As summer approaches and the skies begin to clear from spring rains, you may begin to notice not as much light making its way through your skylights. A clean skylight allows the full energy of the sun to enter and light your home. Because of how skylights are angled they need to be cleaned more often than windows. Though they get dirty, this job can be done once a year. But how do you clean skylights safely? Here you will learn how to safely clean a skylight.
Preparation
Some skylights may be acrylic or plastic instead of glass. Because of this, use only mild cleaners and non-abrasive materials. The safest way to clean a skylight is to hire a professional. Professionals use special equipment to keep them safe when they clean. But if you enjoy caring for your house, do the following.
First of all, prepare to clean. You need to clean both the inside and outside of the skylight. Gather together the following ordinary household supplies:
- Bucket
- Water
- Dish soap
- Vinegar
- Mop or broom
- Rags or sponge
- Rubber band or string for tying
- Power-washer or hose
- Ladder
Once you gather all your supplies, prepare the room. Move all furniture several feet from the skylights. You may need to put the furniture in another room. If you do not wish to move furniture cover it with plastic. This protects the furniture from any water and debris that might fall. Also, lay a plastic tarp on the floor to protect your flooring.
Cleaning the Inside
Start by cleaning the inside of the skylight. To clean the inside of the skylight without using a ladder, use a long-handled broom or mop. Begin by clearing away any cobwebs or excess dust and debris from the glass and pane. You can use the straw end of a broom, a canister vacuum or a rag attached to the end of a pole or mop to clear away excess debris.
Next, grab the bucket. Mix warm water and a small amount of dish soap. If you have hard water, you may want to filter your water first. Add enough soap to produce some suds. If you are not using a mop, attach a sponge or soft cloth to the end of a pole or broom with elastics or ties. Dip the mop, sponge or rag into the cleaning solution. Wring out the extra water to avoid getting wet yourself. Then raise the mop to the skylight. Clean with back and forth even strokes. Start at the top and work your way down the light. Repeat as necessary for cleaner glass.
Once satisfied, thoroughly rinse out your mop, or replace the rag and sponge with a clean one. Moisten them with clean water. Make sure to wipe away any soap residue on the glass. To prevent streaking, attach a dry lint-free rag and dry the glass.
Cleaning the Outside
Once the inside is clean, it is time to clean the outside. For a quick clean, use a power-washer. However, use caution. If set too high, you may damage the skylight. This could potentially cause your skylight to leak. If set too low, it won’t properly clean the skylight. Use only mild soap. Without a power-washer, you need to reach the lights another way. If possible, clean the lights from the ground with an extended pole. You can also use a ladder, or climb onto the roof from an accessible window. BE CAUTIOUS! Falling from the roof can cause severe injury or death. We highly recommend you hire a professional to clean the outside of your skylights.
If you choose to clean them yourself, be sure you have secure footing. If you use a ladder, ask someone to hold the ladder to prevent it from tipping over. Clean the outside of the skylights the same as the inside; however, use a garden house to spray away any cobwebs and debris. Also, use a garden hose to rinse the soapy water off.
TIP: use a natural vinegar solution to safely get rid of tough stains. Solution: mix a half-cup of white vinegar to one gallon of water. Vinegar works well on hard-to-clean spots such as grease and sap from trees.
Be sure you read manufacturer instructions before doing any maintenance or cleaning. They may require certain detergent to be used on the surface of the skylight. Using the wrong cleaning materials can void any warranties. Following these tips with care will remove all dirt on the interior and exterior of the skylight. Once you finish cleaning your skylight, it may still look cloudy. You might need to replace the skylight. Contact Specialty Home Products. We do quality work at a great cost. We are here to help you with any skylight needs.