Been a busy summer? The outdoor cleaning jobs to tackle before autumn arrives

It’s been quite the summer. Record-breaking heat, long spells of sunshine and exceptionally dry conditions have meant many of us have spent more time outside – and our homes bear the evidence to prove it.

From dusty patios and barbecue splashes to stained paving and gutters full of dry debris, a busy summer can leave outdoor spaces looking a little worse for wear. Before falling leaves and wetter weather arrive, now is a good time to give the outside of your home a seasonal reset.

Here, Stuart Thorpe from Greensleeves Lawn Care Portsmouth shares the cleaning jobs he'd prioritise – and the common mistakes to avoid.

Give patios and paving more than a quick sweep

After weeks of entertaining, patios can accumulate everything from barbecue grease and drink spills to dried soil and general grime.

Move furniture and pots before cleaning – you’ll often find dirt and discolouration underneath that you hadn’t noticed. Grease and food stains are worth tackling now, particularly on porous surfaces, where they can become harder to lift over time.

And don’t assume a pressure washer is suitable for everything. Natural stone, concrete, porcelain and block paving all have different requirements. Too much pressure can damage softer stone and strip jointing material from between pavers, so always start with the gentlest effective cleaning method and test it on an inconspicuous area first.

Don’t overlook the driveway

After such a hot, dry summer, driveways can have a noticeable build-up of fine dust, dirt and debris too. 

Start with a thorough sweep, paying particular attention to edges and drainage channels. It’s worth doing this before introducing water – otherwise, loose dust and soil can simply turn into muddy residue that gets pushed into joints and drains.

Oil and vehicle stains should also be treated individually with a product suitable for the surface. The sooner you tackle them, the better, as oil can penetrate porous materials and become much more difficult to remove.

Clean decking before the damp weather arrives

Decking may look perfectly fine after weeks of dry weather, but autumn can quickly highlight areas that haven’t been cleaned properly. 

Move furniture and planters and clear debris from between the boards, rather than concentrating only on the visible surface. Trapped organic matter holds onto moisture, which can encourage algae and make decking slippery as conditions become damper.

Be wary of using excessive pressure here too. On timber decking, aggressive pressure washing can roughen or damage the surface fibres, so a gentler approach is often the better place to start.

Clear drains while the debris is still dry

This is one job where getting ahead of the autumn weather can save a lot of hassle.

Dust, soil, seeds and other lightweight debris can accumulate around drains and drainage channels during a dry summer. When heavier rain arrives, it can all be washed towards the same outlet at once.

Sweep it up while it’s dry and remove visible debris from drain covers and channels around patios and driveways. After cleaning, pour a small amount of water towards the channel and watch where it goes. If it pools or drains unusually slowly, you may have spotted an issue before the first major autumn downpour does.

Finally, don’t forget the gutters

You don’t need to wait until every autumn leaf has fallen to think about your gutters. After a long, dry summer, leaves, seeds, twigs, moss and other debris may already have collected inside. Clearing this before wetter weather arrives helps water flow freely rather than washing everything towards the downpipe at once.

Fascias and soffits are easily forgotten too, despite accumulating dirt, algae, cobwebs and staining over time. Anything involving significant height is best left to the professionals.

After the summer we’ve had, a little targeted cleaning now can make a real difference – leaving the outside of your home looking fresher and better prepared for the wetter months ahead.