More often than most people would imagine, when our professional Window Cleaners are either on their way to or returning from window cleaning jobs around Brisbane, they get stopped and asked “how do you clean windows?” or hear things like “I try and clean my own windows at home, but they always look streaky or grubby.” Don’t want to sound boastful or anything, but we do get hit up for window cleaning tips a lot!
In this article, we share 3 easy window cleaning tips for a domestic / residential setting that will help you keep your glass sparkling all year round.
1. Safety: The #1 of All Window Cleaning Tips
Yes, boring we know – but when it comes to cleaning residential windows, most people have windows above ground level and as such will need to use a ladder to reach them. Therefore safety is the single most important window cleaning tip.
We have lost count of the times we have been told of nasty injuries sustained in the pursuit of perfect clean windows. There’s a tip for maintaining extra safety when doing window cleaning, however.
We strongly suggest a sound investment in a solid metal frame extension ladder (or a V shape). Nowadays, most ladders are relatively inexpensive (around $250) and provide an assuring level of safety.
Further to buying a good ladder, always ensure that it is placed in a sensible position at the top and at the bottom – not used in wet conditions and if possible, tied off at the top.
2. The Right Tools For the Job
In order to clean windows like a pro, we suggest a few very simple tools – most easily purchased from your local hardware store – that will get you going in no time:
- A rectangle bucket to easily accommodate long squeegees and applicators.
- A T-Bar applicator, lambs wool or microfiber to help get that grime from the window with minimal effort.
- A good squeegee – we suggest avoiding the typical squeegees one might find in your local hardware store for window cleaning, as they are often unsuitable and of low quality. Our tip would be visiting a professional online window cleaning company and choosing a size that suits you.
- A detailing cloth – normally microfiber. Keep this dry and remove any water marks after cleaning your windows.
- Washing up liquid… just the everyday supermarket brand will do.
3. It’s All In the Wrist!
If you have ever watched a professional window cleaner work with a squeegee, as you can appreciate it’s not hard… it’s just a knack that comes with practice. We can suggest some pro window cleaning tips here:
- Fill the bucket with cold clean water and add a few squirts of the washing up liquid.
- Dip the applicator into the bucket, get it really wet and rub the applicator briskly across the windows at least 2 coverings to remove that dirt.
- Take the squeegee, hold it vertically and starting from the top left corner of the window run it in a horizontal direction from left to right in a straight line.
- Repeat from left to right moving down every line but overlapping the edge of the last stroke slightly until all traces of water and soap are gone.
- Use the detailing cloth to remove any water traces from the edge
Following the above window cleaning tips should leave you with spotless windows every time. Happy cleaning!