Window "Washing" or Window "Cleaning"?

Is Washing Less or More Thorough Than Cleaning?

It may be that some view the difference between washing and cleaning as significant enough to choose one or the other as framed by a professional company. Many others don't see it as any more than the choice of words. Do you as a customer feel one or the other term is a caveat? Maybe one way is less thorough or one way is far more expensive. Perhaps one sounds more professional than the other. Interestingly, whether you use the phrase "window cleaning" or "window washing" in a Google search for a local company, you'll get the same results. I'll give my observations and mention those of others. 

What Some Professionals Say

There are some professional companies who believe there is a definite difference in window cleaning and window washing. I even noticed another term used- "window detailing". This term was used to place that company on a higher plane than its local competitors, namely one that removes the tough stuff off of glass, frames, and sills, such as bugs and paint specks. Some feel that cleaning is more akin to spot cleaning and not as thorough as washing, which would be all foreign matter on the glass. From what I've read on professional forums and Facebook groups, most, but not all in the business choose 'window cleaning'. 

What Customers Say

Here is where a professional company needs to pay attention: what term does a prospective customer prefer? Obviously, this may differ geographically. Upon doing a search on Google Trends, the term that is used in searches, especially over longer spans of time, is far more often 'window cleaning' than 'window washing'. It could well be that this indicates a more popular way to phrase it nowadays and not too much the perception that there is a real difference. What I've found locally, over many years of being, called, texted, or emailed by consumers, most use 'cleaning'. I could be imagining it, but I'm pretty sure that if  'washing' is used, it almost always will be by senior citizens. 

 

My Take

I feel that for my company name and the description of what I do, I prefer 'window cleaning'. I think it sounds classier and more professionalized. At the same time, I view what I do as any of the three terms mentioned in the opening paragraph. My opinion is that if you are a professional and would like to create raving fans and repeat business, you need to do as thorough a job as possible. There are both low and high thresholds in your service, that is, the very minimum that would be considered acceptable without having to specify what you are leaving out, and the point where you go from normal cleaning to specialized cleaning. The bare minimum I would consider professional is all dirt and grime off the glass as well as the frames, sills, and screens (if any). When the sills have foreign matter that may not budge with normal window scrubbing tools or rags or the glass has paint or wood stain left on by careless contractors that came before you, this requires specialized service. Another issue that requires specialized attention is 'screen burn'. This is the layman's term for that white haze that is extremely hard to get off glass windows with outside aluminum screens. Here is a nice explanation why that can happen. Regular water, pure water, soapy water, ammonia, rubbing alcohol- none of these touch screen burn. Thus, to remove this calls for specialized attention. 

I feel it is important to communicate to a customer what will be included in standard window cleaning and what constitutes 'restoration'. The choice of terms that window cleaning companies use can be to make them appear better than their competition. "While other companies only do X, we do X, Y, and Z, because we care about you." Something similar to that. I'm not a fan of implying that my competition is inferior or doesn't care about their customers. I simply endeavor to leave glass , sills, and screens extremely clean. There are many other practices that will make you the go-to for those that know you, more than what terms you use. 

At Dan Wagner Window Cleaning  we have been washing, cleaning, detailing, or all of the above in northeastern Pennsylvania since 1986 and we are not going away! 

Serving Honesdale, Hawley, Narrowsburg, Scranton, Lake Ariel, Stroudsburg, Tannersville, Mount Pocono and many other towns. 

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Affordable Window Cleaners- They Do Exist!

 What Does Affordable Mean to You?

Paying for professional window cleaning can be viewed with joy or it can be viewed as a somewhat painful but necessary expenditure. On the far ends of the opinion spectrum, it can also be no big deal or out of the question due to the 'outrageous' prices professionals ask for. 

