How To Clean Apartment Balcony (7 Quick And Simple Steps)


Woman holding a wet mop on balcony. How to clean apartment balcony feature image.

Image from Pixabay.

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t enjoy cleaning your apartment balcony. But there’s no need to dread it because with a few simple steps, cleaning your balcony can be a breeze. In this article, we’ll show you how to clean apartment balcony without any hassle.

In short, to clean an apartment balcony, sweep and then mop the surface. If there are any stains, they can be removed with a cleaning solution and a brush. Window cleaners can be sprayed onto a cloth or towel and then used to clean the windows as well as the balcony railing.

Keep reading to find out how to clean apartment balcony the easiest way possible, what tools to use, and in what order to do it all to get the best results possible!

How often should you clean your balcony?

Balcony cleaning frequency should be determined by the level of soiling on the balcony, how often it is used, weather conditions, and the type of materials used in its construction.

For example, a balcony that is frequently exposed to dirt and rain should be cleaned at least once a month. A balcony that is enclosed with windows and roof, or that is not exposed to dirt and bad weather does not need cleaning as frequently.

If you’re suffering from lots of pollen powder on your balcony, this article will help.

Best way to clean apartment balcony

Cleaning an apartment balcony can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be a breeze. Here are seven easy steps to clean your balcony:

1. Prepare the space and clear items

Remove all the furniture and accessories from the balcony. Take away any cleaning or maintenance supplies, such as brooms and mops from the balcony. Remove any clutter such as plants and decorations, also from the walls.

If you have artificial grass on the balcony floor, remove this as well. Basically, the whole area should be completely empty.

At this stage, it is a good idea to first clean the furniture and any flower pots and accessories before proceeding to actually clean the balcony space. Depending on your balcony and apartment size, you can clean the items on your balcony, or inside your apartment.

Use mild cleaning solutions for your furniture to make sure it won’t get damaged.

2. Choose balcony cleaning tools

When it comes time to clean your balcony, you need the right tools for the job. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right balcony cleaning tools.

balcony cleaning tools

Image from Pixabay

First, consider the type of flooring you have on your balcony. If you have a concrete or stone surface, you’ll need a stiff-bristled brush and a degreaser to get the dirt and grime off. If your balcony has a wooden surface, a broom with a dustpan (Amazon link) will do the trick.

If your balcony is plagued by lots of dust and pollen, you might want to consider getting a solid vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter (Amazon link) that takes care of the pollen without the risk of re-circulating the pollen afterward inside the house or apartment.

Next, a mop or a cloth can be used to clean the balcony floor as well as the walls and the railing. Use a mild and organic cleaning solution together with some water. Be conservative with the water as you want to protect any neighbors below by preventing water from dripping from above.

Doing a power wash is not recommended when carrying out a condo balcony cleaning if you have neighbors, as the water will fly everywhere.

However, if you live in a free-standing house without neighbors, then the Karcher balcony cleaner / Karcher Pressure Washer (Amazon link) can be of great help to clean your concrete balcony or patio.

Balcony glass cleaning tools

For the windows on the balcony, use balcony glass cleaning tools, which are available at any hardware store or online. Common window cleaning tools such as cloths and squeegees will do the job. This window cleaning kit on Amazon has all you’ll need.

You can also use a paper towel to wipe the windows with a cleaning solution that is free of any chemicals.

3. How to clean apartment balcony tiles or concrete floor

If you’re like most people, your balcony or concrete floor is usually one of the last places you think about cleaning, but with the right approach, it can be done easily.

  • Remove any debris or leaves that may be on the surface. To clean a balcony floor, one must sweep and then mop the surface.
  • Take a broom and sweep all of the dirt off of the floor. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter if there’s a lot of pollen.
  • Next, fill a bucket with hot water and add some cleaning detergent. Dip a mop into the bucket and start mopping the floor. Don’t use too much water, to prevent it from dripping down to your neighbor’s balcony.
  • Be sure to get into all of the corners and crevices. Let the floor and balcony dry completely before walking on it.

Pro tip: if you’re also planning to clean the walls and the windows, you might want to consider mopping the floor after you have completed everything else on the balcony, to make sure it doesn’t get filthy again whilst cleaning the windows, etc.

