It can be challenging when you want to clean your balcony and don’t have access to a hose. I had this issue when I stayed in an apartment building. No one wants to use a balcony covered in dust, dirt, and grime and These things can quickly build up on balconies, especially if you live in the city. So this issue led me to wonder how to clean a balcony without a hose.
There are a few ways to clean a balcony without using a hose, like using a bucket with warm water and a mop. You can also get rid of stubborn stains using powder cleaning detergent for stubborn stains and rust from balconies. For mildew and mold, you can use diluted bleach.
We all love relaxing on our balconies, but it can be frustrating when you have to clean them without using a hose. There are many other ways to remove dirt and grime from your balcony. We will look at how to clean your balcony and remove different kinds of stains.
How To Clean A Balcony Without Using A Hose
When you don’t have a hose to wash your balcony, you need to find another way to get it clean. Here are a few ways to clean stubborn dirt and stain from your balcony.
You first need to clear all the furniture and other stuff from your balcony, then use a broom and dustpan to sweep the dust and debris from the floor and walls. If you are lucky, this quick sweep will be enough to clean the dust from your balcony, but when you have to use water to get your balcony clean, you can use one of these methods,
Using A Bucket Of Warm Water
The good news is that with suitable equipment, you don’t need a hose to clean your balcony. You can get better results using a mop, a sponge, a bucket of warm water, and a small amount of floor cleaner. Below are a few critical steps that will help guide you along,
Step 1
Take a clean sponge, dip it into the warm water and floor cleaner bucket, then wipe down the railings. Use a little pressure if you need to get the stuck-on dirt off.
Step 2
Next, you must dip the mop into the cleaning solution. When you live on any floor higher than the ground floor, wring the excess water from the mop so you don’t accidentally spill water onto the balcony below yours.
Then wipe the entire balcony and the walls down. Be sure to dip and wring the mop a couple of times, or you will just be moving the dust around and not really cleaning anything.
Using A Pressure Washer
Why use a hose when you can spray the balcony down with a pressure washer? You can use a pressure washer the same way you would a hose, except a pressure washer can break up stubborn dirt without needing too much floor cleaner. Just make sure your floor and walls can take it and the apartment management, if apartment, allow this.
How To Remove Tough Stains From Your Balcony Without A Hose
Removing tough stains can be a nightmare if you don’t have the right equipment, but here are a few pointers to help remove stubborn stains.
Removing Rust Stains From A Balcony
Rust can be challenging to remove, but by using the method in this section, it should be a breeze.
You Will Need
Here are all the items you will need,
- A stiff-bristled brush
- A wire brush
- Powder laundry detergent with baking soda as an ingredient
- A spray bottle filled with water
- A clean cloth
The Method Step-By-Step
Here is what you need to do,
Step 1
Mist the rust stain with water from the spray bottle and apply a little powder detergent to the rust stain.
Step 2
Use the stiff-bristled brush to work the powder into the stain. Leave the detergent on the rust stain for at least an hour. Then, regularly mist the detergent with the spray bottle, so it does not dry out.
Step 3
Then scrub the stain using a wire brush until the rust is removed or lighter. Next, wipe away the detergent with a clean cloth and then rinse the area until all the detergent you used is cleaned up.
Step 4
If you have not succeeded in removing the stain, you may need to repeat steps 1-3 one or two more times until the rust is removed.
Removing Mold, Moss And Mildew Stains From A Balcony
One problem with balconies that many people struggle with is mold or mildew stains. There is an effective way to remove this.
What You Will Need
Below is a list of all the supplies you will need,
- Bleach,
- Safety gear like goggles, rubber gloves, and a dust mask to protect yourself,
- A scrub brush,
- A clean cloth,
- A spray bottle,
- Water,
- A tablespoon of baking soda,
The Method Step-By-Step
Here is what you need to do,
Step 1
Put on the safety gear to protect you from the harmful fumes of the bleach and avoid a chemical burn on your skin. Then mix equal parts bleach and water into the spray bottle. Only make a little of the cleaning solution at a time, as the runoff can drip onto the balcony below you and kill any plants you might have on the balcony.
Step 2
Next, spray some bleach solutions onto the mildew or mold stain and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Bleach kills mold instantly and helps prevent it from forming again.
Step 3
Then use a scrub brush with hard bristles to scrub the mold stains until it lifts. Lastly, wipe down the area with a clean cloth and rinse the spot with water mixed with baking soda to stop the bleaching process. Remember, bleach can discolor concrete, so test the solution on a small inconspicuous area before using it on any stain.
Conclusion
It can be challenging when you have to clean your balcony but don’t have access to a hose. Luckily there are many methods to clean your balcony and remove tough stains like rust, mildew, and mold. With a bit of hard work and the right cleaning supplies, you should have a squeaky-clean balcony in no time.
A hose is useful to clean and wash away loose dirt, but nothing, unfortunately, makes up for some good old-fashioned elbow grease.