A power washer isn't always the answer to clean home's exterior

Every homeowner knows the value and importance of spring cleaning rooms and other interiors within your home. But it's equally vital to apply that spick-and-span vibe to the outside of your home, particularly your structure's exterior, including the brick or siding as well as the roof, gutters, driveway, and deck/patio.

“The exterior of your home is constantly exposed to the elements. Over time, this can lead to a buildup of dirt, grime, mildew, and algae,” Aaron Koszyk, owner of Double A Power Washing LLC in Mishawaka, Indiana, says.

Ana Andres, the co-founder of TidyChoice, a cleaning company, concurs.

“Proper cleaning of your home's exterior can protect your family from allergens in the air around your home, safeguard your structure from water and roofing damages, improve curb appeal, reveal damage that may have happened over the winter, and remove dirt and grime buildup and mold from the surfaces,” says Andres.

When approaching this project, it's best to work from the top down, which means focusing on your roof first.

“We never recommend power washing your roof. For a standard composition asphalt roof, the only thing you need to do is clear debris off the shingles three times a year and scrub algae growth away with soap and water,” suggests C.J. McConaghy, owner of Three Tree Roofing. “If you notice moss growing on your roof, carefully remove it and clean with soap and water to remove any algae. You can also apply zinc to the shingles to prevent algae growth.”

When it comes to gutters, you'll need a garden hose with a spray nozzle, a trowel or other tool to loosen any compressed waste, and at least one bucket for the debris you remove.

“Begin clearing out your gutter near a downspout, removing any large debris throughout your system. After all the large bits are removed, use your garden hose to flush out any remaining debris, moving from the farthest point from the downspout toward it,” recommends Josh Lewis, CEO/owner of Retex Roofing & Exteriors. “A pressure washer could also be used for extra oomph to your spraying. Prepare to dislodge any remaining debris using a plumber's snake if necessary.”

For cleaning the exterior walls of your home, try a soft wash approach. This involves cleaning with a soap/bleach/water solution followed by a rinse, which can effectively remove dirt, grime, mildew and algae from the surfaces.

“Start by mixing your bleach with water in a pump sprayer. Most household bleach is 5% — you want to make a 1% mixture and then add a little bit of soap to help your cleaning solution cling to the house,” advises Koszyk. “Start at the bottom of your home, applying the solution to the surface with an even spray.

Work your way up to the top of the house, taking care to cover all areas evenly. After allowing the soap to work in for several minutes, begin rinsing from the top down. Use a garden hose with a nozzle set to shower or jet to remove all soap residue.”

Many experts don't recommend power washing your exterior walls “because some power washers are so powerful that you can potentially damage your siding or water can get behind it,” cautions Chris Johnson, director of Product and Marketing for Westlake Royal Building Products.

For your deck, avoid pressure washing if your deck is made of wood. Andres recommends removing any large debris on the deck and cleaning any gaps between the deck boards using a scraper.

With a long-handled brush, sweep away the remaining debris and dust from the deck. “Then, wet your deck with a hose and apply a cleaning solution. With a long-handled brush, scrub the deck surface. When finished, rinse the surface with water and leave it to dry,” Andres continues.

To properly clean your driveway, which can harbor a lot of dust buildup and grease stains, it's probably best to use a pressure washer.

“Pour hot water and dish soap liquid solution onto your concrete driveway. Let soak for a few minutes,” advises Andres. “Next, scrub the driveway with a long-handled brush. And rinse the driveway with a pressure washer, leaving it to dry.”

With any cleaning project, be sure to wear the proper equipment, including safety goggles and latex gloves.