Professional Tips for Cleaning Your Garden Shed

Whether you want to spruce up your garden shed for summer or you’re considering selling your property and want everything to be spotless for the potential buyers, we’ve got you covered! 

Move Out Mates will let you in on some industry secrets and by the end of it, you’ll be a cleaning expert.

But first, you’ll need to gather some tools and equipment. To be as effective as possible and to make cleaning your shed a nice activity, it is important to have the following items: all-purpose cleaner, glass and mirror cleaner, disinfectant, limescale remover, furniture polish, bleach, different cleaning cloths, rubber gloves, sponges, a bucket and a mop, a vacuum cleaner, hardwood floor cleaner, etc. 

Choose the cleaning products based on your needs and preferences and try to use non-toxic substances and eco-friendly solutions if possible.

Now that you have everything you need, you can get to work. Below, you’ll find a list of professional tips that will help you clean your garden shed like a pro.

Tip #1. Clean the Siding of Your Garden Shed

Before you start cleaning the interior, it’s quite important to clean the exterior first. After all, this is what people see first. You can clean the siding with a hose or with a power washer. If you are lucky enough to have a vinyl siding shed, then a power washer is a quick and easy option. If your shed is made of wood and it has a layer of paint, the best option is to use a hose, which has less pressure. Either way, be careful not to damage the shed throughout this process. If you notice any visible dirt, it’s recommended to scrub it off with plain old soap and water.

Tip #2. Wash the Windows

Washing the windows is an important step towards achieving a squeaky clean garden shed. It’s best to wash the windows manually because too much pressure from the hose as the power washer can crack the glass.

Use a glass cleaning solution and make sure you wash both the interior and the exterior sides. 

For spotless windows, you can use a mix of warm water and vinegar, avoid ammonia or alcohol-based products, use a solvent for stubborn spots, use lint-free wipes that are soft and made of micro-fibre or a window squeegee cleaner.

Tip #3. Clean the Floors

You were surely planning on doing this already, but we figured we’d still add this tip to our list to ensure that it is complete. As you know, house cleaning is all about cleaning the floors, because that’s where all the dirt and dust gather. You can use a vacuum cleaner, or, if there’s a lot of dirt and soil on the floor, it’s best to use a broom to sweep it first. If you like your shed extra clean, you can use a bucket of water and a mop and give your floors a nice washing.

Make sure you use a detergent that’s appropriate for your flooring.

Tip #4. Discard Everything You Don’t Need.

To ensure that your garden shed will look clean and tidy, getting rid of the stuff that you don’t use and don’t need is a must. We know that some things are impossible to discard as they are the type of things that ‘you might need someday.

However, sorting them every once in a while is important to prevent degradation and other sanitary issues.

Tip #5. Check for Holes and Infiltrations

While you’re at it, why not take a few minutes to check for holes and other similar issues?

If your garden shed has cracks and holes, you risk dealing with water infiltrations, rust, damage, mildew, and unwanted guests such as rodents, birds, and other tiny critters.

Also check under your garden shed because wildlife might look for shelter there, especially during winter.

Tip #6. Use Vinegar to Get Rid of Mildew

If your garden shed has an unpleasant smell, you might deal with mildew. Check all the nooks and crannies of your shed, the corners, and behind the furniture to ensure that you don’t miss any. If you’re not sure what mildew looks like, check for green or dark spots that smell bad.

Spray these spots with vinegar and check regularly to make sure they don’t reappear. Good ventilation is the best way to avoid mildew in the future, especially for tenants.

Houseplants are another great way to prevent mildew, as they will also absorb excess moisture.

Tip #7. Remove the Cobwebs

Unless it’s Halloween, remove all the cobwebs, especially if you plan on putting your house on the market. But try to be gentle with the spiders, as they have an important role in our fragile ecosystem. Spiders feed on many unpleasant pests such as mosquitos, flies, roaches, and even clothes moths. If you live in an area with dangerous spiders, make sure you use protective equipment.

Tip #8. Clean Up the Rust

If you’re the happy owner of a garden shed made of wood, you probably don’t have to worry about rust. But some garden sheds are made of metal, and they become rusty after a while. The easiest way to remove rust is by using a non-toxic paste made of lemon juice and baking soda. 

Apply this mix with a brush, let it sit for a few hours, scrub, and then wash everything off with a hose.

Tip #9. Dust and Clean the Shelves and the Storage Spaces

By cleaning all the storage spaces and all the shelves thoroughly, you get a chance to sort through all your stuff and decide what you need and what you don’t. This is also a great opportunity for labelling, boxing, and organising. It is always wise to keep a tidy shed, and if it’s clean, you’ll enjoy using it even more.

Make sure you clean your garden tools as well to prevent them from becoming rusty.

Tip #10. Install New Shelves.

If the old shelves and storage spaces are too deteriorated, it’s best to install new ones. This will give your garden shed a tidier look and it’ll make your life easier.

Tip #11. Hire a Team of Professional Cleaners

Our list wouldn’t be complete without this piece of wisdom. We barely have time to do the things we love and to spend enough time with our loved ones. So, if your budget allows it, why not enjoy your weekend instead of wasting it all with chores? 

Hire a team of professional cleaners and save time and effort.