Balcony stains, caused by salt, flower pots and rust, can seem difficult to remove, but there are some ingenious tricks to make cleaning them easier and faster.
One of the problems that we mainly encounter during the summer months, when we use our balcony or terrace more frequently, is the presence of stains and marks on the tiles. You may think it’s impossible to remove those rust, grease or charcoal stains, but by following a few smart tips, you can clean them up easily and quickly. Here’s how to clean flower pot marks, rust and grease from your balcony tiles with 5 ingredients.
Stains caused by flower pots on the tiles
To get rid of marks on your balcony tiles, start by sprinkling coarse salt on the stain and rubbing the dirty surface with a glove as if you were scrubbing your tiles. If the stains have been on the tiles for a long time, you may need to take more drastic measures. Mix 2 liters of hot water with ¼ cup of baking soda. Pour the mixture over the stains and leave on for 5 minutes. Then, pour a little vinegar (be careful: if your tiles are made of marble, granite or natural stones, such as slate, do not use vinegar because it could cause “bites” on your tiles) on it and rub with a kitchen wire brush. Finally, rinse with water.
rust spots
Rust stains on the balcony can be removed by mixing baking soda, lemon juice and cream of tartar (you can find it in supermarkets or pharmacies). Apply the mixture to the rusty surface. Leave on for 30 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water. For metal surfaces, take a piece of aluminum foil, rub it over the rusty metal objects and the rust will disappear. You can also use a little vinegar (with the same restrictions as the brands above) if you wish.
Grease or charcoal stains
Everyone loves barbecues, even if they leave charcoal or grease stains on the balcony tiles. For this, take some cat litter and pour it on the stain. Let the litter do its thing for 10-12 hours, then the next morning you just need to sweep the litter.
As you can see, cleaning stubborn stains from your balcony is not an impossible mission. Using these tips and a few simple ingredients, you’ll be able to spruce up your outdoor space in no time. So, get ready to enjoy your clean and welcoming balcony for the sunny days to come!