How to Quickly Clean a Balcony (Including the Outside Too)

We usually put balcony cleaning off until later: it seems like it will take forever. Let this article be your signal to action and help reduce the time spent on cleaning.

What do we need?

• floor brush;
• mop for floor cleaning;
• vacuum cleaner;
• container with soapy solution or powder (for the floor);

• aerosol cleaning products (for windows);
• clean fabric;
• sponge or brush with a long handle;
• stiff brush (for railings).

Where to start?

Remove all items that will get in your way. Of course, it's better to move everything out—this also gives you a chance to decide what to get rid of.

Move on to the Windows

If you start with the floor, during cleaning dust and dirt from walls and windows will settle on it. So wipe all surfaces, paying special attention to the frames. Don't forget about the door to the balcony: it also needs to be washed.

We already explained how to clean windows properly. But if you want to get done even faster, use aerosol cleaning products for glass (or fill a spray bottle with soapy solution). Start from the inside to determine how dirty the window is on the outside.

What about the back side of the window?

You have two options to clean it: use a brush with a long handle or a magnetic brush.

Brushes with long handles are double-sided. One side has a sponge, the other has a rubber scraper. You can easily wrap fabric around it and go over already cleaned glass. It's great if the handle is adjustable so you can easily reach the farthest areas.

But it's much more convenient to use a magnetic brush. It consists of two brushes connected by a magnet. If you place them on opposite sides of the glass, the magnet won't let them fall. When buying, pay attention to the thickness of your glass and the size of the magnet. These brushes can clean glass up to 32 mm thick. The stronger the magnet, the higher the price.

What if the balcony is open?

Then instead of windows, you’ll have to wash the railings. If time is short, simply go over them with a brush soaked in soapy solution. But if you still have an extra hour, refresh the railings after a long winter: repaint and coat with lacquer.

Move on to the Floor

Collect all large debris with a broom or vacuum cleaner, and then go over it with a mopper. The choice of cleaning product will depend on the flooring material on the balcony. To avoid using abrasive products, replace them with a soapy solution.

Start from the farthest corners and gradually move towards the entrance. If there are skirtings on the balcony, pay special attention to them—they collect the most dirt.

On the cover: Design project by Maja Valit