Skylight windows are a fantastic addition to any home, allowing natural light to flood in and brighten up your living spaces. However, to enjoy the full benefits of your skylights, they need to be clean and clear.
Over time, dust, dirt, and grime can accumulate both on the inside and outside, diminishing their effectiveness and beauty. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps on the best way to clean skylight windows, both from the inside and outside, ensuring they remain a source of natural illumination and aesthetic appeal.
Contents:
- Should Skylights be Cleaned?
- How Often Should You Clean Skylights?
- How to Clean Skylight Windows from the Inside
- How to Clean Skylight Windows from the Outside
Should Skylights be Cleaned?
Skylights should be cleaned regularly to enhance their appearance whilst ensuring they maintain their performance. The accumulation of dust and debris on the window’s surface can impact energy efficiency by increasing the need for artificial light during the day.
Regular skylight window cleaning prevents potential damage to the skylight, ensuring it continues to provide clear views of the sky and maintains its effectiveness in brightening your living space.
How Often Should You Clean Skylights?
Skylights are incredibly low maintenance, typically requiring cleaning only every 2 to 3 years. Due to their position on the roof and the design of the glass, they tend to stay relatively clean. However, occasional cleaning helps maintain their clarity and effectiveness in bringing natural light into your home.
Regular inspections for signs of dirt or damage can also guide the cleaning frequency, but in general, a cleaning schedule is sufficient to keep your skylights in excellent condition.
Cleaning Skylight Windows
At BJH Windows & Conservatories, our dedicated team are ready to guide you through the process of skylight window cleaning. With our expert knowledge and step-by-step instructions, we’ll make it easy for you to maintain the clarity and functionality of your skylights.
Whether it’s tips on cleaning from the inside or tackling tough stains on the outside, we’re here to help you achieve sparkling results while ensuring your safety and satisfaction.
What you will need
- Ladder
- Plastic sheet
- Microfibre cloth
- Paper towels
- A sponge for washing
- Window cleaning pole (if needed)
- A bucket of soapy water
- White wine vinegar or glass cleaner (for stubborn stains)
How to Clean Skylight Windows from the Inside
Cleaning the inside of your skylight roof windows is easy, but if it’s situated too high, you can use a window cleaning pole for added reach. This simplifies the process, allowing you to keep your skylight clean and functional without the need for precarious efforts.
1. Prepare your Windows
The first step when attempting to clean your skylights from the inside is to remove any furniture from beneath the skylight or cover it with a plastic sheet to protect it from potential drips and splashes. Laying a plastic sheet on the floor will catch any water or cleaning solution that might fall during the cleaning process.
2. Initial Cleaning
To clean the inside of your skylight windows, begin by wiping away any loose dirt or debris using a microfibre cloth. Make sure to pay special attention to the corners and edges where dirt tends to accumulate. While doing so, check for any signs of damage or water leakage on the sides of the skylight to ensure that your window is not only clean but also in good condition and free from potential issues.
3. Wash with Soapy Water
Wash the inside of your skylight with 4 litres of soapy water in a bucket and dip a sponge into it, squeezing out any excess water. For efficient and thorough skylight window cleaning, start washing the skylight glass from side to side in a circular motion. Use paper towels or a dry cloth to catch any drips as you clean, making sure to leave the glass spotless and gleaming.
To address any stubborn stains, use a solution of water and white vinegar and wipe it down thoroughly.
4. Dry the Inside of your Skylight
To dry the inside of your skylight, use a clean and dry lint free cloth. Gently wipe the glass surface, ensuring that no streaks or water spots are left behind. Make sure the skylight is completely dry before moving on to any further cleaning or maintenance steps to maintain its clarity and effectiveness in bringing natural light into your home.
To maintain a clean interior for your skylight window, consider avoiding the following:
- Cleaning with sharp or abrasive objects, including scouring pads
- Using abrasive cleaning products
- Using chemical products
- Touching the glass with jewellery
How to Clean Skylight Windows from the Outside
To access your skylights from the outside, you’ll need a sturdy ladder that can safely reach the roof. Before climbing the ladder, soak a sponge in the bucket of soapy water and place a clean, dry rag over your shoulder. This eliminates the need to bring anything else up the ladder with you. Here’s how to clean skylight windows from the outside safely and easily.
1. Remove Dust and Debris
First, climb the ladder and use the dry rag to wipe away any dust and debris from the skylight’s surface. Over time, dust and debris accumulation can significantly reduce the amount of natural light that enters your home, making it darker and potentially increasing your reliance on artificial lighting during the day. This not only affects your energy consumption but also the overall ambience of your living spaces.
2. Clean with a Soapy Sponge
To effectively clean your skylight, you’ll want to prepare a mixture of soap and water. A few drops of soap mixed with warm water in a bucket should suffice. Soak a clean sponge in this soapy water solution and use it to wipe horizontally and then vertically for a thorough cleaning, eliminating dirt and grime from the skylight’s surface. This mixture ensures effective cleaning without leaving behind a soapy residue.
3. Tackle Tough Stains
For stubborn stains such as tree sap or animal droppings, prepare a mixture of 6 tablespoons of white wine vinegar or glass cleaner and 4 litres of water. Keep this solution on the ground, and dip a clean rag into it before ascending the ladder again.
4. Residue Removal
If the vinegar solution is used, it’s important to wipe down the window with soapy water and a sponge once more. This ensures the removal of any vinegar residue. White wine vinegar can be effective at breaking down tough stains, but it can leave behind a distinct odour and film if not properly rinsed.
Using soapy water and a sponge after the vinegar treatment will eliminate any remaining vinegar residue, leaving your skylight clean, clear, and free from any lingering odours or streaks.
5. Final Rinse
Descend the ladder to access a hose and spray down the windows from the ground or from as low on the ladder as possible. This will ensure that any remaining traces of cleaning solution, soap, or vinegar residue are thoroughly removed, leaving your skylights crystal clear and streak-free.
6. Air Dry
Allow the skylights to air dry naturally, ensuring they remain crystal clear and ready to let in the sunlight. By letting the skylights air dry, you prevent the risk of lint or fibres from towels or cloths adhering to the glass surface, maintaining their clarity and minimising the chance of water spots forming on the glass.
Improve Your Home’s Energy Consumption with Skylights
Skylights are a fantastic addition to any home, offering many benefits, from increased natural light to energy efficiency. While they are remarkably low maintenance, periodic cleaning is essential to ensure they continue to perform all year round.
By following our comprehensive guide on how to clean skylight windows, you can enjoy the full beauty and functionality of these architectural features, ensuring they continue to brighten your living spaces and enhance your home’s ambience for years to come.
If you’re considering adding skylights to your property, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at BJH Windows and Conservatories today. We’re here to help you bring more light and elegance into your home with our expertly crafted Ultrasky lantern roofs.
About the Author
Alan Hamilton
Managing DirectorI took over the reins of BJH Windows as MD in 1993 after the death of my father Brian who started the company 15 years earlier. Having only helped run things for a couple of years previously, this was a real baptism of fire! Now 13 years later with the help of co director Colin Giles, BJH has evolved. Going from strength to strength BJH Windows & Conservatories currently employs around 20 staff, some of whom have been with us for more than 20 years. Standing The Test Of Time.
