How to Clean a Skylight Window on Your Roof?

How to Clean A Skylight Window From The Inside and Outside

Skylights are roof windows installed in your home's ceiling or on the top floor if you have a two- or multi-story home. They are the ideal way to bring natural light and ventilation into your home while increasing your home aesthetics and giving you a better view of the outdoors. Skylight windows are especially useful in a house or building with a dark attic room, allowing for natural light and proper air circulation. 

Unfortunately, even a properly installed skylight will require some cleaning to keep it in good shape because they are exposed to different natural elements, which means it will become dirty, stained, or even covered with moss over time. Besides being sore in the eyes, factors such as dirt and dust can cause scratches and abrasions to the wooden structure of a skylight, leading to a host of issues over time. As a result, you will need to occasionally clean a skylight on your roof to ensure that it is properly maintained and taken care of so it can last for many years.

Cleaning your skylight window may seem different from cleaning your regular windows because of its location in your home. Still, the materials are generally the same as a standard household window. Fortunately, you can clean most skylight windows with regular household cleaning items such as dish soap and a glass cleaner.

Things you will need

You may need some or all the equipment and supplies listed below, especially if you want to clean hard-to-reach areas of the roof window. These include:

• Ladder 
• Rope harness
• Plastic sheet
• A bucket of mild soapy or dish soap water
• A non-abrasive sponge 
• Window cleaning pole
• Paper or towels 
• Microfibre or lint-free cloth for drying
• Glass cleaner 

Cleaning a skylight from the inside

Cleaning a skylight from the inside should be easy if the roof window is at a suitable height. But if you have a roof window that is high up, you can clean it using a window cleaning pole or a long-handled mop and follow the instructions below:

1. Remove any furniture and place a plastic sheet on the floor. If your furniture is heavy, you can cover it with a plastic sheet instead of laying it on the floor.
2. Begin by wiping away any dirt or debris using a rag or cloth. Also, check for any signs of damage or water leakage on the sides.
3. Wash the skylight's glass with soapy water and sponge from side to side and in a circular motion. Use paper or towels to catch any drips.
4. Dry the skylight using a microfiber cloth. Ensure the surface is dry before moving on to the next step.
5. Spray some glass cleaner on a lint-free cloth. Then wipe your skylight to finish cleaning from the inside.

Cleaning a skylight from the outside

The difficulty of cleaning a skylight on your roof may vary depending on its location. For example, if you have an easily accessible flat roof, you should be able to clean it using the exact instructions above. However, a sturdy ladder, and even a rope harness, are required for pitched roof houses. We also recommend reading our guide on how to work safely on a roof because it can be risky, even for short-duration work such as cleaning a skylight window. 

Besides, cleaning a skylight is only for some. Perhaps you have mobility issues or underlying medical conditions that may worsen unexpectedly or in stressful situations. Or maybe you fear heights or feel uncomfortable cleaning the skylight on your roof. In such cases, it's always best to hire a professional cleaning service rather than put your health and safety at risk. Besides, when you call in the pros, you know what to expect—most window cleaners have the experience and know-how to clean skylights safely, thoroughly, and effectively. So why not let them do the hard work for you?

How do you remove moss from a skylight?

Moss can be unsightly and difficult to remove, especially if it is on your roof window. While a little covering of moss on a roof usually is safe, you should act if you notice large moss colonies growing on your roof surfaces since they absorb water and eventually create damp conditions and leaks around a skylight. 

You can mostly get rid of these plants by simply scrubbing and scraping them with a brush. However, if you still have trouble removing moss from a skylight, you can use Cromar Moss & Mould Remover, which helps to remove moss from roof surfaces.