How to clean balconies and terraces to make them shine

When the sun shines, our balconies and terraces need even more careful maintenance to make the most of them. Of course, pollution and bad weather mean that these outdoor spaces tend to get dirty very quickly. Cleaning should be done frequently, but we don’t necessarily always have the opportunity to do it. Sure, your balcony is not used much in winter and therefore looks a bit deserted. But with the return of the nice days, the situation changes. Now you have to remove all the dirt that is stuck everywhere.

Keep in mind that balustrades and floors accumulate a lot of dust, dirt and especially bird droppings. First of all: move plants and pots to clean them thoroughly. What cleaning techniques and products are suitable for maintaining your balcony? We tell you some particularly effective natural methods to make this space very clean and welcoming!

Note: The remedies indicated are natural products. Before you start, you must make sure what material the floor or railing is made of so as not to damage them.

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Floor cleaning

There are different types of outdoor floors. All year round they are exposed to rain and wind, bad weather that brings dirt and dust. To clean the floors of the balcony or terrace, you can therefore resort to various natural remedies. First, remove the loose dirt, dust and leaves from the floor with your regular broom.

Cleaning ceramic floors
Ceramic floor
Ceramic floors are more resistant and therefore easier to degrease. First, enough water should be poured on the floor to remove superficial dirt.

To deepen the cleaning, mix the following ingredients:

1 bucket full of hot water
2 cups of white vinegar
1 cup of baking soda
1 cup of Marseille soap flakes

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Once the solution has dissolved well, start applying it to the floor. Scrub vigorously with a broom or brush so that the foam completely removes the dirt. Then rinse thoroughly with water to remove any residue of the cleaner and let it dry. We remind you that Marseille soap is a perfect ally for cleaning thanks to its cleaning, stain-removing and degreasing action.
Marble railings
Marble is a stone that is both elegant and delicate and is therefore more susceptible to dust. For this reason, it is advisable to use natural products with a neutral pH that gently clean the surface without altering its texture.

To clean the marble balustrades, use 4 tablespoons of Marseille soap flakes and dissolve them in a bucket of water. Gently massage the surface with a soft brush to remove any deposits. Remove the foam with a cloth, rinse and dry thoroughly.

Remove yellow stains from marble
You will need:
1 tablespoon of baking soda
1 glass of lemon juice
1 glass of water
Lemon can be used in many ways to clean your home. It helps to wash the floor and give it a nice citrus freshness. Like sodium bicarbonate, it is an ideal ally thanks to its cleaning, degreasing and brightening properties.

After mixing the ingredients, scrub the surface with a brush and leave it to act for about 15-20 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly.

Iron balustrades and railings

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Iron railings or banisters must be taken care not to rust. For this reason, they must be cleaned and maintained regularly. After a thorough dusting, they can be cleaned with a solution of water, white vinegar and a little lemon juice. Like baking soda, vinegar has excellent stain and cleaning power. To prevent rust, you can grease banisters and railings with a little olive oil, the alternative uses are amazing!

Cleaning glass railings
There are many natural ways to make glass shine. For ramps, the classic method of equal parts vinegar and water still works, but talcum powder can also be used, this trick is also effective. This powder is also great for removing stubborn grease stains or traces of mold.

Remove bird droppings
If you want to remove bird droppings, remember to wear gloves and use paper towels to remove the stains and clean the room.

Take the opportunity to keep birds and pigeons away with this natural trick: mix half a liter of water with a glass of hydrogen peroxide. Put this mixture in a spray bottle and spray the solution on surfaces. In addition to repelling birds, hydrogen peroxide does not damage surfaces!

Cleaning the shutters
Cleaning the shutters
It’s not about ignoring the shutters! Remember to dust them and not use water directly, as this makes cleaning much more difficult!

If the shutters are made of aluminum, add water and vinegar in equal parts and possibly add a little organic dishwashing liquid to degrease them well. Wash the outside and inside of the shutters thoroughly, rinse and dry.

An alternative to vinegar? You can always use castile soap and water or some organic dishwashing liquid.

Warning: Be careful with the wooden shutters, which are very delicate, so be careful: dust them first and then wipe them with soap and water. Be careful not to use rough sponges that could damage them. Some people even brush in a little oil to clean the wood at the end of the wash cycle.