Birdwatching is one of the most relaxing activities to do on your balcony.
If you’re fond of animals, you might even be leaving your neighborhood pigeons and crows some seeds or water in a bowl.
However, where there are birds, there is poop – lots of it.
This can make your balcony dirty and smelly quite fast. So, here is how to get bird poop off your apartment balcony.
How to Get Bird Poop off Your Apartment Balcony
Bird poop on your apartment balcony must be cleaned regularly. If left to accumulate, bird poop can harden up and leave stains.
The longer you wait to clean it, the more difficult it will be!
So, let’s make sure this messy affair doesn’t leave your balcony floor and outdoor furniture stained for good.
Grab the gloves and get ready to start scrubbing the bird poop off your apartment balcony.
Make a Bleach Solution
The first method will require you to wear your cleaning gloves and a mask.
However, rest assured that this method is super easy and will have the bird poop off your balcony in no time!
You will need to start by making a bleach solution in a bucket. Grab any spare bucket you may have and add one part of bleach with nine parts of water in it. Use a spare stick to mix this solution well.
Next, pour it over the area of your balcony that has the most bird poop. Leave the bleach solution to soak for 10 – 15 minutes on this area.
Then, bring out an old mop or a wiper lying around. Use it to rub the bleach solution over the area with the bird droppings.
Once you notice that the bird poop has come off, you can now wash off the bleach solution. Use warm water and some detergent to get rid of the bleach completely.
Dry off your balcony before using it again.
Use a Scraper (Best for Wood/Metal Balcony)
If you’re worried about the possibility of ruining the floor or rails of your balcony, here is another option for you.
Bleach can be harsh on most materials, so if your apartment balcony is made of wood or metal, this method will work best. It is gentle on the surface while also ensuring that the poop is cleaned off.
You will need a plastic scraper, baking soda, water, and a bucket.
Start by using the plastic scraper to remove most of the bird droppings from your balcony. Remember to be gentle with it and only work on removing the larger pieces.
Using a broom and dustpan, sweep up these scraped pieces of bird poop and dispose of them properly.
Next, fill a bucket with warm water and splash it over the part of your balcony where the poop was. This should get rid of most of the poop.
If you notice any poop stains left behind, sprinkle some baking soda on them. Wait for 15 – 20 minutes, then wipe off the baking soda.
The stains should disappear right before your eyes!
Prepare a Club Soda Solution (Best for Wooden Balcony)
For wooden balconies, you need to be extra careful not to scrape off the material/wood itself.
Therefore, it is better to use a slightly different approach to get the bird poop off wooden balconies.
This method will also help you remove any poop stains on your wooden balcony and remove the stench.
Use your plastic scraper only to target the dried pieces of poop on your balcony. Be careful not to scrape too hard as it could damage the wood.
Broom off these dried pieces of poop. Then, make a solution of 50% vinegar and 50% water in a spray bottle.
Spray any crusted areas of the balcony with this solution and let it soak for 15 minutes.
Once sufficient time has passed, rinse off the vinegar solution with some club soda.
Next, apply baking soda to any stained or smelly parts. Use a soft-bristled scrubbing brush, gently clean off the stains with baking soda and then let it sit for 15 minutes.
Rinse your balcony well with warm water and allow it to air dry. Your balcony will be good as new in no time!
Bring Out the Power Washer (for Metal Balcony)
We recommend using your power washer for metal balconies that can take on tougher cleaning methods.
You should start by removing any loose poop or dried pieces using a broom and dustpan. Then, mix 1 tablespoon of detergent with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.
Spray this solution on any areas with the poop still stuck. Make sure to saturate these areas with the detergent solution and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
Using a cleaning rag, remove the now-softened pieces of poop.
Then, get your power washer or hose and spray down your balcony until all of the poop is removed. This should get rid of any stains too.
Remember to Sanitize After Cleanup
Once you have cleaned off the poop on your balcony, it is best to sanitize it well.
Bird poop is highly acidic and can cause severe skin reactions. It is also quite unhygienic to have even the smallest of droppings still on your balcony.
Once your balcony has been cleaned and dried, the last step is to sanitize it. This helps you eliminate the risk of infections or contagious diseases spreading through the bird poop.
You can do this by simply sanitizing the parts of your balcony where the poop was. However, we recommend sanitizing your entire balcony, as it is the safest practice.
This might require more work and time, but it is the best step for yourself and your housemates.
Take any sanitizing agent or commercial solution and spray it across your balcony. You can also create a sanitizing solution with antiseptics in a bucket of water and mop your balcony with it.
Be sure to go over the railings and sanitize any pieces of furniture that were made victim to the poop.
Once your balcony has been thoroughly sanitized, you can start using it again!
Preventing Birds from Pooping in Your Balcony
Regularly cleaning your apartment balcony is a good practice, but it may not be possible all the time.
Therefore, instead of simply cleaning the poop off, you should also take steps to ensure it stays off.
Without any measures to prevent birds from pooping on your balcony, you might find it becoming a smelly, poopy mess just hours later. What a waste of time, energy, and cleaning supplies!
Here are some tips to help you ensure that birds stop pooping on your apartment balcony.
- Deter the birds using sound deterrents or balcony screens.
- Set out faux predators to scare the birds away.
- Place bird feeders away from your balcony.
- Keep your balcony clean and sweep off any crumbs or food debris right away.
- Make extra noise on your balcony for a few days to scare off the birds.
- Invest in motion-activated sprinklers to startle the birds.
- Install reflective screens around the perimeters of your balcony.
Final Thoughts
As the abovementioned points suggest, there are many different ways of keeping birds away from your balcony.
You can easily DIY a balcony screen or even install some netting to ward off the birds.
Using our techniques of cleaning your balcony and keeping the birds off it is the best combination. It will allow your balcony to stay clean and tidy.
You can then use your balcony to get some fresh air.
Apartment balconies also make the perfect spot to do morning yoga or enjoy a cup of evening tea.
The best part is that now you can do it without the horrible smell of poop ruining your experience!
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