Table of Contents
● Get the motivation
○ Assess the balcony (very dirty balcony)
○ Why is it important to clean the balcony?
○ Choose the days to clean/ pre-plan
○ Ask for someone to help if required
○ How to clean the balcony without upsetting neighbors
○ Host a party the next day!
● Analyze the cleaning tool requirements
○ Balcony cleaning tools
○ Detergents and cleaning solutions
○ Cleaning tools for floor cleaning
○ Budget required
● Clearing out the space
○ Removing big furniture
○ Removing pots
○ Removing the carpet
● How to clean - full steps
○ Start with cleaning the ceiling/roof
○ Clean balcony railing
○ Clean balcony windows
○ Wall Cleaning
○ How to clean the balcony floor
○ Cleaning with pressure washer/power washer
○ Clean the artificial grass/ carpet/ wash cushions
● How to clean if your balcony has pots
○ Check for insects
○ Clean the pot trays
○ Remove the dried plants and loosen the soil
○ Clean the area below the pots
● How to prevent the balcony from getting dirty
○ Covering with mesh/net
○ Sweeping and mopping
○ Protect from rain and snow
○ Pets
● How to beautifully rearrange your balcony
○ Repaint if required
○ Wallpaper or wall art
○ Rearrange the pots and furniture
○ Furniture as a storage place
○ Hangout place
● FAQs
○ How to clean after grouting/pointing?
○ How to do season-wise cleaning?
○ How much does a cleaning and Sealing treatment cost?
Get the motivation
Many of us dread cleaning our house. We all need motivation! Some of us spend hours together searching for the right song to play while doing the cleaning and then don't clean at all! But who doesn't like a clean house? We somehow manage to clean the house, but when it comes to the balcony, we always say let's do it later and beat ourselves up for not having a clean balcony. Here are some tips to get motivated to clean the balcony. These tips are very efficient and budget-friendly.
Assess the balcony (very dirty balcony)
The first step is to assess the balcony. Depending on how dirty it is and what type of floor the balcony has, we can decide on the cleaning tools, the time required, and the energy required.
It is also essential to check the season. Many countries face heavy rainfall and snowfall. It is best to avoid cleaning the balcony during these seasons. Also, avoid cleaning the balcony if any construction is ongoing beside your apartment.
Why is it important to clean the balcony?
When we buy a home, we see if it has a balcony. It is considered an extra feature of the house. I mean, who does not like a balcony? But cleaning is also essential rather than just having a balcony. It can be a great space to spend time, relax and have a cup of coffee with a loved one. All this is possible when the balcony is clean.
Choose the days to clean/ pre-plan
We can get prepared to clean the balcony by choosing the days of our convenience. We can do Sundays, as most people do, or pick the days before festivals. It is always easy to get motivated to clean when we know we will have guests at our house. So, cleaning a day before a party is definitely motivational.
Ask for someone to help if required
When in difficulty, always ask for help. We all need help, so asking someone to help clean also does the trick of getting the cleaning done effortlessly. Tell your partner or friend your intention of having a party on the balcony and ask them for help.
If the cleaning seems too daunting and impossible, the last resort is to call the cleaning services. But before that, take a look at the rest of the article and get motivated to clean the balcony yourself.
How to clean the balcony without upsetting neighbors
It is necessary to take note of the cleaning notice or the cleaning procedure advised in your apartment. Some apartments have schedules for cleaning the window exteriors. These can be helpful as we can benefit by doing it with others with the help of cleaning services and not worrying about the cleaning.
Others can have a procedure to follow the cleaning as there may be no drainage system in the apartment. Take necessary care while sweeping and mopping instead of pouring water on the floor to clean. The water from the upper floor balcony can cause damage and filth in the lower floor balconies.
Host a party the next day!
Thank your partner or friend by hosting a party on your balcony the next day after cleaning. Else, use reverse psychology by inviting people and getting motivated to clean your balcony the day before the party!
Analyze the cleaning tool requirements
To start cleaning, analyze the cleaning tools required to clean your balcony and the budget to get these tools.
