5 Little-Known Secrets About Window Cleaning

Window cleaning is a task that can take all weekend for homeowners, but just a few hours for the professionals. This is because they not only have a lot of practice, they also know a few secrets to streak-free windows. 

1. Newspaper doesn't work.

No matter what you read, do not use balled-up newspapers to clean your windows. It is a messy idea that gets newsprint ink everywhere. Professional window cleaners do not use old newspapers when they clean glass because they are better options out there, including professional-grade squeegees and wetters. 

2. Squeegees get dull.

Squeegees, the tool of choice for many professionals have a thick rubber blade designed to glide on the window and remove both debris and excess water. These blades can dull over time. In fact, experienced window cleaners change their rubber blades several times a day. Rubbers with a small nick in them will likely leave a streak on the glass, resulting in a window that needs to be re-cleaned for a perfect shine.

3. UV film is easily damaged.

If you have UV film, make sure the window washing crew knows in advance. preferably when you schedule your appointment. Many window cleaners use ammonia in their bucket to help the squeegee glide over the surface of your window. Ammonia, however, breaks down the UV film over time. 

4. Paint is probably on your windows.

Whether you paint your home or hire pros to do it, you will most likely experience some splattered paint on your windows. A window cleaner can feel tiny bumps of paint as they run the squeegee over the glass. A good window cleaner will stop, re-wet the window, and scrape the paint off with a fresh razor blade before continuing.  

5. Cleaning screens is just a flick of the wrist.

Screens are messy to clean. Whether you have bug screens or sunscreens, they need to be cleaned at the same time you have your windows cleaned. Professional window cleaners do not clean screens with a hose or, worse, with a power washer. Instead, they wipe down the frames to remove debris and cobwebs and then soap up the screen material itself. A simple flick of a wet towel against the screening material will remove all the soap and water in one fell swoop, resulting in shiny clean screens without any damage. 

Try these little-known secrets the next time you need to clean your windows or, better yet, call in some window cleaning professionals. They make it look easy.