Before you list your home, clean the outside in this order: whole-house exterior wash first, then windows, then driveway, walkways and patio, and solar panels if you have them. Finish one to two weeks before listing photos are taken. A clean exterior is the first thing buyers see online and at the curb, and it is one of the least disruptive ways to make a house look cared for.
Why the exterior matters when you sell
Real estate agents consistently put curb appeal near the top of their advice to sellers. In the National Association of Realtors' 2025 Profile of Home Staging, 77% of sellers' agents said they recommend improving curb appeal before a home goes on the market[1]. The same report found that 88% of sellers' agents considered listing photos more important, or much more important, to their clients[1]. Most buyers meet your house through those photos, and the front exterior is usually the first one in the gallery.
Exterior cleaning will not fix a cracked foundation or an old roof, and it should not be used to hide defects that must be disclosed. What it does is remove the dirt, streaks, stains and grime that make a sound house look neglected.
The curb appeal cleaning checklist
1. Siding, stucco, trim and garage door
- Wash the whole exterior to remove dust, cobwebs, mildew and the gray film that builds up on stucco and painted trim.
- Pay attention to eaves, the area around light fixtures and the garage door, which faces the street in most listing photos.
- Use low-pressure soft washing on stucco and painted siding. High pressure can etch stucco, force water behind siding or lift paint. See our guide to soft washing vs. pressure washing and cleaning a stucco exterior.
2. Windows, frames, sills and screens
- Clean exterior glass so windows look clear in photos and let in more light during showings.
- Wipe frames and sills, where dust and dead insects collect.
- Clean screens. Dirty screens make a whole elevation look dull, even when the glass is clean.
- If you have white spots from sprinklers, deal with them early. Our article on hard water spots on windows explains why they can take more than one pass.
3. Driveway
- Pressure wash concrete or pavers to remove tire marks, grime and general discoloration.
- Treat oil stains first. Fresh stains lift more easily than old ones, so do not leave them until the week of listing. See driveway pressure washing and oil stains.
- Clean the sidewalk apron and curb edge too, because they are in the same photo.
4. Walkway, front steps and patio
- Clean the path from the street or driveway to the front door. Every buyer walks it.
- Remove dark algae and green growth on shaded steps and pavers, which look untidy and can be slippery when wet. More in walkway and patio cleaning for algae.
- Clean the back patio as well. It shows up in listing photos and buyers will step outside during showings.
5. Solar panels
- If you have solar, dusty panels are visible from the street and in aerial or drone photos.
- Panels should be cleaned following the manufacturer's guidance: no high-pressure spray and no harsh chemicals. Read does solar panel cleaning help?
Order and timing
The order matters because water and dirt run downhill:
- House exterior first. Washing siding and eaves sends runoff onto windows and flatwork.
- Windows next, once the walls above them are clean.
- Driveway, walkways and patio last, so they are not re-soiled by work above them.
- Solar panels can be done on the same visit or separately, early in the morning or late in the day when panels are cool.
Aim to finish one to two weeks before the photographer comes. That leaves time for concrete to dry fully, for a second pass on any stubborn stain, and for small repairs you notice once everything is clean, such as peeling trim paint or a torn screen.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 3–4 weeks before listing | Walk around the house, note stains and problem areas, book cleaning |
| 2–3 weeks before | House wash, windows, driveway, walkways, patio, solar panels |
| 1–2 weeks before | Touch-ups, small repairs, final check from the curb |
| Day before photos | Sweep, put away hoses and bins, wipe the front door |
Small things that make a clean exterior look finished
- Clear cobwebs from porch ceilings and around the front door.
- Wipe down the front door, house numbers, mailbox and exterior light fixtures.
- Put away hoses, bins and tools before photos and showings.
- Check what you see from the curb at the time of day photos will be taken. Low sun shows streaks on glass and stains on concrete that you might miss at noon.
If you are selling in the Sacramento region
Central Valley conditions add a few specific problems: summer dust on windows and panels, spring pollen on every horizontal surface, hard water spots from sprinklers, and algae on shaded walkways after the rainy season. If you are listing in spring, plan for pollen. If you are listing in late summer or fall, plan for dust and, in some years, smoke and ash residue; see cleaning your exterior after wildfire smoke and pollen season.
LORS Cleaning handles all five pieces of this checklist: whole-house exterior washing, window cleaning, driveway pressure washing, walkway and patio cleaning, and solar panel cleaning. We work across the Sacramento area and within 100 miles, including Roseville, Folsom and Elk Grove. We are licensed and insured, use eco-safe biodegradable products, and give a free, exact estimate with no hidden fees. If something isn't right, tell us within 24 hours and we come back and fix it free.
Quick answers
How long before listing should I clean the exterior?
Aim to finish one to two weeks before listing photos. That leaves time for surfaces to dry, a second pass on stubborn stains and any small repairs you notice.
What order should exterior cleaning be done in?
Wash the house first, then the windows, then the driveway, walkways and patio, so runoff from higher surfaces does not re-soil what is already clean.
Is pressure washing safe for stucco before a sale?
High pressure can damage stucco and paint. We use low-pressure soft washing on stucco and painted siding and save higher pressure for concrete.
Sources
- National Association of Realtors. NAR Report Reveals Home Staging Boosts Sale Prices and Reduces Time on Market (2025 Profile of Home Staging) (2025). https://nar.realtor/newsroom/nar-report-reveals-home-staging-boosts-sale-prices-and-reduces-time-on-market
