Cleaning drones offer a commercial use case providing one of the clearest examples of drones handling the “dark, dirty, and dangerous” jobs. But are they effective? In this post, Apellix uses real world use cases and pictures to showcase the results.
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Yes, cleaning drones can effectively remove dirt, algae, mold, mildew, and other exterior buildup from buildings and industrial structures.
Real-world projects using Apellix cleaning drones demonstrate that drone pressure washing and soft washing can deliver visible cleaning results while reducing the need for lifts, scaffolding, and workers operating at height. In 15 documented projects, Apellix-equipped operators cleaned office buildings, warehouses, roofs, industrial silos, water towers, and other structures. Before-and-after photographs show the results, while several projects also document substantial reductions in cleaning time and cost.
Apellix, a U.S.-based manufacturer of commercial cleaning drones, has supplied equipment for projects including the Raymond James headquarters, ASDA warehouses in the United Kingdom, industrial silos for Bimbo Bakeries in Argentina, and municipal water towers in Iowa and Michigan.
These examples provide practical evidence that drone cleaning is an established commercial application rather than an experimental concept. Results depend on the surface, cleaning chemistry, operating conditions, and experience of the operator.
How effective are cleaning drones compared with traditional methods?
| Apellix Cleaning Project | Reported Results |
| Raymond James Headquarters | 11 hours with an Apellix drone versus 11 days previously |
| UK Warehouse | 1 day with an Apellix drone versus 8 days using lifts |
| City of North Liberty Water Towers | $47,000 Apellix purchase versus $160,000 in outside cleaning quotes saving $113,000 |
| University of Florida Building | Nine stories cleaned in 2 days with an Apellix drone |
| UK Warehouse | Reported 20% savings versus conventional cleaning |
The documented Apellix projects demonstrate that cleaning drones can accomplish high-reach exterior cleaning work with less dependence on conventional access equipment. At the Raymond James headquarters, an Apellix operator reportedly completed in 11 hours a cleaning project that previously required 11 days. In another example, Drone Clean UK used an Apellix cleaning drone to complete a warehouse cleaning project in one day instead of eight, with the customer reporting a 20% cost reduction.
These are project-specific results, not guaranteed performance benchmarks. They illustrate how drone-based cleaning can reduce the time and expense associated with accessing large or elevated surfaces.
How does an Apellix cleaning drone remove exterior dirt?
An Apellix cleaning drone positions a spray nozzle beside an elevated surface while a hose connects it to a ground-based pump and water or cleaning solution. The aircraft does not carry a refillable cleaning tank, which weighs down the drone and therefore limits the height the drone can fly up to. An operator on the ground pilots the drone and selects a pressure-washing or low-pressure soft-washing process appropriate for the job. Apellix precision flight-control technology is designed to help maintain a consistent working distance and stable flight.
What do drone-cleaning before-and-after photos prove?
The 15 photographed Apellix jobs show visible differences between surfaces before and after exterior washing. For example, green discoloration on warehouse cladding, streaking on office walls and dark deposits on water towers appear reduced in the corresponding “after” images. Images and job information were supplied by Apellix operators.
Before and after: can drones clean office-building facades?
Office complex in Jacksonville, Florida (AirX)
At a Jacksonville, Florida, office complex, AirX used an Apellix cleaning drone to wash exterior buildup from elevated balcony areas. The photos show stained balcony surfaces beforehand and a visibly cleaner facade afterward. This Apellix project illustrates how a cleaning drone can place a wash stream near high-reach architectural details without relying solely on ground-level spraying.
Office park in Orlando, Florida (Wash Me Fly)
Wash Me Fly used an Apellix cleaning drone on an Orlando office-park facade marked by long, gray vertical streaks. In the after photograph, the same wall appears lighter and more uniform. The documented result answers a practical question for property owners: an Apellix drone can be used to wash visible facade streaking, although the outcome depends on the operator’s skill level.
Nine-story University of Florida building in Gainesville, Florida (Drone Shine Cleaning)
Drone Shine Cleaning used an Apellix cleaning drone to wash nine stories of a University of Florida building in Gainesville over two days, according to the operator. The paired photographs show visible improvement on the exterior. The crew reported completing the spraying work without lifts or scaffolding; the two-day duration is a project-specific example rather than a standard cleaning rate.
Hotel window ledges in Orlando, Florida (Drone Shine Cleaning)
Drone Shine Cleaning used an Apellix cleaning drone to soft wash hotel window ledges in Orlando, Florida, where green algae-like buildup was visible. The before-and-after images show a cleaner ledge after treatment. The example illustrates one of the practical uses of drone soft washing: delivering a suitable solution to narrow, elevated facade features.
Raymond James headquarters: a separate reported time comparison
As a separate performance example, an Apellix operator reported cleaning the Raymond James headquarters in 11 hours on a project that previously took 11 days. Read the Raymond James case study.
