How to clean windows without streaks
It’s natural to want your windows to look as spotless as the day they were installed. Clean windows can allow more light into your home, and can make you feel more connected to the outdoors. But it can be tricky to figure out the the proper way to clean your windows while avoiding the pitfalls of streaking and scratching. Here are some tips on how to clean windows like a professional without paying the professional fees.
void using glass cleaners that are based in ammonia or alcohol. They may seem like they’d produce a more intense clean, but in reality, they can leave streaks and even a thin film that attracts dust and moisture. If you have an especially difficult spot, you can start your cleaning process by applying a solvent like acetone or rubbing alcohol to a clean cloth and rubbing it directly on the spot. Wipe it dry and then continue to clean your window as you would normally.
No matter how stubborn certain stuck-on materials may be, never use a razor or any other kind of blade to scrape them off. This can cause permanent scratches and leave your windows more vulnerable to breaking in the future.
Use a soft, lint-free wipe when rubbing the solution. A microfiber cloth is ideal but a gentle and clean paper towel can work as well. Rub from multiple directions to help avoid streaking.
If you find that you still have streaks after you’ve cleaned your window, simply rinse with clear water to help remove any of the remaining cleaning solution.
What types of cleaning solutions should you use?
If you’re going to purchase a solution, use a commercial cleaner from a brand that you trust, such as Window Cleaner.
You can also use a pre-mixed vinegar-based solution, or even make your own with our simple window cleaning DIY below.
Homemade window cleaning solution:
One of our favorite window cleaning hacks is to create your own window cleaning solution using simple distilled vinegar, otherwise known as white vinegar. This is an easy-to-find product (if you don’t already have it around the house). Its acidic composition works efficiently to help break down the streaky film that can accumulate on your windows and other glass surfaces
To clean your windows with your own homemade window cleaner, follow these easy steps:
Mix one part distilled vinegar to 10 parts warm water in a spray bottle.
Wipe down the window with a a soft, clean, lint-free microfiber cloth or paper towel to remove dust before you spray your solution, then spray the entire surface.
Use your lint-free towel to rub the vinegar mixture and work it into the dirty spots on your window. Feel free to be generous with the amount of cleaner you apply to the cloth or paper towel, but avoid getting any cleaning solutions on the wood, fiberglass or vinyl frames, as they may discolor the finish.
Use a second clean cloth to dry your window as thoroughly as possible. You’ll want to do this quickly after cleaning in order to prevent streaks, so if you have multiple windows to clean, it’s best to do them fully one at a time instead of spraying all of them at once.
Rinse with clear water if streaks remain after cleaning.
GLASS CLEANING GUIDELINES
Architectural glass products can be damaged through improper cleaning. To keep your architectural glass clean and damage free, we recommend following our four glass cleaning guidelines
Wash off any abrasive or alkaline material that comes into contact with glass immediately.
Use clean water, a non-abrasive applicator and a non-abrasive commercial window washing solution to clean concrete, mortar slurry or other potentially damaging material from glass. Use a squeegee with a rubber edge to remove all cleaning solution from the window.
Avoid cleaning tinted or and reflective glass surfaces in direct sunlight.
The heat from the window may cause the solution to dry to quickly and result in window streaks.
Work from the top down.
To avoid reside and cleaning solution being left on the glass at lower levels of the building, always start cleaning at the top of the building and work towards the bottom.
Never use a blade or other sharp object to clean the glass or remove debris.
Polycarbonate Window Cleaning Instructions
Periodic cleaning of polycarbonate, using correct procedures with compatible household cleaners, is recommended to prolong the service life of your garage door window material. The use of abrasive, gritty cleaners and/or hard cleaning implements (e.g. hard brushes, scrapers, squeegees) should be avoided to eliminate the possibility of scratching the surface coating.
General cleaning:
1) Thoroughly pre-rinse with warm water to loosen and wash away surface material, grit and grime.
2) Using a soft microfiber cloth or moist non-abrasive sponge, gently wash with a mild diluted soap or detergent.
3) Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm clean water. To prevent water spots, thoroughly dry the glazing with a dry soft cloth.
Removing heavy oils and tars
1) Thoroughly pre-rinse with warm water to loosen and wash away surface material, grit and grime.
2) With a 50/50 isopropyl alcohol-water mixture, gently rub the area with a soft non-abrasive cloth.
3) Immediately rinse thoroughly with lukewarm clean water. To prevent water spots, thoroughly dry the glazing with a dry soft cloth.
Removing graffiti, paint, marker, inks and glazing compounds:
1) Thoroughly pre-rinse with warm water to loosen and wash away surface material, grit and grime.
