Essential Conservatory Cleaning Tips
Brand new conservatories look gorgeous, but that sparkling fresh look doesn’t tend to last for long. Mould, mildew, dust and prolonged exposure to the elements can quickly make even the nicest of conservatories look dull and run-down. The
good news is that with the right conservatory cleaning tools you can keep your conservatory looking like-new quite easily. Here are a few conservatory cleaning tips to help you get your conservatory in shape ready for the summer.
Useful Conservatory Cleaning Equipment and Tools
Looking after a conservatory requires more than just a little elbow grease and a sponge. Washing the windows and wiping down the frame regularly will help to prevent dirt and mildew build up, but you will need some specialist conservatory cleaning equipment if you want to safely and easily clean the hard-to-reach parts of your conservatory.
Some good investments include:
- A sturdy ladder – you can purchase specialist conservatory cleaning ladders (http://www.ladderstore.com/conservatory-access-ladder-for-cleaning-maintenance.html) that are lightweight and attach securely to the top of the conservatory with non-marking cross-bearers that prevent damage to the roof.
- Telescopic conservatory cleaning brushes – a telescopic brush (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Betterware-708-Telescopic-Conservatory-Cleaner/sim/B000K4X7BK/2) extends your reach, allowing you to clean high and awkward to get to spots without putting your safety at risk.
- Power washers – you can use a power washer (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nilfisk-X-Tra-Pressure-Washer-Cleaner/dp/B001TUYV1O/ ) to clean parts of your conservatory that are not made of glass. They are especially effective for cleaning stone floors, brickwork and concrete but can be used on some roofs too.
How to Clean Your Conservatory
Cleaning a conservatory can be quite a time-consuming task. It’s best to break down the cleaning process into several stages which you’ll work on over a long weekend, taking plenty of breaks along the way. The key tasks that you will need to tackle are:
- Remove plant material and debris from the gutters and drainpipes.
- Sweep the roof then hose it down with a pressure washer. Use a mild moss, algae and mould removing solution to treat the roof afterwards and prevent re-growth.
- Clean the outside of the windows – you can use the same solution for this as you would use to clean any other window on your house. If you spot any cracks or chips in your windows, contact your conservatory company to get the damaged pane replaced – even if the damage is not particularly unsightly, cracked double glazing panes are far less secure than intact ones.
- Clean the framework – UPVC conservatories can be wiped down with a solution of warm soapy water. Do not use abrasive chemicals to clean a UPVC conservatory. Wooden frames can be brushed clean then sponged down with warm soapy water. After the wood dries, treat it with oil to bring out the grain and protect the wood against the elements.
You should clean the exterior of your conservatory once every six months to prevent leakage, roof damage and decay. If you live in an area that experiences a lot of bad weather then you should clean your conservatory more often. Clogged gutters and collected debris on the roof can cause a lot of damage if allowed to build up unchecked.
Some modern conservatories come with “self-cleaning” glass, however this glass is not really as magical as it sounds. The glass will stay clean for far longer than untreated glass, but moss and algae are likely to build up over time, especially if the roof is north facing. It’s a good idea to give self-cleaning glass a helping hand by spraying it with warm, soapy water occasionally. Do not scrub self-cleaning glass, and do not use harsh chemicals on it, because this may damage the photocatalytic coating.
Cleaning the Conservatory Interior
While the exterior of the conservatory has to put up with a lot of wind and rain as well as even harsher winter weather, the interior of the conservatory puts up with a lot of abuse as well. If someone who lives in your home smokes then you may end up with unsightly yellow stains on the frame of your conservatory.
Mould and mildew can build up inside the conservatory too, especially if the conservatory is poorly ventilated and left unused during the colder months.
Before cleaning conservatory windows inside, consult the documentation that came with your conservatory. Weather seals can be easily damaged if you use the wrong sort of cleaning material. If in doubt, use a solution of warm water with a small amount of washing up liquid in it.
While you’re cleaning the inside of the conservatory, examine the locks and rollers on all doors. It is safe to lubricate handles, locks and hinges with WD40, but you should not oil the doors rollers or tracks. If a door is sticking or becomes difficult to move, check that the tracks are free from debris and that the drainage holes are unobstructed. If clearing the tracks does not solve the problem, call a conservatory engineer and get them to examine the door.
Safety First
Conservatory roofs are not designed to be stood on or crawled on. If you are not able to clean the roof with a telescopic brush or a power hose, then you should use a conservatory cleaning ladder to climb up to the roof and then place crawl boards across the roof’s glazing bars.
Do not, under any circumstances, crawl or walk directly onto a roof panel. Position your crawl board or your ladder’s cross bearers so that its weight is evenly distributed across two glazing bars. Work slowly and methodically and stay on the crawl board at all times.
Do not go up onto a conservatory roof if it is wet and slippy, or during windy weather. Try to have someone with you when you are working so that they can hold the ladder, pass you tools, and be available should you need any assistance.
If you are using any specialist mould or mildew removers, keep them out of reach of children and keep the tops securely on the bottles while you are not using them. This is especially important if you have pets running around. Even a small amount of cleaning chemicals can be fatal to a pet if ingested.
David Else
8th August 2013
We have inherited a Conservatory with a high roof. We wish to clean the inside windows of the roof area also the PVC frames which are approx. 12-13foot in height to the apex. Additionally we need to clean the PVC ledges along with other internal areas. We have laminate wooden floors & do not wish to damage them by using water. Living where we do in North Northumberland we cannot get anyone to clean the interior of our Conservatory. Can you please advise what equipment we could purchase to carry out this work & also what cleaning materials to use. I can be contacted on; 01668-219506. Very Best Wishes, David ELSE.
stormclad
14th August 2013
Hi David,
Thanks for your comment. We can understand the difficulty you have had in cleaning the conservatory you have inherited. The safest way for you to clean the frames at height would be to use a work platform, something like this http://www.youngmangroup.com/products/ladderssteps/combination-ladders/diy-pro-deck which is easy to assemble and also very safe and sturdy to work from. We would then suggest carefully using warm soapy water and a soft cloth to work the dirt away, taking care not to wet your laminate floor in the process. Any particularly stubborn dirt can be cleaned with specialised PVC-u solvent cleaner, however this should never be used on coloured or foiled frames and should not be used more often than once per year on white PVC-u, as prolonged use can cause tarnishing to your frames.
We hope this answers your questions.
Best wishes,
Stormclad Home Improvements
Mike
16th February 2015
Hi,could you recommend a cleaning product and supply company in South Wales please for safely cleaning conservatory’s.
Thanks.
Mike.
stormclad
17th February 2015
Hi Mike,
We have information on conservatory and window cleaning on the General Care and Maintenance page of our website, which can be found here http://www.stormclad.co.uk/general-care-and-maintenance.php
Unfortunately we are not in a position to recommend a specific product and company in South Wales as we are based in Nottingham, England. However, we do hope that there is enough information on our General Care and Maintenance page to allow you to identify the type of product that you may need.
Thanks,
Stormclad
Frank
1st June 2016
I have green inside the conservatory roof ie between the layers of the UPVC. Can it be removed?
Stormclad
21st June 2016
Mr Newton,
It is difficult to comment without knowing exactly where the green is building up. If it is inside glass/polycarbonate roofing sheets, then the best option may be to replace the sheets, however it is very difficult to advise without seeing exactly where the green deposit is. If we can be of any further help, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01159 708077 and we can discuss your issue come comprehensively and give you some more detailed advise.
Stormclad