Window Cleaners

Clear glass with a frame made of something. It’s a “window” and they are all the same, right?

Window cleaning isn’t rocket science – we’ll be the first to admit it!

But that doesn’t mean some techniques aren’t better than others. I’m sure you’ve heard of a few different popular window cleaning hacks: everything from homemade cleaners, to using newspapers, coffee filters or even diapers to wipe the glass. Well, those may work just fine… but we’re here to tell you that you can recycle those newspapers, and keep the diapers on your babies (those are expensive, you know!) because all you need is a SQUEEGEE for quick and easy streak-free window cleaning this spring cleaning season.

The squeegee has been a staple in the window cleaning industry for years, but you don’t find many of them in the cleaning supply bin in most homes. Most people’s experience with squeegees are with those dirty double-sided tools found in the hanging mop bucket at the gas station. As one of the cleanest, most effective tools for cleaning glass or any flat surface, we thought we’d share a little history of and the many benefits of the squeegee… and some tips for first-timers!

The squeegee first emerged in the 18^th century as an instrument used by sailors needing to scrape the decks of their weather-worn ships. Our humble squeegee even makes a cameo in Herman Melville’s classic American Renaissance novel Moby Dick, where it is called a “squilgee.”

Anyway… If you want to keep your windows sparkling between Window Genie appointments, here’s what you need to do:

• Go get a squeegee!
• Get a window cleaning mop/strip washer
• Get a bucket & some dish soap
• Practice, practice, practice!

You can purchase a small squeegee for inside your home from most home improvement stores – or of course, Amazon. Window Genie loves the Unger and Ettore brands.

Though there are no real secrets (remember, it’s not rocket science), practice is key. Over time you’ll develop a muscle memory, and this chore will become second nature. Our favorite method is to use snake-like sweeping motions. Pulling the squeegee straight across or down the glass may cause streaking, and your arms will tire quickly. Also, while there are a number of DIY window cleaning solutions floating around on the internet, we find that a simple solution of water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid works GREAT!

Here’s a quick video showing you that “snake” motion in action:

If just reading this blog post about window cleaning wears you out, you can always call in a professional. Spring cleaning to-do lists can really start to add up, so contact your local Genie – or any of our sister brands by visiting GetNeighborly.com! From maids, to handymen, plumbers and more… the Neighborly family of brands is there to help you clean, maintain and restore your home.

Bonus tip! Keep this in your back pocket for next winter: our blog, Cleaning Windows in Freezing Temps

Spring has sprung and the cleaning has begun! It has a nice ring to it, but the truth is after a long winter there is a lot of work to be done inside and out of your home. While the weather in the spring gets warmer, it is still bipolar. A lot of customers want to get their windows cleaned, but always fear the inevitable April shower.

Conventional wisdom (or maybe it was just grandma) always said rain dirties our windows. When the rain comes down and ruins the fun we look out the window with dismay, but when the storm clears and fun is at hand, the tidy housekeeper frowns. Looking out the spotted drab window makes the heart sink. But don’t blame it on the rain.

Rain isn’t what makes the windows dirty. Rain is actually very clean. Without boring you to death with science, let’s just say rain is basically distilled water. In fact, around the world some window cleaners actually prefer rainwater. These window cleaners use something called “rainwater harvesting”. A quick Google search with that phrase might blow your mind. It’s especially popular in rain soaked regions like the United Kingdom and the Pacific North West. So if rain isn’t the main culprit, who is to blame? There are a few factors that cause a window to turn into a water spotted eyesore.

Screens

The real villain is the vigilant, protective screen. While screens are necessary and helpful, they can be the biggest problem that a clean window will face. Screens prevent dirt, pollen, pests, and other debris from damaging our windows. The problem develops when the rain comes. As the rain passes through the screen, it grabs the debris and slams it against the glass. When the water dries what is left is an unsightly dirty window. When you get your windows cleaned by a professional, or do it yourself, make sure the screens are cleaned, too. Be forewarned, most window cleaners do not include a screen cleaning and there will be an extra charge, but it’s an absolute necessity for a long lasting clean.

Environment

The second contributing factor to rain messing up your freshly cleaned windows is the environment. Every part of the country is different, so there can be local contributing factors. In a more industrial area, acid rain is a real problem. Acid rain is precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it possesses high levels of hydrogen ions and a low pH. It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals and of course, windows.  Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids. If you live in an area that has a large amount of carbon dioxide or other chemicals being released, then yes rain itself can be a problem.

So there you have it. Dirty screens and acid rain are to blame. If you’re not facing either of those issues, your windows shouldn’t get dirty again every time it rains – don’t blame it on the rain! Rain is not the culprit, it’s actually almost completely pure – clean enough to drink! Use your new found knowledge about dirty screens and talk to your service provider about adding screen cleaning to your regular window cleaning – or do it yourself! No special tools or chemicals needed for an effective screen cleaning – simply brush off large debris, gently scrub with a soapy sponge and rinse… voila! So next time it’s raining, don’t reschedule your window cleaning service. The only downside to cleaning windows in the rain… is being out in the rain!