You may not believe it but porches require more regular maintenance than indoor spaces. It is the first impression your home makes to the outside world. If you neglect this part of your home, and dirt and debris can quickly build up and the people will assume the inside of your house is, too. Don’t let that happen!
We are here to give a few tips and easy ways you can do to keep your front porch clean and prevent it from giving you a bad name.
Get Rid of Mold and Mildew:
Mildew is an unpleasant, unhealthy sight and if you have mildew on your porch it’s a clear sign of neglect. Mildew doesn’t happen all at once, it creeps out stealthily while you’re asleep, one dot at a time.
The good news is that it’s very easy to get rid of mildew on your front porch. Bleach to five parts Water will do the trick. In small surfaces, mildew will come off quickly but on areas where it may be more difficult to remove, such as the floor, you may need to scrub with a brush. When you’re finished, use your hose and give the entire area a thorough rinse. Getting rid of the mildew on your front porch will have an instant impact on your home’s curb appeal and show the world how much you care about your home.
Clean Your Front Door:
In your living room, the focal point is often a large piece of art or a fireplace. On your porch, the focal point is your front door. How often do you clean your front door? If the answer is never, it’s fair to say you’re overdue. In addition to the fact that the knob is a purveyor of germs due to the multitude of hands that grasp it, it gets dirty. After all, it’s outside, exposed to the elements, the dog jumps on it and people touch it with dirty, greasy hands.
The good news is that front doors are easy to clean! For the first step, take a vacuum with a hose attachment, leaf blower, or cloth to remove debris, such as large pieces of dirt, spiderwebs, etc. Next just mix equal parts vinegar and water and wipe with a sponge. For dirt that is embedded and difficult to remove, try using a textured sponge (the type you use to wash dishes) and a little bit of baking soda to remove it. Keep wiping until your sponge comes clean, rinsing as often as necessary along the way.
Cleaning your front door will give your porch an instant makeover and signal to the outside world that your home is also fresh and clean on the inside as well.
Don’t Forget the Ceiling
If your front porch has an overhang, it can attract dirt, cobwebs, and dead insects. Grab a stiff bristled broom to remove them on a regular basis and make sure that the ceiling looks just as clean as the rest of your porch.
Paint those wooden floors
If you have wooden porch floors and steps, it will look best and last longer if they are painted. Paints formulated specifically for porches and floors are latex or oil-based, self-priming, and are durable enough to withstand the elements. Painting a porch floor is no different from painting any other surface; you must clean and sand first. Because porch floors are usually made from inexpensive wood, however, it is generally not worth investing too much time in meticulous preparation; priming, for example, is not necessary. Sand to roughen existing paint. Sweep away any debris, clean the floor and steps well with water and an all-purpose cleaner, rinse, and wait until surfaces are thoroughly dry before applying paint.
