This is how often you should have the exterior of your house cleaned to maintain your property value and avoid costly siding repairs
It's a big job best left to the pros, but so worthwhile


Do you ever think about how often you should have the exterior of your house cleaned? It's an essential outdoor maintenance task that can go neglected, but should be completed once or twice a year, and more frequently if you're in certain areas.
While it's easy to let slip off your radar, professional cleaners urge that cleaning the outside of your home frequently enough is important for maintaining the integrity of the materials and avoiding costly repairs.
Here, they share their cleaning tips on just how often you should be ticking off this task, and why.
How often should you have the exterior of your house cleaned?
For this essential outdoor cleaning task, Carolina Kazimierski, president and co-owner of Sophia's Cleaning Service, advises, 'I would recommend once or twice a year when it comes to exterior house cleaning. This isn't something that needs to be done often, just because your home's exterior is built to be durable, and also because this can be quite the chore!'
But, as Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, explains, if your home is situated in an area with particularly heavy pollen, pollution, sea air, or trees nearby, consider cleaning the exterior of your house more regularly, approximately every six to nine months.
'Exterior cleaning removes dirt, mildew, algae, and pollutants that can degrade siding and paint, leading to costly repairs,' she explains. 'It also upgrades curb appeal in a weekend, and maintains property value.'
Why it’s best to leave it to the professionals
As important as it is, don't be tempted to do it yourself.
While there are plenty of outdoor cleaning tasks and overlooked outdoor cleaning jobs you can tackle yourself, this one is best handled by a professional, say our cleaning experts.
'Professionals know how to safely and effectively pressure wash or soft wash your home without damaging paint, siding, or landscaping,' explains Karina. 'They also use commercial-grade equipment and eco-friendly solutions that work better and faster than store-bought options – saving you time, effort, and potential repair costs.'
This might seem counterintuitive if you're looking to save money at home, but it's important to remember that cleaning siding on a house without damaging it and power washing a house can be difficult to do yourself, both of which are crucial when undertaking any exterior house cleaning.
What to shop
Most pros will come armed with everything they need for exterior house cleaning, but these items are sure to come in handy for your other outdoor cleaning tasks, too, from cleaning your front door to cleaning the driveway.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Ladders can be cumbersome to store and use, but this one folds down small and extends to 12.5 ft, with a maximum weight capacity of 330 lbs.
This pressure washer is compact and easy to use for all outdoor cleaning tasks including exterior house cleaning, with an extendable wand and quick-connect nozzles.
This outdoor cleaner effortlessly removes mold and mildew stains, and, even with a powerful concentrated formula, is plant and lawn safe.
FAQs
What is the average price for pressure washing a house?
In general, the average price for exterior house cleaning with a pressure washer is around $310, with most homeowners paying between $212 and $447 according to data collected by Angi.
To avoid hidden costs, have a pro come round to consider the project type and surface area, for a complete and accurate estimate.
Meet our experts

With numerous contributions in Homes & Gardens, Real Homes, The Spruce, and many more, Karina has extensive knowledge of both indoor and outdoor cleaning, and which tasks are best left to the pros.

Since being founded in 1984, Sophia's Cleaning Service has become a trusted, local and family-owned cleaning company when it comes to tackling both indoor and outdoor cleaning.
Looking for more ways beyond exterior house cleaning to increase your curb appeal? Why not try these small upgrades that can boost home value, from installing double glazing to converting a pre-existing space.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.

Ottilie joined Homes & Gardens last year, after finishing a Master's in Magazine Journalism at City, University of London. With previous contributions in Livingetc and Motorsport Magazine, she produces content for the Solved section on the website, focusing on clever tips and tricks to keep your home beautiful, organized and clean. She also has a Master's degree in English Literature and History of Art from the University of Edinburgh, where she developed a love for inspiring interiors and architecture.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
-
Working at my desk left me in a sweat until I tried this $17 small-space, renter-friendly Amazon fan – hundreds of thousands of people love it
It is cool, cute, and cost-effective
-
Should you put a bathtub in your bedroom? Experts weigh in on the hotel-style feature that always divides opinions
Discover whether this rising feature is the pinnacle of luxury or a functional nightmare
-
'If you can smell it, there's a problem in progress' – 5 expert-approved ways to get rid of musty smells in an attic
Our HVAC pros share their top tips
-
Everything you need to know about HOAs: Your questions answered
An easy-to-understand guide on how Homeowners Associations work
-
This is the 1 drainage mistake experts urge homeowners to never make – it acts as 'slow poison' for your home and could cost you thousands to fix later
Avoid cracks, uneven settling and structural issues
-
Easy-to-follow outdoor maintenance calendar – these month-by-month instructions will help you stay on top of vital home to-dos
From clearing gutters to prepping windows and doors, we've got you covered
-
This is the ideal humidity level for your bedroom for a comfortable night's sleep, urge HVAC pros
Maximize comfort and reduce allergens
-
How to pack a DIY hurricane preparedness kit – 10 'prepper-approved' essentials to keep you going through the worst of the extreme weather
Don’t leave anything to chance, experts urge
-
6 easy ways to stop creating unnecessary trash at home – simple swaps to save money while limiting your planetary impact
Reduce your waste and help the planet
-
Experts reveal the 7 most skipped and hated summer cleaning jobs – and how to get past the mental block to tick them off your list
Brain hacking to get these seasonal chores sorted will be so worthwhile