As with most anything, of course, the idea of affordable varies among those who are paying. Residential window cleaning costs are considered by some to be no real financial strain and a reasonable part of a maintenance program. Many others view it as an occasional treat to themselves or an 'expensive' yet important outlay of money to have a pleasing experience viewing the beautiful outdoors of northeastern Pennsylvania. Whatever the case, paying for a professional window cleaner should yield positive results.

Consider the Value, Not Just the Cost!

I can't define value for you and you can't define value for me. Still, something to consider is what you will gain when hiring a professional window cleaner- that is if realistically, you cannot handle the task safely or effectively on your own. You will gain significant time to focus on something else you need to do or are more confident you can do. Let's say you are having some friends and family over to your home for a once-in-a-lifetime weekend. They are important to you and you may want to impress them or, better yet, make everything about their stay pleasant. A clean house, clean and pretty surroundings, and of course clean windows, are likely going to be high on your to-do list. You are already a bit stressed trying to make everything just right in the finite time left. Tackling the potentially time-consuming and tricky task of getting all your windows cleaned, and cleaned well, may be overwhelming and a cause of stress. The cost to hire a professional may easily be worth it when considering the value of cutting out the stress and large chunk of time. Almost everything in life is a trade-off and your choice can be your win. 

Another thought on value: You may like to go to your favorite restaurant as often as you can. It's not a cheap outing, but the enjoyment of the meal and the company, and also the fact that you can talk about it regularly with friends is of high value- a value that outweighs the cost. If you love clean windows, you may rank this as a treat you are more than happy to spend some money for. 

In fairness, going with a more frugal choice may be good enough for many homeowners. Many use store-bought products that promise professional results with little effort. An earlier article I wrote touches on this option. Some professional window cleaners promote their service based on price and are willing to beat the competition. Is it a risk to go with price alone? You truly won't know unless you make that choice. 

Think Long-term as well

Your property, whether you own or rent it, is where you spend quality time. The difference between looking out dirty windows or clean windows is not to be minimized. And I am not even close to one of those companies that focuses on ringing alarms in your head about how your windows and your life will be ruined if you don't hire us, and hire us today. It is true, though, that over time uncleaned or poorly cleaned windows will literally suffer and not look quite perfect anymore, even with a good cleaning. So yes, maintenance is a really good idea. Many of my customers simply add yearly window cleaning or several window cleanings each year into their budget. This plan should truly reveal if professional window cleaning is affordable. 

If you live in northeastern Pennsylvania and want to see how great it is to have clean windows without breaking the bank and maybe your back, reach out to us!

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Cleaning Windows With a Pole, Ladder, or Garden Hose?

What Do the Professionals Use?

There are all types of ways to attempt to clean windows, and not surprisingly they yield a wide variety of results. While some may be satisfied with the general removal of dirt and grime, others are very keen on having spotless, sparkling windows. This post will focus on cleaning hard-to-reach windows, inside or out. Professional window cleaners also do not automatically agree on the best tools or methods for complicated window cleaning. I have been cleaning windows professionally for a very long time and have been active on forums and social networks as well as at industry events. Let me tell you there are many valid ways to clean difficult-to-reach windows. 

Extension Poles

There are many brands of extension poles and also many professional window cleaners who utilize them as their go-to tool for tough windows. The popularity of high-quality material, such as carbon fiber, has made it even easier to attain good results without being 'nose to glass' as many pros would say. Accessories are also available to give them an added advantage in getting to the bottom of deep ledges and navigating obstacles directly in the way of a straight shot at the glass. I have quite a bit of experience using extension poles and use them often when I feel this is feasible and expedient. Sometimes the conditions dictate using another means. Those conditions necessitating other methods include windows with residue or staining that can't be removed easily or at all by using a scrubbing device attached to a pole; also windows that have obstacles in front of them that can't be navigated with a pole. Still, under ideal or very good conditions, it is fairly simple to attain good results with the use of a pole from the safety of the ground. 

