A skylight can add a lot of light to a room and create a true sense of space. If the window’s dirty though, then that light is severely diluted. If you want to get the most from your skylight window, then you need to know how to clean them, inside and out.
It can seem like a daunting challenge at first – skylights are typically raised well above your room’s ground level, so how can you reach them? How do you access the roof safely to clean the outside? In this guide on how to clean skylight windows, we’ll show you the best ways to accomplish both of these jobs, giving your skylight a new lease of life and ensuring that you get the most out of your investment.
If you’re ready for a sparkling skylight that looks as good as new, this is the article for you.
Cleaning the Inside of Skylights
Accessing skylights can seem very tricky – sure, you can climb a ladder to get up to them, but what if you haven’t got a ladder? In this section, we’ll show you how to clean the inside of a skylight whether you have a ladder or you don’t.
Cleaning Inside Skylights If You Have a Ladder
If you’ve got a ladder, the cleaning process is a lot more straightforward. Before you begin, you should put a plastic sheet or tarpaulin on the floor directly below your skylight. This will catch any drops of water or other cleaning products, preventing them from creating a slipping hazard or making your floor dirty. If you have any furniture below the skylight, you may want to move it or cover it.
Once you have the sheet on the floor, erect your ladder and ensure that someone is holding the ladder at the base to keep it secure. Climb up the ladder and wipe the skylight clean with a dry cloth, removing any dust or loose dirt. After this, you should soak up some soapy water in a sponge and wipe the glass with the sponge. Then you should use a microfibre cloth to dry the window. As a final touch, you can use some specialist glass cleaner spray to shine the glass up and keep it in peak condition.
While you’re up here, you should take the opportunity to check the skylight’s seals for any signs of leaks or other issues. This is particularly important if you notice that there’s a lot of condensation on your skylight.
If possible, and safe, consider using a hoover to clean around the window frame too.
Cleaning Inside Skylights Without a Ladder
Cleaning inside skylights without a ladder might seem impossible, but it isn’t! It is, however, a little trickier. You’ll want to lay out a tarpaulin or sheet as before, but after that, you’ll need to get crafty. Take a clean cloth or rag and attach it to the end of a long broom handle or mop handle. This should be long enough for you to reach the skylight, but if you have a particularly high ceiling, you may still need to use a small stepladder.
All the other steps are the same as above, but with the cleaning medium attached to the mop handle. The only other thing that you’ll need to do is use a specialist glass cleaner concentrate that you mix with water, instead of using a spray.
Cleaning the Outside of Skylights
Of course, cleaning the interior side of a skylight is only half the battle. If the outside is filthy, it doesn’t matter how clean the inside is – you’re not going to be getting the most out of your roof window. The bad news first: you’re very likely to need a ladder if you want to clean the exterior of your skylight: if you don’t have one, you’ll need to hire window cleaners to clean it for you.
The cleaning process is identical to cleaning the inside of your skylight, just make sure that your roof can take your weight, should you need to step on it. You’ll also need someone to hold the base of the ladder, as before.
Just as you had a great opportunity to check for any issues on the inside, you should take a look at the outside of your skylight for any issues too. For instance, moss can grow on the outside of your skylight and removing it is easy once you’re up there anyway.
Cleaning Skylight Frames
It’s not only the glass that you should clean – the frames need a little TLC as well. Cleaning skylight frames is very easy. All you need to do is wipe it clean with a damp cloth – if that doesn’t do the job, clean it with some soapy water.
Now You Know How to Clean a Skylight Window
We hope that you’ve found this guide helpful. Knowing how to clean a skylight window is a key part of owning one, and something that you should keep on top of to get the maximum enjoyment from your window. Remember to stay safe when cleaning skylights and always be aware of weight restrictions on roofs and ladders.
What skylight windows do we sell?
We sell a range of skylight windows and rooflights, including:
More helpful blogs:
- How to Clean Roof Lanterns: Inside and Out
- Rooflight Sizes: A Complete Guide
- Building Regulations and Planning Permission for Rooflights: Complete Guide
- Can a Rooflight Add Value to Your Home?
- Can You Add a Rooflight to a Garage?
How to Clean Skylights: FAQs
Can You Clean Skylights With a Pressure Washer?
You should not use a pressure washer on skylights or on any other window. Using a pressure washer on windows can dislodge gaskets and other seals, which will allow water to leak in.
How Do Self-Cleaning Skylights Work?
If you’ve opted for a self-cleaning skylight, you won’t need to worry about cleaning it yourself. These skylights have a coating that allows them to break down dirt using only sunlight.
