According to NBC News, the death toll for the tornadoes that ravaged seven states earlier this week now stands at 340 people. However, authorities say that number is expected to rise, as members of the National Guard dig through untouched piles of debris in hard hit Alabama.
The televised scenes of devastation are horrific and it makes me feel guilty about complaining about the mile-long list of outdoor spring cleaning that I have yet to complete. At least my home is still standing. I’m pretty sure the tornado survivors would be more than happy to spend their Saturday cleaning out gutters, washing windows and scrubbing down decks rather than sifting through rubble looking for personal items.
Still, spring is here and there is no better time to get outside and clean up around the house than now. If you don’t have an entire weekend to devote to deep-cleaning your home’s exterior, then start small. Walk around your yard and pick up any trash you see. Check under bushes, trees and around basement window covers.
Next, dormant grass is never pretty to look at, but you can improve its appearance by gently raking it to remove dead blades. While you are out there, dispose of any animal feces on the grass and check your sprinkler system to make sure it’s working properly.
You might also consider deep-cleaning outdoor dog houses and birdfeeders. In addition, if your mailbox is looking shabby, wipe it down with a commercial cleaner or if it is in really bad shape, consider repainting it to give it a quick facelift. Do the same for front gates and fences.
Finally, if you have the means, rent a power washer to deep clean your home’s siding. Just be careful if you have never operated a power washer before. You don’t want to start shooting the side of your house without reading the tool’s directions or getting a tutorial from an employee at the rental center.
Related Articles:
Cleaning Your Outdoor Living Space