Sweep the balcony thoroughly after prepping the area. Wash the floor surface with a cleaning agent or bleach. Spray the cleaner and scrub with a brush. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Balconies are great outdoor spots for conversations over drinks while watching the sunset and feeling the cool evening breeze.
This exposure to the external environment makes balconies susceptible to inclement weather like dust, mold, leaves, bird droppings, and grime.
How To Clean Balcony Floor Daily
Cleaning your balcony should be an important task, just as cleaning any other home part. For a proper cleaning exercise, you would need:
- A broom
- Vacuum or leaf blower
- Spray bottle
- A nylon brush
- White vinegar
- Safety goggles
- Pressure washer
- Baking soda
- Laundry detergent
Step 1: Prep The Area
Before you begin any cleaning process, it is best to clear out all obstructions or pieces of furniture from the balcony that may obstruct thorough cleaning.
Step 2: Sweep The Area
Using a stiff-bristled broom, sweep out the area thoroughly. Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up dust you may have missed starting from high places before the ground.
This will prevent dust from falling on the cleaned-out spots. Don’t also forget to get rid of cobwebs and other debris.
Step 3: Prepare Your Surface Cleaner Solution
Mix a multi-surface cleaner or bleach with equal parts warm water and pour into a spray bottle or bucket.
Step 4: Spray The Cleaner And Scrub
Spray the bleach solution onto the floor surface and leave it to work for about 20-25 minutes. Then, scrub the balcony thoroughly with a brush.
Step 5: Rinse The Floor Area
After scrubbing the area, rinse off the solution with fresh water. You may use a water hose and pressure washer to clean effectively. If your balcony is above another apartment, wipe the bleach solution with a bucket and mop to avoid excess dripping.
Step 6: Clean Balcony Accessories
Don’t forget to wipe down railings, glass sliding doors, and other balcony accessories with a paper towel or microfiber cloth. They add to the overall beauty of your balcony.
How To Clean Grease And Oil Stains On Your Balcony
Clean grease stains as soon as they occur. They may sink deeper into the floor material if you don’t. However, the cleaning might take a while and multiple tries, so take your time and be patient.
Here are the materials you’ll need to clean grease and oil stains off your balcony:
- Kitty litter or cornstarch
- A broom
- A nylon-bristled brush
- Commercial degreaser
- Clean water
The Steps Involved in Cleaning Grease and Oil Stains
- Sprinkle the corn starch over the grease stain till it forms a thick layer of about an inch.
- Leave to sit for 1 to 3 days. This should give it time to absorb the grease.
- Sweep off the substance with a broom and inspect the stain. Repeat the step if the stain persists
- Once the stain has begun fading, spray the spot with a commercial degreaser and scrub the spit with a brush.
- Rinse the spot with running water or a pressure washer and leave it to air dry.
How to Clean Bird Poop Off Your Balcony
Birds come around balconies to perch on flowers and leave droppings. Unless cleaned immediately, this bird poop can become a nuisance on the balcony, sometimes leaving permanent stains. The supplies needed for cleaning bird poop are:
- A scraper
- A broom and dustpan
- Dishwashing detergent
- A bucket of hot water
- Rubber gloves
- A rubber brush
- Baking soda
- Damp cloth
Step 1: Scrape Off Dried Poop
If you have bird poop stuck on the walls or floor of your balcony, use a scraper to remove this dried-up matter. This is best for removing large pieces which may have dried. Be careful not to peel off paint or another surface finish.
Step 2: Sweep The Area
Sweep the dropped material into a heap and dispose of it properly with a dustpan.
Step 3: Wash With Dishwashing Detergent.
Mix a tablespoon of dishwashing detergent with a gallon of hot water in a bucket and wash the balcony surfaces thoroughly till all fecal matter is removed.
Step 4: Apply Baking Soda
Once the space has been brushed with detergent, sprinkle baking soda on the area and leave it to sit for about 30 minutes. Afterward, scrub the area thoroughly with a brush.
Step 5: Rinse The Balcony
Rinse off the balcony with a bucket of water and wipe down the floor with a wet cloth. Allow the area to air dry.
