The Spring Exterior Cleaning Checklist for Minnesota Homes

Start with gutters and the roofline

Winter is hard on gutters, ice, debris, and heavy snow can loosen hangers or leave leaves frozen in place since fall. Clear them first and confirm downspouts flow freely before you tackle anything else, since a clogged system undoes work done lower down the house.

Wash off the winter grime

Salt spray, sand, and months of grime dull siding more than most homeowners realize until it's washed. A soft wash in spring also catches algae and mildew that started growing over winter before it spreads further with warmer, wetter weather.

Driveways and walkways

Salt stains, tracked-in sand, and de-icer residue build up on concrete all winter. Pressure washing driveways, walkways, and steps in spring removes it before it has all summer to embed further, and it's the fastest visible curb-appeal improvement most homes can make.

Windows last

Clean windows and screens after the rest of the exterior work is done, otherwise overspray and dust from washing siding or the driveway just lands back on freshly cleaned glass. This is also when hard-water spots from a full season of sprinklers tend to be most visible.