Spring cleaning is not just an indoor sport. The outside of your brand new single family Olthof home may need some attention this spring.

Follow this exterior maintenance checklist and take your spring cleaning outside.

1. Wash the walls. You might be surprised at how much dirt has built on your home’s exterior walls. Use a pressure washer to clean it, but be careful if you have vinyl siding or damaged shingles. The best way to clean vinyl siding is with soapy water and a long-handled brush.
2. Clean the windows and screens. No one enjoys washing windows, but you’ll enjoy the results of a better view. The best window cleaning solution is a mixture of equal parts of white vinegar and water. And don’t waste paper towels. Use crumpled newspaper, which doesn’t leave lint behind. Scrub your screens with warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Small holes can be repaired by pressing the mesh back in place and applying a few coats of clear nail polish to hold them there. 
3. Clear out the gutters. Whether your new construction home is in Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, or Northwest Indiana, you likely look forward to the spring and fall. Remember to clean our gutters twice per year, in the spring and fall; removing all the debris from your gutters and flush out the gutters and downspouts with a hose. Build-up can lead to water damage to your home.
   
4. Refresh your patio, porch, and deck. Get ready for outdoor entertaining by pressure washing your outdoor living space surfaces. Reseal the decking. Check the steps and railings to be sure everything is firmly in place. Olthof Homes also offers a covered porch option on many of our homes; and the same would apply.

The upside of this side of spring cleaning is that you can enjoy the outdoors while you’re working through your exterior maintenance checklist!