Water Fed Poles

Water-fed poles have gained enormous popularity around the world in the last decade or two. I started using one as a regular thing in 2009 and haven't looked back. While they are not the answer for every single window cleaning circumstance, they are truly a boon to many thousands of professional window washers. When used properly in conjunction with a water purification system, water-fed poles provide extremely good cleaning results, often better than with traditional hand tools and virtually always better than a homeowner spraying apparatus. They are a very safe alternative to being on a ladder and walking on roofs, some of which are pretty steep. 

With the homeowner's permission, I took this picture from inside on the second floor. I've applied my cleaning solution to the inside of the glass and my employee is way down below, clear of rough terrain perfectly cleaning a window about 9' above me and about 25' from the ground with a water-fed pole using pure water. I could go on extolling the value of using a water-fed pole for delivering perfectly pure water to clean glass, but that can be for another post. 

Ladders

Would I be correct to say that most people dread getting on ladders? Probably! Some enjoy ladders, including me. It's still not my first choice, but I'm fine as long as the setup is safe. One obvious benefit of laddering up to a window you need to clean is that you can clearly see what you're doing and can carry many necessary items on a tool belt. This will remove the guesswork of whether there are smears or spots that you left on the glass. You also have a fair range of area that you can clean safely; up, down, right, and left. 

On the other hand, working at heights is not for everyone. If you are really scared to work at heights it is best to avoid it if at all possible, as it can mess with your focus. Additionally, setting up a ladder safely is a discipline in itself and not to be ignored by any means. There is the issue of solid footing, lateral stability, safe angle for working, and possibly pedestrian and traffic safety. Ladder usage is a tried and true way to clean windows well, but certainly a serious responsibility for the user. 

Garden Hose

How about spraying dirty windows with a garden hose? Many feel this is adequate to make windows look cleaner and get the dirt and grime off the glass. While spraying gravity-fed, well, or municipal water on windows with loose dust or dirt can help in getting them clearer, it is unlikely that the windows will look as good as they can look. There will almost surely be water spots left on the glass.  The water pressure coming out of a garden hose won't really help remove greasy spots or baked-on contaminants. Even high-pressure water from a power washer is no substitute for a good cleaning agent to break up oily deposits or using some type of accessory to agitate tough contaminants. Excessive high pressure will just do damage to a window. Also, spider webs are not easily removed with merely a spray of water. There are some products on the market that claim to turn your garden hose into a window cleaning powerhouse for first and second-floor applications. These products, which connect to an incoming and outgoing garden hose, contain a formula that promises to thoroughly clean glass and perhaps even siding, leaving them sparkling and spot-free. Specific directions are given on how to use it and at what temperatures it will be effective, as well as a few disclaimers. Full disclosure, I have never tried this type of product; partly because I have my tried and true methods and partly because I don't believe it will consistently live up to its claim. It would be good to simply read plenty of reviews about such products. It can't be denied that if this works it would be a game-changer due to its ease of use and money and time-saving factors over scheduling a professional to clean your windows. But that is for each individual to decide.

How Much is it Worth to Have Really Clean Windows?

To conclude, getting your windows amazingly clean is going to cost you something. It will cost you at the least a modest amount of money for suitable products and tools, some of your time depending on the size and difficulty of the job, and an expenditure of energy, possibly labor-intensive.

There is also an option that would cost money, but no significant personal time or energy, to get yourself some beautifully clean windows. That would be having a professional take care of it for you. 

Dan Wagner Window Cleaning serves homes and businesses in the Scranton, Carbondale, and Honesdale areas, and has for 36 years. If you'd like to save time and energy, we are the affordable window cleaning company to call. 

You can call or text us at 5706300326. 

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What Is The Best Window Cleaning Product?

 Is Windex the Best Window Cleaning Product?

