You ensure your home interior looks all set, clean, and arranged. But what about the house exterior, which comes into view of the visitor before entering the house?
Cleaning the house exterior is essential to maintaining its aesthetic appeal and ensuring its longevity. Over time, various elements like dirt, grime, mildew, and even pollutants accumulate on surfaces, which reduces their appearance and material value.
In this perspective, opting for the right cleaning methods can make a substantial difference. However, it’s also imperative to approach this task safely and effectively to bring back the shine without compromising its quality.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best practices for cleaning different surfaces of your house and highlight important safety considerations to keep in mind.
Understanding Different Exterior Surfaces
At the outset, you must understand the surface type of your home exterior before heading to the cleaning process. Some common exterior surfaces dealt with by the house cleaners generally belong to wood, vinyl, stucco, and brick categories. Each of them demands distinct cleaning methods and materials. For example:
- Wood siding might benefit from a gentle wash to prevent stripping away its natural oils.
- Vinyl can often handle a stronger cleaner that removes dirt and stains.
In the process, engaging the right equipment is equally vital. Pressure washers are effective for rough surfaces deeply drenched in dust. However, its improper use can cause damage to the surface of the structure.
If it is unavoidable to use, ensure you adjust the pressure settings according to the surface material.
Understanding and implementing such nitty-gritty points protect your house and ensure better results.
Gathering Necessary Cleaning Supplies
The cleaning process is a multistep and intricately structured process that comprises many small key steps. Out of them, arranging the necessary material for the entire procedure is a pivotal phase.
For this, we have provided the following suggestions you should be mindful of while arranging the cleaning supplies.
- Go with the cleaning agents that suit the surface of the exterior structures. Look for products specifically produced to check mold, mildew, and dirt accumulation.
- Arrange required brushes, sponges, mop heads, and a pressure washer (if possible) or a garden hose for rinsing the respective area.
- Ensure the availability of protective gear, including gloves and goggles, to protect your skin, eyes, and negate the possibility of inhaling fumes of chemical cleaners.
- Manage the necessary yet neglected materials such as buckets, a ladder, and mugs.
After arranging the indispensable supplies, you must prepare a plan to avoid mid-process hassles.
Preparation is Key
Thoroughly preparing and planning for cleaning your house exterior reduces resource utilization and eventually saves costs and efforts. It broadly includes certain prominent facets, such as removing any patio furniture, planters, or decorations that might obstruct your cleaning process.
Here you can go with the following directive to ease out your efforts.
- Choose the right time to attempt house exterior cleaning. It is highly suggested to have a plan for the day with optimum temperature, as direct sunlight can cause solutions to evaporate quickly, leading to streaking or ineffective cleaning, and rainy seasons will wash it away altogether.
- Clear the respective area before beginning any related activity to ensure the chemicals and equipment used won’t harm any person or structures.
- Make sure your windows and doors work properly to keep them closed while the cleaning process is underway.
- Arrange the required resources beforehand to avoid a last-minute rush during the process.
- Test the cleaning solutions before initiating the procedure to ensure they are providing the expected results.
Apart from this broader framework, you should also consider some fundamentals concerning the procedure and the material employed.
For painted surfaces, check for any loose paint to scrape away beforehand to prevent the cleaner from exacerbating the problem.
Paying heed to such steps creates a safer environment to work in and multiplies the effectiveness of your cleaning procedure.
Choosing the Right Cleaning Method
Cleaning method is a heterogeneous strategy encompassing multiple components. However, it largely depends on the material involved while performing cleaning operations. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind in the process.
- When cleaning wood siding, the best approach is usually to use a gentle soap mixed with warm water, applied with a soft-bristle brush.
- Stubborn stains can be targeted with a specialized deck cleaner that prevents fading and degradation of the wood.
- Vinyl siding can be generally cleaned with a mix of vinegar and water, which is both eco-friendly and effective for breaking down dirt and mildew.
- For surfaces like brick, a mixture of water and a mild detergent can effectively lift grime and stains. Meanwhile, stucco typically requires a more careful application.
- While a pressure washer can clean stucco, using it wrongly can result in damage.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when utilizing equipment or cleaners to avoid unnecessary accidents.
Many prefer to go through professionals like Fresh Exteriors to ensure the best care for various materials. The right method ensures that your home looks great and is protected from damage.
Safety Precautions to Follow
Safety should be your utmost priority in a cleaning strategy. There are multiple particulars to be mindful of. But some most fundamental points are mentioned below.
- When working at heights, using stepladders or extension ladders, always ensure they are properly secured and stable. Inspect their condition before use and avoid leaning to one side.
- To access upper portions of a home, consider investing in quality scaffolding rather than relying on ladders that could lead to dangerous falls.
- The cleaning agents used should be handled with utmost care. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions before using them.
- It is advisable to test any new cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire surface, which can help avoid unwanted discoloration or damage.
- Protecting yourself from washing residue, especially when using pressure washing equipment, is essential. Comprehensive safety measures will ensure a successful cleaning process and protect your well-being.
Suppose you commit to a comprehensive cleaning strategy combined with periodic professional support. In that case, you’ll have a beautiful exterior that enhances your home’s outer aesthetic manyfold, while enabling it to withstand the test of time. Regular care allows for a consistent showcasing of your house’s beauty, leading to an inviting environment as well as increased property value.
