Most London commercial buildings need a full exterior clean once a year, usually in spring, plus gutter clearance every autumn and a regular cycle for windows, entrances and paving. The right plan depends on the surface: glass, paving, cladding and gutters each need a different method. This guide sets out what to clean, how often, and how to plan it with one contractor. For the service itself, see our external cleaning in London page.
Exterior cleaning schedule at a glance
An exterior cleaning schedule lists each outside surface of a building, the method used to clean it and how often. It is for facilities managers, landlords and office managers who want the outside of their building kept in order without booking each job separately.
- What needs cleaning on the outside of a building?
- Glass and frames, facades and cladding, gutters and fascias, signage, and hard ground such as car parks, walkways and bin stores.
- How often?
- A common pattern is one full exterior clean in spring, gutters cleared in autumn after the leaves have fallen, and windows, entrances and bin stores on a regular cycle agreed for the building.
- Can one company do all of it?
- Yes. DNA Cleaning Solutions surveys the whole exterior and quotes window cleaning, pressure washing, cladding and gutter work together.
- What about work at height?
- Our high-level cleaning team works up to 12 to 14 metres with IPAF-licensed staff, which covers most gutters, fascias and upper-floor glazing.
Which method suits which surface
Using the wrong method can damage a surface or leave it dirtier within weeks, so the plan starts with what each part of the building is made of.
- Glass, frames, sills and shopfronts: commercial window cleaning, on a cycle that matches how quickly the glass gets dirty.
- Car parks, forecourts, walkways and bin stores: pressure washing to lift ground-in dirt, chewing gum, moss and algae.
- Facades, cladding, walls and fences: cladding and facade cleaning, with the method chosen for the material after a site survey.
- Gutters, fascias and roofs: gutter and roof cleaning to clear moss and debris, included in our external cleaning service.
- Signage and entrances: cleaned with the facade or on the window cycle, so the first thing visitors see stays clean.
A simple yearly plan
Most buildings can follow this outline, adjusted for footfall, nearby trees and how exposed the site is.
- Spring: a full exterior clean to remove the moss, algae and grime that build up over winter on walls, cladding, paving and signage.
- Summer: windows, entrances and bin stores on their regular cycle. Dry weather also suits facade and cladding work.
- Autumn: gutter and downpipe clearance once the leaves have fallen, before the winter rain.
- Winter: keep an eye on walkways and steps for moss and algae, and keep glass and entrances on their cycle.
We put the agreed frequencies in a written plan, so everyone knows what is due and when.
Why the outside needs a schedule
The exterior is the first thing clients, patients, tenants and staff see. Stained cladding, streaked windows and overflowing gutters suggest a building that is not looked after, even when the inside is spotless.
There are practical reasons too. Moss and algae on walkways and steps make them slippery. Blocked gutters overflow, stain the walls below and can let water into the building. Dirt that is left for years bonds to the surface and takes more work to remove, so a regular plan usually keeps each visit shorter.
How to plan it with one contractor
- Site survey. We visit, look at each surface, access and drainage, and note anything that needs care, such as delicate cladding or busy entrances.
- Written plan and schedule. You get one plan covering every surface, the method and the frequency, with a free written quote.
- Timing. Work is scheduled around your opening hours so entrances and car parks stay usable.
- Safe work at height. Gutter, fascia and upper-floor work is carried out by our IPAF-licensed high-level team and planned in line with HSE guidance.
- Vetted, insured staff. Every cleaner is DBS checked and passes 5-year referenced background checks. We hold public liability and employers liability insurance.
- Checks against the plan. Our managers inspect the work against the written specification. Our quality process is ISO 9001 certified.
Questions we are often asked
- How much does exterior cleaning cost?
- There is no standard rate. The price depends on the size of the building, the surfaces and how they are reached. We survey the site and send a free written quote.
- Do you clean residential blocks as well as commercial buildings?
- Yes. We clean the outside of offices, shops, schools, medical centres, warehouses and residential blocks.
- Which areas do you cover?
- London and Greater London, including Heathrow, with local teams in Pinner and Twickenham.
- Are your staff vetted and insured?
- Yes. Every cleaner is DBS checked and passes 5-year referenced background checks, and we hold public liability and employers liability insurance. Copies of our insurance are available on request.
Get a free exterior cleaning quote or call +44 20 3826 8555.
