7 overlooked outdoor cleaning spots to tackle this weekend – and why spring is the easiest season to refresh them

When cleaning the exterior of your home, there are often-overlooked outdoor spots experts warn to target for the necessary sanitation and overall desired aesthetic.

From your exterior light fixtures to your fence, there are plenty of areas you might be neglecting, and this weekend is the perfect time to get started. The cool, dry, and sunny spring weather makes it a perfect time to tackle forgotten areas, as your cleaning solutions won't evaporate the same way they rapidly will in the summer heat.

I spoke to cleaning experts who revealed the essential outdoor cleaning tasks never to forget so you can overhaul your outdoor space before spring hosting begins in earnest.

7 overlooked outdoor cleaning spots

1. Exterior light fixtures

As Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, explains, 'Warmer weather means longer evenings outdoors, and dirty fixtures reduce brightness.'

To clean outdoor lights, turn off the power, remove glass covers, and wash them with soapy water, using a mild and scent-free dish soap, such as the Seventh Generation Dish Soap Liquid Free & Clear available at Walmart.

'Wipe bulbs with a microfiber cloth before reinstalling,' adds Karina. Where applicable, follow the same process to clean solar lights.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

2. Window screens

It's easy to neglect cleaning window screens if you're short on time. But, as one of the things people with clean windows always do, Will Cotter, COO of HappyCleans, stresses the importance of taking the time to make yours sparkle.

'Spring dumps a ridiculous amount of dust and allergens onto your screens,' he explains. 'If you don't clean them, every time you open your windows for a breeze, you're basically filtering all of those straight into your home

'To clean your screens, wear a mask, then vacuum both sides with a soft brush attachment, so less dust will fall if you attempt to remove it from the frame. If you’re not satisfied with dry cleaning, you have to take them out.'

Once removed, take your window screens outdoors and use a garden hose on a low setting to remove dirt before adding a few drops of Dawn Ultra Liquid Dish Soap, available at Amazon, scrubbing with a soft cloth and rinsing.

'Shake off excess water and prop the screens up vertically against a wall or fence to air dry,' adds Will. 'If you’re in a hurry, use a microfiber towel to gently pat dry. Reinstall when completely dry.'

And, as Carolina Kazimierski, president and co-owner at Sophia's Cleaning Service, says, 'April is a great time to clean windows just because it tends to be the perfect temperature for it. This is a chore you might regret putting off till summer because too-high temps will cause your window cleaning solution to evaporate before it can do its job, which tends to result in streaky, grimy windows.'

To clean a window without streaks, Carolina recommends cleaning with vinegar, diluted with water in a 50:50 solution in a spray bottle with a microfiber cloth or window cleaner, such as the Microfiber Glass Cleaning Cloths available at Amazon.

'I've found white vinegar to be very effective at breaking down grime on exterior windows, and microfiber can't be beat when it comes to a streak-free finish,' she adds.

3. Fences and gates

Next, take the time to remove algae from your fence and spruce up your garden gate ideas, says cleaning expert Karina.

She explains, 'Dirt, mildew, and pollen can make a fence look weathered, just as backyard gatherings increase. Rinse both your fence and gate with a hose or pressure washer on low,' for all types of surfaces, from cleaning a white vinyl fence, to cleaning wrought iron.

'Then scrub stains with warm water and dish soap, and rinse,' Karina concludes.

4. Outdoor rugs

Cleaning outdoor rugs is crucial to curbing odors and preventing mold and mildew from flourishing

'Spring rain and foot traffic can trap moisture and dirt, leading to mildew and odors,' says Karina. 'Shake out debris, scrub with a mild detergent and water, then rinse thoroughly and let dry in the sun.'

Doing so will also help to further eliminate odors, while the UV rays of the sun will naturally banish any remaining bacteria.

5. Pots and saucers

While they're never going to look perfect (and isn't that part of the charm?) if you've been wondering whether you should clean your garden pots, cleaning expert Will recommends doing so this spring.

'It's insect season,' he explains. 'Watering cans and rain barrels are usually the top items where people remove stagnant water, but those little plant pot saucers can serve as a home for mosquitoes, too. As for the pots, they are probably caked in dirt and water stains.'

If you don't plan to repot, to clean flower pots and clean terracotta pots, Will advises, 'Shake off any loose soil from the bottom, then wash the exterior with water and dish soap,' such as the Method Dish Soap available at Walmart, which has a plant-based, biodegradable formula which won't harm your plants.

'Then, for the saucer, remove the water, scrape off dried dirt or algae then wash and scrub it. The best brush to use is one with bristles sturdy enough to remove grime. Leave them under the sun to dry and put them back in their spots.'

6. Your mailbox

You probably pop out to check it daily, but when was the last time you cleaned your mailbox? This is a great way to upgrade your curb appeal in a weekend, but it often gets forgotten or pushed back as other tasks take priority.

'Cobwebs, dirt, and bird droppings accumulate, making your home's entrance look neglected,' warns cleaning expert Karina. 'Wipe them down with warm, soapy water and a sponge. Apply a rust-resistant spray to metal mailboxes if needed,' such as the Rust-Oleum 224284 Stops Rust Rust Inhibitor Spray available at Amazon, which stops rust by preventing corrosion and protecting against moisture.

7. Garden hoses and spigots

Finally, your hose is essential when it comes to ticking off tackling any overlooked outdoor cleaning spots, but it's equally crucial to maintain your garden hose and spigots, and to fix a garden house before summer.

'Checking for damage early ensures proper water flow for summer gardening and cleaning,' says Karina. 'Uncoil hoses, inspect for cracks, and flush with water.'

Then, to clean the faucet head, scrub spigots with a brush to remove mineral buildup.

Meet our experts

Karina Toner

With contributions in Real Homes, The Spruce, and many more, Karina is an expert when it comes to both indoor and outdoor cleaning and a regular contributing editor here at Homes & Gardens, using her years of professional cleaning experience to provide the best and most effective tips.

Carolina Kazimierski

Since it was founded in 1984, Sophia's Cleaning has become one of Chicago’s longest-standing and best reviewed cleaning companies, for both indoor and outdoor cleaning tasks.

Will Cotter

HappyCleans offers all kinds of cleaning services for both inside and outside the home, from regular cleaning to move-in/move-out cleaning, and everything in-between.

FAQs

How do I make my garden look tidy?

To make your garden look tidy, keep clutter to a minimum by decluttering your backyard and then organizing your yard for summer.

This will ensure the space is welcoming and inviting, while letting your gorgeous garden plants do all the talking.

Another task that's often forgotten is cleaning garden tools, but doing so will make pruning and cutting far easier.