Originally Published on February 10, 2023. Last Updated on October 16, 2023.
Spring Cleaning Series: Part 2 of 3
Your home is a reflection of you, so it should be presentable from every angle, whether you’re prepping to sell or getting ready for future get-togethers.
We’ve created an outdoor spring cleaning checklist focused on refreshing your home’s outdoor surfaces and fixtures. From the windows to the walls, our tips and techniques will help you clean the exterior of your house and get it set for the season.
Before you start cleaning: We recommend checking the warranty and care instructions for any items you own to see the suggested cleaning methods. Always wear goggles, gloves, a facemask, and boots when working with chemicals.* And remember to block off your work area so curious kids and pets can’t wander in by mistake.
*NOTE: Bleach is used in some of the cleaning methods below. If you’re looking for a natural alternative to bleach, we recommend undistilled white vinegar.
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Cleaning the Exterior of Your House
Cleaning Outdoor Floors
Doors and Windows
Preventive Maintenance
Safety Tips
FAQs
Cleaning the Exterior of Your House
Siding
Vinyl
Supplies needed
- Garden hose
- Pump sprayer
- Non-chlorine bleach
- Mild dish soap
- Extendable soft-bristle brush
Instructions
Step 1: Do a preliminary rinse with the garden hose to remove debris.
Step 2: For every gallon of warm water your sprayer can hold, mix in ½ cup of bleach and 2 tablespoons of dish soap.
Step 3: Working in sections starting at the top, spray the siding with the bleach mixture, then scrub it in with the brush.
Step 4: Allow the bleach solution to soak on the vinyl for 5 minutes, then rinse the area with the garden hose. Repeat steps 3 and 4 on the rest of the siding.
Brick
Supplies needed
- Garden hose
- Pump sprayer
- Non-chlorine bleach
- Extendable soft-bristle brush
Instructions
Step 1: Rinse the siding to remove dirt and grime, then let it air-dry.
Step 2: Once dry, mix 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of warm water in your sprayer.
Step 3: Spray a small section of brick with the bleach mixture and scrub it in with the brush.
Step 4: Hose down the area, then repeat steps 3 and 4 on the remaining sections, moving from the top down.
Wood
Supplies needed
- Garden hose
- Pump sprayer
- Undistilled white vinegar
- Extendable soft-bristle brush
Instructions
Step 1: Inspect wood siding for damage or rot and repair these areas before cleaning.
Step 2: Rinse the siding to remove dust and dirt.
Step 3: Mix equal parts water and vinegar in the pump sprayer.
Step 4: Starting at the top, spray the vinegar mixture onto a small section of the wood and scrub the surface with the brush.
Step 5: Rinse the area with the hose, and repeat steps 4 and 5 on the rest of the siding.
Stucco
Supplies needed
- Exterior acrylic caulk
- Sand
- Garden hose
- Pump sprayer
- Borax
- Mild dish soap
- Extendable soft-bristle brush
Instructions
Step 1: Check the stucco surface for signs of damage.
Step 2: Seal any cracks or chips with the caulk and apply a layer of sand to mimic stucco’s texture.
Step 3: Once the caulk is dry, rinse the siding with your hose to remove loose dirt and debris.
Step 4: For every 2 gallons of water in the sprayer, mix in ½ cup of Borax and 2 tablespoons of dish soap.
Step 5: Working in sections starting at the top, spray the Borax solution onto the stucco, then scrub it in with the brush.
Step 6: Let the siding soak for 10 minutes, then rinse the area with the garden hose. Repeat steps 5 and 6 on the rest of the stucco.
Fiber Cement
Supplies needed
- Garden hose
- Pump sprayer
- Undistilled white vinegar
- Extendable soft-bristle brush
- Baking soda
- Mild dish soap
Instructions
Step 1: Rinse the siding with the garden hose.
Step 2: Create a mix of 70% water and 30% vinegar in the sprayer.
Step 3: Starting at the top, spray the vinegar solution onto the siding in sections, then scrub it in with the brush.
Step 4: Rinse the area with the hose, then repeat steps 3 and 4 on the rest of the siding.
Step 5: (Optional) For tough stains, apply a paste made from baking soda and dish soap.
Step 6: Scrub the stained spot with the brush, rinse, and repeat where necessary.
Doors and Windows
Wooden and Vinyl Doors
Supplies needed
- Dry vacuum cleaner
- 1 bucket of clean water
- Mild dish soap
- Soft sponge
- Garden hose
- Towel
Instructions
Step 1: Remove loose dirt with the dry vac.
Step 2: Mix soap and water in a bucket.
Step 3: Scrub the door’s surface and fixtures with the sponge.
Step 4: Rinse the area with the hose.
Step 5: Thoroughly towel-dry all surfaces.
Glass Doors and Windows
Supplies needed
- Plastic spray bottle
- Undistilled white vinegar
- Squeegee or clean cloth
Instructions
Step 1: Mix warm water and vinegar in the spray bottle.
Step 2: Spritz the vinegar solution onto the glass.
Step 3: Wipe the glass clean with the squeegee or cloth, moving from top to bottom.
Steam Cleaning Glass Doors and Windows
Supplies needed
- Handheld steam cleaner
- Clean towels
- Distilled water
- Microfiber cloth
Instructions
Step 1: Turn your steam cleaner on and fill the reservoir with distilled water.
Step 2: Line sills with towels to catch runoff.
