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I'm often inquired about recommendations on getting an excellent result. "What's the secret to getting the windows looking so clean?" my clients commonly ask. So, this web page (in addition to next one on cleaning small windows) answers lots of those questions - to aid both householders as well as the professionals.
Equipment
To obtain off to a good start with cleaning your windows, you need to have top quality equipment. A number of this may be a little more specialized, however you should certainly think it is all at a sizable hardware store,Window Cleaning Bucket or a cleaning supplies shop - just type "cleaning supplies" into a search engine to find one close to you.
Here is a list of what you will find in my window cleaning bucket
Bucket - Preferably wide adequate to fit the squeegee and mop in. This 1 in the right is ideal for professionals, but only a little throughout the top for householders.
Squeegee - you can find huge variations in quality available, and also this is probably the most crucial tool of all.Squeegee Labeled Wagtail Squeegee thus I suggest purchasing a great one, not like the ones you find at petrol stations. Unger, Ettore, Sorbo are recommended brands. Wagtail can also be an excellent brand name and it really is Australian, but the swiveling handle takes a bit more getting used to.
High quality squeegees will usually come assembled from three pieces. The handle, the channel plus the bit of rubber supported by the channel. The rubber could be turned over when it gets old, after which replaced when both sides have worn out. (Window cleaners often have their favorite model of rubber, but I don't think it makes a big difference.)
We have various sizes from 4 inches to 24 inches, but I prefer the 14 inch squeegee about 90% of the time.
Mop (also referred to as 'Washer' and 'Wand'.) - Window Washer - This will come in two pieces: the plastic t-bar and the sleeve. If the sleeve gets dirty, it is possible to detach it through the t-bar and place it when you look at the washing machine. It is usually attached by Velcro or buttons. 14 inches is a great length.
The sleeves are presented in different versions: Porcupine - with little plastic bits throughout it to assist scrub off tough marks, Regular, Scourer - with a scouring strip using one side. But my favorite is definitely the Water Retention one. It's handy to not have to come back into the bucket a great deal to dab more water about it.
The handles can either be fixed, or swivel. The swivel one is simpler from the wrist and far better when utilizing a pole.
6 inch Scraper - this is sold with replaceable metal blades and it is beneficial to get tough marks off, such as paint, varnish or stubborn insect marks. Only a little one inch, pocket scrapper (as seen off to the right) is usually enough for most maintenance jobs, but larger 3 and 6 inch ones that fit on the end of this pole are good for scraping larger areas.
Be careful using scrapers on glass! If you don't know the correct methods, you might cause permanent damage! Check point 2 in 'Simple tips to do it' below.
Detergent - I hate to be the one that lets the cat from the bag since there are a lot of window cleaners who jealously guard their secret formula, but I don't see any part of not telling. 'Morning Fresh' and 'Palmolive' are probably typically the most popular detergents. At the cleaning supplies shop you can fork out a lot of income on all kinds of window cleaning detergents. I've tried most of them, and seem to always get back to Palmolive (soft on the hands and does a great job).
Many people recommend vinegar in tepid to warm water. The greatest problem with this particular is the fact that it doesn't sud up. The suds are very important to lubricate the rubber as it passes within the glass, making it a lot easier to turn the squeegee. Additionally they make it easier to see any water marks that require wiping off. In reality, they assist to show up areas that require more scrubbing as the pattern regarding the bubbles separate more where there is certainly a finger mark or some other dirt.
Other items not in the bucket
Rags - This could just be a classic towel (old is the best due to the fact lint and fluff might have worn away). I usually carry a towel and a micro-fiber cloth. More about just how to make use of them later.
Poles - I carry a brief one that extends. It really is 1.5m closed, 2.3m opened. This can be very handy for several windows - you must know simple tips to utilize it. I also use a 4 section pole that also includes 3 stories high - though it really is extremely hard to clean accurately at that length. 2 stories is about the limit for squeegees on a pole (even that is pretty tricky!).
Ladders - I find a three step step-ladder is quite useful, while the extension ladder that reaches about 2.5 stories high - not advised for anybody not confident coming to heights.
Tool belt - This supports a side bucket and it is a good place to easily access your scrapper and rags.Side Bucket
Bucket-on-a-Belt - This is actually just when it comes to professionals. It really is a tiny bucket that hangs down one leg off a belt around the waist. It is a fantastic place to easily stash you mop and squeegee, saving them from dripping all around us, and also giving you two free hands while walking up the ladder, on the roof etc.
How to do so
If you have at the least the basic principles of the above tools, I'll now describe simple tips to actually make use of them.
Fill the bucket to about half or a bit less with chilled water. Heated water will make the water evaporate too quickly. Put a couple of squirts of detergent into the water, or as I prefer, apply the detergent directly on the wet mop.
washing glass to function up the suds. Rub the wet mop (that includes detergent onto it) onto the window. Give it a beneficial rub to make sure all of the dirt is lifted. It is now time to scrape any stubborn marks off because of the scrapper. If you wish to utilize the scrapper, ensure that you only pass the blade in the forward direction, for example. don't scrape backwards - this may drag the dirt, cement etc over the glass causing scratches.
Now have the squeegee ready. Let's assume you are right-handed. Keep the handle of this squeegee in your right hand with your thumb half way involving the top and side. Whenever you put it in the glass, you wish to have it at the correct angle.
To work this out, say the angle once the handle is touching the glass is 0 degrees, additionally the angle when lifting it well the glass is 90 degrees (because of the rubber still from the glass). You desire the angle in between those two - about 45 degrees. Attempt to maintain that angle for the next step.
We also need to have the right quantity of pressure on the glass. You can easily really only work this out with experience. Too light and you wont collect all the water, way too hard and it'll be tough to move it around. using squeegee on glass. Make an effort to keep a constant pressure the complete time.
Now you will be ready to clean the water off the glass aided by the squeegee. Start towards the top left corner and snake you way down the window. Make sure to go directly to the edges. With a little practice, you will be able to manage this with no water marks left in the center of the window.
It is nearly impossible to complete a window and never have to wipe the edges. Even the pros as a rule have to get this done! This is where the micro-fiber cloth is available in. This really is ideal for getting rid of the water marks anywhere from the glass. Use it dry. It is possible to just place it within the washing machine if it is too wet or dirty. I proceed through one or two per house, but beginners will normally need a few more.
Utilize the towel to wipe up any water split on the window sill and also the floor.
Hint - I generally avoid using micro-fiber cloths to wipe along the bottom for the window frame because this is going to dirty it very quickly. Utilize the towel for that area.
If you will find every other marks, such as little insect marks or grubby finger marks that did not quite come off, give it a rub with a clear the main micro-fiber cloth, or start again utilizing the mop. That's it! Your windows will look fantastic!
Now perform some same on both sides to all the windows you want clean.