How To Safely Clean the Exterior of Your Property

Spring cleaning doesn’t only apply to the interior of a home. The outside needs a little TLC too. However, it’s important to remember that cleaning the outside of any property could be slightly more dangerous than the inside. The dangers aren’t necessarily monumental, but the safety tips are still worth mentioning. Here’s how to safely clean the exterior of your property.

Survey the Property

Take stock of every area on the property you need to clean. It’s always a good idea to know where the damage is and to identify any potential surprises. You never know if a little family of animals has occupied a small space on your property.

For the safety of you and the animals, you want to make sure the area is clear. Plus, observing the property allows you to see if there needs to be immediate maintenance before cleaning. If there are cracks or holes, you want to seal them up before applying water and soap.

Steady the Tools

Once you’ve checked out the property, gather all your supplies. For example, cleaning the home’s exterior means clearing out those gutters. First, you need a steady ladder. Make sure the ladder is sturdy and firmly planted into the ground.

It’s always better to clean out the gutters with someone holding the ladder and ensuring it’s sturdy. However, if that’s not an option, shake the ladder a couple of times to ensure it doesn't move an inch. Operate all other equipment according to the directions.

Follow the Instructions

And that brings us to the next point. Don’t operate any machinery without reading the instructions all the way through. Some homeowners clean the exterior walls of their homes with an extended brush and a bucket filled with soap and water.

However, a more efficient way would be using a pressure washer. Make sure you understand the different pressure washer nozzle colors. Each color indicates the specific amount of pressure expected to come out of the nozzle. Too much pressure could damage the walls or break a window.

Wear Proper Clothing

Finally, you need to dress for the occasion. Get your armor on for whatever task you plan to tackle that day. The less skin exposure, the better. Avoid unnecessary scrapes and bruises by wearing clothes that fully cover your legs and arms.

Don’t wear sandals or loose footwear. Wear shoes that enclose your entire foot. Some of these tasks require gloves, too, especially when cleaning the gutters. Never take on that task with your bare hands. Wear goggles to prevent dust, dirt, and debris from getting in your eyes.

Safely clean the exterior of your property to avoid any accidents and fully appreciate the beauty of your home.