Though it may appear daunting at first, cleaning the exterior of a house is rather easy if you have the correct equipment and methods. A garden hose is your best bet if the house is more unclean or composed of stucco, brick, or delicate wood shingles. If your home has stubborn stains, pressure washing is the way to go. Siding made of vinyl, wood, or a hybrid can be pressure-washed without damage. It's important to get the house ready to be cleaned before you start, regardless of the approach you select.
Cleaning and Prepping Your Home's Exterior
Find A Sunny, Warm Day And Get Cleaning.
Exterior cleaning is best done on a sunny, dry day. Overspray from a windy day can blow back at you as you try to tidy up. If you can't clean on a warm day, try to schedule exterior cleaning for a dry day.
Keep The Outside Of Your House And Property Safe.
First, make sure no windows or doors are open. If you need to, you can tape them shut. The outside switches, outlets, and vents should be taped up and covered with plastic. Remove patio sets from proximity to the house. Use plastic sheets to protect your landscaping.
- Keep the kids and the dog inside if you plan on cleaning with a pressure washer.
Stains Can Be Washed Away Using Soap And Water.
Before you start cleaning, make sure everything is in order. Examine the area for stains that can be removed using soap and water rather than a garden hose or a pressure washer. Scrubbing with a brush, water, and basic dish soap removes most stains. You can get the stain out by scrubbing it.
- If you care about the plants in your yard, you should avoid using harsh cleaning products.
To Eliminate Mildew, Mix Oxygen Bleach Powder Into A Liquid.
Water, Oxygen bleach, and dish soap can remove stubborn stains like mildew. Mix in a bucket a gallon (3.9 L) of water, a quarter pound (1.2 L) of oxygen bleach, and an eighth of a cup (29.7 mL) of dish soap. Scrub the mildew off using a brush dipped in the bucket.
- When working with bleach, exercise extreme caution. Wear goggles and rubber gloves and work with them outside or in a well-ventilated location.
Cleansing Using a Garden Hose
The Outside Of Your Home Can Be Cleaned With A Cleaning Kit Or A Brush.
A nozzle-equipped siding cleaning kit is available at most hardware and home improvement stores. Alternatively, you can get a car brush that fits onto your hose. If your home isn't filthy, you can get away with using water to clean it. If so, you'll want to wash it off. A siding kit should have a bottle or other container to fill the cleaning attachment.
- Exterior house cleaner is available at most hardware and home improvement stores.
Start At The Bottom And Work Your Way Up.
Direct the spray of your hose downward. Start from the basement and make your way up to the attic. Take on the task in manageable chunks.
Use Water To Rinse Off Any Cleaning Solution.
You should wash off the cleaner if you use it instead of just water. Rinse the entire house using only water, starting at the ceiling and working your way down. There's no need to take any action to get the house dry again.
Using a Power Washer to Clean
Pick A Nozzle And Start Cleaning With Pressure.
Degrees are the standard unit of measurement for nozzles. The stronger the spray, the colder the temperature. If you've never used a pressure washer, start with the lowest setting. A starting angle of 40 degrees is recommended. If the 40-degree nozzle is ineffective, you can progressively reduce it to the 25-degree setting.
Start By Washing Down A Small Area Of Your House With The Pressure Washer.
Houses of weak or deteriorated materials are especially vulnerable to harm by pressure washing. A modest, out-of-the-way area of the house is a good place to test the pressure washer. If you notice that the pressure washer is causing harm, you should switch to a garden hose or get help from a professional.
Spray Downward.
Start your power washing by spraying down. Water trapped in fractures and gaps from a spray directed upwards can lead to structural damage.
The Pressure Washer Should Be Moved Laterally.
Maintain a steady grip on the pressure washer as you clean. Use a sweeping motion from side to side while operating the pressure washer. Maintain a downward slant in your grip on the pressure washer. Keep going until the exterior of the house is spotless.
- Stay stationary while operating the pressure washer. Staying in one spot for a short time might lead to problems.
When Washing, Start At The Top And Work Your Way Down.
Most houses can be pressure washed with water, but cleaning solutions require a particular washing motion. If you're using a spray cleaner, spray from the top down. When you're done pressure washing, rinse the cleaner off with water.
The Importance of Washing the Outside of the House
Keep Your House Safe From Danger
Damage to a home's exterior is possible by pressure washing. Moisture will gather on the exterior of your property whether it rains or snows. Grime accumulates when water sits on the exterior of your home for any length of time. This film of damp dust, pollution, and garbage quickly forms a foothold for major problems. Exterior mould, mildew, and stains can develop if dirt accumulates.
Surface mould, algae, and mildew thrive on homes that must be properly maintained. They can be removed by washing the house's exterior before they cause any significant damage.
