How to clean skylights? Skylights are great for bringing natural light into your home, but they can get dirty and stained over time. Thankfully, there are a few simple steps that can help you clean your skylights and make them look new in no time.
Dirty skylights are not just an eyesore, they can also cause energy loss. This article will show you the best way to clean your dirty skylights. Let’s check out right now!
What Do You Need To Clean Skylights?
1. Bucket and scrub brush: mix one part water with 10 parts white vinegar in the bucket. Be sure to use a scrub brush that is safe for glass.
2. Mild detergent: Use mild dishwashing liquid without bleach or scented oils, which can leave streaks on the skylight. A simple solution of warm water and basic soap will do if you don’t have mild detergent handy.
3. Cleaning cloths: Use simple newspaper or paper towels that won’t leave fibers when you clean your skylight, which can cause streaks and obscure the view later on. If you’re not in a hurry to use up printer ink, consider using newspaper instead of paper towels. Paper towels are more absorbent and you don’t have to worry about smearing ink all over the glass.
4. Rags: If you’re cleaning more than one skylight or window, save time by having plenty of rags on hand throughout the process. Be sure that no lint will be tangling up in the solution you are using to clean your skylight.
There are a few cleaning products that you should avoid for safety’s sake when it comes to your skylights. If they’re not safe for the rest of the surface you’re working on, they probably aren’t safe for your skylight. That includes ammonia-based cleaners, which provide good cleaning power but can cause streaks and even damage the skylight.
How To Clean Skylights?
If you have not cleaned the inside of your skylights in a long time, it’s probably worth giving them a thorough scrub.
First, turn off the skylights to prevent accidental falls. If you plan on climbing onto your roof, be sure to wear rubber sole shoes that will give you plenty of traction and protect against falls of just a few feet.
Wet the outside of the dirty skylight with warm water first. It will make it easier for you to pull the dirt off when you scrub.
Next, use a mild detergent to clean the skylight. Mix three parts water with one part dishwashing liquid in a bucket and dip your cleaning cloth into it before using it on your skylight. A sponge may also cut down on time spent cleaning the skylights if you have a lot of them and need to clean them in a hurry.
With your cleaning cloth, wipe down the skylight in small circular motions. Don’t use too much pressure or you may end up causing damage to the glass, which will obscure your view when the sun shines through it. Rinse off any remaining residue with warm water before drying the skylight.
Once you have dried the skylights, take an old rag that’s been washed and dusted with baking soda. Gently wipe down the area where there is grime, taking care not to scrub too hard or use strong pressure to go over stubborn patches of dirt. This will avoid creating streaks on your stained glass.
Another way to get the job done is to use newspapers and water. Cover the glass portion of the skylight with several layers of newspaper to prevent unwanted streaks or damage. Pour one gallon of water into a bucket and pour it over the newspapers so that they are saturated.
Remove individual sheets in an overlapping fashion until only very dry sheets remain in place. Allow these dry sheets to sit on top of the wet ones for approximately 10 minutes before lifting them off, pulling them back gently at first and then more firmly once they start coming off. The inside surface should be clean, streak-free, and ready to use!
Clean The Inside Of Skylights
Open the skylight and put on your protective gear. This includes gloves, safety glasses, and a mask if needed.
Begin by cleaning the inside of the skylight. Brush away any sediment that is floating on top of the water with a long-handled brush, working your way around all sides of the skylight both vertically and horizontally.
When you are done brushing off any contaminants, set up ladders or scaffolding to reach higher areas like the very top or the very bottom of the skylight. Using a long-handled brush, scrub from one side to another, from top to bottom and right to left, then end at where you started.
Next use a rag to clean inside the skylight by sliding it back and forth in a straight line. You can use a squeegee or you can use your bare hands.
Use the hose or bucket to wet down the roof around the skylight. Make sure that you do not soak it as this could cause leaking later.
Mix the cleaning solution in the bucket. You can use any type of all-purpose cleaner or even dish soap. Many people choose to use vinegar and water because it is cheap, works well, and is non-toxic.
Scrub down all sides of the skylight with the brush. This will loosen up both the dirt and the algae. Hose down the skylight to wash off the loosened particles.
Wipe it dry with a clean cloth or let it air-dry. If you do not have time to wipe it dry, use old towels or newspapers over the top to help speed up the process.
Be sure to clean the skylight during all four seasons since there is a buildup of debris and dirt that gets trapped inside as it falls from above during harsh weather conditions such as rain, snow, and heavy winds. If you don’t want to risk cleaning by yourself, contact professional window cleaners who will do a good job in cleaning your skylights for you.
