Keeping a property’s windows clean is essential to maintaining the interior’s style and appearance and creating a welcoming atmosphere. This is certainly true of skylight windows, which are often front-facing and impact the property’s exterior design and curb appeal.
What kind of glass cleaner should you use? Is it possible to clean skylight windows from the inside? Is there an easy-follow step-by-step guide on how to clean roof windows? This article will go over everything you need to know!
Table of Contents
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Skylights From Inside
#1 Inspect the Skylight and Identify Its Condition
Before you start the skylight cleaning process, you must identify the precise conditions of your windows since that determines how you proceed. If the windows suffer from condensation, for example, you need plenty of window cleaning cloth. If they suffer from dirt and blemishes, you need effective cleaning agents. If the frames suffer from discolouration, you might need paint and a paintbrush.
It is vital you carefully inspect the conditions of the windows and plan accordingly. As you proceed, it will save you a lot of time, headaches, and money!
#2 Prepare the Necessary Tools
After you carefully identify the state of your skylights, it is time to prepare the tools you need to follow through the cleaning process properly. Without adequate equipment, it’ll be impossible to deal with tough stains.
Thankfully, many of the tools you need are largely readily available in every household:
- Microfibre cloth or a clean rag to handle dirt.
- Scrappers, scrubbers, or abrasives to handle stubborn stains.
- An extension window cleaning pole or a long-handled mop to ensure you can reach all areas of the window from the interior.
- Soapy water, white vinegar, or other cleaning solutions that can be safely applied to the window.
- After the cleaning process is finished, use a sponge, paper towels, and a dry rag to dry the roof lights properly.
#3 Arrange the Room and the Window before the Cleaning Process Begins
After all the necessary tools have been prepared, it is time to clear and prepare the space before cleaning begins. To properly perform the job, not only do you need ample working space to properly clean the skylight’s surface and deal with stubborn stains, but it is also essential if you want to exclusively clean the skylights from the inside as you’ll need to rely on a window cleaning pole or a long-handled mop to reach and clean the exterior of the window, and you need space to properly manoeuvre.
Additionally, you might need to use soapy water to properly rub off the dirt and grime from the windows, and if that soapy or dirty water spills or splashes on your furniture pieces or rugs, it can introduce awful smells, blemishes, and stains, which are highly undesirable. So, before you begin cleaning, make sure the space around the windows is clear of any abrasive objects, furniture pieces, ornaments, or heirlooms!
#4 Cleaning Debris and Dust
Start the window cleaning process by wiping away any debris or dust that might’ve accumulated on the roof windows. This not only simplifies the rest of the cleaning process but also allows you to observe any potential signs of damage or leaks, which need to be addressed.
Cleaning debris and dust off of a skylight window is relatively simple. Soapy water, a lint-free cloth, and a cleaning sponge are probably all you’ll need.
#5 Cleaning the Skylight Glass
Next, it is time to clean the glass panes. Here, you mustn’t use any abrasive cleaning products as those might scratch or otherwise damage the panes. A gentle glass cleaner applied to a lint-free cloth is generally enough. Carefully clean the entire pane from both the inside and the outside with a slow circular motion, making sure you don’t miss any spots!
#6 Cleaning the Skylight Frame
Lastly, the skylight frames need to be cleaned up. A warm, soapy solution generally works best here and is capable of cleaning dirt, debris, and most stains. The exterior of the window frame, if not reachable, can be cleaned with a window-cleaning pole! This will ensure the curb appeal of your home stays immaculate!
During this stage, you apply solutions if you notice any damages or leaks in the window frame. A waterproof sealant or a silicone-based caulk can be used to properly seal the window, prevent/fix leaks and improve insulation. They are affordable and easy to apply and help you maintain your skylight windows and prevent condensation, making this step crucial!
#7 Finalising the Cleaning Process
After you clean skylight windows, it is important to use a microfibre cloth to dry the window and eliminate any signs of excess water or soap. This prevents the streaks/spots water usually leaves on windows if not properly dried up.
And last but not least, after a few hours pass and the windows have fully dried up, inspect them again one last time to ensure everything is in order and you haven’t missed any spots!
Why Is Skylight Maintenance Important?
Though most homeowners understand the value of cleaning their skylight windows, many underestimate its impact on their property. A consistent cleaning process, while important to ensure the aesthetic appeal of the property, has many other advantages:
- Maintain the Durability and Health of Your Windows
While skylights are highly durable and reliable, they, ultimately, have a shelf life, which is partially dictated by how it is maintained. Whether it is dust, debris, or condensation, if not properly cleaned, it can lead to discolouration, yellowing, and various structural damages.
By creating a robust and consistent cleaning and maintenance routine, you can ensure your property’s skylight windows continue looking their best, and any issues that might arise can be identified and addressed as soon as possible. Creating a comprehensive window cleaning solution is vital for your property’s long-term health and value!
- Improve the Property’s Curb Appeal and Market Value
A considerable amount of a property’s value is directly tied to its curb appeal: how well does its exterior look and what sort of impression does it make? This sets the tone for how real estate developers and potential buyers view your property.
And if eyes are a window into a person’s soul, windows are a … window into a house’s soul: What condition it is in, how well it has been maintained, and much more can all be glimpsed by observing the state of a property’s windows!
By keeping your property’s front-facing skylights well-maintained, you’ll ensure your property has an immaculate curb appeal that will impress your friends, guests, and real estate developers alike, increasing both its visual appeal and its value!
- Ensure an Immaculate Interior
Your skylights don’t just impact the visuals of the exterior of your property, but they also have a significant influence on your interior as well. From its atmosphere to its aesthetics and ambience, the hue of the sunlight that shines through the windows, a clear view of the outdoors, and colourful and well-maintained frames that complement the furniture pieces, these are just a few examples of how pivotal the condition of the windows are to the interior as a whole!
By creating a reliable cleaning schedule and a competent cleaning process, you can ensure the interior of your property remains immaculately clean and well-kept!
Other products in category: Velux
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Other products in category: Skylights
£91.67 tax excl.
Why Does My Skylight Window Need Constant Maintenance? Causes and Solutions
Moist air is one of the primary causes of increased skylight maintenance. It not only results in condensation and various other visual effects but can also permanently damage the frame and window pane. Preventing moist air is a great step in reducing the need for cleaning and maintenance.
Thankfully, there’s a simple solution, even if you live in a particularly humid environment, and that is installing air humidifiers. Air humidifiers are an affordable and simple way to minimise humidity in your home, making the air easier to breathe while protecting your windows, furniture, and interior at large from the damages caused by high humidity.
Cleaning Skylights FAQ
Can I Clean Skylights From the Inside?
If you don’t have roof access or a sturdy ladder, it is entirely possible to effectively clean skylight windows from the inside. Through the use of extension cleaning poles, microfiber cloth, and soapy water, you can keep the skylight clean from any possible dirt, condensation, and stains!
Is Cleaning Skylights Simple?
Their ease of maintenance is one of the primary reasons skylight windows are deeply popular with homeowners in the UK! The cleaning process is both simple and straightforward given you prepare adequately beforehand and have access to all the necessary tools and cleaning products!
By inspecting the conditions of your roof windows, you can properly account for the type of cleaning products you need to properly the windows, whether it is a homemade vinegar solution, a soapy cleaning product, or simply warm water. Through a clean sponge and a simple circular motion, you can clean a skylight efficiently and quickly with minimal exertion!
