7 Reasons to Hire a Professional Glass and Window Cleaning Service 

Outsourcing Makes Sense Sometimes

The idea of cleaning windows is not fun for most people. It requires extra effort if you have a lot of windows in your home, glass shower enclosures, TVs, tables and more. That burdens you, especially if you want everything to be perfect. Relieving this burden is just one of the reasons to hire a professional glass cleaning service. 

Safety 

Cleaning the windows on the first floor is an easy job. But if you have a second floor, it can scare you and be a problem for you. Not all windows are in an easily accessible area. There is nothing more important than safety – yours and your family’s. You can take some precautions and ensure your safety. You need to make sure you have all the equipment and supplies. They need to be close to you. That will help you not to go back and look for things you forgot. Then you will need a ladder to attach carefully so that you do not slip and fall. And all this, to be honest, would personally exhaust me in advance. With that in mind, it would be much easier for me to solve the problem by hiring professionals to do the job. They know the safest way to do all this. 

Sticky residue 

You’ve probably tried scraping glass stickers. It can be frustrating. Often water does not work. You need additional detergents or special substances. Sometimes, however, these substances do not help much and make things worse. In the end, you will only make more mess. Professionals know how to avoid these problems and clean the glass the first time. 

Stripes 

Everyone has their favourite ways to clean glass. Some prefer vinegar and paper. Others like certain brands of detergents. On the Internet, you will find many publications with secret cleaning methods. However, whatever you use, there may still be streaks left after cleaning your windows. Let the professionals take the best care. 

Lasting effects 

You clean the windows thoroughly. At the moment, you think you cleaned them perfectly, but after a day or two, they look dirty again. That is frustrating, and here professional cleaners come to the rescue, saving you energy, labour and effort. In addition, they will make your windows and glasses look clean for a longer time. 

Accident avoidance 

Damaged locking mechanisms, broken glass, old and damaged windows and other window problems can cause domestic accidents. Professional cleaners can identify a problem at an early stage. They carefully inspect the integrity of your windows and warn of possible problems such as loose, open or cracked windows. Also, any smell of wood on the window sills if they are wooden. 

I can’t fathom how many people get hurt trying to clean their windows themselves. I remember my father climbing a high ladder to wash the windows. Every time I was afraid that something would happen to him. It was so exhausting and dangerous for him. But he was like that. He wanted to do everything himself. 

Tips for Windows Without Streaks – Tools. 

I am a working woman, and I spend 8-10 hours at work every day. This work squeezes me, and I try to give myself a rest every possible minute. Usually, to save labour, nerves, effort and time, I call professionals to clean the windows at home. But I had to make small repairs between their visits. Then I decided to wash my windows myself. I wanted good results so that I wouldn’t get angry that I wasted my time. Then I learned about the important things about this job. In order not to have streaks on the windows, you need to have good tools because sometimes the tools are the ones that bring good results. 

Even if the cleaning fluid is great, for example, your towel can leave marks. Microfiber towels are preferred because they can peel better than other types of towels. 

Some people still use newspapers to clean their windows. They can be useful in preventing moss on the windows. Others use paper towels or unused coffee filters. 

Windshield wipers are also preferred tools. The rubber blade will pull out the water and leave the window glass clean. When you have finished the cleaning, wipe the wiper with a towel before doing the next to avoid leaving streaks. Wipe from top to bottom and then clean the residue from below or above or in the corners. 

What to do when a professional window cleaner visits you for the first time? 

So, you have made the right decision to hire a professional window cleaner. First, look for reviews of companies providing this service in your area. You can call them and talk to the companies to get offers. Make sure you know the number of windows and their type. Discuss any concerns you may have over the phone. 

Be flexible 

As they serve you for the first time, stay open to possible changes and unexpected details, such as a slight difference in price due to details you did not discuss initially. It does not always happen, but it is best to prepare. However, it is not possible to think of everything when talking on the phone. 

When the cleaners arrive, show them everything, making it easier to orient themselves and clarify everything. So there will be no surprises and misunderstandings. Build friendly working relationships with your professionals. This way, you will have trusted cleaners whenever you need them. 

What benefits will you get from professional cleaners? 

Be sure that professional cleaning of your glasses and windows is much more effective. As expert professionals, they will bring the right tools and equipment to get the job done effectively and offer optimal protection for your windows. They know best how to use the wiper so that your windows look as clean and clear as possible. They know how to work with ladders and roller systems when performing the task. 

Windows that you clean regularly help your home enjoy a clean and welcoming feel. Clean windows allow sunlight to enter your room directly, which greatly affect your mood and overall well-being. 

Different Ways To Clean A Window

Modern homes tend to have more windows and glass in general than they did, say, two hundred years ago. If you are one of the many Londoners who live in a very old house, you may notice that a lot of your windows are modern retrofits (possibly with double glazing for extra warmth and aluminium frames to stop drafts). There are several reasons for this. Firstly, we no longer have quite as many deep-coloured furnishings in our homes that might be damaged by sunlight. Secondly, we tend to work these days indoors, so we need that exposure to the sun and illumination indoors where we are working. Thirdly, since the Industrial Revolution, it’s easier to produce glass in the size, quantity and quality needed for today’s windows.

We don’t just have more glass in the form of windows, either. We also have French doors (glass doors), skylights, mirrors, conservatories and more. In shops, often entire atria and shop fronts are made of glass for better visibility.

