We’re kicking off a new series to help you get your entire home whipped into shape room-by-room. Today, we’re going to focus on the exterior of your home.
The front of your house sets the tone for the inside and drives a guest’s first impression of your space. Maintaining a clean entryway or front porch boosts curb appeal and can help you keep the inside of your home clean, too. Let’s get to work!
CLEANING THE FRONT PORCH
This project will vary from home to home based on the size of your front porch. Follow these steps to quickly and effectively clean the area.
1. Remove everything from the space. Put the doormat, potted plants, furniture, outdoor rugs, etc., out on the lawn.
2. Dust and sweep away cobwebs from the ceiling, around light fixtures, exterior walls, and the door frame.
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3. Fill a bucket with warm water and add dish soap. Use an old rag or a sponge to wipe down the furniture, decorative pots, and any knick knacks.
4. Next, use the same water and sponge to wipe down your front door, sconces, shutters, and railings. Don’t empty the water just yet.
5. Grab a broom and sweep off the entire front porch or entry area.
6. Dip a long handled scrub brush into your soapy water bucket and scrub down the floor to finish things off.
7. Let everything dry before replacing furniture, rugs, and potted plants back on the porch. If you’re in the mood to freshen things up, rearrange the furniture! Any items that don’t belong on the porch should be taken inside and returned to their home.
WASHING THE HOUSE
Now that you’ve tackled the front porch, you should be feeling great! Perhaps a bit thirsty and tired, too. Don’t quit now! Refill your water bottle, have a snack and get back to work. It’s time to wash down the exterior of your home.
1. Make sure all windows are tightly closed to avoid letting water inside.
2. Using a garden hose (or pressure washer, if you have one and know what you’re doing), make your way around the outside of your house giving everything a good spray down. Take a mental note of any areas that may have stains or spots that aren’t going away with the hose alone. If you notice quite a few of these spots, you may want to work in sections.
Be on the lookout for evidence of termites, carpenter ants, and other wood destroying insects! You can learn more about these nightmare pests here.
3. To remove stubborn stains, refill your bucket of soap and water from earlier. Use a brush to scrub stains away. Note: work with a brush that has natural or synthetic bristles. Avoid using a steel brush as that can scratch the surface or leave behind rust spots.
4. Follow-up with another thorough rinse using your garden hose.
When you’re done, pour yourself an ice cold tea or blend up a margarita, it’s time to celebrate! Next week, we’ll work on the backyard and help you prepare for the ultimate summer pool party.
