What is drone cleaning?

Drone cleaning is an advanced exterior building maintenance method that uses specialized aerial drones equipped with soft-wash systems to clean windows, façades, roofs, solar panels, and other exterior surfaces. Instead of assembling scaffolding or renting lifts, our drones apply eco-friendly cleaning solutions and purified water from the air. This makes it safer, faster, and more cost-effective than many traditional methods, especially for hard-to-reach areas and mid- to high-rise buildings.

How does drone cleaning work?

Our FAA-certified pilots operate Lucid Bots Sherpa® drone systems and Lavo Bot units with precision soft-wash technology. Each drone maintains a safe, controlled distance from the building and uses calibrated spray patterns to apply biodegradable cleaning solutions. After allowing dwell time, we rinse with purified DI water to achieve a streak-free finish.

Want to see the technology in action? Visit the official Lucid Bots YouTube channel for demonstration videos showing how Sherpa® and Lavo Bot perform on real-world buildings.

Is drone cleaning safe for my building?

Yes. Drone cleaning is extremely safe for building materials when performed with proper soft-wash systems. Our approach uses low pressure designed for delicate exterior surfaces. Unlike aggressive pressure washing, which can force water into seals, damage stucco, or strip paint, our soft-wash method gently loosens contaminants without harming windows, siding, sealants, or architectural details.

Is drone cleaning effective?

Drone cleaning is highly effective at removing dirt, grime, air pollution, pollen, bird droppings, mildew, and organic growth from building exteriors. Our biodegradable cleaning solutions are formulated for commercial surfaces and are paired with DI-water rinsing for a spot-free finish. In real-world conditions, properly performed drone soft washing delivers results comparable to traditional methods, with the added benefit of reaching areas that are unsafe or impractical for manual cleaners.

How much does drone cleaning cost?

Pricing depends on building size, height, surface type, soil level, and cleaning frequency. Our customers capture a significant savings over traditional methods requiring boom lift rentals, scaffolding and the liability exposure of having workers tethered to building anchors to clean. Many commercial clients see 30% cost savings compared to traditional methods including additional time, extended labor, and disruption.

Request a free drone cleaning estimate »

Are your drone operators certified?

Yes. All Rise & Shine Drone Cleaning operators are FAA Part 107 certified commercial drone pilots. Our team receives ongoing training in flight operations, safety protocols, exterior cleaning best practices, and emergency procedures. We maintain full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations governing commercial drone operations in and around Charlotte, NC and neighboring South Carolina markets.

What safety measures do you have in place?

We follow a detailed safety program for every project, including pre-flight inspections, weather monitoring, airspace checks, site walk-throughs, checklist completions, ground-crew communication, and establishing safe operating perimeters. Our drones include GPS stabilization, obstacle awareness, and automatic return-to-home functionality. Rise & Shine Drone Cleaning maintains $3 Million limit on our General Liability policy insurance to accomodate the needs of our commercial clients and documents each job with flight logs, before/after photos, and service reports. Perimeter barriers with signage are set up to communicate while a job is in process to maintain our high safety standards.

Will drone cleaning disturb building occupants?

Drone cleaning is typically less disruptive than traditional methods. There is no noisy scaffolding assembly, no heavy lift equipment, and no need to enter tenant spaces. Operations are relatively quiet, and we can schedule work during low-traffic times to further minimize impact. Most office buildings, multifamily communities, and hotels remain fully operational while we clean.

Do you need building or roof access?

In most cases, no. One of the biggest advantages of aerial soft washing is that we usually operate from ground-level staging areas or designated launch zones. That means no roof access, no interior access to suites or apartment units, and no disruption to rooftop equipment. It also removes fall hazards associated with ladders and roof work. There are times when flying off of the roof might be the best option, but often times this is not the case.

Can you clean high-rise and mid-rise buildings?