Balcony cleaning tools
Simple broom and mop always win. Other handy tools include a dustpan, ceiling broom, brushes, a bucket, and an old cloth. A ceiling broom is always helpful in cleaning the roof in high-rise buildings.
Various scrubs are available to clean small spaces, window sills, and rails. Use a bucket to fill it with water and an old cloth to clean the different surfaces of windows and railings.
Detergents and cleaning solutions
It is required to have a cleaning solution or detergent to mix with water before mopping the floor. Cleaning solutions are available in the market, and homemade solutions made with vinegar, lemon, or baking soda are worthwhile. These solutions help to disinfect your balcony.
To one liter of warm water, add one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice and mix it with one tablespoon of dish soap. Pour this solution into a spray bottle and use it on the grime. Making this homemade solution is very cost-effective.
Cleaning tools for floor cleaning
A dustpan helps in collecting all the dust and discarding it at once. Avoid using a vacuum cleaner on your balcony, as many balconies have different floors than what is inside the house.
Budget required
A minimal amount is required to buy all the tools mentioned earlier. Many of us already have all of these in our homes as we use them daily.
Clearing out the space
Get started on the cleaning process by removing the things from the balcony.
Removing big furniture
Remove the sofa, chairs, and barbeque grill with the help of your partner or friend.
Removing pots
If your balcony has pots, remove these pots to clean the area below them.
Removing the carpet
Remove the carpet or the artificial grass to clean them separately.
How to clean - full steps
Start with cleaning the ceiling/roof
Start cleaning your balcony from top to bottom. This way, you can collect all the dust from above and discard it together with the floor dust. Use a ladder to clean the ceiling. If a ladder is unavailable, use a ceiling broom to clean the roof.
Clean balcony railing
Many balconies have railings. Some may have detailed designs to make them look beautiful, but cleaning these railings takes a lot of time. It is best to use an old cloth with a mug of water to clean these railings. Small brushes can also help clean the tiny spaces.
Do not throw water at the railings, as the water can fall on the floor below and cause a nuisance.
Clean balcony windows
The balcony may consist of glass windows which also need cleaning up. Several apartments have a window cleaning schedule, as mentioned earlier.
If you do not have a cleaning schedule in your apartment, follow these steps. First, clean the surface of the window with a dry old cloth to remove the dust. Use the homemade cleaning solution mentioned earlier to spray on the glass window and wipe it with a kitchen wiper or a table mop.
Also, clean the window sills with a small brush and water. Some windows are detachable, so it's easy to detach, clean, and reattach them after cleaning. Magnetic window cleaners are also available to clean the outside of the window if you have a budget.
If both options do not work, use a long squeegee wiper stick, dip it in the solution, and clean the windows. Finally, get a clear and fabulous view from your clean window!
Wall Cleaning
Clean the wall off with a broom to get the dust out. If the wall has tiles or a smooth water-proof surface, pour water and mop the wall surface. If there is no drain in the balcony, dip the mop in a bucket of water, squeeze, and use it to clean the wall.
Check the wall for any damage and plaster the wall. Use damp-proof paint to protect the wall from moisture and water damage.
How to clean the balcony floor
After cleaning the roof, wall, and windows, collect all the dust and sweep the floor with a broom. Then use a mop to wipe the floor.
Concrete floor
For a balcony with a concrete floor, use a rough surface broom or a coconut broomstick to sweep the floor. It is better to pour water and sweep it with a broom as the surface is rough to clean with an ordinary mop.
Balcony with drain and hose
For a balcony that has a drain, use a hose to clean the floor. It helps in quick cleaning. Hold a hose, pour water from it, and sweep with a plastic broomstick. This plastic broomstick can also help clean your bathroom.
Balcony without hose and drain
For a balcony without a drain, do not pour water on the floor. Instead, use a mop to wipe the floor. If you do not have a hose, take the things on the balcony to the utility room to clean. Wipe the balcony floor with a mop and then place the cleaned objects.
Wooden floor
If your balcony has a wooden floor, sweep it with an ordinary broom. You can use a vacuum cleaner only on these types of floors. Later, wipe the floor with water mixed with dishwashing soap with a mop. No additional solutions or detergents are required to clean this type of floor.
