Some skip it, but it's a must to clean gutters, to help keep the water flowing well,' says Rhonda. 'Put on gloves and remove leaves, twigs, and big debris.' The Heavy-Duty Thick Rubber Cleaning Gloves available at Amazon are a good option for this.
'Once that’s clear, lift the grates and remove anything blocking the drain,' continues Rhonda. 'Use a drain claw or an old wire hanger to fish out deeper clogs that you can’t reach with your hands. Then finally, flush everything out using a garden hose or pressure washer.'
Using a gutter guard keeps leaves, pests and dirt from entering your gutter, while resisting rust and warping.
5. Scrub and reseal your deck
Finally, don't forget to clean and preserve your decking, says Karina, while avoiding any deck cleaning mistakes.
'Winter moisture can lead to mold, mildew, and weakened wood,' she explains. 'Resealing early protects your deck before peak foot traffic begins.'
To clean a deck without a pressure washer, scrub it with a deck cleaner, such as the TIMBERTECH Composite DeckCleaner available at Amazon, then apply a waterproof sealant, such as the DEFY Composite Deck Sealer and Composite Deck Restorer available at Amazon, to protect the wood.
'This will extend the life of your deck,' adds Karina.
Meet our experts
Achieving a clean driveway should also be on your to-do list this spring, to increase your home's curb appeal and wash away the mud of winter. You can also clean concrete statues to get them looking as good as new.