Yes. We specialize in mid-rise and high-rise commercial and multifamily buildings. Drone technology is ideal for properties that would otherwise require swing stages, scaffolding, or dedicated building maintenance units. We regularly service office towers, apartment communities, and mixed-use properties throughout the Greater Charlotte region. Currently we service buildings up to 10 stories, depending upon location and details we can determine in a site visit.

Learn more about our drone building cleaning services.

Do you clean solar panels?

Yes. Clean solar panels are more efficient—industry sources often show 15–25% performance improvement when panels are kept free of dust, pollen, and grime. Our soft-wash drone process is ideal for commercial solar arrays because we use purified water and gentle application that does not scratch or damage photovoltaic surfaces.

Explore our solar panel cleaning service.

Can you clean apartment buildings and multifamily communities?

Absolutely! Multifamily communities are a core focus for Rise & Shine. Kelly Thomas, our co-founder, has over 30 years of multifamily property management experience. As an apartment owner and manager, she understands the detailed needs of property manager/owner clients and keeping residents happy with minimal disruptions. We clean façades, windows, breezeways, parking garages, pool decks and exterior amenities at apartment complexes, condominiums, senior living facilities, and student housing. Our drone cleaning is ideal because we do not need to access individual units.

See more on our multifamily and apartments industry page.

Do you clean storage facilities?

Yes. We provide exterior cleaning for self-storage facilities, including metal siding, roll-up doors, canopies, and office façades. Our drones can cover multi-building storage complexes quickly while allowing tenants to come and go freely without lane closures or blocked access. Multi-story storage buildings are where our Sherpa drones shine, getting the job done faster for our storage clients.

Visit our self-storage facility cleaning page for details.

Can you clean hotels and hospitality properties?

Yes. We work closely with hotels and hospitality properties like country clubs to maintain spotless façades, windows, entrance canopies, pool areas, and parking structures. A clean exterior supports guest satisfaction and online reviews. We schedule work around high-traffic times to avoid guest disruption.

Learn more on our hotels & hospitality industry page.

Do you clean government buildings and schools?

Yes. We service schools, government and municipal buildings, libraries, and civic centers. We understand the security, scheduling, and documentation requirements for public facilities. Our team follows all applicable protocols and provides the documentation facility directors and municipalities require.

Explore our schools & government buildings industry page.

Are the cleaning solutions you use safe?

Yes, when used properly for building soft-washing (removing algae, mildew, or heavy soiling), the primary cleaning agent in professional soft washing breaks down quickly after application and does not persist in the environment. It reacts with organic growth and then degrades into salt and water, leaving no long-term residue.

Additionally, for most window and glass cleaning, we use only DI water that is safe for all surfaces and landscaping. Our systems also are equipped with hot water heaters to be able to clean more surfaces efficiently without the need for additional solutions.

Our team uses appropriate dilution ratios, protects surrounding landscaping, and follows industry best practices to ensure effective cleaning while minimizing environmental impact.

How long does a typical cleaning take?

Cleaning time depends on building size and complexity. The Sherpa drone can clean up to 300 sq ft per minute, with around 15 minutes per flight currently. Lucid Bots has enhancements in the works to roll out an untethered Sherpa drone that will extend flight/cleaning times significantly in 2026.

Drone cleaning is typically faster than traditional methods, often completing work in about half the time compared to conventional window washing or pressure washing.

How often should commercial buildings be cleaned?

Most commercial buildings benefit from professional exterior cleaning at least 1–4 times per year. High-traffic locations, properties near highways, or buildings in heavy tree or pollen areas may require quarterly service. Solar panels usually perform best with 2–4 cleanings per year. We can design a custom maintenance plan based on your property, environment, and budget. Clients on a regular cleaning schedule experience significant savings over one time annual cleaning, ask us about our recurring cleaning programs!

Do you offer maintenance programs?