Clean The Outside Of Skylights
Wet down the roof around the skylight with your hose. This is to prevent any drips from running into the house. You can use old towels, newspapers or anything else you have laying around to soak up any run off depending on how much cleaning solution you are using.
Put on your protective gear and apply a bit of the cleaner directly onto the skylight. Using a squeegee, scrub down from top to bottom in a straight motion.
Mix the cleaning solution in the bucket. You can use any type of all-purpose cleaner or even dish soap. Many people choose to use vinegar and water because it is cheap, works well, and is non-toxic.
Spray down the skylight with the solution. If you are working on a brighter day, make sure that the solution is not directly hitting any of the walls or windows of the house as this will cause streaking.
Scrub down all sides of the skylight with your brush. This will loosen up both the dirt and the algae. Hose down the skylight to wash off the loosened particles.
Wipe it dry with a clean cloth or let it air-dry. If you do not have time to wipe it dry, use old towels or newspapers over the top to help speed up the process.
Rinse off with water and let it dry by itself or use old towels to help speed up the process. Once dry, put everything back in its proper place and enjoy a clear skylight.
Do not use too much pressure as this could harm the skylight and make it more difficult to open and close. Do not apply cleaner on a hot day because the glass may crack due to uneven cooling. Protective glasses, gloves, and a mask are always recommended when cleaning around your skylight to prevent injury.
Be sure to clean the skylight during all four seasons since there is a buildup of debris and dirt that gets trapped inside as it falls from above during harsh weather conditions such as rain, snow, and heavy winds.
If you don’t want to risk cleaning by yourself, contact professional window cleaners who will do a good job in cleaning your skylights for you.
When it comes to cleaning skylights, we recommend consulting a professional cleaner or using an easy to use and powerful cleaner so you do not have to spend all day scrubbing away at your skylight just to get it clean.
Tips For Cleaning Skylights Easily
Skylights are great for natural light, but over time they can become dirty and stained. If you want to clean your skylight without professional help, then here are some tips that will help you complete the job yourself.
1) Cleaning your skylight will take time because it’s so high off the ground. It’s recommended that you invest in a telescoping pole with a brush on the end, or hire someone who is taller to do the job for you.
2) To clean the glass panes of your skylight, use clear dish soap mixed with warm water and an old cotton t-shirt (to ensure that no damage is done to your fabric).
3) To clean the frame of your skylight, use a mixture of dish soap and bleach in equal parts.
4) If you’re cleaning the glass panes of your skylight on the outside of your home, place drop cloths or an old sheet below to avoid splashing dirty water on anything but your skylight.
5) For areas around the outside of your skylight, you will need a mixture of dish soap and bleach in equal parts.
6) If you’re using a commercial product to clean your skylight, follow the instructions on the label for proper use and safety precautions.
7) You should also read through any warranties that came with your skylight before trying to clean it yourself.
8) To clean the metal frame of your skylight, use a mixture of dish soap and bleach in equal parts.
9) Remember that you will need safety equipment if you’re working on a roof or ladder-like structure rather than from the ground.
10) After everything has been cleaned properly and dried, use a can of compressed air or your vacuum cleaner to get rid of all dust and debris on the inside and outside of your skylight.
11) A final step you may want to take is using Rain-X on the exterior of your skylights (or any other glass surface). This will make it more resistant to water and fingerprints.
12) Always remember to ask for help if you’re cleaning your skylight, or think that it may be better handled by a professional.
13) Proper care and maintenance of your skylight will improve its life expectancy.
14) Try not to use water or any chemicals. They can damage the sealant on the inside of the skylight which will be very difficult and expensive to repair. What you can use is a squeegee.
Electricity also poses a problem because the screen in the skylight is fragile, so when you are cleaning it, be sure not to lean against the screens or touch them too much.
15) use a ladder to reach your skylight so you can clean from all angles. Next, don’t be afraid to call a professional if you have any questions about how best to clean your skylight or if something is going wrong with your cleaning process. Taking good care of your skylight is essential if you want to prevent leaks and save money.
Benefits Of Cleaning Skylights
1. As dirt and grime accumulates on the skylights, they need to be cleaned for better efficiency. Skylights bring in warmth and light to a room. This improves the quality of lighting and the ambiance of the room. At the same time, blocked skylights contribute to less natural light coming into a home or building and can be quite an eyesore.
2. A dirty skylight not only reduces the light that can enter a building but also causes a glare on your pictures and furniture as well as any appliances inside the room. With a clean skylight, you’re going to enjoy more natural light which will make everything look brighter!
A dirty skylight is a potential fire hazard because it can cause heat to build up in a room that already has heating or air conditioning on. This can increase the risk of fire.
