Your browser is out-of-date.
To get a better experience with our home designs, please download other browsers for free. Just click on the icon!
We all know how valuable a terrace, porch, or even a balcony can be, especially for us city-dwelling folk. Sometimes one just wants to shut out the world and escape without physically going anywhere. And for those times, a cosy (and stylish, of course) terrace / porch / balcony can be a fantastic option to help us unwind and relax.
But how often did you get to use your terrace this past winter? Isn’t a good cleaning in order to give it that sparkling and welcoming vibe, especially with the warmer seasons approaching?
Let’s see how you can easily transform your terrace with some basic cleaning supplies (your very own, or some store-bought ones you’ve trusted for years) and a few spare minutes…
Remove EVERYTHING off your terrace. That includes potted plants, furniture, accessories, even that stack of books / magazines and those wall art pieces you hung up to make your terrace more “you”.
A clear terrace is your first step towards a clean one!
Using a quality, stiff-bristled broom, give that terrace a decent sweeping. Don’t skip those corners and be sure to really dig in to get rid of all dirt debris, loose leaves, food crumbs (we’d definitely be surprised if you didn’t use your terrace to indulge in the occasional snacking).
Sweep everything onto a dust pan before discarding it into a trash bag. And if you’re prone to sneezing and coughing from all that dust, better ensure you’re wearing protective gear such as an allergy mask, gloves, etc.
Mix up a multi-surface cleaner into a bucket of warm water. Dampen a clean rag or scrub brush into the mix and start scrubbing those walls, railings, and any other surfaces that could do with some cleaning (we bet it’s all of them!).
Make sure to hit those corners to remove cobwebs (which need to be dusted away first), dirt smudges, etc.
When you’re done scrubbing, use another clean rag or sponge to rinse the scrubbed surfaces with fresh water.
Don’t think we’ve forgotten about those exterior windows or glass doors that lead out onto your terrace. After all, these surfaces physically link up your exterior spaces with your interior ones, which is why they need to be sparkling.
Using a commercial (or DIY) window cleaner, spray it onto the glass surfaces and wipe clean with some paper towels or newspaper (if you use newspaper, wipe it dry immediately after spraying in order to prevent wipe marks).
Continue until all glass surfaces are clean and streak-free.
Now it’s time to hit the floor (again). Blend up a fresh mixture of multi-surface cleaner and warm water in a bucket. If your terrace has a rather smooth floor (like wood or tile), a mop should do it. For a rougher surface (like concrete), we recommend you use a scrub brush instead.
Any leftover residue on your terrace floor can easily be cleaned with a mop and fresh water.
Now it’s time to tackle all those pieces you removed off your terrace in Step 1. Furniture, accessories, and lighting fixtures can be cleaned with a clean cloth or sponge, multi-surface cleaner, and some warm water.
Once you’ve finished wiping or scrubbing what needed to be wiped or scrubbed, remember to rinse with clean water and allow those pieces to comfortably air dry.
Finally, you can move all your favourite pieces back out onto your terrace.
And just in case you feel that your terrace could do with a new look, we have these 7 ideas for your outdoor seating areas – take a look!
