As winter finally draws to a close, there’s still snow falling in much of the Northeast. However, the temperatures are starting to rise, and many in the U.S. will soon be able to enjoy some nicer weather. There’s just one little problem: when the snow washes away, the dirt remains.

With spring just a week away, it’s time for some good, old-fashioned spring cleaning. Get your power washers and ladders ready and take a look at the following guide to exterior spring cleaning :

Clean Out the Gutters
There’s really no easy way to clean your gutters efficiently other than to climb on a ladder and get your hands dirty. Remember, when tackling this project, it’s important to get the blockage and weight out of your gutters, because if you don’t address the issue, it can turn into a much larger problem. If climbing up high isn’t your cup of tea, hire a professional to take care of the job so that you can breathe easy knowing your gutters won’t get damaged this spring.

Power Washing
Your house is a dust collector and the winter months can exacerbate this issue. Now is the time to bust out the power washer and take care of the exterior paint on your home, which is very likely a shade darker than it was at the start of the winter season. However, you need to be careful because power washers can strip the paint off your home. After you finish cleaning your house, tackle your walkways and get all of the built-up dirt out of the cracks. Paying attention to these areas will go a long way toward getting your home’s exterior back to its former glory.

Touch up the paint
Spring is typically the best time to touch up the paint both inside and outside your home. When it comes to the exterior, consider painting after you’ve taken the time to power wash the structure. Repainting your entire home increases the property value, but if you don’t have that kind of time or the funds to have it professionally done, go around the outside of your house and patch up faded areas with a nice coat of paint.

Tackle Your Lawn
Now is the perfect time to get the grass and flowers growing again. Start off by giving the grass a good cut and then head to your local home improvement store and pick up some fertilizer and other lawn care products. Getting your lawn to look beautiful is no easy feat, but if you’ve already invested time into cleaning the exterior of your home, the last thing you want is for your lawn to look dead and patchy. And don’t forget to add some flowers or small plants while you’re at it, as this will get you in the mood for spring.

Clean the Windows
The finishing touch to every spring cleaning project should be your windows. Simply grab some window cleaner and make those windows sparkle. If your windows show signs of condensation, it might be time to install new ones. Installing new windows can be one of the most satisfying home improvement projects.

As you can see, there’s quite a bit of work that goes along with spring cleaning. With great determination, and maybe a buddy to help, your house will return to its former glory in no time. If you have any interior home projects, now is a great time to tackle those, as well. Just be sure to take your safety seriously—and don’t do anything you feel uncomfortable doing. If anything, hire a professional and sit back and enjoy your spring.

Home Maintenance : Your Guide to Exterior Spring Cleaning by Haley Kieser | RISMedia housecall