3. If you have honeycomb shaped decorative pieces in your living space, dirt from the skylight could accumulate on them and even stain them permanently if not cleaned properly.
4. The best part about cleaning skylights is that you are able to enjoy a better view of the world around you without any obstructions.
5. The skylights can be cleaned easily and they make a room look brighter as well as tidier. However, it is best to hire professionals for the job at first and then learn how to clean skylights yourself for future purposes.
6. Another point to consider is that you should have skylights cleaned at least twice annually or even before the pollen season starts in your area. This brings up another important benefit of cleaning them – keeping allergies at bay!
7. When you are done with having your skylights professionally cleaned, it’s time for you to learn how you can clean them yourself.
8. Start by inspecting the skylight to ensure it’s safe for cleaning purposes only. If there are broken, cracked or missing pieces, you might have to have them replaced. You also need to check if the glass is firmly intact and not stained with any marks on it before you start using chemicals to clean it.
FAQs
Do skylights need to be cleaned?
Skylights do need to be cleaned, but often people aren’t aware of how to properly do it. Plan on cleaning your skylight with a dry cloth or paper towels, and then use ammonia-free glass cleaner with a microfiber cloth or cloths.
Avoid using spray window cleaners, which can leave streaks when sprayed over wet surfaces. And never spray cleaners directly onto windows or windowsills. They can become slippery if they are wet.
Is there anything dangerous about cleaning your skylight?
No, as long as you avoid ammonia and spray cleaners. Making skylights completely clean and spotless is a great way to keep your house or apartment fresh and clean. The effects of the sun shining down on all those beautiful surfaces can be eye-catching, but it’s also possible that some dirt is building up with time.
What is the best way to start cleaning my skylight and what will it take me to complete this task?It’s best to start by using a damp cloth and then dry it off before finishing with a dry one. Clean the outside of the skylight and then turn your attention to the inside.
Don’t forget to clean around any UV coating or desiccant strips on the inside of your skylight panes, as these will prevent further buildup without washing away.
To get all corners and hard-to-reach areas, use an extension pipe for your vacuum cleaner so you can reach far up into each corner of each pane while standing on a ladder or using a tall step stool.
For stubborn spots that build up over time between and underneath glass panels after ten years or more, mix 1/2 cup ammonia in 4 gallons of warm water and then apply it to your skylight with a wet cloth. Use a soft scrub brush if you have one, but only gently so as not to scratch the glass.
What is the best time of day to clean my skylight?
You can clean your skylights any time of day or evening as long as you can do it safely and without interruption. Whether it’s before work, at lunchtime or after hours, the only consideration is how much time can you reasonably afford to take?
How often should I clean my skylights?
This depends on whether they’re exposed to direct sunlight or not. If your skylight gets a lot of direct sunlight or heat, you might opt to clean them at least twice a year. If your skylights are not exposed to direct sunlight, it is possible they don’t need to be cleaned as often.
Since you need to start this process by using a damp cloth, it’s best to clean your skylight as soon as you notice any dirt buildup. If the glass isn’t covered in anything extra like bird droppings, dust or pollen, then it might be okay to wait a few days. Just be sure to use the cloth on a regular basis so that it doesn’t get too dirty to clean anything off your skylight.
Is there an easier way to clean my skylight?
Yes, you can try cleaning your skylight with a squeegee instead of using a cloth, but they are better used on flat surfaces or windows that don’t have a lot of angles.
It’s best to go with the tried and true way and use a cloth because it will climb right into those little nooks and crannies between panes better than anything else, so you’ll be able to clean your skylight thoroughly without spending all day at it.
Is there anything else I can do to make cleaning my skylight easier?
Yes, installing a removable ladder on your roof is the best way to clean your skylights because you can easily reach that high up into each corner and remove any dirt or grime with relative ease.
You don’t need a ladder to be able to clean a skylight, but you will need a lot of cloths and a way to hang them from your ladder so they can dry quickly.
Do skylights need repair?
It’s always best to check with an expert if you think any part of your skylight needs repair. If you can see broken glass panes or cracks, that’s a sign it will need to be repaired by professionals. Other signs that could require professional help include discoloration or warped glass.
Are there any other warnings about cleaning skylights?
When cleaning your skylight panes, be aware of any tapes or films on the inside of the glass. If these are used to repel moisture or warn of temperature changes, they may prevent proper cleaning.
Conclusion
How to clean skylights? This article provides information on how to clean skylights. It also explains what is needed for the job, and offers advice on how to deal with problems that may arise. These are some of the best ways to maintain your skylight so it continues shining bright!
