Outdoor Spring Cleaning Checklist: How to Get Your Backyard Ready for Spring

Move aside, Old Man Winter-it's officially springtime. Could your home's exterior use some sprucing up before you're officially ready to soak up the sun? This spring cleaning season, make sure you're showing some love to both the interior and exterior of your home.

Lucky for you, we put together an easy-to-read outdoor spring cleaning infographic. Get your pen ready! You’ll be checking things off the list in no time. Here’s a peek of what’s in store. 

Porch & Patio Spring Cleaning Checklist 

Rid the signs of winter by sweeping away debris and cobwebs from your backyard porch and patio. Don't underestimate the power of rinsing your walkway and dusting off outdoor furniture-spring cleaning outside can help your home's exterior be a family favorite hangout spot.

• Sweep away debris and cobwebs from ceilings, walls and floors
• Rinse off concrete walkways and decking with a garden hose or power washer
• Remove outdoor furniture from winter storage and thoroughly wash to remove dust and dirt
• Clean or replace outdoor furnishings (cushions, umbrellas, etc.); use a solution of three parts water to one part white vinegar to remove light mold or mildew stains 

Spring Cleaning Siding Checklist

Given the ideal weather, spring is the perfect time to take inventory of your home's siding. We recommend cleaning LP^® SmartSide^® Trim & Siding annually to remove the natural buildup of dirt and grime to prevent mildew and mold damage. This way, you can keep one of the most durable siding solutions available looking beautiful. Learn more about cleaning your siding from the experts at LP.

• Cleaning mildew off siding is simple
• Wash away built-up residue using mild detergent and water
• Use a sponge, soft brush or cloth to scrub the surface, rinsing with a garden hose
• Touch up chips and small paint imperfections, applying paint with a cotton swab

Gutters & Downspouts Checklist for Spring Cleaning

Stay ahead of spring showers by cleaning out built-up leaves and debris from your gutters. Also, flush gutters and downspouts with a garden hose to identify and fix potential leaks.

• Use a ladder to remove built-up leaves and debris from gutters
• When cleaning, place debris on a tarp to avoid dirtying up the lawn
• Identify potential leaks by flushing gutters and downspouts with a garden hose

Garden & Landscape Spring Backyard Ideas Checklist

This spring, make your backyard area a place you want to spend time. Make sure the aesthetic is just right by removing weeds, trimming greenery, mulching your garden beds, and planting flowers for a colorful springtime bloom.

• Remove weeds and dead foliage with a shovel or hoe
• Trim overgrown trees and shrubs and remove dead or unruly branches
• Mulch garden beds to prepare for spring bloom
• Take inventory of plants and flowers and plan for any new additions

Spring Cleaning Additions Checklist

Sometimes part of spring cleaning includes something brand new for your space! Adding a fence to your backyard can be a great addition to your landscape while also providing some extra privacy, and a shed can provide extra storage for tools you want to keep out of sight.

• Explore fencing options that best fit your needs; LP Elements^® Performance Fencing, for example, offers beautiful, durable fencing that stands up to weather and everyday impacts, like baseballs
• Take inventory of storage items; use the Shed Size Estimator to see what you’d need to be able to store items such as tools, winter décor and more

Miscellaneous Outdoor Spring Cleaning Checklist

Windows are a focal point of your home's exterior. Clean them to remove wintertime residue and replace torn screens. Also look at replacing light fixtures and refilling or changing out your grill's propane tank to get your backyard ready for springtime cookouts.

• Rinse away dirt and residue from windows and shutters
• Replace torn window screens
• Wash exterior lighting and replace burned-out bulbs
• Get your grill ready by cleaning and refilling your propane tank as needed
• Check for cracks or leaks in your garden hose, and neatly organize by storing on a hose reel

You're officially ready to get started! Take this list, check it twice, and your backyard will be in prime condition to enjoy this spring and beyond.