Most homeowners don’t pay much attention to their backyard and outdoor areas during winter, even if they live in regions without snow. As a result, there’s a big list of chores waiting for them as spring approaches. It’s important to get these chores out of the way and ensure your home is in a good condition before the spring and summer months arrive. If your outdoor spaces are in poor shape, you won’t be able to host dinner parties, BBQs, or even lounge comfortably there. Here’s an outdoor spring cleaning checklist to make it a breeze.
You should organize your spring cleaning checklist and divide the chores so they are spread out over a couple of weeks. Here’s what you should include in it:
1. House
- Gutters – Clogged gutters can cause a number of problems, including water damage and basement floods. Cleaning gutters should be your first priority so remove all the debris and dirt collected in the roof gutters before you perform any other chore.
- Windows – Windows can become dusty and stained if they’re not cleaned once every few months. Most homeowners clean windows at least once a year to ensure they look great and are clear.
- Siding – Siding can become dull and dusty as well. A thorough power-washing will remove all the dust from the surface and restore the exterior beauty of your home.
2. Deck and Patio Spring Cleaning
- Floors – Wooden decks should be checked for signs of rot and decay every year because these problems can weaken the structure. Patio floors can also become stained and slippery over the winter. You should also sweep, wash, and clean the surfaces thoroughly before you use them during spring.
- Furniture – Most people bring in their patio and deck furniture during winter but if you have left them outside, you should inspect and clean it thoroughly before you invite anyone into your home. Check for any stains, signs of rust and rot, and refinish the pieces if needed.
- Lighting – If you intend to use your outdoor spaces to host parties and dinners, you need to make sure they are well-lit. Check all of your lighting fixtures carefully and replace any damaged pieces and bulbs. This will ensure you have adequate lighting during the evening and night time.
3. Lawn and Garden
- Raking – Spring is the time for new growth and you need to carry out thorough lawn maintenance to encourage this. Raking will help you remove dead grass and give your lawn a much needed boost.
- Litter – Your lawn will be covered in litter like dead leaves and grass, paper, etc. Before you carry out lawn maintenance, you should clean the area and remove all the litter.
- Lawn Maintenance – Lawn maintenance includes aeration, dethatching, reseeding, fertilization, liming, and pest control. Spring is the ideal time to do this because it’s a time of new growth.
- Sprinkler Maintenance – Your grass will need water to thrive and the sprinkler system provides this water. The cold winter temperatures can damage this system so it’s important to assess, maintain, and repair it as quickly as you can.
- Pruning – Trees and plants can grow out of control during the spring season. It’s important to keep their growth in check and the best way to do that is to prune them regularly.
Spring is a great time to clean the outdoors because the weather is comfortable and you won’t be too hot or too cold. The long list of chores will also help you get back into the habit of physical activity which we all know can be rough after the holidays. Spring cleaning helps kill two birds with one stone because your home will look pretty even as you regain your fitness.