How to clean a conservatory roof

If you’ve noticed your conservatory roof looking dirty and in need of a good clean, this guide is for you. We look at how to clean a conservatory roof using the safest method, both inside and outside and importantly, what to use to clean it.

When researching how to clean a conservatory roof, if you already think it’s not something you want to do yourself, then you might want to hire a professional conservatory cleaner to do the job. To find out how much that would cost, check out our guide to conservatory cleaning costs.

6 top tips for how to clean a conservatory roof

We’ve put together a few tips to help you when planning to clean a conservatory roof…

1. Don’t climb on the conservatory roof

When cleaning your conservatory roof, it’s important not to climb up on the roof itself. As a rule, conservatories roofs are not designed to be load-bearing. Instead, you’ll need to use a ladder and a telescopic brush to clean it from the roof, extending the brush to reach the harder to reach parts.

2. Avoid using harsh cleaning products

Spirit-based cleaners and other harsh cleaning products can cause damage to your conservatory, particularly any plastic sections. Warm soapy water is very effective and easy to get hold of. If you find you need extra cleaning power, speak to your local cleaning experts to get their recommendations for products that are specifically designed for cleaning your type of conservatory.

3. Take care when cleaning at height

Cleaning a conservatory roof will involve using a ladder, so you should only attempt this yourself if you have the right equipment and feel confident working at height.

4. Clean little and often

Cleaning a conservatory roof is like cleaning anything else. The longer you leave it, the harder it becomes. The key is to clean your conservatory regularly so that the dirt and grime doesn’t build-up, which means it’s easier to clean each time.

5. Clean when it’s cool

Try to avoid cleaning your conservatory roof when it’s hot and sunny. The extra heat will dry the roof panels quickly and cause streaks and water marks. Cleaning in the heat can also be uncomfortable in the heat, especially when it comes to cleaning the inside.

6. If in doubt, hire a professional

We recommend hiring a local professional conservatory cleaner if you don’t have a secure ladder or feel nervous working on one.

What to use to clean a conservatory roof

Before you get cracking on cleaning your conservatory roof, you’ll want to make sure you have the following equipment:

• Ladder
• Bucket
• Telescopic brush or cleaning pole
• Warm soapy water
• Drying shammy

How to clean a conservatory roof outside in 6 steps

Here’s a quick summary of how to clean the outside of your conservatory roof:

1. Prepare your equipment, including ladder, telescopic brush, and cleaning products
2. Start by washing off any loose debris, moss or algae that has gathered on the conservatory roof
3. Use a pressure washer to remove more stubborn dirt that won’t come off with water and a brush – though make sure it’s designed for use on conservatories to avoid damaging the conservatory in the process.
4. Clean the harder to reach parts of the roof by using your telescopic brush, extending and/or bending it if needed
5. Wipe down the frames using warm soapy water

How to clean conservatory roof inside

When it comes to cleaning the inside of your conservatory roof, here’s a summary of how to do it:

1. Remove any window blinds from the conservatory, and clear any furniture
2. Prepare your cleaning equipment, including filling a spray bottle with warm soapy water
3. Cover the floor and any furniture with a protective sheet
4. Using the spray bottle and a clean cloth, clean the inside of all roof glass and frames of the conservatory – rinsing in a bucket of clean water at regular intervals to keep the cloth keen
5. Leave to dry and job done

Clean conservatory roof pressure washer

In general, most pressure washers aren’t suitable for cleaning a conservatory roof due to the high pressure that can easily damage seals and coatings. That said, you can get specially designed pressure washers that you can use without them causing any damage to your conservatory roof (or any other part of your conservatory).

Where possible, we always recommend using hot soapy water and washing by hand to get the best results without any risk of damage. But if you have dirt that won’t come off that way, speak to your local conservatory cleaning experts for their advice on the best pressure washer to use.

How to stop a conservatory roof going green

The best way to stop your conservatory roof going green is to clean it regularly. The build-up of moss and algae happens over time, so it’s simply a question of cleaning the roof often enough that it doesn’t allow any green moss or algae to grow.

You can also use certain cleaning products that clean algae and are designed to kill the spores, which will prevent (or at least delay) it growing back. Just make sure that any product you choose is suitable for cleaning a conservatory roof.

How much does it cost to clean a conservatory roof?

The average cost of cleaning a conservatory roof is around £4.50 per panel, depending on the size and condition of each panel. You can find out more about prices in our conservatory cleaning cost guide.

FAQs

How do you clean algae off a conservatory roof?

Most algae will come off when you use warm soapy water and a hose and/or brush. If you have stubborn algae, you might need a special cleaning product designed for removing algae. Failing that, a pressure washer suitable for conservatory roofs should do the trick.

How can I clean my polycarbonate conservatory roof?

Cleaning a polycarbonate conservatory roof is fairly easy if you have the right equipment. You’ll need a ladder, a bucket of warm soapy water, a plastic cleaner, a polishing cloth, and a clean, lint-free cloth. Take care when cleaning polycarbonate as it can scratch easily, which is why it’s sensible to use a mild detergent with an anti-static effect.

How do you clean a dirty conservatory?

As we’ve mentioned, the best way to clean a dirty conservatory is to use warm soapy water, a telescopic brush and a ladder – to clean the harder to reach parts of the conservatory. Cleaning a dirty conservatory is a job you can do yourself if you’re confident at working at heights. If you have any reservations, speak to local conservatory cleaners, who will be able to do a great job and save you the time and hassle of cleaning the conservatory yourself.