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HOW TO CLEAN SKYLIGHTS: INSIDE AND OUT
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Whether you live in a bustling big city or out in the quaint, quiet of the countryside, extra sunlight is something all of us can appreciate. And while a full-blown glass roof system isn’t feasible for everyone, bespoke windows, such as skylights, can be installed in almost any property.
Skylights are some of the best windows for letting in more light throughout the day, being well-positioned to catch both morning and evening rays alike. Not only that, but they’re a good low-cost alternative to total room renovations if you plan on opening up a darker space.
However, with these added benefits of skylights comes the persistent problem of dirt, moss, and algae build-up, all of which can quickly obscure your roof windows and prevent them from reaching their full potential.
Fortunately, the process of skylight cleaning is both simple and quick, and we’re going to walk you through it right now. Once you know how to clean skylights inside and out, you can make sure they’re consistently shining, while never having to hire an outside professional to clean them for you again.
WHAT TOOLS DO YOU NEED FOR SKYLIGHT CLEANING?
To get started with cleaning your skylights, you’re going to need the following equipment:
- Window cleaning pole – for reaching your skylights from a ladder or the ground floor.
- Telescopic brush – for cleaning skylight interiors that are out of reach.
- Ladder – to get to your roof (assuming you are comfortable doing so).
- Sponge – for cleaning your window interior.
- Bucket – for your preferred cleaning solution.
- Squeegee – to clean off excess water and prevent streaks.
- Microfibre cloth – to buff your windows dry.
- Glass cleaner – to freshen your windows up when you’re finished.
- Towel or newspaper – to catch any excess drips.
- Hose – for rinsing your external windows.
As you can see, none of this equipment is particularly specialised, and you should be able to pick it up either online or at your local hardware store.
HOW TO CLEAN SKYLIGHT WINDOWS FROM INSIDE
When cleaning your skylights, it’s often best to start with the interior first, as cleaning the inside properly will make it easier to see which remaining dirt is sitting on the exterior glass.
- First, you’ll want to clean away any furniture from around the window, before laying out your towels or newspaper to catch drips.
- Then, dust down your window and windowsill to clear away any dust and light dirt accumulation before you start. Now is also a good time to check for potential leaks, often indicated by mould, damp, or peeling wallpaper.
- Once this is sorted, take your sponge and soak it in your bucket of warm, soapy water. Wring it out thoroughly and then clean your windows in a light circular motion. Repeat until you’re satisfied your window is clean, and then used your squeegee to wipe off any remaining water, wiping the blade after each swipe for the best effect.
- After you’ve wiped your window down, take your microfibre cloth and buff your windows dry, then apply your glass cleaner of choice, following the instructions on the bottle for its application and removal.
- Last, but not least, dry anywhere excess water and hoover up any dirt you missed.
And that’s it – simple, right?
Naturally, if your home skylights aren’t within arm’s reach, you’ll have to use your telescopic brush to reach them, but the process is much the same with the exclusion of applying your glass cleaner at the end.
HOW TO CLEAN SKYLIGHTS FROM THE OUTSIDE
With the interior clean, it’s now time to begin cleaning the outside of your roof lights.
Now, if your skylights happen to centrally pivot, and you can easily reach them, then this process is very simple. Simply lock your windows into a vertical cleaning position and proceed to follow the same steps for your interior cleaning.
If however, your skylights only open outwards on a hinge or not at all, then you will need to clean them from the outside. So, once you’ve set up your window cleaning pole, your first step should be identifying the best place to stand to clean your windows from.
For example, if your windows can be reached from the ground floor using your window cleaning pole, then you can begin immediately. If, however, you’ll need to use your ladder, then you want to be sure you place it on stable ground close to the windows, so you don’t have to stretch to reach them.
When you’re ready to get started, soak the end of your window cleaning pole in a solution of warm soapy water, and begin wiping your windows, applying gentle pressure where needed to remove persistent stains. When you think you’re finished, head back inside to check for any remaining dirt and repeat until clean.
Finally, after all your windows are clean, use your hose to rinse. The angle of the roof should allow the water to drain off properly, but this rinse should also catch any remaining soap suds that could stain or streak your windows.
CLEANING SKYLIGHTS WITH SELF-CLEANING GLASS
The process we’ve just described works fine for the majority of skylights, but if your windows happen to be installed with self-cleaning glass, then this process is even easier.
Self-cleaning glass works by using the heat of the sun to bake and break down dirt. This leaves behind dusty marks that are then easily washed away by water. So, if you have self-cleaning skylights, you may only need to rinse their exterior in order to clean them.
HOW TO REMOVE MOSS DURING SKYLIGHT CLEANING
Moss and algae can grow quickly on and around skylights, especially after heavy rainfall. Fortunately, most moss or algae can be removed using a solution of vinegar and warm water. Before you begin cleaning, soak the moss on your skylight with water, then proceed to wipe it off in the same way you’d clean the windows. As for algae, older pockets may prove stubborn at first and require more pressure to remove.
OTHER TIPS FOR HOW TO CLEAN A SKYLIGHT
While we’ve covered the main points for cleaning skylights, we’d be doing you a disservice if we didn’t also include some handy tips to make the process even easier.
1. BEGIN WITH THE HIGHEST WINDOW
First, it’s recommended that you begin with the highest skylight and work your way down. That way you don’t get dirty water splashed on the ones you’ve already cleaned.
2. AVOID CLEANING WHEN IT’S TOO HOT
Second, while it’s always a good idea to clean your roof windows on a bright day so you can clearly see the dirt, you want to avoid cleaning them when it’s hot. Hot weather will cause the water on the windows to dry quickly, leaving behind water stains.
3. CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS AT THE SAME TIME
Third, if you have the tools to do so, you might want to think about cleaning your gutters at the same time. This will freshen up your roof while also making it harder for moss to get a foothold near your skylight.
4. CHECK EVERYTHING WORKS SMOOTHLY
Fourth, and finally, now is also the time to clean or replace your roof light’s air filter if it has one, as well as grease the handle and hinges so everything works smoothly.
CLEANING SKYLIGHTS SAFELY
While it is perfectly feasible to clean your skylights without assistance from a professional, safety should always be a priority when working at heights. If your home is particularly tall, and you don’t feel comfortable going up a ladder, then it’s often best to let somebody who’s trained in window cleaning handle the process.
The last thing you want is to suffer a fall and potential injury, so while it might cost you a little bit more financially, keeping yourself or members of your family safe is always more important.
And that’s it. You should now know everything you need to get your skylights sparkling. Of course, this process can work when cleaning any window, such as the wide range of aluminium frame options we have on offer here at Express.
From bay windows to shaped windows, and everything in between, our team of experts are on hand to walk you through our entire product catalogue. You can even visit our showrooms in person to see them for yourself.
Get in touch to see how we could help you with your home renovations, and don’t forget to browse the rest of our blog for more helpful articles like this one, including how to clean a conservatory roof.
