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There are probably more myths and theories about window cleaning than any other household job. Maybe it's because it can be such a frustrating task, you rubbing the glass for what seems like hours until it looks perfect... And then you move to one side, or the sun comes out and there still are smears. Still there. You can almost hear them laughing at you. So let's bust a few myths and expose a few facts that will help you get great results on your cleaning services and save your time and energy too.
A newspaper is great for leaving ink on your windows, but why would you want to? It'll move the dirt around a bit but it isn't actually all that absorbent and the paper will break down into a mush that sticks to the glass. Seriously, when was the last time you saw window cleaning professionals using newspaper? There's a good reason why they don't!
This is very much a case of the worker blaming his tools. Correctly used scrapers won't damage glass and in some instances, sticker removal, for instance, they're invaluable tools.
It depends on the company. Some might use a lot of products, others are environmentally responsible and will use fewer detergents than you do, or even none at all.
The idea here is that soap-based detergents are more likely to leave streaks. There's an element of truth in this but it all depends on how you wash out the detergent.
Vinegar has its place for breaking down greasy stains but it won't bond with dirt and grime. Soap works better on many contaminants, a combination of the two may well be what you need
By the time you add up all the products you'll buy and equipment too, you might be surprised how much you've spent. And then there's the question of how much you value your time...
From the outside of your home, clean glass adds a subtle but definite change of your property. Clean windows will increase the amount of sunlight that comes into a room and makes any environment more pleasant.
This is especially true in hard water areas, the calcium hard water leaves deposits and streaks.
With all impurities removed, water alone is a highly effective cleaning agent and it will never leave deposits on the glass.
Starting from the bottom of the list - a newspaper is the last thing you would want to use on your windows. Next comes any cloth or rag, but if they have lint in them they'll leave fibres on the glass. Microfibre cloths or chamois are better, but squeegees are king when you want to remove water without leaving streaks. Clean the blade after every swipe with a lint-free cloth.
When the glass is clean but the surrounds are dirty the overall effect is greatly reduced. Maybe you won't clean the sills every time you do the windows but doing it regularly will keep your property looking much smarter.
You might leave streaks behind if you clean your windows in direct sunlight but professional window cleaners will work much faster than you and use the proper tools and equipment. It's perfectly possible to get good results in most weathers.
Some are more difficult to get to than others but between the options of water-fed poles, ladders, scaffolding or rope access it's possible to reach and clean any window.
