Window Cleaning Requires the Right Tools

Window cleaning is something anyone can do, but far fewer can actually do right. While nearly every habitable structure in modern Western society has windows of some shape or size, only a percentage of the people responsible for cleaning them have the best tools and materials for the job. As a result, many window cleaning jobs leave streaks, smudges or even the filth that was supposed to be wiped away behind.

So for all of the non-professional cleaners out there, what are the proper tools to effectively clean windows? There isn't a straightforward answer to this because different types can require different equipment and care, but there are some basic tools and tricks of the trade that are always effective.

With all the fancy professional-grade liquid cleaners available, common household dish soap is often used as the base for many formulas used on windows. Sometimes it is the main ingredient, as it can be particularly effective on interior windows. Other times it is used to make regular water softer before industrial-strength cleaners are added that may be acid-based.

Similarly, vinegar is also an effective ingredient in cleansing formulas and can be combined with other household products, including ammonia, to create a very effective cleanser.

An old wives' tale of sorts says that using newspaper is a great way to execute window cleaning because it does not leave streaks behind that you may see from paper towels, rags or other types of cloths. This can sometimes be true, but the most effective product to use for wiping down the glass is a microfiber cloth.

Microfiber materials are so soft and fine that they can effectively clean glass and cover the entire affected without streaking or dragging. It also holds water well and distributes it evenly over a covered surface to clean evenly as it is used.

The best method for drying any type of window is the use of a squeegee, which is a handled tool with a flat, rubber edge that glides along the surface of glass and can remove water uniformly without leaving streaks or harming the surface. The squeegee is used by nearly every window cleaning professional and is largely considered to be a staple of the industry.

While these tools and materials are effective for the actual cleansing itself, perhaps the most important aspect of the entire process is how you approach the window in question. Safely reaching the needed height through the use of a ladder, scaffolding, harness or other apparatus is extremely important to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Window cleaning, when done right, can be an effective and simple process. Knowing how to approach it and what equipment to use is necessary to make sure how it is done right.