There are many store-bought and homemade choices

I happen to own and run a professional window cleaning company based out of Honesdale, Pennsylvania

In my 3+ decades in this line of service, I have been asked by countless people who see me at a storefront, as well as homeowners if I use Windex. I don't personally, but that doesn't mean I dislike that extremely popular window washing solution. I have used it. When I first started out, I tried just about anything that looked promising or that people suggested. At least I obtained some good overall experience! One thing I have learned is that there is no single ready-to-use window cleaner that is perfect for any job. Most of them are decent in relatively ideal conditions, none are perfect as-is for every task. 

You need to use your knowledge and take control!

What I refer to is the fact that there are a variety of circumstances that a window cleaner has to consider to form the best 'game plan'. What has accumulated on the glass? Grease from the kitchen or exhaust fumes in a garage? Soapy or dirty water splashed from sinks? Are there smokers in the house or is wood burned in the house? Less than ideal ventilation in combination with propane heat? Dried and baked on cleaning solutions from earlier efforts to wash the windows? It goes on, but this should make clear the concept of needing to know more than just what product to use. If what is making your windows dirty is not completely dissolved and removed from the glass and hopefully the frames around it, the results will not be great, especially when certain angles of light shine on them. As I'll explain, methods and tools are just as important for getting great results.

It is best to gather your lineup of tools or just hire a professional!

Whether you choose to use an ammonia or vinegar-based window cleaning solution, or some of the relative newcomers like hydrogen peroxide or plant-based cleaners, or simply a soapy solution, you will do your best when you learn how to effectively remove what is on the window and have extra accessories to agitate the tough contaminants safely. A simple liquid cleaner and plenty of elbow grease sometimes are just not enough. For a homeowner who would like to do it himself or needs to be frugal, learning by experimenting will usually work to a reasonable degree. 

The best solution is to find an affordable professional window cleaning company in your area and let them wow you with amazing results they are able to attain from their research and hands-on experience. If you have a property with dirty glass in the Honesdale, Hawley, and Tafton areas, we would be thrilled to show you how clean your windows can be! 

Call or text us at 5706300326

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How Good Are Cleaning Companies at Window Cleaning?

 Is window cleaning part of ordinary cleaning?

Every aspect of cleaning is unique       

There is no question that some cleaning companies truly have a knack for many aspects of cleaning such as polishing furniture, dusting, bathrooms, attention to detail in vacuuming, and so on. Cleaning windows, at least high-visibility ones, are often part of what is expected of cleaning services. 

Window cleaning, common or specialized?

One of the long-running jokes is "I don't do windows". That often is really true among house cleaning companies or office cleaning companies. Some do offer to include window washing as part of their overall service. It is very possible for such companies to produce good results, especially when the windows are easy to access. I often offer window washing at houses where they have a professional cleaning service coming by regularly and see pretty clean windows. That is impressive. In many homes or offices, though, there are windows that are harder to access or are more than just a little dirty. This is where 'specialized' abilities or tools come into play. 

Many windows are not 'ordinary'

If access to some windows requires more than a human reach, perhaps a pole or ladder, then there could be a real issue with attaining quality results that a dedicated window cleaning company would produce.

                       

As this picture bears out, some windows require tall ladders to be reached. Not every cleaning company has a vehicle that can carry such equipment. Many only need to use a regular car or small SUV to conduct their business successfully. Besides the mere use of ladders, safety is a very high consideration in this circumstance. Not to be forgotten is the possibility that even easy-to-reach windows may have contaminants that are very difficult to get off with a spray cleaner and a rag or mop and squeegee. When special cleaners and tools are necessary to take care of such problems, the issue probably goes beyond what a general cleaning service offers. 

Seeking help from a professional window cleaning company can be a win/win

I've found in my 3+ decades of life as a window cleaner, that knowing what I can handle and what I would best refer out is key to keeping customers happy. I have been largely unsuccessful in providing house cleaning services along with my fortes; window washing, power washing, and gutter cleaning. Likewise, I have been able to help many reputable local cleaning companies with some more difficult window cleaning needs that they would rather not take on. When professional cleaning companies work in harmony instead of tearing each other down out of fear of losing out on revenue, it almost always turns out to be a win/win. Add to that a win for the most important component- the home or business owner.

