Spring Clean Your Home's Parts & Pieces

From gutters to siding, your home systems need a spiff-up too. After all, cleaning prevents maintenance problems later.

Questions you may be asking

• How to Clean Your Windows

  1. Clean your windows on a cloudy day — sunshine can dry cleaning solutions too quickly, creating streaks.

   

  2. Make a non-toxic solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

   

  3. Polish your panes to a sparkling shine with a reusable cloth.

   

  More:

   

  Green Window Cleaning Makes Glass Pane-fuly Clear

   

  Smart Ways to Make Windows More Energy-Savvy

   

  How to Inspect Windows, Doors to Stop Air and Water Leaks

   

  Save Money by Repairing Windows

   

  Spring Cleaning List

   

• How to Clean Your Siding

  1. Before you clean, inspect your siding for damage: caulk that’s cracked or pulled away and left gaps.

   

  2. Seal cracks and small holes in stucco with color-matched acrylic caulk.

   

  3. A pro is a good bet to power wash your siding so you don’t get water into crevices. About $300 to $500. 

   

  4. Clean mildew with a solution of one part bleach to four parts water, then rinse thoroughly.

   

  More:

   

  Cleaning and Caring for Siding

   

  Caring for Wood Siding

   

  Siding: A Guide to the Options

   

  Exterior Paints and Stains: A Guide to the Options

   

• How to Clean Your Gutters

  1. Ask yourself if you’re really qualfied to do it, considering the height and balance aspects. A pro will do it for anywhere between $50 and $250, depending on the size of your house.

   

  2. Tackle gutters at least once a year — twice a year if you have overhanging trees. Clean them after big storms, too, so you can see if they’re still working properly.

   

  3. Wear rubber gloves and long sleeves.

   

  4. Use a plastic scoop to scoop the goop and drop it on a tarp. Use an exendable ladder.

   

  5. Flush the gutters and downspouts with a garden hose.

   

  More:

   

  Cleaning Rain Gutters

   

  Rain Gutters that Trap Water: Easy Fixes

   

  Fast Fixes for Common Gutter Problems

   

  Repair Sagging and Leaking Rain Gutters to Save Money

   

• How to Keep Your Chimney Clean

  Get a pro inspection every year to see if the chinney needs a sweep. The inspector can do both for about $125. Prices go up from there if there are additional issues. Do you part routinely:

   

  1. Burn dried, cured wood.

   

  2. Close the damper when you’re not using your fireplace.

   

  3. Keep any bifold glass doors open when a fire is burning.

   

  4. Have a chimney cap installed to keep things from falling in.

   

  5. Make sure all smoke detectors and carbon monixide detectors are working.

   

  More:

   

  Chimney Maintenance for Warmth and Safety

   

  Chimney Inspection Cost and Types

   

• Spring Cleaning List

  You missed a spot! Here are some oft-neglected areas of your home that still need a spring cleaning scrub-down:

   

  1. Walls: Dust them with a vacuum brush attachment, then wipe clean with an all-purpose cleaner.

   

  2. Baseboards: Dust with a microfiber cloth or vacuum, then spray and wipe with an all-purpose cleaner.

   

  3. Window screens: Remove them first. Lay them flat on a tarp outside, then spray them clean with a garden hose.

   

  4. Shelves: Take everything off first, then dust.

   

  5. Driveway and garage floor: Use a pressure washer to remove caked-on crud.

   

  6. Ceiling fans: Spray the inside of a pillowcase with cleaner, then slip the bag over the blade and wipe clean.

   

  More:

   

  Spring Cleaning List