Before and after: can drones clean warehouse walls and industrial silos?
Multi-story warehouse in the United Kingdom (Drone Clean UK)
At a multi-story warehouse in the United Kingdom, Drone Clean UK used an Apellix cleaning drone to wash metal wall panels marked by dark green discoloration covering 95% of the wall. The before-and-after photographs show the stained facade and the bright white surface afterward. The operator also reported a one-day project versus eight days previously with lifts, with a 20% customer saving; these figures apply to that particular job.
ASDA supermarket warehouse in the United Kingdom (Drone Clean UK)
At an ASDA warehouse in the United Kingdom, Drone Clean UK used an Apellix drone to reach stained upper wall panels above delivery bays. The before image shows substantial dark streaking; the after image shows a markedly cleaner facade. Together with the mid-flight photograph at the beginning of the article, the images provide a direct visual example of an Apellix drone washing high industrial siding.
Industrial silo in Florida (Drone Shine Cleaning)
Drone Shine Cleaning used an Apellix cleaning drone to soft wash a tall industrial silo in Florida. The before-and-after photographs show gray and blackish deposits on the structure before washing and a substantially lighter exterior afterward. The case demonstrates the visual result of drone cleaning on a tall curved industrial surface; a proper wash process remains material-specific.
Bimbo Bakeries silos in Argentina (Drone Clean Argentina)
In September 2025, Drone Clean Argentina used an Apellix cleaning drone on three industrial silos for Bimbo Bakeries. The paired images show heavy dark vertical streaks before treatment and a cleaner exterior afterward. The Apellix project is a documented example of drone cleaning on multiple tall, cylindrical industrial assets, rather than just flat building walls.
Before and after: can drones clean water towers and storage tanks?
Water towers in North Liberty, Iowa (City of North Liberty)
The City of North Liberty, Iowa, used an Apellix cleaning drone to wash its water towers. The paired photos show dark exterior deposits on the bottom of the tower before cleaning and a bright, more uniform finish afterward. The city reported quotes of $40,000 per tower, or $160,000 for four water towers, before purchasing a $47,000 Apellix drone. That $113,000 price difference does not account for operating expenses such as bleach and labor.
150-foot water tower in New Hudson, Michigan (WM Softwash)
WM Softwash used an Apellix cleaning drone to wash a 150-foot water tower in New Hudson, Michigan. The before-and-after photographs show visible dark buildup on the lower bowl of the tower and a cleaner surface following the wash. This project documents a high-reach Apellix application performed without scaffolding for the spraying work.
Above-ground storage tank for the City of Grandville, Michigan (WM Softwash)
WM Softwash used an Apellix cleaning drone on an above-ground municipal storage tank in Grandville, Michigan. The before photograph shows dark vertical stripes running down the exterior wall; the after photograph shows those visible marks completely gone. The case adds large-diameter storage tanks to the range of photographed Apellix cleaning jobs.
Before and after: can drones soft wash roofs and unusual structures?
Tile roofs in Orlando, Florida (Wash Me Fly)
Wash Me Fly used an Apellix cleaning drone to soft wash red tile roofs in Orlando, Florida. In the before-and-after photos, dark deposits that obscured sections of the roof have visibly diminished after treatment. Low-pressure soft washing can be appropriate for some roof materials when cleaning chemistry, application pressure and runoff are correctly managed; the pictures alone cannot prove that no tiles were damaged.
Can a cleaning drone wash a metal roof?
Metal roof in Covington, Louisiana (A-1 Windows)
A-1 Windows used an Apellix cleaning drone to wash accumulated exterior buildup from a metal roof in Covington, Louisiana. The paired images show a visibly cleaner roof surface. Metal-roof washing is another example where a drone changes access to the work, while the contractor remains responsible for selecting compatible chemicals, pressure, rinsing and runoff controls.
Can a cleaning drone wash windows?
Drone Clean UK used an Apellix cleaning drone to wash exterior areas and windows of the Aurora cruise ship while it was in port at Southampton, United Kingdom. The before-and-after images show the view through a window that is much less spotted and filmy after treatment. This is a documented example of an Apellix drone being used around a marine structure, where access, overspray and water management require careful planning.
Can a drone clean a tall landmark or monument?
Flywash Drone used an Apellix cleaning drone on a 112-foot cross at Christian Fellowship in Leesville, Louisiana. The photographs show dark spotting and exterior grime before treatment and a cleaner surface afterward. The operator performed the spraying without a worker on the monument, demonstrating a distinctive Apellix use case beyond conventional commercial buildings.
How to judge a cleaning-drone before-and-after photo
A paired photograph is useful evidence for the question “Did the visible buildup come off?” The most informative pairs identify the same building or structure, the operator, the cleaning system and the affected surface. These Apellix operator-supplied examples do that for 15 completed jobs. A photograph cannot on its own tell a reader how much water or chemistry was used, verify the microbiology of a stain, measure cost or prove long-term durability. For those questions, look for operator records, inspection data and comparable before-and-after conditions.
