A skylight is a fantastic feature to have in the home when you’re looking to bring in more natural light and create a welcoming, aesthetically pleasing living space.
Skylights are essentially windows built into the roof or ceiling of a room, to allow more light the enter the property, to offer impressive views outdoors and up into the sky, and in some cases, to provide additional ventilation as well.
If installed correctly, skylights will really help transform any living space, but like all things around the home, they do require some care and maintenance. Because they’re exposed to the elements, skylights can quickly become dirty and grubby looking. This not only looks unpleasant, but it can also affect the amount of light being allowed into your home.
While you can have them cleaned professionally, there are also a number of ways in which you can clean your skylights yourself.
Here are several DIY skylight cleaning tips for maximum natural light.
Gather the Necessary Safety Tools and Cleaning Materials
If you’re thinking of tackling the cleaning of your skylight yourself, one of the first things you should do is ensure that you have the necessary cleaning materials.
Cleaning a skylight yourself is not a quick and easy task, and it’s certainly not like wiping down the kitchen countertops or giving the windows a quick wipe down. DIY skylight cleaning is a lengthy and complex process that you will want to get right the first time around.
Before you head up there, draw up a quick checklist to make sure you’ve got all of the necessary safety tools and cleaning materials. You’re going to need things like a ladder, knee and elbow pads, a safety harness, clean water, sponges, cloths, brushes, buckets, and things of that nature. You may even need scaffolding of some sort.
When taking your tools and materials up to the skylight, take your time and don’t try and do it all at once. This is dangerous and it will actually take you longer anyways.
Inspect the Skylight and Surrounding Area
Up next, when it comes to DIY skylight cleaning tips for maximum natural light, you’re going to want to inspect the skylight and the surrounding area.
Before you begin cleaning, take a look at the condition of the skylight itself. Look how dirty the glass is, look for any chips or cracks, and be sure to inspect the seals, the frame, and any surrounds to look for signs of damage.
Before you begin applying water, make sure the surrounding area is also in good condition. If you’ve noticed a hole in the roof, or perhaps a broken or missing rooftile, this will need repairing before you apply any water, as it could get into the home. If you do notice any damage to the roof, cleaning the skylight can wait, and you should instead prioritize repairing the roof.
Be Careful with Pressure Washers
Pressure washers if used correctly, can be extremely useful cleaning tools and can make short work of cleaning a skylight. The problem is, as the name implies, they have a lot of pressure and if this pressure is too strong the water can actually damage the skylight and the surrounding area.
If you are using a pressure washer, check the PSI beforehand, and always rinse from a distance. The closer the water is to a surface, the more damage it can cause.
Prep the Area
Okay, now you’re nearly ready to start cleaning but before you do, you’ll need to make sure that you prep the area.
Take the time to move any garden or patio furniture or equipment out of harm’s way. The last thing you want is to have your expensive smoker or griddle covered with loose dirt and leaf mulch from the roof. Move or cover any patio furniture or equipment and if you can, place a tarp or ground sheet on the floor to catch anything that you rinse, wash, or sweep away.
Give the roof and guttering a gentle sweep to remove as much dirt and loose debris as possible. It’s a little time consuming, but trust us, it will save you a great deal of time and effort when you actually start the cleaning process.
Begin Washing
Now that you’ve inspected your skylight and roof, and have prepped everything, you can now begin washing.
Take a large bucket filled with hot soapy water, and/or any specialist cleaning materials or solutions you may be using. There are plenty of cleaning solutions designed for washing skylights that won’t streak or fade, though ordinary dish soap and hot water works almost as well, as long as you rinse it well and wipe properly.
If there is any stubborn dirt or grime on there consider using a stronger cleaning solution, or adding white vinegar to the water and leaving to soak for 10 minutes before you try washing it off.
Rinse and Dry for a Clear Finish
Once you’ve cleaned your skylight and are happy with the results, make sure you rinse the soapy water away thoroughly, and give the glass a good wipe.
Using a microfiber cloth, carefully wipe the skylight to dry it and remove any droplets of water which could dry and stain the glass. If you’re able to reach safely, give the glass a good buffing until you’re happy with how clean and shiny the glass is looking.
Bring in the Experts
Finally, if you’re not able to carry out the DIY skylight cleaning tips yourself, go ahead and hire an expert instead.
Cleaning a skylight yourself is not a quick process, and it can be dangerous. Hiring a professional skylight cleaning company means that you needn’t worry. These experts have the correct safety gear and equipment, they’re insured, they have experience, they know what they’re doing, and they’ll do a professional job.
Sure, they cost money, but considering they’ll have your skylights gleaming and letting more natural light than ever before, it’ll surely be money well spent.