Cleaning supplies window washers use
Window washing can be pure drudgery. If you or a neighbor have a house cleaner come by a couple of times a month, you might be surprised you ask - 'how much to clean the windows?' No wonder, they don't want to do it either!
Never fear. You can wash windows like a pro - shiny, streak free, and lickety slit.
The cleaning supply window washers use varies - some just use warm soapy water. Sometimes it's a good commercial cleaning product window cleaners use.
If you really want to make things easier you can purchase a tool belt, or even invent one yourself if your handy around the garage. A tool belt is a real back saver, and you won't contaminate your tools with window scratching grit by placing your tools on the ground.
When the do-it-yourself-er is cleaning residential windows you probably just need a good brass or stainless steel channel squeegee, with disposable blades. This is the single most indispensable cleaning tool window cleaners use - a squeegee. Brass is preferred.
A common misconception about stainless steel is that it will not rust. Stainless steel absolutely will rust. It does not have the propensity of cold steel, but if you ask - 'does stainless steel rust?' Absolutely. Back to the subject of window cleaning.
You should purchase one approximately 12" to 18" wide, with replaceable rubber blades, made with the preferred metal. Extendible handles are desirable, and a quality scrubber for your local bird contribution is good too. Even on a single story flat, the extension handle can keep things comfortable.
There are preferred conditions for washing windows too. Looming rain would obviously be a bummer, but short of that, you want to make sure conditions are not too hot or sunny, otherwise ugly streaks can result from your window cleaning product drying too fast. Cloudy sky's or cooler evening times work best.
If you're using one of the commercial products cleaning supply window cleaners use, then make sure it's ammonia base - since ammonia will dry quickly without leaving streaking residues. While using your window scrubber, you'll know when the goo is gone because you will feel the window scrubber go from coarse to smooth in sound and feel.
Before you start washing any window, take one of those cob-web dusters and remove any cobwebs (not that you'd have any), dead bugs, or dirt that could contain window scratching grit or streak as mud.
After swabbing the window down with window cleaning solution, decide how you want to use the squeegee. One direction only - left to right, up to down, do it the same way each time, overlapping the previously squeegeed area with each swipe.
Remove excess water from your squeegee with a lint free absorbent rag to avoid dripping on previously dried areas. The use of the squeegee is not so complicated. It's the preparation that's important for turning drudgery into a window that's as clear as if there was no window at all. Follow the steps outlined here, and you'll be cleaning windows like a pro.
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