“Social distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least six feet away from other people lessens your chances of catching COVID-19,” says Lisa Lockerd Maragakis, M.D. Social distancing has been recommended by the CDC as the best way to slow the spread of the coronavirus. It’s important to adapt to the conditions of our current situation and to not shut down. With the coming of warmer weather, let Illinois Valley Clean Team show you spring clean-up tips while practicing safe, social distancing. 

LAWN 

• Reseed  

Seed bare patches of lawn but avoid weed treatment until summer. 

• Mow and edge 

After the winter thaw and the lawn dries, mow and edge your lawn for a professional look. 

• Fertilize 

For a healthy and even-looking lawn, fertilize your lawn in the spring after the first thaw. 

• Rake leaves 

To prepare your lawn for summer, rake any leftover leaves from fall and remove all other debris to have wandered into your yard. 

• Trim the bushes and trees 

Remove broken branches and prune summer-blooming trees to ready yourself for spring. 

FLOWER BEDS 

• Plant bulbs 

After removing winter mulch and pruning perennials down to ground level, plant summer-blooming flowers. 

• Cut back wood perennials  

By cutting back wood perennials, you make room for new branches to grow. 

• Trim ornamental grasses 

For a uniformed and clean look, trim ornamental grasses to within a few inches of the ground. 

• Weed and compost 

Start weeding in early spring when the ground is soft. This is also a great time to start a compost pile for yard and scrap clippings if you haven’t already. 

• Soil and fertilize 

“If you have rich, healthy soil, all you should need to do in the spring is a bit of top dressing with compost, manure or a complete slow-release  organic fertilizer.” says the writers of Gardenoholic.com. 

• Mulch and edge 

Wait for the soil to warm before working in your flower beds. After they dry out a bit, treat your flower beds accordingly than  when ready lay fresh mulch and provide a crisp edge for a finished and professional look. 

DECK/PATIO 

• Wash outdoor furniture 

While it may be too early to lounge in the sun, spring is the time to set up, clean, hose-down, and freshen-up your outdoor furniture. 

• Prep the grill 

Bar-b-ques are a staple of American summers. To get ready for that grilled, delicious food, make sure to check the fuel tank and replace it (as needed, using social distancing), clean the grate, and wash the grill, inside and out. 

• Power wash the porch/deck 

Whether you have a leaf blower or a hose, remove the dirt and debris, which may have accumulated from winter, to reveal a beautiful porch/deck to enjoy all summer long. 

• Power wash outside playsets & toys 

Springtime is a great way to get the kids some fresh air and exercise! Just hand them a soapy sponge and have them play/clean the outdoor toys (but only with monitored social distancing). 

While it may be disheartening to have restrictions and so many shops, businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues closed, it’s for the safety of all, but it doesn’t mean you have to stop living a functional life. When practicing social-distancing, savor the therapeutic experience you get from springtime yard clean-up. Listen to the birds sing songs of hope. Watch the flowers bloom despite the swirl of chaos. Feel your fingers nourish the soil as you make way for new life. Moreover, remember “Happiness is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them.” Steve Maraboli, writer of Life, the Truth, and Being Free.

Your house can be spotless inside, but what about outside? Mold and dirt can form a thick layer in a house’s siding and this requires special attention to clean. Many people use a pressure washer to do the job (although they can be expensive). If you don’t have one, don’t worry! This guide will show you how to clean vinyl siding, step by step, and with useful tips.

Step 1: Wear proper clothing

Safety first! Cleaning vinyl siding can be a dirty job, and a dangerous one if you are using strong chemicals like bleach. Be sure to wear rubber gloves, long sleeve shirt, long pants, and goggles. Also, don’t mix bleach with other cleaning substances to avoid generating toxic fumes.

Tip: clean your siding on a cloudy day, because the sun can dry your siding too quickly, leaving stains behind.

Step 2: Check out for cracks

Before you start pouring water over your siding, you have to be sure there’s no fissure or missing piece of vinyl. Water can easily penetrate a damaged siding, and you don’t want that. Also, shut your windows correctly and check if its sealants are in good condition.

Step 3: Protect your plants

Waste is going to drip from your siding, a mix of dirty water, mold, and strong chemicals, and this can be very harmful to your house plants. If you have a garden bordering your house, put plastic tarps above it to protect them. If you don’t have a plastic tarp at home, try watering your plants before cleaning your siding. That way, the chemicals will not be absorbed so easily.

Tip: If the day is sunny, uncover your plants as fast as you can because the plastic can overheat them.

Step 4: Prepare your cleaning solution

You can buy in your nearby store the cleaning liquid of your preference, but you can obtain as good results from a homemade solution. Basically, you have two options:

Bleach

Mix one quart of bleach in one gallon of water. This cleaning solution will kill almost every bacteria and mold in your siding and also will whiten the discolored areas. However, using bleach can provoke toxic flumes, skin infections, and in general, it isn’t very good for the environment.

Vinegar

If you want a more mild but effective solution, vinegar it’s the way to go. Make a 30/70 white vinegar and water mixture. This alternative isn’t toxic at all and safe for the environment but can be less effective.

Step 5: Divide your siding into sections

Cleaning your siding by hand is the simplest way to go, but you have to work intelligently. Use a long-handled, soft bristle brush to reach every streak, and divide the total surface into 5×5 foot squares to keep track of your progress.

Tip: to be sure your solution isn’t damaging your house siding, try it in a small square and see how it reacts over the vinyl.

Step 6: Clean from down to up and rinse from up to down

Now to the main task. Dip your brush into your solution and start rubbing your siding gently. Let your solution make an effect, don’t try to clean too hard, or you can crack the vinyl. Clean from down to up, and when you finish, rinse with water from up to down. Try to do it as you go and avoid uneven drying and spotting.
Cleaning your home’s siding is hard work, no doubt about it. Follow these easy steps and apply our tips for great results. Or, if you want a more professional cleaning, contact us on our website.