2) Using Naphtha VM&P grade, Isopropyl Alcohol or Butyl Cellosolve, gently rub the area with a soft non-abrasive cloth. Do not apply solvent cleaners under direct sunlight or during high temperatures.
3) Immediately rinse thoroughly with lukewarm clean water. To prevent water spots, thoroughly dry the glazing with a dry soft cloth.
Removing adhesive backed labels:
1) Isopropyl Alcohol, Naphtha VM&P grade or Kerosene will help lift stickers and adhesives.
2) Immediately rinse thoroughly with lukewarm clean water. To prevent water spots, thoroughly dry the glazing with a dry soft cloth.
A beginners guide to window cleaning business
About This Class
This course covers the fundamentals of window cleaning business, which means that the students will learn how to clean the windows (the traditional way), how to price the houses, what equipment they need in order to start and so on. We will also go into the marketing your services.
We will also go into most common questions asked by new window cleaners
Course will touch on additional services such as cleaning the gutters and conservatories
After completing the course the students will have good knowledge to start their own window cleaning business (traditional way cleaning)
Course doesn’t cover using the pure water pole systems, only traditional window cleaning is taught in this course
Project Description
Put your knowledge to work! it would be great for you to try to clean all kinds of windows, but to start with the easiest window try to clean a window the standard way using a squeegee and share the “before and after” pics with us.Then if you are really brave, and you try to clean different types of windows (leaded ones) and share the pics with us as well.
Since the focus of this class is on manual skill, which takes time and practice, pay special attention to detail and be patient with yourself as it takes a few windows, before you stop making mistakes and start creating shiny windows.You can start to practice on your own windows at home and once you get confident you might be able to clean your friends windows.They might even recommend you to their neighbours and you could start your business sooner then you expected. Feel free to share your less skilful attempts as well, because we all learn from mistakes of others as much as our own. Good luck with your window cleaning adventures and do get in touch if you have any further questions.
Window cleaner
Window cleaning, or window washing, is the exterior cleaning of architectural glass used for structural, lighting, or decorative purposes. It can be done manually, using a variety of tools for cleaning and access. Technology is also employed and increasingly, automation.
Commercial work is contracted variously from in-person transactions for cash or barter, to formal tender processes. Regulations, licensing, technique, equipment and compensation vary nationally and regionally.
Tools
Chamois and scrim — Chamois is used to loosen and remove dirt, followed by a buffing with scrim or cheesecloth
Water and squeegee — Generally, chemicals are added to water, and a device such as a brush or cloth-covered handle is dipped into the resulting solution and used to scrub glass. A squeegee is then used to sluice the dirt and water mixture from the glass. Chemicals added to the solution range from dish soap and glass cleaner to Trisodium Phosphate and etching salt. In sub-freezing temperatures, anti-freezing chemicals are added to the solution to prevent it from crystallizing on the pane before it is sluiced off.
Water-fed poles — Any of a variety of types of telescopic poles, fitted at the upper end with a brush and water jets, fed either from vehicle-borne tanks of deionised water or by on-site production of deionised water using a domestic or commercial water outlet. The water is filtered by either a two-stage or three-stage filtration process, involving a carbon filter, and two de-ionization filters, or a carbon filter, a reverse osmosis membrane filter, and a de-ionization resin filter. The filtered water should contain a TDS (total dissolved solids) of 0 ppm (parts per million) when being used on windows
Access
Where glass is found are window cleaners, and methods of access and equipment related to both access and cleaning vary nationally and regionally. If a window is not easily accessible using one type of equipment then it is advisable to combine different tools to be able to clean it properly.
Ladders
Supported scaffolding — A temporary platform workers can stand on that is rests on a surface below, rather than hanging from above like suspended scaffolding.
Suspended platform or cradle — Unlike supported scaffolding, these are not fixed to a lower surface or the ground, but rather are suspended by wire rope from above. They raise and lower the worker either by hand or with a motor
Aerial work platforms are elevated platforms that workers can stand on, such as a scissor lift, or cherry picker. These include:
Boatswain’s chair (bosun’s chair) — A single-person seat designed for controlled descent of rope. Often referred to as “rope descent systems” (RDS), these are typically anchored to a roof structure, counterweight configuration, or connecting points designed for the purpose. These are always temporarily installed for the purpose of access. However, their anchor points can be either temporary or permanent.
Suspended platform — An access platform for one or more workers with manual or motor driven devices for raising and lowering via rope. Platforms may be fitted to high rise buildings or skyscrapers, or assembled from components to suit architecture and nature of work being performed. These can be either temporary or permanent. Both having their own unique governing codes and regulations.