Everything You Need to Know About Sunroom Maintenance
A sunroom, or also known as a patio enclosure, porch enclosure or lanai, is an inviting and comforting addition to any Florida home.
Unlike many of the other home fixtures you have, it’s essential that you are periodically cleaning and maintaining your sunroom’s environment to ensure it continues to look its best. As you continue to follow this handy guide, you will get to know some useful tips on how to maintain your Florida sunroom. Let’s get started!
How to Clean a Sunroom
If you had a sunroom installed, then it’s likely that you intended for a space to enjoy the beautiful outdoor scenery and taking in the warm and cozy sunlight. However, if the windows of your sunroom become covered in both dirt and grime, then it largely defeats the purpose.
Cleaning Individual Parts of the Sunroom
Many of the sunrooms today consist of different parts, all of which require regular cleaning.
Below are just a few essential sunroom cleaning tips.
1.) The Framing
Starting off, use a soft cloth or brush for the vinyl surfaces. Be sure to avoid steel wool and scrubbing sponges, as they are harsher and can cause damage to vinyl surfaces. With mild detergent and some warm water, you can easily remove light debris like dust, dirt, and smoke.
We recommended not using solvent-based or abrasive cleaners, as these can also be damaging to vinyl.
To remove more stubborn stains, consider using the following cleaning agents below:
- Clean
- Soft Scrub
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Mineral spirits
- Naptha solvents
- Lanolin cleaners
- Lacquer thinner
2.) Inside Windows
In terms of the inside, cleaning sunroom windows is similar to cleaning any other window. Using a generic glass cleaner such as Windex and a squeegee or soft rag will be sure to get the job done. Sometimes, your sunroom may experience condensation which leads to streaking, but you can prevent this occurrence by opening a few windows during the cleaning process.
3.) Outside Windows
Compared to interior windows, exterior sunroom window cleaning can take a little more time due to more dirt that accumulates there. The best way to effectively clean sunroom windows is to start by removing as much debris as you can with a garden hose. Once finished, follow up with a glass cleaner to remove any excess dirt remnants. If you still find that there’s dirt on your windows, try dispersing mild soap, detergent, naphtha solvents or mineral spirits with a cloth, sponge or spray bottle. Be sure to rinse the section of the window thoroughly before proceeding with others to avoid streaking.
4.) Sunroom Screens
When it comes to cleaning sunroom screens, the first step is to remove them. To do this, pull the screens out by disengaging the side clips, then move them over and place them on a level, clean surface and begin removing any dirt with a gentle hand brush. After, be sure to thoroughly rinse and dry each screen before placing them back into the window.
5.) Sunroom Doors
To clean the doors of a sunroom, the first thing you need to know is the material it’s made of to determine what cleaning method you will use.
Fiberglass: Fiberglass doors are known to be very durable, as they do not rot, split, warp or rust. However, it’s common for the finish to disintegrate over some time. Fiberglass doors require minimum cleaning and may only need some rinsing with warm water or a mild detergent.
Steel: If you notice that the paint on your steel door is starting to crack or split, be sure to clean the door and let it dry. After, lightly sand out the surface and add a fresh coat of paint so it matches the overall finish of the door.
Need more information about sunroom maintenance? Perhaps interested in having a sunroom installed? Contact us today for a free quote and to discuss your next project!