Check your strata bylaws first — many buildings limit hosing and pressure washing. Then clear the balcony, dust overhead, sweep into a dustpan, scrub the floor with a bucket of warm water and dish soap, and wipe the railings, glass and sliding-door track. Use as little water as you can and wipe up runoff before it reaches the edge.
A balcony is the one part of a condo where your cleaning affects your neighbours. Water poured off the edge lands on the balcony below, and a pressure washer can damage the waterproofing your whole building depends on. The good news: a balcony doesn't need much water at all.
Check your strata rules first
In most BC strata buildings, balconies are common property or limited common property — you use it, but the strata is responsible for it, and its bylaws can set rules for how it's used and cleaned. Common rules include:
- No hosing down or pressure washing.
- No water running over the edge onto other units.
- Nothing hung over or attached to the railing without approval.
- Limits on what you can install, like bird netting or flooring.
Check your bylaws or ask your property manager before you start. Some buildings schedule balcony and window washing for everyone once a year, so it's worth asking when that happens.
What you need
- A bucket of warm water with a squirt of dish soap
- A broom and dustpan, plus a stiff deck brush for the floor
- Microfibre cloths and a squeegee
- Old towels to catch drips at the edge
- A vacuum with a crevice tool and an old toothbrush for the door track
- Rubber gloves
Step by step
- Clear it out. Bring furniture, planters and mats inside, or stack them to one side.
- Dust overhead. Brush cobwebs off the ceiling, light fixture and the top of the railing first, so the dirt lands on a floor you haven't cleaned yet.
- Sweep into a dustpan. Never over the edge — that's how dust and leaves end up on the balcony below.
- Lay towels along the edge. They catch any water before it drips off.
- Scrub in small sections. Dip the deck brush in the soapy bucket, scrub a small area, then wipe it with a damp cloth or mop. Wring it out often.
- Rinse with a damp mop, not a hose. A second pass with clean water lifts the soap.
- Dry and put things back. Wipe down chairs and tables, and empty the saucers under your planters so they don't leave rings.
Glass railings and doors
Wash glass railings and the outside of the sliding door with soapy water, then squeegee from top to bottom and wipe the edge of the blade after each pass. An overcast day is best — in direct sun, the water dries before you squeegee and leaves streaks. Only clean what you can reach while standing on the balcony floor. Don't lean over the railing or stand on furniture.
Want the inside done while you're out here?Good Maid cleans apartments and condos across Metro Vancouver, from $182.
See apartment & condo cleaning →Sliding-door tracks
- Vacuum the track with a crevice tool.
- Scrub the corners with an old toothbrush dipped in soapy water.
- Wipe it dry with a cloth.
- Gently clear the small drain slots on the outside of the frame with a pipe cleaner, so rain can drain out instead of pooling in the track.
Bird droppings
Pigeon droppings are the worst balcony job. Wear gloves, and spray the droppings with water first so they're damp — dry-sweeping can stir up dust you don't want to breathe. Scrape them into a bag, wash the area with soapy water and wash your hands afterwards. For a heavy build-up, a professional is the safer choice. Ask your strata before you install spikes or netting.
Seasonal jobs in Metro Vancouver
- Fall and winter: damp, shady balconies grow moss and green film on concrete and decking. Scrub with soapy water and a stiff brush, and clear leaves from the drain. Skip the bleach — it runs onto plants and balconies below.
- Spring: wipe the yellow pollen film off glass, furniture and the railing.
- Summer: after wildfire smoke, wipe ash off surfaces with a damp cloth instead of sweeping it into the air.
Mistakes to avoid
- Pressure washing without permission. It's often against the bylaws and can damage the balcony's waterproof membrane and caulking.
- Letting water run off the edge. It's the number one balcony complaint in strata buildings.
- Metal scrapers or wire brushes on a membrane floor. They can cut it.
- Drilling into the balcony or railing. Get approval first — holes let water into the building.
Doing a full-home refresh? Our condo and apartment cleaning checklist covers every room inside, and our spring cleaning checklist covers the seasonal jobs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pressure wash my condo balcony?
Usually not without permission. Many strata bylaws don't allow it, and the force of the water can damage the balcony's waterproof membrane and send dirty water onto the units below. Ask your strata or property manager first.
How often should I clean my balcony?
A quick sweep once a month, and a full wash in spring and fall. Clear leaves from the drain more often in autumn.
How do I clean a balcony without water dripping below?
Use a bucket and a cloth or mop instead of a hose, scrub small sections at a time, and lay old towels along the edge to catch drips.
How do I get rid of moss on a concrete balcony?
Scrub it with warm, soapy water and a stiff brush, then let the balcony dry. Keep the drain clear and move planters so water doesn't pool. Avoid bleach, which runs onto the balconies and plants below.
Does Good Maid clean balconies?
Our standard checklists cover the inside of your home. If you'd like your balcony done too, call us before you book so we can confirm.
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