Window Cleaning

Windows can be a beautiful part of a home’s aesthetic appeal or a terrible eye sore if they are not taken care of properly.  You might think that the rain that falls will clean your windows sufficiently on the outside and all you have to worry about when it comes to window cleaning is the inside.  That would be an incorrect assumption.  Also, you might think that using some spray window cleaner you buy in the grocery store is the best way to clean your windows.  The truth is that using the proper window cleaning equipment and some simple soapy water will get your windows sparkling clean.  But what are the right window cleaning supplies?  This page will try to help you figure that out.

Maybe the right equipment to get your windows clean is the telephone. You can hire a window cleaning service or window cleaning technician to clean your windows however often you think they need it. The window cleaning professional will come to your home with all the essential window cleaning tools so you will not have to do a thing except sit back and relax. Window cleaning services usually charge by the window. Window cleaning prices can vary anywhere from $2 to $8 per window. Some things might add to that price including whether the window has multiple panes, screen cleaning, sill and seam cleaning, or how many stories up the windows are. Some window cleaners charge extra for second or third story windows. In addition to not having to work on a ladder and buy the window cleaning equipment yourself, hiring a professional could mean an opportunity to get gutter cleaning service as well. Many window washers add on gutter cleaning services to try to make some extra money during the times of year when window cleaning slacks off. You could also try to hire the services of a carpet cleaning company or a roofing service.

Window Cleaning Tools

If you elect to clean your own windows, then you are going to have to buy some window cleaning tools in order to do a good job.  Perhaps the most important piece of window cleaning equipment is the squeegee.  The reason that this tool is so essential is because it can serve many purposes.  The first step in window cleaning is to wipe the window down with some kind of a sponge or rage to get rid of as much dust and dirt as possible before you introduce cleaners or liquid.  You can buy sleeves that fit over your squeegee made of fiberglass hairs that grip dirt easily and do an excellent job at wiping down the windows.  If you do not buy one of these sleeves, complete this first step with a good quality sponge.

Once you decide on your window cleaner, which we will discuss below, you can dip your squeegee into the cleaner and begin the cleaning process. Squeegees are a good tool because they clean up after themselves. Once you run over an area with the squeegee, it picks up the dirty water as your move the squeegee across the window.

A few other helpful tool to have when doing window cleaning are a scraper, a ladder, and some cotton rags. The scraper is good to have if you need to scrape any gunk or stickers off your window. If you do not have a scraper, a razor blade will do the trick, but these are more dangerous. Ladders are essential if you are going to clean windows above the first floor. Cotton rages are good to keep around so that you can wipe off any extra water that might pool in the corners or is left behind by a squeegee pass.

Finally, you can purchase something called a water fed window cleaning pole. These tools are designed to e connected to a garden hose so it can be water fed. Window cleaning is made easier because you can reach the pole up to the second story without having to leave the ground. In addition, there are interchangeable brush heads and other tools you can attach to the end depending on the amount of cleaning any particular window might need. Another plus for this tool is that is folds up quite small so it is easy to store.

When it comes to choosing a window cleaner there really are no wrong answers. Some people and many professionals buy concentrated cleaners that will last a long time and for many window cleaning jobs. The concentrated cleaner needs to be diluted in water. Some of these industrial strength window cleaners are biodegradable and non-toxic. Those traits are attractive if the homeowner has pets that might be nosing around at drops that fall on the ground as you clean your windows. In addition, the non-toxic chemicals will not harm any gardening or landscaping that might be below windows.

If you do not want to spend the money on expensive window cleaners then you might try a few homemade window cleaners.  Some people like to use a one to one mixture of vinegar and water.  Apparently, this concoction does not leave any streaks.  However, some people complain about the vinegar smell.  I find that the smell dissipates in minutes and is not a problem.  Another homemade remedy is using simple dish soap in water.  With this mixture, you need to make sure that you do not use too much soap.  Soap residue could be left behind on your windows and make them look worse than they did before you cleaned them.

There are several window cleaning tips that might make your foray into window cleaning more successful.  For example, window cleaning professionals usually use what is called the S-technique when using a squeegee.  The S-technique just means that you clean the entire window surface without lifting your squeegee off the glass.  Instead of pulling from one side to the other or from the top to the bottom in multiple strokes, you start in one corner and turn your squeegee in an S-shape as you come to each side.  This will limit the number of possible places where you can leave streak marks.  In addition, it encourages you not to use too much cleaning solution.

Another helpful window cleaning tip is to never forget the windowsills and window frames.  Even if the glass is spotless, a dirty windowsill can spoil the entire look of your window.  Make sure to wipe down the sills, seals, and frames with a cotton rag and your window cleaner.