April 10, 2025

Skylights are known for bringing new life into your home, so it’s only fair that you give them back some love every once in a while. Without maintenance, skylights can accumulate damage over time. If left untreated, issues like condensation, drafts, and leaks can cause structural harm and limit the amount of natural light coming into your home. Caring for your skylights ensures their functionality and longevity, helping create a brighter, more inviting space. 

Due to Australia’s ever-changing climate, your skylights endure a lot throughout the year. In this blog, we’ll explore DIY ways to maintain them throughout the seasons.

How to Safely Prepare for Skylight Cleaning 

Firstly, you should always evaluate the accessibility of your skylight to determine whether it is safe to perform maintenance yourself. If accessible, clean your skylight on a cool, dry day without any wind to avoid slipping hazards. 

If your skylight is high or difficult to access, set up a sturdy ladder on a flat surface with a floor mat stabiliser. If possible, have someone else hold the ladder while you clean. For extra balance when working on the roof, put down a non-slip mat or a padded board.

The Maintenance Basics 

Perform Regular Inspections

Different weather conditions will impact your skylights differently. Therefore, we recommend inspecting them once every six months. Ensure you always check around the pane, frame, seal, and flashing to identify any potential damage before it leads to more significant issues. 

Cleaning Tools

  • Use a microfibre cloth or a lint-free cloth to remove stains and dust.
  • Use a long-handled mop or a cleaning pole when cleaning skylights on the ceiling.
  • Use a soft sponge to wipe down surfaces and remove stains or extra residue.
  • Use a soft-bristle brush to remove loose debris or leaves. 

Cleaning Products

  • A mild, soapy, warm-water solution is the most effective way to clean a skylight base without scratching the glass. 
  • Don’t use products with abrasive particles or strong chemicals in them. 
  • For an eco-friendly method, use baking soda or a white vinegar and water mixture. 
  • Always remove dust before applying water or a cleaning solution to your skylight. 

 

Cleaning Skylights in the Heat

There are several things to note when cleaning skylights in the hot weather:

  • Limit Humidity: Due to humidity, spaces in your home can become hosts to condensation, and your skylights are no exception. Avoid drying your laundry inside the house to help mitigate this issue. Ventilate your home for at least five minutes daily to remove stagnant or humid air. 
  • Check for Heat Damage: Inspect your skylight’s seal and flashing to ensure they haven’t dried out or cracked due to the heat. The flashing may also be affected by rust or corrosion. 
  • Remove Dust: Clean the outside surface of your skylight regularly to avoid dust and pollen from building up during hotter months. 

Cleaning Skylights in the Cold

Remove Natural Debris

During windier months, skylights on your roof can quickly accumulate debris like branches, dust, and leaves. Use a soft-bristle brush to remove dirt, dust, and grime. This process helps prevent blockages or water pooling, allowing rainwater to run freely. 

Prevent Condensation

Much like in summer, Australia’s colder seasons cause high levels of condensation to build up in bathrooms and kitchens. If you have skylights in these rooms, they will likely accumulate moisture on their window glazings. Make sure you close the doors of these rooms to stop the flow of humidity from steam and ventilate your home for at least five minutes daily. 

Skylight maintenance

Self-Cleaning Skylights 

For more than thirty years, Natural Lighting Products has provided quality and innovative daylighting solutions. Our extensive range of glass skylights is low-maintenance and ready to tackle the Australian climate year-round. 

 

INFINITI Skylights: These skylights are built using extra-thick, double-glazed, toughened glass with a self-cleaning coating that reacts with UV to break down organic matter. Backed by a 12-year warranty, INFINITI blocks out 99% of UV light and protects your home from fire-related damage with a BAL-40 rating. They are designed with no trim around the glass to prevent water from ponding and have a U-value of 1.5 for optimal thermal performance. 

Keylite Skylights: This range offers the best thermal performance on the market today. Its self-cleaning coating prevents water spotting and reduces the need for heavy maintenance. These skylights are tailored to the Australian climate, with a U-value of 1.0 and glazing that blocks 80% of heat transfer. They also have a BAL-40 rating, which prevents fire and ember attacks.  

Want new skylights that take the stress out of cleaning? Contact our experienced team today to find the perfect products for your needs.