Spring cleaning your conservatory

Spring is in the air! Apart from the gloriously lighter mornings (and evenings) and an end to the cold weather finally in sight, a change in the seasons also means it’s time for a spot of spring cleaning. So arm yourself with mops, brooms, dusters and polish and give your house a well-deserved dose of TLC.

Of course, we couldn’t call ourselves the undisputed experts when it comes to conservatories and orangeries without giving you a few pointers when it comes to cleaning said glass houses. Here’s our step-by-step guide to spring cleaning the conservatory.

Inside

The great thing about conservatories and orangeries when it comes to spring cleaning is that they’re relatively easy to tackle in one sitting. Choose a fine day to spring clean and it will be that bit easier.

Start by throwing open the windows to let in some fresh air. Then take all of the soft furnishings – cushions, rugs, blankets and throws, and give them a good beating outside. Any that are particularly grimy can go in the washing machine. Hang them on the washing line if you have one to give them a good airing. This will get rid of any dust, animal hairs and grime, as well as moving them out of the way so you can tackle the rest of the room.

Now to give the inside windows a clean. Use any of our eco-friendly window cleaners and a clean cloth to remove any mucky finger prints, dog nose prints and dust from the inside to leave them sparkling. Next tackle the hard furnishings, polishing wood, glass and metal to remove mug rings, dust and water marks.

Finally, sweep and mop the floor to remove any last bits of dust and dirt. Once the floor has thoroughly dried out you can bring the soft furnishings back inside and arrange artfully for a conservatory that looks as good as new!

Outside

The obvious appeal of conservatories and orangeries is the way they connect indoor with outdoor. Sadly this is also their downfall when it comes to spring cleaning, as there’s no use the inside looking spick and span if the outside hasn’t been tended to.

To clean the outside of the conservatory you’ll need a good ladder and possibly a telescopic brush if your conservatory isn’t designed to take human weight, as well as a few cloths and a bucket of warm soapy water.

Firstly clear out the gutters, as this is where the majority of dirt and debris will have collected over winter. Follow our gutter cleaning guide to remove accumulated leaves and other gunk before starting on the rest of the structure.

Start from the top and work your way down to avoid having to clean the same spot repeatedly. Clean the framework of your conservatory before starting on the glass. Use a soft sponge and warm soapy water, making sure to avoid any abrasive chemicals that might strip the coating off metal framework.

Clean the glass with a soft cloth and window cleaning solution, working methodically from the top down to avoid streaking. Use a window wiper to really leave your exterior windows gleaming.

Once finished your conservatory will feel like new again! Sit back and admire your handiwork, and start planning all the great times you’ll have enjoying the space this spring and summer.