Tiles
If the balcony has tiles, you can use the same method to clean it similar to inside the house.
Cleaning with pressure washer/power washer
A pressure washer or power washer helps clean the patio or the deck. For a patio, using a pressure washer makes sense, but using one of these is not recommended in an apartment.
If your balcony has a concrete floor with a drain, a pressure washer helps with easy cleaning.
Clean the artificial grass/ carpet/ wash cushions
The artificial grass or the carpet used on the balcony requires cleaning separately. Dust off the rug and soak it in warm water with a detergent. Using a pressure washer on a carpet may be helpful.
Wash the cushions and the pillowcases used on the balcony. A vacuum cleaner can also help clean these cushions for quick cleaning purposes.
How to clean if your balcony has pots
Many of us love to place pots and grow plants on our balconies. But it is also essential to clean and take care of these pots regularly. Here are some tips to help clean the balcony with pots.
Check for insects
You might be wondering. Even though I watered the plants, why are they all drying up? Insects prey on some plants on the balcony. Check the plants regularly and use an insecticide to prevent damage.
Clean the pot trays
Cleaning of the pot trays is also required. These consist of mud and grime that needs cleaning. If your pots do not have trays below them, the place below them is dirty too. Use pot trays to prevent water from flowing down the flowerpots, and keep the surface clean.
Remove the dried plants and loosen the soil
If the plants have dried, take them out. Pour water into the pots so that the soil loosens. Use a garden fork to ease the mud. If the soil is too wet, allow it to dry before planting new plants. Always make sure that the plants are getting enough sunlight.
Clean the area below the pots
As mentioned earlier, if the pots do not have trays below them, the area below them becomes dirty. Thoroughly wash the mud stains by removing the flowerpots and sweeping the area using water.
How to prevent the balcony from getting dirty
The balcony can get dirty very quickly. Depending on the area of residence and the seasons, the cleaning requirements are different. Here are a few ways to keep your balcony clean.
Covering with mesh/net
If your balcony has visitors like pigeons, you might have faced the issue of cleaning bird poop. To prevent this, use a mesh or net to cover your deck and keep the birds away.
It is better to clean the bird poop when wet as it gets cleaned easily with only water.
Sweeping and mopping
Sweeping and mopping your balcony at least once a week is the best method to keep it clean. Using a plastic broom to sweep with water is also helpful in balconies with drains.
Protect from rain and snow
Use balcony sunscreens or bamboo blinds to protect the balcony from rain and snow. These blinds help in keeping the balcony clean to some extent.
Pets
Not allowing pets on your balcony as much as possible may be the best solution to keeping it clean. If you want your pets on the deck, make them their respective place on the balcony. This way, they only make part of the place dirty.
How to beautifully rearrange your balcony
After the cleaning session, it is time to rearrange your balcony and make it beautiful. Rearranging is the most exciting and the last part of the cleaning!
Repaint if required
Paint the walls if there is damage due to moisture. Use damp-proof paints to prevent damp walls. Use wall paint designs to paint the walls and make them more beautiful.
Wallpaper or wall art
If wall painting is too tiresome, try using wallpaper readily available on amazon. You can also enhance your balcony by using wall hangings just by drilling a few nails.
Rearrange the pots and furniture
Keep back all the things on the balcony and rearrange the items. You can use an outdoor sofa set, chairs, and table or simply a carpet with some pillows. You can arrange the pots on a shelf, hang them from the wall above, or on a railing.
Furniture as a storage place
Use the furniture as a storage place to store the barbecue grills or any other things you want to use later.
Hangout place
After cleaning the balcony, you will have great satisfaction with the clean balcony, which makes it a great place to hang out. Invite your friends over and have a good time on your clean balcony!
FAQs
How to clean after grouting/pointing?
The surface needs to be cured and dry before cleaning. Use a coconut broomstick to clean easily.
How to do season-wise cleaning?
It is best to clean the outdoors during spring or summer and indoors during the rainy season or snowfall to distribute the cleaning work.
How much does a cleaning and Sealing treatment cost?
The cleaning and sealing treatment of the pavers cost around 1$ to 3$ per square foot.