As of: March 29, 2024, 8:02 a.m
By: Laura Hindelang
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Cleaning roof windows from the outside is not always easy. Some windows cannot be tilted inwards. How it still works.
Because they are tilted, roof windows can become dirty more quickly than other panes on the house. In addition to bird droppings, rain stains and everything else that precipitation brings with it - pollen, small branches, leaves - also remain on the outside. Thanks to their swing function, many windows can be easily tilted and cleaned from the inside out. Other models, however, cannot be rotated in space. However, you don't have to climb onto the roof to make the windows shine again.
Detergent and water are enough to clean windows
The window manufacturer
Velux
differentiates between three types of roof windows:
If you want to clean the outside of your skylights, you may need a few tools. © Westend61/imago
Swing windows:
These models move along a central axis when opened. The lower edge swings outwards, the upper edge swings into the room. This allows the window to be rotated 180 degrees. There is usually a “cleaning latch” on the upper outer edge of the window, which makes cleaning easy: the window can be pushed into the latch and fixed for cleaning.
Hinged-swing windows:
With these windows, the lower edge swings outwards without the upper edge moving inwards. However, an additional swing function makes cleaning easier.
Tilt windows:
These models are the most difficult to clean because they can only be folded into the room to a limited extent.
No matter what type of roof window you have in your apartment, you don't need any special cleaners to clean it. A standard glass cleaner or a mixture of water and detergent is sufficient. You also need a squeegee and a soft sponge or microfiber cloth.
You can find everything about household and garden tips in the regular living newsletter from our partner Merkur.de.
In an interview with the Augsburger Allgemeine
, Frank Lange from the Window + Facade Association recommends
soaking stubborn stains such as bird droppings before cleaning. To do this, place a wet kitchen towel on the dirty area. After about 30 minutes, the stain should be easy to remove. If not, you can use a ceramic hob scraper. If the windows are very dirty, you can also add a dash of vinegar to the cleaning water. However, the seals should be left out. You should never clean this surface with vinegar, as the acid it contains can attack the material.
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Cleaning roof windows from the outside: step-by-step instructions
When cleaning, it's best to work your way from the outside to the inside: from
Outer frame and the outer pane over the inner frame to the inner pane. If it is a pivoting window, follow these steps when cleaning:
Remove coarse dirt (leaves, dust, pollen) with a soft hand broom or by hand.
Clean the window frame first. This will prevent the dirt from the frame from getting onto the window when cleaning. To do this, you can use a rag or cotton cloth with the cleaning water.
If the frame is very dirty, the
window manufacturer Roto
recommends changing the cleaning water after wiping.
To clean the window, dip the microfiber cloth into the (fresh) cleaning water, wring it out and clean the window in circular movements.
Use a squeegee to remove the cleaning water from top to bottom. With the right technique, it can be removed after cleaning without leaving streaks.
Finally, polish the disc with a dry microfiber cloth. Cloths made from other materials shed very quickly and could leave lint or stains.
If you cannot turn the outside of the window inwards, you will need additional tools. According to
the Stuttgarter Zeitung,
the following are suitable for this
:
Magnetic window cleaner:
This consists of two brushes with a cleaning surface that is equipped with a strong magnet. This means that one side can be used to clean the inside of the window, while the other side uses magnetic friction to clean the outside.
Telescopic rod:
Wipers and pullers can usually be attached to the rod. This tool can either be extended to clean the roof windows from the outside. Or you can get a flexible rod that reaches from the inside to the outside of the window.
Garden hose or rainwater:
If you put a little detergent on the outside of the window from the inside, you can use the next rain shower or the garden hose for cleaning.
If none of the methods work for you, consider getting a professional cleaning. Under no circumstances should you climb onto the roof or a ladder yourself, as the risk of an accident is too high. Since cleaning companies usually charge travel costs, it may be worthwhile to have all the windows in the house or apartment cleaned.
If you want to ensure that the cleanliness lasts as long as possible after cleaning, you can use a glass cleaner with the so-called lotus effect on the pane. This allows the rain to roll off the glass. According to the window manufacturer
Velux,
you can also use a simple home remedy for this: If you add fabric softener to the water and apply the mixture after cleaning, a similar effect will be achieved.