"How To Clean the Front Porch"

Living in a warm, humid climate means a little more maintenance for the homeowner. Keeping the front porch clean and inviting is important, especially when it is wood painted white, as is popular and in style. The surface should be cleaned at least twice per year. Dirt, algae and moss will begin to show, signaling it is time for a spring or autumn clean-up.

Preparation

Before getting started, everything should be removed from the front porch, including rocking chairs, flags, doormats and planters. Close the windows and doors near the area. Tie a cotton cleaning cloth around the end of a mop or broom, then use it to know down any cobwebs. Sweep the front porch with a broom suitable for the outdoors and dispose of all dirt, debris and dust. Hook up the garden hose and gather several clean cotton rags and dry terrycloth towels.

Flooring

Hose down the porch flooring. If it is made of cement, brick or a ceramic surface, this should be sufficient to clean it. If the floor is very dirty or is made from wood planks, this is a good time to wash it with a damp mop.

Windows

For glass windows, use a reliable household product and lint-free cloths to clean the inside and outside of the windows. Use microfiber towels for a streak-free finish. For vinyl siding window interiors, use a clean lint-free cloth and a recommended vinyl surface cleaner. If the window exteriors are very dirty, they can be hosed down as well, then cleaned with a non-abrasive solution labeled for vinyl surfaces. Use soft cleaning cloths that will not scratch the surface.

Railings

Fill a bucket with mild liquid detergent and water. If the railings are completely dry, hose them down with water. Dunk a terrycloth rag into the water, then pull it out. Gently squeeze some of the excess water from it. Starting at one end, gently rub the soapy cloth back and forth the upper railing, moving along a few rungs at a time. Remove all dirt and algae discoloration. Dunk and lightly wring out the soapy cloth, cleaning all sides of the vertical railing slats. Complete each section by finally doing the bottom railing. If the front porch is large and the soap begins to dry, hose off each section before it does. After all sections are complete, remove any standing water from the porch with a squeegee or a mop. Dry off the railings with a clean, dry lint-free cloth.