Is the outside of your house is looking tired even though it doesn’t need painting or has vinyl siding? The harsh elements can take a toll on the outside or your home, and your house can get dirty just like anything else, then there’s mold and tree sap to contend with.

You can give your house a face lift and save time and money at the same time by simply renting a pressure washer and cleaning it. If your house is white you can use regular household bleach to clean it ( cup to 1 gallon). If your house is another color you may want to use dish liquid or another household cleaner. Do a patch test to make certain that your cleaner won’t fade the paint or siding.

Hook up the pressure washer and have it on stand by so that you can quickly rinse the cleaner off of the house. Spray one side of your house at a time with the cleaner that you have decided on, scrub lightly any extra dirty areas with a sponge mop or soft brush. Next use the pressure washer to clean that side of your house, then work your way around the entire house doing the same thing on each side.

This project shouldn’t take more than a few hours, but it can make your house look like new on the outside.

There are alternatives that will enhance the landscaping, help the environment, and save money. Planting clover is one alternative it is low-maintenance and attractive. It has small flowers to attract honeybees, and butterflies. Clover also helps maintain the soil by extracting nitrogen from the air and putting it back in the soil by its root system. Clover does not require regular watering because of it longer root system. Clover thrives in well-compacted soil, whereas traditional grasses will thin out. Clover will over run any weeds making it practically maintenance free.

Decorative colored stone is ideal for flowerbeds or walkways. River gravel is small quarter inch stones that many homeowners are using in lieu of grass. River gravel is ideal for parts of the country that do not receive much rain. Pea gravel though smaller is perfect for flowerbeds, and around trees. It is too small for entire lawn coverage because it will wash away in heavy rains.

Evergreen dwarf trees are ideal they stay green year around and can be used as noise and privacy barriers. They do not require pruning and water only when extremely dry. Purchasing smaller trees and shrubs is economical. Buying trees and shrubs already matured is costly and hard to plant. Use shrubbery instead of fencing for that privacy barrier. Flower bearing shrubs not only enhance the yard they help the environment.

Gutters are trash traps; they collect debris from trees like nobody-s business. Unless you have a gutter elf that picks out every stray leaf in your gutters, you are going to have to get up there and do some work.

You will need: a ladder, broom, trash bags, work gloves, and a hose with an adjustable spray nozzle.Get more information here. http://www.casasugar.com/How–Clean-Out-Your-Gutters-3011049

Sweep the debris into small piles, then with gloved hands scoop it into the trash bags. Finish with a good hosing to insure proper drainage. This is a great time to check for loose connections or other damage and leaks. Check the downspouts carefully; leaves create dams down in the spout that aren’t visible.

Gutters are the single most overlooked fall maintenance item on the list. We can-t miss the leaves piling up around the maple tree, but we forget, they don-t always fall straight down to the ground. Include gutter maintenance in your fall cleaning chores this season.

Trees can block the view of your house and if they are growing out of control trimming them is necessary. This can not only make your property more appealing, it can protect your home and property from damage.The full explanation can be found at http://charlotte.news14.com/content/top_stories/642604/your-home–tree-maintenance Falling limbs, and falling trees are a danger. Having your trees properly trimmed can help prevent accidents that may occur. Trees that are growing in the line of power lines should always be professionally trimmed. The money spent will be worth the danger that can be avoided.

Trees that are very large ,or that will be severely pruned, need the advice of a professional also. Too severe trimming can result in permanent death or damage to the tree.

Trimming can be done any time of year, but the best time is before spring when the tree is bare of leaves. Trimming after the first grown in spring should be avoided if possible as the tree has just spent much energy in producing the new growth and cutting them can cause more damage at this time of year.

Paint is available in every color imaginable, and even some that you never would imagine. This allows for the maximum customization of every room in your home. The “rules” of which color should be used in which room have gone out the window. Replaced by a more free use of color that is based solely on the desire of the homeowner.This/tag helps explain it more.