How to clean a balcony: 5 steps for floor, railing and glass

In summer the balcony is an extra room: breakfast in the morning sun, dinner with friends, herbs in pots and a drying rack in the corner. It also collects city dust, pollen, leaves, bird droppings and barbecue grease. If you clean your balcony in the right order, it takes a morning rather than a weekend – and you avoid the classic conflict with the neighbours below when dirty water drips onto their table.

Here is our five-step method to clean a balcony floor, railing and glass, with tips specific to Swiss apartment buildings.

Before you start: house rules and neighbours

In a Swiss apartment building, the balcony is part of your rented flat, but water and dirt don't stop at your railing. Many house rules (Hausordnung) regulate balcony use – for example when cleaning is allowed, whether you may hang out laundry or shake out rugs over the railing. The Swiss tenants' association explains that house rules only bind you if they are part of your lease, so check your contract.

Practical courtesy helps too: tell the neighbours below before a bigger clean, move their table out of the drip zone if you can, and avoid quiet hours at lunchtime and in the evening.

1. Clear the balcony and sweep dry

Start with an empty balcony. Move plants, furniture, the drying rack and cushions indoors or to one side.

1. Remove cobwebs from the ceiling and corners with a broom or a duster on a pole.
2. Sweep walls, window sills and the top of the railing.
3. Sweep the floor thoroughly, including corners and behind planters.
4. Collect leaves and plant debris for the green-waste bin.

Dry sweeping removes most of the dirt. If you add water too early, the dust turns into mud that runs into the drain and onto the balcony below.

2. Remove pigeon and bird droppings safely

Bird droppings are not just unsightly – dried droppings can release dust you shouldn't inhale, and they are acidic enough to stain some surfaces.

• Wear disposable gloves and a simple dust mask.
• Spray the droppings with water and a little washing-up liquid and let them soften for 10–15 minutes. Never sweep or scrape them dry.
• Lift them off with paper towels or a plastic scraper and put them in a sealed bag in the household rubbish.
• Clean the area again with soapy water and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

If pigeons nest on your balcony or the soiling is extensive, inform the property management – nets or spikes are a matter for the building, not a DIY project for tenants.

3. Clean the railing and balcony glass

Railings and glass panels are the parts of a balcony everyone sees – from inside and from the street.

1. Metal railings: Wipe with warm water and washing-up liquid, then dry with a microfibre cloth to avoid water spots. Treat small rust spots early.
2. Wooden railings: Use a soft brush and mild soapy water; don't soak the wood.
3. Glass panels: Wash with a strip washer or sponge and lukewarm water with a drop of washing-up liquid, then remove the water with a squeegee from top to bottom.
4. Frosted or printed glass: Avoid abrasive sponges – they scratch the coating.

Clean glass in the shade or in the evening, not in blazing sun, or the water dries too fast and leaves streaks. Our guide to cleaning windows without streaks explains the squeegee technique in detail.

4. Clean the balcony floor by material

The floor gets the most dirt – and the most water. Choose the method according to the surface:

Grease stains from the barbecue respond well to hot water with washing-up liquid – our guide on how to clean a BBQ grill also covers the grill itself.

Finally, clear the balcony drain. Remove leaves and dirt from the grate and outlet. A blocked drain can cause water to pool after heavy rain and, in the worst case, run under the balcony door.

5. Pressure washer: only with care

A pressure washer is tempting for a dirty balcony, but in an apartment building it's often a bad idea:

• The spray carries dirty water onto neighbouring balconies, facades and windows.
• It can damage joints, sealing and wooden surfaces.
• Water can get under the door threshold or into the building fabric.
• Some house rules explicitly prohibit it.

If you use one on a ground-floor terrace or detached house, choose a low pressure setting, keep a safe distance from joints and wood, and never point it at seals, window frames or electrical sockets.

Common mistakes when cleaning a balcony

• Starting with the floor: Dirt from the railing and walls lands on the freshly cleaned surface.
• Using a hose on an upper floor: Water pours down onto the neighbours' balcony.
• Scraping dry bird droppings: It creates dust you shouldn't breathe in.
• Acids on natural stone: Leads to dull, rough spots.
• Forgetting the drain: Standing water and stains after the next storm.

Priority Clean editorial teamOur cleaning team from Alberswil, Canton of Lucerne, shares hands-on experience from move-out, house, office and window cleaning across Central and Northwestern Switzerland.