Switching out the winter coats and boots with spring jackets and shoes is usually my first big thing to get ready for spring. I take the time to do spring cleaning in the front closet as well as my clothes closet. However, one thing that takes more time and effort is outdoor spring cleaning your home and garden.
The good thing is, that once it’s done, you can enjoy a clean, well-maintained home outdoors. And the best thing is that you can make your home and garden beautiful on a budget.
It takes little investment to do a thorough clean-up.
But where to start? I’ve compiled an outdoor spring cleaning checklist, so grab your rags, cleaning supplies and garbage bags and get cleaning!
1 // Outdoor Spring Cleaning Tips
The first place to start when you’re outdoor spring cleaning our home and garden is the basics. Washing, wiping, and sweeping.
- The first things to do when cleaning the outside of your home! Wash the front door, windows, and trims of dust, grime, salt residue, and old pollen. For windows that are hard to reach, use a retractable window washing end for your hose.
- Sweep off the front porch. Check for any cracks/loose boards for replacement.
- Don’t forget to wipe down the grime off of outdoor lights. Replace light bulbs if needed.
Take the time to clean dirt off of railing and glass panels. - Rinse and wipe off the dirt off the outside of your garage door. Clean the inside to remove cobwebs and dirt.
- Clean out gutters and drains of any debris and leaves. Check all gutters to ensure they don’t need repairs.
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- Give your walkways, steps, and driveway a good sweeping.
- Check the caulking around windows and doors. If it’s cracked, replace it with a fresh bead of caulking.
- If your home has siding, do a power washing session to remove dirt.
- Check if your fences and gates need any repairs. Seal cracks in the driveway.
- Check your patio and window screens. Clean and fix small holes as needed.
- Use a broom to dust off dirt from your house’s foundation. Prevent it from coming back by laying down wood chips in your beds by your house (dirt splatters when rain falls on it).
- Check for foundation cracks. Seal them with cement and paint (a special kind for masonry and foundations).
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2 // Prep Outdoor Items For Use
There are things you use that need to be on your outdoor Spring cleaning list, that need to be checked and prepped in advance.
- Clean the BBQ grill (make sure to use a scraper and not a metal brush for safety reasons) and fix anything that needs to be replaced
- Fill up the propane tank if you have one. Get an extra one for back-up if you run out in the middle of cooking.
- Turn on the water and check if you need a new hose.
- Clean out bird feeders if you have any, and replace it with fresh birdseed.
3 // Clean Up The Garden
- Fix loose stonework along walkways and beds. Repair sunken stones, especially if they are by the house to ensure water runs away from it.
- Replace soil and wood chips in your garden.
- Set-up and clean up the backyard patio set.
- Prepare and plan out your planters. Replenish them with soil.
- Clean up Muskoka chairs, sand, re-paint and seal if needed.
- Remove dead leaves from around grates and your beds. This is the time to also get rid of any old plants that have died off or you want to replace.
- Give your deck a good power washing if it’s pressure-treated wood. For composite boards, give it a quick scrub and rinse.
4 // Additional Tips For Outdoor Spring Cleaning
There are a few more things you can do for outdoor Spring cleaning:
- Wash windows, doors and screens, after the high pollen period is over.
- Don’t forget to clean out your garage of salt and dust on the ground.
- If you’re doing spring cleaning in your clothes closet, use items you plan to throw out as cleaning rags.
- Check your supplies before you start – it will save you time and frustration. Here’s a handy list of tools and items you may need.
General Tools You’ll Need For Outdoor Spring Cleaning
There’s not much you need for spring cleaning the outside of your home. Most of these items can be found in home improvement stores such as Home Depot or Lowes. Some, like vinegar and old rags, you probably will have around the home.
- Yard Waste Bags
- Rake
- Garden gloves
- Retractable window wash head for your hose
- A hose (if you have an old, cracked one)
- Bucket
- Newspaper for cleaning windows
- Soft cloths for trims and doors (old rags will do)
- Vinegar to mix with water (50/50) for a natural cleaning solution
- Caulking
- Wire brush for BBQ grill
- Paintbrushes if painting/sealing
- Garbage bags
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Plan on a couple of weekends for spring cleaning your home exterior and garden. Although it’s nice to make things look pretty, it’s more important to make sure everything is in working order.
This is also a great time to plan what kind of flowers and other plants you’ll be putting into your gardens. And of course, enjoy a break now and then to stop and enjoy the warmer weather outdoors!
QUESTION: What are your tips for spring cleaning outside your home? Where do you start first with cleaning your home exterior?
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13 Comments
Great list! I’m weirdly excited for spring cleaning – maybe because then it seems like at some point all our snow will disappear!
Me too! I can’t wait to get started. I want to enjoy the spring outside sooner than later.
This is such a great/comprehensive list especially because I own my own home now without a husband. Many of the items are not things I would have thought of or known how to do. If spring ever hits here in Maine, I will get to work. Thanks
Hopefully it will help you build a priority list for your home needs. We can’t wait for winter to be over in Southern Ontario as well!
What is this spring you speak of? All I know is of snow here in Minnesota. Great tips for if we ever thaw out and see the ground by summer!
HAH! Funny lady – yes, we’re dealing with the same thing here. Trying to get rid of the last remnants of snow. Hopefully by this weekend. Now if only we could have warmer temperatures!
I know for us, it’s our front flowerbed that needs the MOST spring cleaning. We need to pull weeds, and replace a few shrubs. Once we do that, it feels like the entire front of the house got a facelift!
I know the feeling – we did that a couple years ago. It changed the whole look and feel of the front of the house.
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Getting ready for spring cleanup is always so stressful for me. We have a large property and not much help. However, when it all is finished it feels really good to have a clean, tidy property.
I hear you! It makes me feel so much happier. We don’t have a huge property but enough stuff to keep us busy for a couple of weekends.
Thanks so much for sharing these outdoor clean up tips! I am about done with my indoor spring cleaning & then I want to move on to the yard. I am having my carpets cleaned tomorrow & then I will be ready to get started on the backyard. Excited to clean it up for summer entertaining!
Sounds like a great plan Jackie!