How to clean glass
How many times have you seen a professional window washer using paper towels and a spray bottle to clean a window? Probably never. What you will see them use is these:
The fact is that paper towels wind up rubbing a lot of the window dirt around rather than removing it. Worse, if there is grit on the window, aggressively scrubbing it with a paper towel can lead to scratches.
The scrubber (also called strip washer) is a fuzzy T-shaped tool designed to absorb dirt rather than spreading it around. The detergent used in the water is also designed to lift dirt away from the window so as to prevent scratching.
So how is it done?
First, you need to select the right tools for the job. The scrubber, squeegee, window washing solution and lint free cloth are available at most hardware stores. If not, there are numerous sources online where you can buy these products. Just type in "window washing supplies" into your favorite search engine and dozens of suppliers will pop up.
We recommend using biodegradable cleaning solutions where possible. These are available from window cleaning suppliers.
Mix the cleaning solution with appropriate amount of water into a rubber or plastic bucket, dip in the scrubber, remove excess solution with your hand, then gently scrub the window. If there are any particularly nasty areas (bird droppings would be an example) it may be a good idea to work the area longer with the scrubber.
A scraper can be used for nasty spots like pine tar. If you see a white coating that cannot be removed even with a scraper, you probably have hard water stains. You will need to use spot remover to remove these. See this video for details.
Once you are satisfied that any caked on dirt has been pulled off the glass, you can begin using the squeegee.
If you are interested in a professional Vermont house cleaning service please go to our contact page and let us know. Nancy will be happy to discuss with you the details of your cleaning project.
Start with the top right or left portion of the pane (whichever feels more natural) and apply firm pressure to the squeegee. For larger windows, move from the upper corners and move downwards and toward the center. Maintain a downward slope to the squeegee at all times. This window washing video shows the technique. (Note he calls the scrubber a "mop") Smaller windows may be squeegeed with a firm horizontal stroke. Avoid lifting the squeegee. If you must, be sure to shake and wipe the squeegee before returning to the glass to minimize streaking.
Use the lint free cloth to remove any lines or drips of solution you may have left behind especially along the outer edges of the window.
The belt and holster are used by pros to allow hands free operation and also to facilitate speed. No fumbling around for the right tool. Everything has its place and is quickly available.
With a little practice, you'll be washing windows like a pro!
Here's a window washing video which explains the basic technique.
This video features a professional window washer which explains in more detail how this method works. He also goes through a full inventory of the supplies he uses, such as a water spot remover, ladder standoffs, as well as different sizes of squeegees. Very informative video. Highly recommended for the serious window washer.
Who links to my website?
- a squeegee
- a scrubber
- a cloth (ideally lint free)
- a bucket of soapy water
The fact is that paper towels wind up rubbing a lot of the window dirt around rather than removing it. Worse, if there is grit on the window, aggressively scrubbing it with a paper towel can lead to scratches.
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So how is it done?
First, you need to select the right tools for the job. The scrubber, squeegee, window washing solution and lint free cloth are available at most hardware stores. If not, there are numerous sources online where you can buy these products. Just type in "window washing supplies" into your favorite search engine and dozens of suppliers will pop up.
We recommend using biodegradable cleaning solutions where possible. These are available from window cleaning suppliers.
 |
| |
Mix the cleaning solution with appropriate amount of water into a rubber or plastic bucket, dip in the scrubber, remove excess solution with your hand, then gently scrub the window. If there are any particularly nasty areas (bird droppings would be an example) it may be a good idea to work the area longer with the scrubber.
A scraper can be used for nasty spots like pine tar. If you see a white coating that cannot be removed even with a scraper, you probably have hard water stains. You will need to use spot remover to remove these. See this video for details.
Once you are satisfied that any caked on dirt has been pulled off the glass, you can begin using the squeegee.
If you are interested in a professional Vermont house cleaning service please go to our contact page and let us know. Nancy will be happy to discuss with you the details of your cleaning project.
Start with the top right or left portion of the pane (whichever feels more natural) and apply firm pressure to the squeegee. For larger windows, move from the upper corners and move downwards and toward the center. Maintain a downward slope to the squeegee at all times. This window washing video shows the technique. (Note he calls the scrubber a "mop") Smaller windows may be squeegeed with a firm horizontal stroke. Avoid lifting the squeegee. If you must, be sure to shake and wipe the squeegee before returning to the glass to minimize streaking.
Use the lint free cloth to remove any lines or drips of solution you may have left behind especially along the outer edges of the window.
The belt and holster are used by pros to allow hands free operation and also to facilitate speed. No fumbling around for the right tool. Everything has its place and is quickly available.
With a little practice, you'll be washing windows like a pro!
Here's a window washing video which explains the basic technique.
This video features a professional window washer which explains in more detail how this method works. He also goes through a full inventory of the supplies he uses, such as a water spot remover, ladder standoffs, as well as different sizes of squeegees. Very informative video. Highly recommended for the serious window washer.
Who links to my website?