Saves You Money
Saving money on costly repairs and new paint or siding is only one of the many benefits of keeping your home's outside tidy. The paint and siding on your home will last much longer if you regularly pressure wash it. The entire procedure safeguards the building's framework, especially in wet weather.
You'll Save Money By Keeping Up With Routine Exterior Cleaning In The Long Run.
In the long run, it will be cheaper to prevent damage to your home than to fix it up or redo the finished work. Washing the house's exterior is a great way to extend the life of the paint and siding. You'll be glad you cleaned the outside of your house before investing in costly repairs or restoration.
It's not simply about keeping the building itself safe from harm. The value of your home is another investment worth safeguarding with regular exterior cleaning. The value of your home can be preserved for longer with only a little pressure washing once or twice a year.
A well-kept house can seem immaculate for decades if proper care is taken.
You can clean the exterior of your home in several ways. Consider the potential cost savings of hiring a professional outside house cleaning service. That's in contrast to the time and effort required to do it yourself using a hose, detergent, and a lot of elbow grease. If you want to quickly remove all the dirt and filth from your home, then pressure washing is the way to go. It allows cleaners to use less detergent, which is easier on your external finish and can extend its life.
Cleaning The Outside Of The House Before Refinishing Is A Great Idea.
Pressure washing your home is the best way to prepare the exterior for sanding, priming, and painting. It would take much longer to remove old paint and surface finish by hand than with a pressure washer. The exterior of a house can be completely cleaned with a power wash. The result is a spotless, smooth, and sterile surface. Your outside paint will adhere better to the surface and dry more consistently if you do this.
Pressure washing isn't simply good for the outside of your home. You might get better results when refinishing a deck by first giving it a thorough pressure cleaning.
Health And Safety Risks Can Be Reduced By Cleaning The Exterior Of Your Home.
Mildew, mould, and dust are not simply unsightly eyesores; they can also negatively affect your family's health. Pressure washing the exterior of your property will prevent mould growth and the spread of mould inside your home. Cleaning mould and mildew growth outside your home can greatly keep illness at bay.
Pressure washing not only eliminates mould but also allergies. Cleaning the outside of your home in the spring helps eliminate allergens like dust, pollen, and dirt accumulated during the winter.
Slippery clumps of weeds and algae can also be removed by giving your home's exterior, paths, patios, steps, and sidewalks a good pressure cleaning. Pressure washing the walkways around your home regularly will keep them clear of moss and algae, making them safer.
Power Washing And Pressure Washing Are More Eco-Friendly Than Manual Washing.
Pressure washing blasts water at a house or other surface to clean it. You or professional cleaners will only need detergents and other cleaning products less often. To put it in perspective, consider the time and effort required for physical cleaning, not to mention the buckets of detergent that are typically required.
Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning the Outside of Your Home
The upkeep of a home's exterior includes keeping it tidy. Maintaining a regular cleaning schedule for your windows, gutters, roof, and walls can make your home seem better and reduce the risk of damage over time. It might be difficult and expensive to clean these places properly. Mistakes commonly made when washing the outside of a building are as follows:
Ignoring Precautions
When cleaning the outside of your home, remember to put safety first. Always use safety equipment like goggles, gloves, and shoes with good traction to avoid injuries.
Not Testing Cleaning Solutions.
If you want to ensure the cleaning solution won't ruin your surface, try it first in a small, hidden area.
Using An Ineffective Cleanser
The same cleaning solution will only do the trick for some surfaces. Using an acidic solution, for instance, on a surface that can't handle it can permanently harm the surface.
Skipping Gutters
Clogged gutters can cause bug infestations, flooding, and structural damage. To avoid these difficulties, clean gutters and downspouts periodically.
Pressuring Too Much
While high-pressure washing may seem like a good idea, it can seriously damage the outside of your home. Use the right amount of pressure and nozzle to protect your surfaces.
Neglecting To Wash The Windows
It's easy to forget that clean windows make your home look much better. Keep your windows clean to let in natural light and keep your home looking good.
Needing The Proper Tools.
Use the right tools to save time and energy. Always utilise high-quality tools and equipment specifically designed for the job at hand.
Do-It-Yourself Vs. Professional Help
Although saving money is tempting, hiring a professional can finish the task faster and easier. Professional cleaners have the tools and training necessary to clean safely and efficiently.
Conclusion
If you do it right, cleaning the outside of a house can be easy. First, get the house ready to be cleaned on a sunny, warm day. Close the doors and windows and put plastic over the plugs to keep the outside safe. Take away the outdoor furniture and cover the grass with plastic sheets to protect it. When you use a power washer, keep kids and dogs inside.
Soap and water can get rid of stains, but don't use harsh cleaners. To get rid of mould, mix oxygen bleach powder into water. When you work with bleach, wear masks and rubber gloves.
