The balcony, like any other part of your home, needs good care, maintenance and regular cleaning. Regardless of whether you use yours frequently or not, dust and dirt from outside settle on the concrete and wooden surfaces, especially in the fabric of the balcony furniture. Moisture can cause rust on metal surfaces, and concrete floors can get leaf stains. In this article you will find useful tips on how to get rid of dirt and how you can generally clean your balcony properly.
Cleaning the balcony – instructions on how to do it right
Balcony cleaning may seem like a difficult project, but it's easier than it seems and eliminating dust and debris will make a big difference. Once your balcony is clean, you can decorate it with a stylish design, bring plants outside for spring and impress your guests with a clean, tidy and amazing space. Below you will find tips on how to properly clean your balcony!
Clear everything away from your balcony
As you prepare to clean your balcony, put away everything you can. If you have lightweight furniture that can be easily moved, bring that too. You can take back all the necessary items that belong there when you have finished cleaning and the surfaces have dried. If you have any type of flooring on your balcony, whether it is mats, rubber flooring or resin layers, if it is easy to remove, shake it out on the balcony first before cleaning and bringing it inside.
Sweep away loose dust and debris
Once you have put all the items away, you can start cleaning. The first step is to sweep the floor. If you haven't cleaned the floor of your balcony in a while, there may be a lot of accumulated dust and debris that you need to sweep. Make sure you sweep thoroughly, several times if necessary.
Tip: Use a broom with stiff bristles for best results.These brooms are very sturdy brooms that are suitable for surfaces such as concrete. You can find them at any hardware store. If you don't have one on hand or don't want to buy one, you can also use a regular broom. However, you may need to sweep the floor several times to achieve the same result.
Clean the balcony with a sponge or mop
To clean the balcony without a hose, you can use a mop or, better yet, a sponge. However, do not neglect sweeping before treating the floor with water, soap or detergent. Otherwise, you will turn the dust into even more dirt and leave even more dirt than you started with.
Remove rust stains with detergent
Rust can form on metal surfaces you may have on your balcony, especially in the winter months when the snow doesn't completely melt. The best way to remove rust stains is to apply detergent to them. Rub the detergent with a sponge, let it sit for about an hour, and then clean thoroughly with warm water.
Try removing leaf stains with dishwashing detergent
If leaves have landed on your balcony and have been lying there for a while, you may need to clean the balcony stone slabs from leaf stains. In this case, you can save the balcony floor with dishwashing detergent. Apply the dish soap to the stains, rub it with a sponge, and let it sit for about an hour. Then wipe away the detergent with warm water.
Rinse your balcony with clean water
After cleaning, rinse your balcony again with clean water. If you skip cleaning products, residue may build up and you will have to remove more stains later. It is best to use warm water to thoroughly clean your balcony.
How to best clean wooden floors on the balcony
Wooden floors on balconies are often affected by moss, insects, dirt and weather influences. Dirt and moss are cleaned with mild agents that are suitable for wooden floors on balconies. The use of aggressive cleaning agents is not recommended as they can damage the wood fibers.
Moss and dirt can also be removed from wooden floors on balconies by hard brushing with water and bleach (table salt is often added for better results). This type of cleaning is very efficient, but it must be said that bleach is not friendly to nature and the wood tends to take on a slightly grayish color. It is better to use a multi-purpose biodegradable cleaner.
After cleaning, allow the floor to dry for 3-4 days. Then rinse the floor with plenty of water and you can brush it again. The cleaned floor should be treated with an oil for wooden decking.
Preparing your balcony and terrace for spring – you can have great ideas and tips on how to get your outdoor area ready for springfind here!
