Spring is slowly but surely approaching - and with it the anticipation of evenings outdoors. So it is high time to clean the balcony thoroughly.
Like the rest of the house, at the end of winter the balcony wants to be dusted off and made ready for warmer temperatures. Then you can enjoy the sun's rays much better while relaxing in fresh air.
We will show you which home remedies you can use for cleaning your balcony.
How to prepare your balcony for cleaning
First of all, the balcony must be cleared so that you can really clean every corner. In winter, moss often forms between tiles or wooden plates, which you remove with hot water and a broom. The bristles should be very hard. If this does not work, you can use the following tips as a guide:
Cleaning the balcony: is the high-pressure cleaner suitable?
The balcony is dirty after the winter and needs a general overhaul? Many would like to use a pressure washer at this point. After all, this can be used to do the job quickly and mostly effectively.
However, Michael Henze from the Federal Association of Gardening and Landscaping (BLG) advises the German press agency against this: "The damage caused by high-pressure cleaners often outweighs the benefits. Even if no problems can be identified immediately after cleaning, the surface becomes increasingly rough. This means that dust and dirt can settle immediately, algae can form and water can penetrate. "
Therefore, high-pressure cleaners should only be used with a splash guard or special washing brushes .
Cleaning the balcony: With the steam cleaner, it will definitely work
The better alternative to the high-pressure cleaner is the steam cleaner. It is just as suitable for stubborn residues , such as dried mud that has stuck in the joints. Because thanks to the bristles that are guided over the tiles with pressure and hot steam, dirt is quickly over.
But be careful not to dirty the neighbors below you while cleaning your own.
You can then use the broom to sweep away all the dirt that can still be found.
Also interesting : smoking on the balcony - what rights do tenants have?
Home remedies: Clean the balcony with vinegar
Vinegar is a miracle cure for the home - and it also brings the balcony in top condition for spring. Mix either vinegar or vinegar essence with water in a 1:10 ratio in a watering can . With this you spread the cleaning mixture on the floor - moss and algae have no chance.
Note, however, that vinegar is acidic. Therefore, it should only be used on concrete floors , not on limestone, natural stone or marble floors. It could leave discoloration or dark spots here.
Read here which houseplants are easy to care for.
How to clean a balcony with wooden floor
Do not use chemical cleaners on wooden floors, as these could damage the material. Instead, mix warm water with a little washing-up liquid and gently wipe the surfaces. Then the dirt can be swept away with a broom.
If the detergent is not sufficient, there is this ingenious tip from the online portal Wie einfach.de: an ideal cleaner can be mixed from washing soda and cornstarch. Put a few tablespoons of the cornstarch in lukewarm water and stir it lump-free. Together with 100 grams of washing soda, this mixture is then poured into five liters of boiling water . This creates a white paste that you spread over the dirty spots on the wood. As soon as it turns green, it can be rinsed off.
After that, the wood still needs oiling - and the balcony is ready for spring. You should only seal it, as the wood can still breathe.
Matching : So you get rid of water stains on wood.
Cleaning the balcony: With these tips, the stone floor shines again
In comparison to the wooden floor, a stone surface is easier to clean. In spring you can also use some home remedies here. Pour either a little citric acid, vinegar essence or an all-purpose cleaner into a bucket of water and use it to scrub the floor. Sometimes lukewarm water with a little soap is enough.
Tenant question: Who is responsible for cleaning the balcony?
It would be a pleasure to avoid all cleaning work. However, the tenant is responsible for a clean balcony, as the German Tenants' Association informs. According to a judgment of the Berlin Regional Court (Az. 61 S 379/85), this also includes the drain strainer through which the rainwater runs off.
The balcony is spotless? Then get to the garden furniture - these home remedies clean everything.
By Franziska Kaindl
Spring feelings: These 10 flowers will make your garden shine
To the photo gallery
