Guide · Floors, furniture and surfaces · October 19, 2026

How to Clean a Balcony

A balcony gets dirty quickly with dust, leaves, rain marks and water from plant pots. When cleaning a balcony, choose products that suit the floor material and do not let the water run onto your neighbours or down the façade. This guide explains how to clean the balcony floor, tiles and grout, a marble balcony, railings, fly screens and the awning.

How to clean a balcony: step by step

Clear the balcony: take plant pots, cushions and furniture off the balcony or gather them in one corner.
Sweep: sweep up dust, leaves and soil; clear leaves from the drain opening.
Work from top to bottom: first the ceiling corners, walls and railing, the floor last.
Mop the floor: use a product suited to the floor type and a well-wrung mop.
Watch the water: if you wash with plenty of water, make sure it flows into the drain; do not let it run onto the balcony below or down the façade.

How to clean balcony tiles

Mop ceramic tile floors with surface cleaner or liquid soft soap added to lukewarm water.
On white limescale marks left under plant pots, limescale and rust remover can be used on ceramic tiles only; apply it according to the label and rinse with plenty of water (how to use limescale remover).
For details by type of tile: how to clean tiles.
For darkened grout: how to clean grout.
For balcony grass rugs: how to clean artificial grass.
For large terraces and terrace stones: how to clean a terrace.
For balcony pots and saucers: how to clean plant pots.
For opening and closing a summer house for the season: how to clean a summer house.

How to clean a marble balcony

Marble and natural stone balcony floors and sills go dull with acidic products. Clean these surfaces with a neutral cleaner; do not use acidic products such as limescale remover, hydrochloric acid or vinegar. According to its safety data sheet, our START all-purpose surface cleaner has a pH of 7–8. For details, see how to clean marble.

Railings and balcony glass

Aluminium and painted railings: wipe with a damp cloth and neutral surface cleaner and dry; do not use strong acidic or alkaline products.
Stainless steel railings: wipe along the grain with stainless steel polish.
Glass railings and balcony glass: wipe with glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth; for glass balconies see how to clean a glass balcony.
Do not lean out over the railing to clean; get professional help for outside surfaces you cannot reach.

How to clean a balcony fly screen

Take out a removable fly screen, remove the dust with a soft brush, then brush it with lukewarm water and a little dishwashing liquid and rinse. On fixed or pleated fly screens, remove dust with the vacuum cleaner's brush attachment and wipe with a damp cloth. Put the screen back only once it is completely dry.

Awnings and balcony cushions

Awning: brush the dust off the fabric, wipe it with a soft brush, lukewarm water and a little surface cleaner and rinse; follow the awning manufacturer's advice and dry the awning open.
Fabric, PVC and pergola awnings: for detailed steps, see how to clean an awning.
Rattan furniture: for natural and synthetic rattan, see how to clean rattan.
Cushions and fabrics: apply an upholstery-safe stain remover to stains with a cloth; wash removable covers according to their label (how to clean a sofa).

What not to do

Letting water run onto neighbouring balconies and the façade.
Using limescale remover and hydrochloric acid on marble and natural stone.
Using strong alkaline products such as degreaser on aluminium railings and frames.
Leaning out over the railing to clean glass or the façade.
Mixing different cleaning products (can cleaning products be mixed).

For building managers and cleaning companies

Shared terraces in residential complexes, apartment balconies and café terraces need regular cleaning. Our surface cleaners are produced under the TETİK and START brands in packs from 1 kg to 30 kg, and TETİK Liquid Soft Soap in 5 kg and 20 kg. For the product list, see our Apartment building cleaning supplies guide; for bulk purchases you can request a quote.

Prepared by: Tetikoğlu Kimya — cleaning chemicals manufacturer since 1997. When using products, always follow the instructions and warnings on the pack.

Frequently asked questions

What should a balcony be washed with?

A ceramic balcony floor is mopped or scrubbed and rinsed with surface cleaner or liquid soft soap added to lukewarm water. Only a neutral cleaner is used on marble and natural stone; make sure the water flows into the drain and does not run onto the neighbours.

How do you remove plant pot marks from a balcony?

On ceramic tiles, white limescale marks left under plant pots are cleaned with limescale and rust remover according to the label and rinsed with plenty of water. Acidic products are not used on marble and natural stone; wipe the mark with a neutral cleaner.

How often should a balcony be cleaned?

Jobs such as sweeping and wiping the railing can be done weekly, and washing the floor and cleaning fly screens seasonally. Frequency depends on how the balcony is used, the dust in the city and rainfall.

How to clean artificial grass on a balcony

Balcony turf is first lifted and shaken out and the floor underneath is swept and mopped; the turf is brushed with lukewarm water from a bucket containing a neutral surface cleaner in the amount on the label, rinsed with clean water and stood upright to drain. It is laid back down once the floor and the turf are completely dry. For vacuuming, pressure washing, moss and winter storage see the how to clean artificial grass guide.