For those who crave the warmth of the sun all year round, sunrooms are extremely practical and popular additions for any home.
Of course, during the colder months of the year, these rooms probably don’t get as much use as they would in the spring, summer, and even fall months, but they’re still fantastic spaces where people can bask in the sun’s warmth and enjoy fantastic views outside, while staying warm and cozy indoors.
Sunrooms are typically attached to the exterior of the home, with many leading directly out into the garden. They also feature large glass windows, doors, and even ceilings, which means that they can get a little grubby. Add to this, the fact that the elements can also take their toll, and you can understand why regular sunroom cleaning and maintenance is so important.
In order to keep a sunroom clean, tidy, inviting, and practical, it’s important to carry out different cleaning jobs throughout the year. Not only are there weekly cleaning jobs that must be done, but monthly, and even seasonal too.
Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the most important sunroom cleaning tasks required throughout the year.
Weekly Sunroom Cleaning Tasks
To begin with, we’re going to take a look at some of the simpler sunroom cleaning tasks that need to be carried out on a weekly basis.
These are the jobs that keep your sunroom clean and tidy.
Clean the Windows
Sunrooms feature a lot of glass. As a result of this, the glass can become streaky and dirty, and so will need to be cleaned on a regular basis to keep it looking its best.
On the inside, use a basic cleaning solution or, if you want to be eco-friendly, a water and vinegar solution. Spray them, wipe using a microfiber cloth, and make sure they’re free of streaks.
As for the outside, this is where you’ll need a bit more elbow grease. The windows can become caked in dirt, dust, pollen, bird droppings, and other contaminants which is why you’ll need a good-quality cleaning solution.
Rinse the windows, wipe down with your cleaning solution, rinse them again, squeegee, and wipe using a microfiber cloth.
Spruce Up Your Floors
Whereas some people choose carpeted floors for their sunrooms, most will have hard floors such as tile, hardwood, or even vinyl. Regardless of the type of flooring you have, it’s important to make sure it’s cleaned regularly.
Vacuum and/or sweep your floor, and then you can mop them, making sure not to use too much water (obviously skip this step with carpet).
Tackle That Dust
Sunrooms get dustier than other rooms in the home because they’re so close to the outside, which is why weekly dusting is recommended.
Simply go around all of the furniture, windowsills, blinds, and nooks and crannies with a feather duster and perhaps even a slightly damp cloth.
Keeping your sunroom free of dust is not only good for the aesthetics, it will also improve the air quality as well.
Monthly Sunroom Cleaning Tasks
Now we’re moving onto the monthly cleaning tasks. These are the jobs that aren’t as urgent, but perhaps require a little more effort. Don’t skip them, though, as you’ll be glad you did them.
Clean the Door and Window Seals
As well as cleaning the glass in your sunroom, it’s also important to keep the seals of your doors and windows clean.
Overtime, these too can become dirty and greasy. The reason you shouldn’t clean them on a weekly basis, however, is too much moisture could cause them to degrade and break down.
Dehumidify
Sunrooms are also susceptible to humidity, especially during the fall and winter months, which is why it’s important to keep them free of excess moisture. Too much moisture can increase the risk of damp and mold, which could then potentially lead to health issues.
Invest in a portable dehumidifier and leave it running for a few days in different spots of the sunroom. You’ll be amazed by just how much moisture they pull out of the air.
De-Clutter
Sunrooms should be light, airy, and relaxing spaces. This means that they should be free of unnecessary clutter.
Too much clutter can not only harm the ambience, but it can also make it harder to keep the sunroom clean as there will be more stuff that needs moving. A lot of people, especially during the colder months of the year, will use sunrooms as dumping rooms for excess clutter.
Every month, take the time to go around your sunroom and remove any items of clutter taking up valuable space. Whether it’s old mail, unwanted toys, paperwork, or anything else for that matter, if it’s taking up space and leaving the room looking cluttered, it needs to go.
Seasonal Sunroom Cleaning Tasks
Finally, we have seasonal sunroom cleaning tasks. These are the jobs that should be done every few months, in line with the changing of the seasons.
Remove and Wash Curtains
At the start of springtime, it’s a good idea to take down your curtains and give them a good wash.
During the winter, because of excess moisture in the air, they could become damp or moldy. Washing them semi-regularly prevents this from happening and helps to keep them looking and smelling fresh.
Deep Cleaning
Finally, if you really want to keep your sunroom clean, tidy, and hygienic, it’s important to carry out a deep clean, at least twice per year, ideally around early spring and early fall.
Here, you should take the time to remove all furniture. Give it a wipe down or a polish if necessary and leave it somewhere clean and dry. Now you can tackle the rest of the room.
As well as the cleaning jobs highlighted above, you may wish to be even more thorough. If you have a carpeted floor, you could clean it using a carpet cleaner or steamer. If you’ve a hardwood floor, you may wish to give it a polish or oiling.
Get into all of the crevices, and all of those hard-to-reach areas and give them a once over. When you’re satisfied everything is nice and clean, you can begin putting the furniture back, re-attaching the curtains or blinds, and then admiring your handiwork.