However, while it’s lovely to have all that sunlight pouring into our homes – British weather permitting – all that glass does have some drawbacks. The more glass you have, the more you have to clean. And glass just won’t stay clean, no matter what you do, courtesy of the laws of physics about entropy and chaos.

Window Cleaning Methods

Different methods have been developed over the years, along with sizes and styles of windows. Here, we’re not talking about the different types of machines that professional window cleaners use, such as high-reach window washers, cradles and harnesses, but the things that average people can use to get their windows sparkling.

One note of caution is needed here, however. If you need to clean windows or skylights above the ground that are hard to reach and you don’t have a good ladder that gets all the way safely, it might be best to call in a professional, preferably one with a reach-and-wash window cleaning system, to do the job for you. Don’t be an idiot and risk your neck.

Window Cleaners Using One Ingredient

There are plenty of things that you can use to clean your windows that you can make yourself… if “make” is the right word to use when you’re just popping what you plan to wash the windows with into a spray bottle or onto a rag. The following all work:

  • Water. This is what a lot of professional window cleaners use to get windows sparkling, as it doesn’t streak, and it’s all you need to dissolve dirt.
  • Vodka and other strong alcohol. This kills bacteria and cuts through grease like nothing else. It also evaporates very quickly, meaning that there’s no streaking.
  • Vinegar. Vinegar is great a killing the mildew that loves to grow in condensation on windows, so it’s a good choice if your home is on the damp side and your windows are covered with filthy black spots (which happens to the best of us during winter!).
  • Nail polish remover. If you want something really strong, this really shifts dirt. It will get a bit expensive if you use it for every single window in your house, so save it for really tough jobs, such as when the painter has gone and splashed paint all over your window (or try turpentine).
  • Teabags. Yes, you can use an old teabag to clean your windows or mirrors. The tannins in tea can cut through grease and remove handprints. Make sure that the teabag is just damp rather than dripping. You can also use cold tea.

You can combine all of these ingredients to make your own spray if you wish. They don’t react with each other. Diluting the stronger ingredients with water cuts down on the strong smells but they still work just as well.

Window Cleaning Mixtures

There’s a certain satisfaction to mixing up your own window cleaning product. It seems instinctive that something that has a lot of ingredients will work better than one thing on its own. Most of these mixtures will be based on good old H2O, which is the closest thing we have to the Universal Solvent.

Recipes for home-made window cleaners abound. Most of them include small amounts of the following plus a blend of the ingredients listed in the “Window Cleaners Using One Ingredient” section above. Experiment to see what works best for you but please remember that “small amounts” is the key thing – if you use a lot, you will probably leave streaks on your window or pay far more than you have to.

  • Cornstarch
  • Washing soda
  • Borax
  • Ammonia
  • Kerosene
  • Dishwashing detergent

However, if you’re experimenting, there are some things that you should never use. Don’t use bleach: a bleach spray could get where you don’t want it and ruin your clothes, curtains or carpet; also, chlorine bleach reacts very nastily with ammonia. Don’t use soap, either, as it really streaks badly.

Window Cleaning Tools

As well as a spray, you’re going to need the right tools, even if you’re just using water to clean your windows. You need two tools: one to apply your cleaner and get it into the dirt, and a second to remove the dirt. Sometimes, these two tools may look identical. Sometimes, they come combined.

  • Rags. A staple of professional cleaners and can be washed and re-used. Make sure that they don’t shed lint. Rags can apply window cleaning product and can wipe it away, especially if they’re cotton. Cut up old T-shirts, cotton sheets and towels – they’re ideal! Use damp (not dripping) to apply product or dry to remove moisture.
  • Squeegee. This is for wiping off drips and is another staple of professional window washers.
  • Sponge. For applying your window cleaner. Use in conjunction with a squeegee. Make sure that your sponge is damp rather than dripping.
  • Newspaper. This is a two-in-one that applies and dries. Many people swear by damp newspaper for getting windows sparkling, as the ink helps remove dirt while the newsprint absorbs the moisture afterwards.
  • Microfibre cloths. The new kid on the block in the window cleaning world. These use minimal moisture and clean without streaking, as they dry as they go.

What Is The Best Window Cleaning Method?

What is the best method to treat your windows? Professional window cleaners tend to avoid the question and prefer to change the topic by referring to special features – what type of windows are we talking about, what is their location, what is the nature of the hygienic problem, etc. While these concerns are legit, evading the answer is not.

So let’s put our two leading contenders – the regular squeegee polishing and the water-fed pole washing (a.k.a Reach & Wash) – on an equal footing. Obviously, you cannot use squeegee polishing for upper-floor or hard to reach windows – the Reach & Wash equipment is a clear winner in this area. But what about ground-floor windows within manual reach?

I would say both methods have their pros and cons. Squeegee polishing allows you to pay much more concentrated attention to a smaller area or a specific problematic spot. It is also superior when it comes to dust removal closer to the window frames, or if you have to treat oval or circular windows. The disadvantage is that working with squeegees does require more time and exerts more energy.

Reach & Wash is by definition more effective and quicker, especially when you have to treat large-scale windows (such as commercial window displays or building facades). Its efficiency on smaller windows, however, is questionable. An interesting paradox I have observed with some of my cleaners is that they overtrust the water-fed poles and may not notice residual minute blemishes on the glass surface. Such imperfections are much harder to miss when you work with a towel and a squeegee.

Let’s sum it up – if you have to treat a smaller window with more specific problems, I would still choose the good old squeegee. If, however, you need to clean a larger glass surface, the Reach & Wash poles would be my clear choice!