Step 3: Once the steam cleaner is warmed up, spray the glass in long side-to-side passes.
Step 4: Wipe off moisture with the cloth, working from top to bottom.
Light Fixtures
Supplies needed
- 2 buckets of water
- Mild dish soap
- Screwdriver
- Masking tape
- Paintbrush
- Soft sponge
- Soft cloth
- Lemon juice
- Non-iodized corn starch
- Table salt
- Clean towel
Instructions
Step 1: Turn off the circuit breakers to the light fixtures.
Step 2: Mix dish soap into one of the water buckets.
Step 3: Disassemble the fixtures using the screwdriver, and only put glass and plastic covers into the soapy water to soak. Set all other parts aside.
Step 4: Cover electrical sockets with masking tape and clear away spider webs and debris with the paintbrush.
Step 5: Scrub the loose parts and components you can’t remove with the sponge and soapy water, then carefully wipe them clean with a damp cloth.
Step 6: Take the covers out of the soapy water and rinse them with clean water.
Step 7: Towel-dry everything.
Step 8: Remove the masking tape from the sockets and reassemble your light fixtures.
Cleaning Outdoor Floors
Refresh your home’s exterior floors with these easy cleaning methods.
Wooden Deck
Supplies needed
- Push broom or leaf blower
- Garden hose
- 1 bucket of water
- Undistilled white vinegar
- Long-handled soft-bristle brush
Instructions
Step 1: Get rid of dirt, leaves, and debris with the broom or leaf blower.
Step 2: Rinse your deck with clean water.
Step 3: Mix in a cup of vinegar for every gallon of water in the bucket.
Step 4: Working from the top down, scrub the vinegar solution into the railings, balusters, and floorboards with the brush.
Step 5: Rinse all surfaces with the garden hose and let the deck fully dry.
Concrete Patio
Supplies needed
- Push broom or leaf blower
- Garden hose
- 1 bucket of warm water
- Baking soda
- Distilled white vinegar
- Long-handled soft-bristle nylon brush
Instructions
Step 1: Remove debris with the broom or leaf blower.
Step 2: Spray down the surface with your garden hose.
Step 3: Mix baking soda and vinegar into the bucket of water.
Step 4: Pour the vinegar mixture onto the concrete, ensuring all areas are equally covered.
Step 5: Let the solution soak into the concrete for several hours (or overnight).
Step 6: Scour the floor with a stiff-bristled push broom.
Step 7: Hose down the concrete and let the area air-dry.
Composite Decking
Supplies needed
- Push broom or leaf blower
- Garden hose
- 1 bucket of water
- Mild dish soap
- Long-handled soft-bristle brush
Instructions
Step 1: Clear away leaves and dirt with the broom or leaf blower.
Step 2: Mix dish soap into the bucket of water.
Step 3: Scrub the soapy water onto the floorboards using the brush.
Step 4: Rinse the area with your garden hose and let it air-dry.
Preventive Maintenance
- When cleaning wood, make sure to scrub with the grain.
- Never use a wire brush on concrete, as it can leave rust stains and scratches.
- Vinyl siding can melt when repeatedly exposed to extreme heat, so place grills, smokers, and fire pits far from your home’s exterior.
- Apply a small amount of silicone-based lubricant to the door and window hardware from time to time to keep things working smoothly.
- Regularly vacuum or wipe out your windows’ tracks. Insects, dirt, and grime get stuck in these spots, creating blockages that prevent windows from fully closing.
- Poke holes in a small plastic sandwich bag and fill it with nutmeg, bay leaves, and caraway seeds. Hide the bag near your light fixtures to repel insects and keep them from crawling inside.
- Protect metal light fixtures with a thin coat of non-abrasive liquid polish or car wax.
Safety Tips
- Choose non-chlorine bleach over the chlorinated version because it’s gentler and better for the environment.
- Do not steam-clean glass when it’s cold outside. The extreme temperature changes can cause the glass to crack.
- Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasives on delicate surfaces like glass, brick, stucco, lacquer-coated brass, etc.
- ALWAYS turn off the circuit breaker to any fixtures that run on electricity before cleaning them.
- Use scaffolding when cleaning siding, as it’s safer and more convenient than a ladder. If you don’t have access to scaffolding, have another person steady the ladder while you work.
FAQs
Should I wash the exterior of my house?
Washing the outside of your house gets rid of dirt and grime that builds up throughout the year, which has two main benefits. The first is that your home’s exterior will look attractive, which boosts its curb appeal and resale value. The second benefit is that regular maintenance prevents easy-to-fix problems from turning into serious structural issues down the road, allowing you to avoid expensive repairs and possible health hazards.
How often should you clean the exterior of your house?
Clean the outside of your house twice a year to keep the exterior fixtures and surfaces in good shape. Schedule the cleaning sessions in the spring and fall to prepare your home for entertaining and tidy it up when the season ends.
Is it better to pressure wash or soft wash a house?
Soft washing is typically preferred over pressure washing because it takes less prep work and equipment. To safely pressure wash your home, you’ll need not only the machine itself but also extra safety equipment and scaffolding. Plus, it’s a good idea to do your homework to ensure you know the proper technique, psi setting, and spray nozzle to use on your home’s exterior—otherwise, it could lead to accidental property damage.
That being said, pressure washing is ideal for deep cleaning sessions. When your house needs extra TLC, a pressure washer will make quick work of tough stains, old lead paint, mold, mildew, and other issues that soft washing can’t handle.