Yes. Our signature CAMP (Curb Appeal Maintenance Programs) are one of the benefits of partnering with us. Program clients receive priority scheduling, discounted rates, and the ongoing benefits of sparkling curb appeal with proactive maintenance which can prevent costly repairs later. Organic growth on buildings, roofs and concrete left for extended periods of time deteriorates those surfaces.

What areas do you serve?

Rise & Shine Drone Cleaning serves the Greater Charlotte area, including Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union, and Gaston counties. Key markets include Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Rock Hill, Huntersville, Matthews, Mooresville, and surrounding communities. We frequently work in Uptown Charlotte, South End, Ballantyne, University, South Charlotte, Waxhaw, Indian Land, Fort Mill, and Lake Wylie.

How do I schedule a cleaning?

Scheduling is simple. You can call us, email us, or use our online contact form. We'll gather basic information about your building and, when appropriate, schedule a free on-site visit. After that, we'll propose a clear scope of work, pricing, and timeline.

For smaller commercial jobs or luxury residential, we can typically accommodate clients within 2 weeks but often 4-6 weeks for large/complex multi-day projects. Many of this is also dependent upon the time of year. We book up early for our high season which is typically April-October. To assist clients with a tight budget, we offer off-season discounts, which we are happy to discuss. CAMP (Curb Appeal Maintenance Program) clients receive priority scheduling throughout the year.

Request your free consultation & estimate

Do you provide free estimates?

Yes. We provide free, no-obligation estimates for commercial properties. For many sites we can prepare an initial estimate based on photos and property data, then confirm on-site if needed. Our proposals include a clear scope, pricing, and recommended maintenance schedule.

Do you guarantee your work?

Yes. We stand behind our work with a satisfaction guarantee. If any area does not meet expectations, we will return to address it. We document each project with before-and-after photos so you can see the results clearly and share them with owners, boards, or stakeholders.

Will my building look like new after cleaning?

Professional drone cleaning can dramatically improve appearance, often restoring a very high percentage of the original look. Final results depend on the age of the building, material condition, and type of staining. Heavily weathered or permanently stained surfaces may not become “like new,” but they typically show a significant and visible improvement. We set realistic expectations during the estimate process and can share examples of similar properties we have cleaned.

Is drone cleaning environmentally friendly?

Yes. Drone cleaning is one of the most environmentally friendly exterior cleaning approaches available. Our drones are powered with lithium batteries, we use a variety of cleaning solutions based on the job, and we optimize water usage compared to traditional methods. We follow best practices for stormwater protection and local EPA guidelines in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Are you insured?

Yes. We maintain comprehensive general liability and drone-specific aviation insurance up to $3M in coverage which has been sufficient for government agencies, national property management groups and large corporations. We know minimizing liability for our commercial clients is a top priority so we invest in the best coverage available. Certificates of insurance can be provided to owners, property managers, and municipalities on request.

What information do you need for a quote?

To prepare a quote, we typically need:

• Property address and basic building information
• Approximate size or number of floors
• Surfaces you’d like cleaned (windows, façades, roofs, parking garages, solar, etc.)
• Any specific issues (heavy staining, prior damage, access constraints)

Photos or site plans are helpful but not required. We confirm everything during our on-site assessment.

Why choose Rise & Shine Drone Cleaning?

Rise & Shine Drone Cleaning combines cutting-edge Lucid Bots Sherpa® technology , FAA-certified pilots, and a commercial-service mindset. We focus on safety, consistency, documentation, and clear communication for property managers and owners. If you’re looking for a partner to maintain your building’s exterior in the Greater Charlotte area, we’re here to help.

How do I contact you?

Ready to experience drone-powered exterior cleaning? Contact Rise & Shine Drone Cleaning today for your free consultation and estimate.

Contact Rise & Shine Drone Cleaning

Serving the Greater Charlotte area — professional drone-powered exterior cleaning for commercial buildings, multifamily communities, hotels, schools, self-storage, stadiums, and more.