Frequently asked questions: what can cleaning drones actually clean?
What surfaces have Apellix cleaning drones washed?
Photographed Apellix cleaning projects include office facades, hotel ledges, warehouse cladding, university buildings, tile and metal roofs, industrial silos, municipal water towers, storage tanks, a cruise ship, windows, and a 112-foot landmark. The 15 paired examples here were supplied by named Apellix operators or facility users and show results for those particular surfaces.
Can a cleaning drone remove visible algae, mold or mildew?
Apellix cleaning drones have been used on visibly discolored roofs, ledges, facades and water towers. For example, Drone Shine Cleaning used an Apellix drone to wash green buildup from Orlando hotel ledges, and Wash Me Fly used one on stained tile roofs. The photographs demonstrate visual cleaning; they do not independently confirm that every microorganism was eliminated.
Can a cleaning drone clean a warehouse wall?
Yes. Drone Clean UK used an Apellix cleaning drone on multi-story metal warehouse cladding in the United Kingdom. Before-and-after photographs show a change from broad and dark green staining to visibly cleaner light-colored panels. The result is evidence of a completed cleaning job, not a guarantee that every coating or kind of deposit can be treated identically.
What determines whether drone cleaning will work on a surface?
- Surface compatibility: Before washing, an Apellix operator must assess the substrate, coatings, condition and type of deposit. Some damaged or sensitive materials may not be suitable for the planned method.
- Cleaning agents: An Apellix drone delivers water or cleaning solution, but the appropriate cleaning agent and contact time are selected for the contamination and material; the aircraft does not make those decisions automatically.
- Application pressure: Apellix systems can be used for pressure washing or gentler soft washing. Excessive pressure or the wrong method can damage vulnerable surfaces.
- Technique and conditions: Spray distance, coverage, rinsing, wind and operator control all impact whether a cleaned area looks even and whether overspray can be controlled.
- Site and runoff controls: Drone cleaning still requires safe ground operations, hose and pump management, protection of nearby people and compliance with applicable water and chemical runoff requirements.
Can an Apellix drone reach upper ledges and balcony facades?
Yes, on suitable sites. Apellix cleaning drones were used by AirX on elevated balcony areas in Jacksonville and by Drone Shine Cleaning on hotel window ledges in Orlando. The project photographs show visible changes on these architectural details. Reaching an area is not the same as guaranteeing a particular result; the surface and cleaning process still determine the outcome.
Does drone cleaning eliminate the need for workers at height?
Not in every task. An Apellix cleaning drone can let the pilot deliver a wash stream while standing on the ground, avoiding some lift, scaffold or rope-access work during spraying. Other setup, inspection or repair tasks may still require elevated access. Falls are consistently among the leading causes of construction worker deaths in OSHA data.
Can an Apellix drone soft wash tile roofs?
Yes, when the roof material and treatment are compatible. Wash Me Fly used an Apellix cleaning drone to soft wash stained tile roofs in Orlando, and the photographs show visibly cleaner tiles afterward. Using a drone can reduce foot traffic on the roof during washing, but correct chemical selection, low pressure and runoff precautions remain essential. Read a case study on roof cleaning with Apellix drones.
Do before-and-after pictures prove how long drone cleaning lasts?
No. Apellix before-and-after photographs show the visible result at the time the images were taken; they do not demonstrate how long a surface stays clean. Durability depends on the contamination, chemistry, material, climate and maintenance conditions. Long-term follow-up data would be needed to compare results over time.
Are there real Apellix cleaning examples beyond buildings?
Yes. Apellix-equipped operators in this collection washed water towers in Iowa and Michigan, an above-ground storage tank in Grandville, industrial silos in Florida and Argentina, the Aurora cruise ship in Southampton and a 112-foot cross in Louisiana. These named, photographed projects document a variety of real applications, although results vary by asset and conditions.
About Apellix and the sources for these images
Apellix designs and manufactures commercial drones for exterior cleaning and related industrial work in Jacksonville, Florida. Its cleaning drones are used for pressure washing and soft washing. The 15 photo-documented projects in this article were supplied by Apellix operators or facility users across the United States, United Kingdom and Argentina. According to Apellix, its drone systems have operated in 21 countries across five continents as of 2026. Company-supplied project information is identified as such throughout this article.
Where to find original project information
For additional context about Apellix cleaning drones and the before-and-after projects, see the original operator material linked in this article or contact Apellix. The job figures are attributed to the operators and clients who supplied them, rather than independently measured performance guarantees.
Read more:
- What Is the Best Commercial Cleaning Drone in 2026? Specs, Prices, and a Head-to-Head Comparison
- Apellix Launches New Beta Program for Spray-Painting Drone
- Apellix Launches US1 Power Wash Drone: Safer and More Efficient Cleaning for Industrial and Commercial Use
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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