Springtime in many parts of the world means one thing: pollen. For people who suffer from allergies, this time of year can be a nightmare, and that’s why we created this simple guide on how to clean pollen off balcony in a few simple steps!
If you live in an apartment and have a balcony, pollen can easily make its way inside. Keep reading to learn the different tricks on how to get pollen off balcony, what tools to use, and how to prevent pollen from landing in the first place.
In short, what is the best way how to clean pollen off balcony?
The best way to get rid of pollen on a balcony is by using a combination of methods. Start with a broom and a dustpan to sweep the pollen, alternatively use a vacuum cleaner. Follow up by using a wet rag or mop to wipe the surface clean. Finally, start a regular sweeping and cleaning routine.
Why is it a problem to have pollen on your balcony?
First of all, trees and plants produce pollens as a way for their seeds to be dispersed into the air, that’s why they end up on your balcony.
Pollen is a problem for humans because it is a source of allergens. Allergens are agents that can cause an allergic reaction in humans. Pollen can cause a variety of symptoms, such as sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes.
Thus, if you have lots of pollen powder on your balcony, you may start to have allergies and might not be able to enjoy your balcony space.
How do you remove pollen from an apartment balcony?
There are multiple ways to remove pollen from a balcony. What method that is best for your balcony depends on a number of factors such as how large of a balcony space you have, if you have neighbors, etc.
Below, you’ll find the most common ways how to clean pollen off balcony summarized in a table, followed by detailed paragraphs on each method.
| Method/Tool | Implementation | Efficacy | Balcony Suitability |
| Broom | Very Easy | Effective | Suitable |
| Vacuum Cleaner | Easy | Effective | Moderately Suitable |
| Wet Rag/Cloth | Very Easy | Effective | Suitable |
| Mop | Very Easy | Effective | Suitable |
| Leaf Blower | Medium | Moderately Effective | Not Suitable |
| Pressure Washer | Medium | Moderately Effective | Not Suitable |
| Balcony Screen | Medium-Difficult | Effective | Suitable |
| Regular Sweeping | Very Easy | Effective | Suitable |
| Furniture Cover | Easy | Moderately Effective | Suitable |
| Low-Pollen Flowers | Easy | Not Very Effective | Suitable |
How to clean pollen off balcony using a broom
One way to get rid of pollen on your balcony is to sweep it off with a broom (Amazon link).
The pollen can be removed from surfaces such as windowsills and floors by using a broom. The bristles of the broom will agitate the pollen and knock it off the surface.
Pollen is often sticky and may require a strong force to remove.
Although using a broom is effective, it may not get rid of all the pollen, as some of it might land anew after you have tried to brush it off the balcony. You might want to combinate this method with additional methods.
Using a vacuum cleaner to suck up the pollen
Most people have vacuum cleaners at home. Maybe you didn’t know, but they can be very helpful in getting rid of pollen. And since balconies are typically small and instantly accessible through a door, you can easily use the vacuum cleaner on your balcony as well.
For security reasons, just make sure it is completely dry outside when you start since electric tools and rain can be a dangerous combination.
To clean pollen using a vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner (Amazon link) should ideally be equipped with a HEPA filter. The filter will trap the pollen and keep it from being released back into the air. The filter should be replaced every few months to ensure that it is effective in trapping pollen.
How to clean pollen off balcony using a wet rag
After you have gotten rid of the majority of the pollen with a broom or a vacuum cleaner, you can easily clean the rest by wiping it down using a wet rag or cloth.
- Use a gentle balcony cleaning solution (Amazon link) or mix a little dish soap and water.
- Clean all the places where you can see remains of pollen, such as on the balcony railing and on outdoor furniture.
- Squeeze the dirty water into a squeeze bucket.
Mop the balcony with a wet mop to get rid of pollen
Another one of the great balcony cleaning tools that many of us have at home is the mop (Amazon link).
You can use this with a gentle cleaning solution and some water on the concrete balcony floor or tiles, and wherever else you see fit.
After, squeeze the mop thoroughly into the mop bucket and get rid of the pollen water.
Using a leaf blower to blow the pollen away
Leaf blowers have long been a popular choice for homeowners who want to quickly and easily clean up their yards.
Recent studies have shown that leaf blowers can also be used to clear away pollen, making them a potential tool for those with seasonal allergies.
By using a leaf blower to blow the pollen away, you can reduce your exposure to allergens in your balcony space.
Drawbacks: Keep in mind that leaf blowers tend to make a lot of noise, which may irritate your neighbors. Also, when blowing away the pollen, the powder will whirl around in the air and possibly land on the balcony below yours.
For these reasons, the leaf blower option may be more suitable for patios and decks at private villas.
Using a pressure washer or a hose to spray off the pollen
Lastly, other articles we decided to review on the topic mention the use of a pressure washer or a hose to spray off the pollen.
However, this is not ideal for a balcony, since you might have neighbors below that will not appreciate lots of dirty water dripping from above.
Again, if you live in a private villa with a large deck or patio, then a pressure washer (Amazon link) can be an excellent solution to clean the whole place fast and thoroughly.
Can you prevent pollen on balcony?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a variety of factors including the type of pollen, the specific balcony setup, and prevailing weather conditions.
However, there are a couple of preventative measures you can implement:
1. One potential way to reduce the amount of pollen on a balcony is to install a barrier between the balcony and the surrounding environment.
This could be done using a physical barrier such as a balcony screen (here are several options on Amazon). You can also plant vegetation or other objects around the perimeter of the balcony that would help block pollen from drifting onto the space. Keep in mind that your plants might produce pollen as well.
2. Consider using an outdoor furniture cover (Amazon link) if you have furniture on your balcony.
3. Choose low-pollen balcony flowers when planting flowers on your balcony.
4. Regular sweeping and cleaning is also a good idea to keep the presence of pollen at the lowest possible levels.
While it is possible to take measures to prevent pollen from accumulating on a balcony, it might ultimately not be possible to completely eliminate all traces of pollen. Pollen is tiny and easily airborne, so even if precautions are taken, some amount of pollen will likely still be present.
Endnote on how to clean pollen off balcony
In conclusion, as we’ve seen, there are a few ways to clean pollen off of a balcony. The best way to do it is by using a combination of methods such as first using a broom and a dustpan to sweep the pollen, and then using a wet rag to wipe the surface clean.
P.S. Here’s a guide on how to properly clean your balcony floor.
P.P.S. Here’s a great resource with lots of practical info about balconies.
Frequently asked questions
Can you vacuum up pollen?
Pollen can be vacuumed up. The simplest way to vacuum up pollen is to use a vacuum cleaner with a Hepa filter. This will trap the pollen in the filter and keep it from recirculating in your home. Make sure you empty it outdoors so the pollen doesn’t just get redistributed inside your house.
How to clean pollen off deck
To clean pollen off a deck, one can use a broom to sweep it away, or a hose to spray it off. If the pollen is ground into the surface of the deck, a detergent may be needed to remove it.
How to get pollen off balcony without hose
One way to remove pollen from a balcony without using a hose is by using a broom and dustpan. First, sweep the pollen onto the dustpan. Then, take the dustpan outside and dump the pollen into a trash can or compost bin. If necessary, use a wet rag to clean any remains.