Environmentally Friendly - Effective cleaning without chemicals or soap. Safer Work Environment - Less risk of property damage. Added Privacy - The customer need not worry about being visible through upstairs windows.
The Power of Water
Most of us don't consider cleaning our windows with water alone but it can be extremely effective. However, it is important to consider what is in the water you use as the content of your water can influence cleanliness.
Professionals who clean exterior windows use one of two methods to do the job well. Some use soapy water and a scrubber and squeegee. Others use plain water and a water-fed pole cleaning system.
Some window cleaners have their reverse osmosis system or DI vessel configured within the van, whereas others choose to have it in a garden shed. For this reason many window cleaners with large rounds prefer to store their pure water in a storage tank first.
Many people automatically presume that if it's already raining there is no point in cleaning the window – but this is not the case! Unless the wind is too strong or the rain is torrential we will still be along to clean your windows, as it's mainly a mixture of wind and rain that really makes your windows dirty.
Water-fed poles allow you to get through more jobs, but the earning opportunity for traditional window cleaners is still substantial. Some window cleaners even combine both techniques. By focusing on your customer service and working hard, you should be able to earn money whatever window cleaning set up you choose.
The most common professional window cleaning solution recipe is filtered or distilled water and dish soap.
Traditional methods involves the application of soapy water to a window which is then scrubbed clean. Professional window cleaners use microfiber cleaning sleeves fitted onto a hand held t-shaped bar. The sleeve is then soaked in water mixed with a window cleaning solution and applied to the glass.
A typical solution used by professionals is 3/4 cup clear ammonia or white vinegar, 1 gallon of water and 2 to 4 teaspoons blue Dawn dishwashing liquid combined in a bucket.
This is due to the use of soft water, where scum minerals are removed from the water to avoid the streaky residue left on your freshly cleaned glass. With less leftover grime means the water alone absorbs dirt from the windows, frames and sills rather than attracting dust. It's also said to stay clean for longer!
Should a window cleaner dry windows? Drying windows is time-consuming, laborious and often doesn't leave a great finish. If they've been cleaned and rinsed with pure water, windows can be left to dry naturally, without the risk of smears – just wash and go!
A big problem is the evaporation rate. If you're cleaning your windows on a warm sunny day, the liquid part of the solution evaporates quickly and leaves behind a residue that appears as streaks. On the other hand, if you don't entirely remove the liquid you can also be left with a streaky window.
Window cleaners purify their water by passing it through a series of filters and resins, making use of natural processes like reverse osmosis and deionisation. They then store this water, usually in a suitably equipped vehicle, so that they can get it to their customers.
Scheduling yearly or twice-yearly window cleaning services is ideal. And even if that's not doable, the closer you can stick to that schedule the better. Aim for at least once a year and you'll notice a remarkable improvement.
The Number of Windows
This will impact the labour time and increase the final cost. If you have a conservatory on your property this could also dramatically increase the cost as it may need specialist cleaning for the glass. Even if not, the number of windows on a conservatory will add to the final price.
Both a washing and a cleaning should leave you with streak-free glass, but a washing is a quick service that isn't as thorough. Window washing usually involves spraying on the solution and wiping it away with a squeegee to remove loose surface debris only. This isn't what's involved in window cleaning.
Very dirty windows
With this in mind the best solution is to use traditional methods to ensure the windows are fully clean. The cons: Cleaning products used for traditional-type window cleaning can leave a clear film on the glass that can't be wiped away attracting more dirt and making windows get dirtier much quicker.
Once your windows have been cleaned with a water-fed pole and pure water, they are left to dry naturally, as there is no soapy residue or water impurities that could form unsightly smears on the newly washed glass.
Distilled water has a high pH and low mineral content, which helps it draw dirt and other compounds from windows. It is also highly effective when it comes to window cleaning, since it leaves no residue or stains behind. However, it is not recommended for exterior windows, which are more difficult to clean.
When you combine all these individual challenges together, window cleaning becomes very difficult for the average homeowner or an untrained business employee. For a professional window cleaner, cleaning windows isn't a hard job, but that's because professional window cleaners have the proper training and tools.
Window cleaning professionals suggest avoiding window washing on very sunny days or at a time when a window is in direct sunlight, as the heat may cause the glass to dry too quickly and cause smears.