How to clean balcony floor

Image from Unsplash

For a more in-depth tutorial depending on the type of flooring you have, see our dedicated guide to cleaning balcony floors.

4. How to clean apartment balcony walls

The first step in cleaning an apartment balcony wall is to vacuum or sweep away any debris that may be on the surface. If there’s no debris, skip this step and move on to the next.

Next, mix a gentle cleaning solution of water and dish soap or mild cleaning detergent. The solution should be sprayed onto the wall and then scrubbed carefully with a brush or a cloth.

However, you want to make sure before doing this step that the color on the wall will not get messed up from your scrubbing or cleaning detergent.

5. How to clean balcony railing

The railing on a balcony is typically made of metal, wood, or concrete. To clean it, you will need to use a cleaning solution, such as a mixture of water and dish soap, and a scrub brush or cloth.

First, wet the railing down moderately with the cleaning solution, then scrub it with a brush or cloth to remove any dirt, debris, or stains­.

Lastly, wipe the railing off when you are finished. Done!

6. How to clean apartment balcony windows

The best way to clean apartment balcony windows is by using a bucket of soapy water and common window cleaning tools such as those you’ll find in the window cleaning kit on Amazon.

First, wet the window down with soapy water and then use the cloths and squeegees to clean the window.

Some people also prefer to rinse the window off with a little clean water once they’re finished.

Below is a useful video with a great tutorial on how to clean windows:

7. Finishing Touches

Put back all the furniture and accessories you removed in step 1. To keep your balcony clean and tidy, consider writing down your new balcony cleaning routine and do it again at regular intervals from now on.

Endnote on how to clean apartment balcony

In conclusion, cleaning your balcony is a relatively simple process that only requires a few tools and some basic steps. By following these instructions, you can have your balcony looking and smelling fresh in no time.

And most importantly, you now have a working formula for how to clean apartment balcony that will be useful for years to come.

P.S. Our Essential guide to balconies has more practical tips for balcony management.

Frequently asked questions

How to clean apartment balcony without hose

The most efficient way to clean an apartment balcony without a hose is by using a bucket, mop, and broom. Sweep the broom across the tiles to remove any dirt or dust.

Next, fill the bucket with warm water and add a few drops of dishwashing soap. Wet the mop in the soapy water and wring it out well. Mop the balcony, starting in one corner and working your way across and down.

How to clean a 2nd floor balcony

To clean a 2nd floor balcony, sweep or vacuum the surface of the balcony to remove any dirt, dust, or other large debris. Next, use a mop and a little soapy water to clean the area. If there are any stains on the balcony, they can be removed with a detergent or bleach solution and some scrubbing.

How do you clean a dirty apartment balcony?

To clean a dirty balcony, one must first sweep any loose debris off the surface. If the balcony is particularly dirty, a cleaning solution may be used next. A scrub brush can be used to help remove dirt and grime, followed by using a mop.

What is the easiest way to clean a balcony?

The easiest way to clean a balcony is to sweep it with a broom, then clean it with a mop. If there are any stubborn stains, you can use a detergent or cleaner to scrub them away.

How do I keep my balcony dust free?

To keep your balcony dust-free, you can use a variety of methods. One way is to sweep or vacuum it regularly. You can also use a damp cloth or mop to wipe down the surfaces, or a garden hose to rinse them off (depending on where the balcony is located and if you have neighbors or not). If you have plants or flowers on your balcony, you can water them regularly to help keep the dust down.

Can I vacuum my balcony?

You can vacuum your balcony. However, it is important to take into account a few things before you start vacuuming.

First, be sure that the balcony is free of any objects that could be sucked up by the vacuum cleaner.

Second, it is recommended to use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter if you’re sensitive to pollen powder.

Third, use caution when vacuuming near the edge of the balcony, as doing so could cause you to lose your balance and fall.

How do I clean a balcony?

The best way to clean a balcony is to first sweep it off to get rid of any loose dirt or debris. You can then use a mixture of water and dish soap to scrub or mop the surface. Use a cloth to clean the balcony furniture.

Nick Peters

Nick describes himself as a “balcony geek” as he loves all things balcony. Besides blogging about balconies, Nick loves reading and writing about tech and cool gadgets.

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