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Conservatory Cleaning

For many people the main reason to have a conservatory is to have a place to relax in; a place to sit and enjoy the sun and the garden. However, to keep the conservatory in good condition and it to keep it looking pristine, it will require regular cleaning.

Conservatories are slightly different to the rest of the house, and require their own cleaning regime. As well as cleaning inside, the conservatory should be cleaned outside, the roof, the glass and the frames all need attention. The information below gives a rough guide to what needs to be done, and how to go about it.

The roof can suffer with a build up of dirt, green algae, leaves and debris. If left it can lead to a build up of water which can damage the roof

Keep the roof clean to allow maximum light into the conservatory.

 

 

External cleaning:

The outside of the conservatory can become dirty quite quickly and needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain a good look. The external parts of the conservatory cleaning can be done every 2-6 months and should include the following.

 

Roof

The roof can suffer with a build up of dirt, green algae, leaves and debris. If left to build up it can lead to a build up of water, which can damage the roof. It should be cleared away as part of the routine. The glass or polycarbonate should also be cleaned, and you can do this yourself, or ask your window cleaner to do it for you. The guttering should also be cleared of any leaves and debris at the same time.

 

Glass

Self-cleaning glass is becoming more popular in conservatories as it does a lot of the hard work for you. The glass is applied with a coating, which uses the light from the sun to break down organic dirt, and then utilises rain water to wash it away. It also has a quick-drying surface to prevent streaking and can be left to keep itself clean. Other types of glazing will need to be cleaned just as regularly as the windows on your house and it may be wise to enlist the window cleaner to tackle this job.

 

Frames

The external frames of the conservatory will also need to be cleaned to maintain the bright finish. Dirt and grime will build up on the frames over time and can ruin the look of a conservatory. uPVC frames can be wiped clean with soapy water, and are generally quite easy to keep clean. Wooden frames can also be wiped clean with a damp cloth, but will also need re-staining or re-painting in the future to stay waterproof. This might need to be done as often as once a year, depending on the type of wood.

 

Internal cleaning:

Just like any room in your house, the conservatory can quickly become dirty if it is not cleaned regularly. Most of the cleaning routine will be similar to that in the home, but some types of flooring may require special maintenance.

 

Some wooden flooring may need to be re-stained periodically to maintain their finish and protect the wood.

Wooden and stone floors need to be cleaned differently.

Flooring

A carpet floor can simply be vacuumed, just as it would be in any other room, but wooden and stone floors need to be cleaned differently. Dirt, debris, and small stones from outside can easily cause scratching on wooden floors, so they should be swept regularly with a soft brush. Some wooden flooring may also need to be re-stained periodically to maintain their finish and protect the wood.

Stone flooring can also be swept regularly to keep it clean, but some types of stone, such as limestone, will require re-sealing on a regular basis to retain their resistance to water. Specialist marble flooring tiles may add the glamorous touch to your conservatory, but marble can become dull very quickly and the floor will need to be polished regularly to maintain the high sheen.

 

Blinds

Blinds are prone to a build up of dust and dirt and most can be wiped clean quite easily with a cloth while they are hanging. Some specialist types of blind will need to be removed to be cleaned, you should refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning.

If you have blinds fitted to the roof internally, you should be able to clean them yourself in the same way as window blinds. External blinds fitted above the roof are usually made of very hardwearing material and should not require regular cleaning. If they become too dirty, they may need to be replaced.

 

Furniture

The environment in a conservatory is a particularly intense one, and one which is different to the rest of your house. There is much greater exposure to light for long periods, more heat and humidity, and temperatures can rise and fall very quickly.

Wicker furniture is the popular choice for conservatories, as it is not affected by excess heat and light, whereas upholstery furniture can quickly fade. Regular dusting should be enough to keep wicker furniture in good condition a stiff brush or a vacuum cleaner attachment can be used to get in-between the weave.

If you want to use cushions, you can turn them regularly to prevent the onset of fading, but be prepared to change them regularly. Alternatively, there are cushion covers available, which have been designed specifically for the conservatory, which are anti-fade.

 

Summary

Cleaning your conservatory is a necessary job, and one that should be carried out externally every 2-6 months, and internally at least every 2-3 weeks. Although the conservatory is designed for leisure and to be a place to relax, it can quickly get dirty and become an eyesore.

If dirt and debris is allowed to build up it could eventually lead to damage to the conservatory and expensive repairs. Establish a simple cleaning routine and stick to it. If you stay on top of things, the cleaning should only take a few hours each time and you will prolong the life of the conservatory by keeping it in good condition.

The internal cleaning is much like the cleaning in the rest of the house, the room will need to be vacuumed and dusted, and the glass and the blinds cleaned regularly. The flooring should be cleaned as necessary depending which type it is. Externally, the roof, the frames and the glass all need to be cleaned to keep the conservatory looking good and to protect against damage.




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