How To Clean Rust Stains Off Your Balcony
Cleaning out rust stains from furniture legs can be difficult, but it is doable. This process must precede treatment for mold and mildew as chlorine may cause rust stains to set. You’ll need a rust remover, a nylon bristled brush, and clean water. Follow the steps below for a clean balcony:
- Sweep away debris and dust from the balcony area
- Mix the cleaner according to the manufacturer’s direction
- Apply the cleaner to the spots with a nylon-bristled brush and scrub it thoroughly
- Rinse off with running water using a pressure washer
- Leave the area to air dry.
How To Clean Out Mold And Mildew Stains On Your Balcony
Mold and mildew stains set in due to the dampness of the outdoor space. They begin to increase and become dark spots which can become hard to clean even with oxygen-based bleach. You’ll need chlorine bleach, a nylon bristle brush, and a pressure washer.
- After removing all furniture from the area, mix chlorine with water at a ratio of 1:2. Pour this in a bucket or a spray bottle.
- Spray the ground with the solution or apply using a mop.
- Leave in for about 30 minutes to set in.
- Scrub up the floor thoroughly with a brush and rinse well using a garden hose or a pressure washer.
- It is advisable to use a higher pressure of water to rinse off the grime from the balcony’s surface.
How To Clean Balcony Floors With Different Finishes
There are different approaches to cleaning different balcony floor finishes.
Cleaning Balconies With Ceramic Or Porcelain Floor Finish
Ceramic floors are durable and can be easily cleaned using regular household items. You need hot water, vinegar, an all-purpose cleaner, a mop, baking soda, and a clean rag.
- Mix vinegar and water into a solution and scrub the balcony area using a mop
- you can also use an all-purpose cleaner to complete this process.
- Rinse off this solution with a clean rag and fresh water.
- For grout stuck between the tiles, apply bleach over the spot with an old toothbrush and scrub till the grout is removed.
- You can remove other tough stains by using baking soda and water paste.
- Leave the paste in for the night and wipe it out with a clean rag.
- Rinse off the spot with a microfiber cloth and air dry.
Cleaning Balconies With Stainless Steel Floor
Cleaning stainless steel floors is not a very complex procedure. You would need warm water, a clean cloth, and a dry towel for this procedure.
- Simply wipe the floor with warm water using a clean cloth
- Follow the polish line of the flooring using the clean cloth
- Wipe down with a dry towel and leave to air dry
Cleaning Balconies With Brick Flooring
Brick floors balconies are quite easy to maintain. You would need bleach, clean water, a scrub brush, and a mop for this procedure.
- Mix bleach in a container of water at a ratio of 4:1
- Scrub the balcony area with a nylon bristle brush thoroughly
- Dry off this solution using a mop and leave to air dry
Cleaning Balconies With Wood Floor
Vinegar is your best bet if you want to achieve a natural and eco-friendly cleaner for wooden floor balconies. You would need vinegar, water, and a microfiber cloth for this procedure.
- Mix the vinegar in water and apply to the floor to finish
- Wipe down the floor with a microfiber cloth and leave to air dry.
Things To Note About Cleaning Balcony Floors
- Ensure that you wear old clothes, protective eyewear, and rubber gloves when washing balconies with bleach and other cleaners.
- Be careful of using a pressure washer on concrete floors as they may lead to cracks on the floor surface.
- Also, avoid using harsh cleaners, especially on concrete balcony surfaces, as they may cause wear and tear.
FAQs About Cleaning Balcony Floors
How often should the balcony be cleaned?
Balconies should generally be washed once in two weeks to preserve the finish. Using chemical cleaners on your balcony too often will cause damage.
How long should cleaning my balcony take?
Unless you are dealing with a specific stubborn stain, the cleaning process for the balcony should take less than an hour.
How do you clean a high floor balcony?
To clean balconies in multistorey buildings, remove all the decorative furniture, plants, rugs, etc. Sweep the floor with a broom, but a vacuum cleaner can do the job. Use an all-purpose cleaner and warm water to scrub the floors.
