Cold frame clean in Exeter
Professional cold frame clean services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
1 hr
Location
Exeter, Devon
Your cold frame properly cleaned inside and out, algae removed, hinges checked. Glass cleaned so seedlings get maximum light - simple maintenance that makes a real difference to your growing setup.
Why Clean Your Cold Frame?
Because dirty glass blocks light. And light is the whole point of the bloody thing.
A cold frame covered in green algae and grime might protect your seedlings from frost, but it's not giving them the light they need to grow strong. Plus, damp dirty corners are perfect breeding grounds for fungus and pests.
A proper clean makes a massive difference to how well plants grow in there.
💡 Pro tip: Clean your cold frame twice a year - early spring before main sowing season, and autumn before winter crops. Keeps it functioning properly year-round.
What Proper Cleaning Achieves
| ✅ Clean Frame | ❌ Neglected Frame |
|---|---|
| Maximum light getting through glass | Green algae blocking 30-40% of light |
| Fresh-smelling interior | Damp, mouldy smell |
| Hinges open and close smoothly | Stuck or stiff lid |
| No hiding places for pests | Slugs living in corners |
What Gets Done
🧼 The Clean
| Part | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Glass/perspex | Both sides cleaned, algae scrubbed off |
| Frame | Dirt and cobwebs removed, corners cleared out |
| Hinges | Checked for rust, lubricated if needed |
| Drainage | Any blocked drainage holes cleared |
| Interior | Old compost/leaf litter removed, wiped clean |
🔧 Quick Repairs Included
- Loose screws tightened
- Hinges adjusted
- Cracked putty pointed out (easy DIY fix)
- Ventilation prop checked/adjusted
📦 You're Left With
- Sparkling clean glass letting maximum light through
- No damp corners harbouring slugs or disease
- Properly functioning hinges and ventilation
- Peace of mind that it's actually protecting your plants properly
Common Problems Found
Algae on north-facing glass? Common in Devon's damp climate. Scrubs off easily but needs doing regularly or it blocks serious light.
Wooden frame going soft? Rot starts in corners where water collects. Caught early, it can be treated. Left too long, you need a new frame.
Lid doesn't stay open? Usually the prop arm's bent or the hinge is stiff. Simple fix.
Condensation dripping on seedlings? Sign of poor ventilation or too much moisture inside. I'll check vents are clear and suggest improvements.
Slugs everywhere? They hide in damp corners and under the frame. Deep clean removes the hiding spots.
Pricing
| Frame Size | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single standard frame | 1 hr | £60 |
| Large or double frame | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
| Multiple frames | 2-3 hrs | £110-£160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Add time if it's absolutely filthy or needs repair work.
Perfect Timing For This Job
✅ Early spring - before sowing season starts
✅ Autumn - before winter crops/overwintering plants go in
✅ After neglect - just bought the house? Inherited a grotty frame? Start fresh.
✅ When seedlings aren't thriving - dirty glass might be limiting their light
Why Choose Us for Cold frame clean in Exeter?
Glass cleaned inside and out for maximum light
Algae and debris removed from corners
Hinges and prop checked and lubricated
Any obvious repairs sorted while I'm there
What to Expect
Step 1: Empty Assessment
I look at what state it's in, check for damage, test hinges. If you want it cleaned around existing plants, I work carefully. If it's empty, I can be more thorough.
Step 2: Deep Clean
Glass cleaned inside and out, frame scrubbed, corners cleared, any dead plant material removed. Old soil or compost cleared out if needed.
Step 3: Check & Adjust
Hinges lubricated, ventilation prop tested, any quick repairs done. I'll flag anything major that needs addressing separately.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to maintain it yourself? Here's how:
🧰 What you need
- Bucket of warm water
- Washing up liquid or glass cleaner
- Stiff brush for algae
- Old cloth or sponge
- WD40 or similar for hinges
- Screwdriver for tightening screws
🧼 Cleaning process
- Empty frame if possible
- Remove any loose debris, dead leaves, old soil
- Scrub algae off glass (both sides) with brush and soapy water
- Wipe down frame, paying attention to corners
- Clear drainage holes with wire or stick
- Dry everything off
- Lubricate hinges and check ventilation prop
🌱 Seasonal maintenance
Spring: Full deep clean, check for winter damage
Summer: Quick wipe of glass if algae's building up
Autumn: Full clean before winter crops
Winter: Just clear snow off glass so light can get through
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Using abrasive cleaners on perspex (scratches it)
- Forgetting to clean inside as well as outside
- Ignoring corners where slugs hide
- Not checking hinges until they seize up completely
💡 Pro trick: Add a capful of white vinegar to your cleaning water - it's brilliant for shifting algae and it's completely plant-safe. Doesn't streak either. Clean on an overcast day if you can - hot sun dries the glass too fast and you get water marks.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌿 Timing matters: If your frame's full of seedlings, I can still clean it but I'll need to be careful. Takes a bit longer. Best to book for when it's empty if you can, but I'll work around your growing schedule.
Wooden vs aluminium frames: Wooden ones need more attention - check for rot annually. Aluminium just needs cleaning.
Victorian houses in Exeter sometimes have really old cold frames that are actually worth preserving. If yours is original/period, mention it - I'll take extra care.
Greenhouses too? Same cleaning service works for greenhouses. Pricing depends on size but same approach - glass cleaned, algae removed, frame checked.
Got multiple frames or a greenhouse as well? Do them all at once - saves on the call-out and I'm already set up with cleaning kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included in the clean?
Full clean inside and out - glass, frame, corners where dirt builds up. I remove any dead plant material, clean off algae, check hinges work properly, and lubricate if needed. If I spot minor repairs (loose screws, small cracks), I sort them. Major damage gets flagged for a separate quote.
Do I need to empty it first?
Ideally yes - easier to clean properly when it's empty. But if you've got seedlings in there, I can work around them. Just takes a bit longer and I might not be able to get every corner spotless.
Will you use chemicals on the glass?
Just standard cleaning products - nothing harsh. If your cold frame's got seedlings or edibles in it, I'll use plain water and elbow grease only. Your choice.
What if the wood's rotting?
I'll tell you honestly whether it's worth saving. Small bits of rot can be treated. Structural rot means you need a new frame. I'm not going to pretend I can fix something that's actually knackered.
Can you do this in winter?
Yes, but ideally on a dry day. Late winter/early spring is actually the perfect time - gets it ready for spring sowing season. Autumn clean is good too, before winter crops go in.
Cold frame clean Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your cold frame clean job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
Why Trust Us
Need Cold frame clean in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your cold frame clean job in Exeter today.