Start at the bottom and work your way up to clean the outside with a yard hose or a brush. Starting at the ceiling and making your way down, spray water all over the house. Start with the lowest setting on a power washer and slowly lower it until it reaches the 25-degree setting.
Start by using the power washer to clean up a small area of the house. Pay special attention to any weak or worn-out materials. Spray downhill to keep buildings from getting damaged. While cleaning, keep your grip on the pressure washer steady and move it from side to side. When you use a spray cleaner, start at the top and work your way down.
Pressure washing is important to keep your home safe from damage caused by mould, mildew, and spots that grow from water buildup. Regular care can help avoid these problems and keep the outside of your home clean.
Cleaning the outside of your home on a regular basis can save you money, keep it in good shape, and keep its value. It is important to hire a professional house cleaning service for the outside because it saves money and makes cleaning easy. Pressure washing is a great way to get the outside ready for painting, priming, and sanding because it leaves the surface clean, smooth, and free of dirt.
Pressure washing the outside of your house can lower the risks to your health and safety. Mould can't grow or spread inside the house, and it helps get rid of allergens like dust, pollen, and dirt. Regular pressure washing also gets rid of weed and algae clumps that make paths more slippery, which makes them safer.
Power washing and pressure washing are better for the environment than cleaning by hand because they use less soap and other cleaning products and blast water at surfaces. When you clean the outside of your house, don't forget to take precautions, try cleaning solutions, use a cleaner that doesn't work, skip the gutters, press too hard, forget to wash the windows, or use the right tools.
Hiring a professional cleaner can get the job done faster and better because they have the right tools and training to do the job safely and well. With these tips, you can keep your home in great shape so that it looks brand new for years to come.
Content Summary
- The right equipment and methods make exterior cleaning simple.
- Choose a sunny, warm day for outdoor cleaning.
- Protect your house and property during the cleaning process.
- Ensure windows and doors are closed and secure.
- Tape up switches, outlets, and vents.
- Move patio sets away from the house.
- Keep kids and pets indoors during pressure washing.
- Remove stains with soap and water for plant-friendly cleaning.
- Safely eliminate mildew with an oxygen bleach mixture.
- Wear protective gear when working with bleach.
- Use a nozzle-equipped siding cleaning kit for efficient cleaning.
- Start cleaning from the bottom and work your way up.
- Rinse off any cleaning solution thoroughly.
- Discover the benefits of pressure washing.
- Understand nozzle degrees for effective pressure washing.
- Begin pressure washing with the lowest setting.
- Test the pressure washer on a small, inconspicuous area.
- Always spray downward to prevent structural damage.
- Move the pressure washer laterally for even cleaning.
- Start at the top and work your way down when using a cleaner.
- Prevent damage to your home's exterior with regular cleaning.
- Keep moisture and grime at bay to maintain your property.
- Save money on repairs by extending the life of your paint and siding.
- Preserve your home's value with annual exterior cleaning.
- Pressure washing prepares the house for refinishing.
- Clean decks more efficiently with pressure washing.
- Improve family health by eliminating mould and allergens.
- Pressure washing removes slippery algae and weeds.
- Eco-friendly benefits of pressure washing.
- Reduce detergent usage with water blasting.
- Avoid common mistakes when cleaning your home's exterior.
- Prioritise safety with protective gear and precautions.
- Test cleaning solutions on hidden areas first.
- Use appropriate cleansers for different surfaces.
- Prevent damage by cleaning gutters and downspouts.
- Avoid excessive pressure to protect your home.
- Don't forget to clean your windows for a polished look.
- Invest in the right tools for efficient cleaning.
- Consider professional help for faster and easier cleaning.
- Professional cleaners have the expertise and equipment.
- Save time and effort with professional cleaning services.
- Proper equipment and training make a difference.
- Regular exterior cleaning enhances your home's appearance.
- Protect your investment by maintaining your property.
- Keep your windows clean for better natural light.
- Expertise matters in achieving a clean and tidy exterior.
- Safeguard your surfaces with professional care.
- Enjoy a spotless, smooth, and sterile exterior.
- Extend the life of your external finish with pressure washing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning
Yes, wear safety goggles, gloves, and, if using chemicals, a mask to protect yourself from debris and fumes.
Rinse windows with plain water after cleaning to prevent streaks, then dry with a microfiber cloth.
Start by removing debris by hand or using a gutter scoop. Flush with water and check for clogs or leaks.
Cleaning a roof can be tricky and dangerous. Hiring a professional to remove moss, algae, or debris is often best.
You can use environmentally friendly cleaners and choose methods like soft washing that uses less water and lower pressure, reducing the environmental impact.