If you'd like to have a professional window cleaner with 36 years of experience take care of your window cleaning needs, call or text Dan Wagner Window Cleaning at 5706300326

 

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What's Included in Window Cleaning Prices

What goes into residential window cleaning pricing?

Some may assume that the price of a service, the end product brought to their door, simply includes parts and labor, so to speak.
While that is part of the story, there is a whole lot more involved in the prices that professional cleaning companies- window cleaning included- quote a homeowner or business owner. Here are some factors beyond simply performing the function of window cleaning that make up professional pricing:

  Quality results call for quality tools. Someone with enough time and determination can do a great job with a store-bought cleaning spray and paper towels, but more appropriate tools save time and energy.
 Vehicles, whether modest or flashy need to get a contractor who provides all necessary equipment where he needs to be on a consistent basis. This requires maintenance and good 'ol fuel and oil.
 Is the assurance that you will have the owner or well-trained employees at your property important to you? It costs money to operate a business legally and conscientiously. Insurance to protect your property from damage caused by accidents, taxes, and expenses associated with operating 'above-table', advertising, pleasant attire for those who are working in public or your precious home- these all incur an expense, month after month, year after year.
Also included is enough profit for the business owner to continue providing good service and retaining a good staff, and also having reason to stay in the window cleaning business!

So, when you are looking for a window cleaner near Honesdale, Scranton, Carbondale, Lake Ariel, or the like please remember that peace of mind and a superb choice carry some cost, but the experience is worth it.

Dan Wagner Window Cleaning brings you the complete package!  Call or text us at 5706300326                                                              
                                               Project from September 2013- Honesdale, PA

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Does Personal Appearance Really Matter?

The times are changing

We are now well into the 21st century and there is greater diversity in personal appearance almost everywhere every year. So when I ask the question "does personal appearance really matter?" I know I need to be specific: does it matter period? Does it matter to me? Does it matter to the people I clean windows and provide other services for?

Of course, I have my personal opinions. However, in this installation, I am most concerned with both the deepest impressions that are left upon my customers and the way I or any employees that I may have fit into the 'culture' I endeavor to bring to residential and storefront doors. 

Business owners need to care about their team's appearance

I really liked this post from a thread in a forum I often visit- Window Cleaning Resource "The customer sets the bar for acceptable appearance....." That really represents something I take seriously. And while I admittedly operate partly on assumptions of what my customers care about, I truly do believe that my target market appreciates neat, clean-cut, and conservative. Short of conducting a survey after the service, I think the true perceptions of my clients are reflected in their readiness to have me back again to walk from room to room in their homes to get to their windows, and their willingness to refer me to their friends. This is providing that the quality was top-notch. I guarantee quality and become very concerned when it comes into question.

So, I'll reveal this: I don't really think that neatly-groomed, uniformed service persons without tattoos and body piercings are necessarily more capable of providing quality results than those with less conservative appearances. However, I choose to present myself and my crew on the conservative side. I think over time it gives me a bit of an edge, even if it can't be put into words, over service companies with a more 'relaxed' approach.

If you appreciate traditional-looking workers on your property along with superior quality, check us out- Window Cleaning in Honesdale, Scranton, and Carbondale

You call or text us at 5706300326

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What Is More Important?

I have come to realize there is a regular need to remind myself, as I'm servicing people's homes, of what is more important. To be more specific, is what my customer expects from me, what I want out of my job, or what I think the customer needs the most important issue requiring my thoughts and energies. 

From a completely practical standpoint a service business owner should want prospects to seek him out. Generally speaking, one seeks out a luxury service, such as residential window cleaning or power washing, either for pleasure and pride or to alleviate the hassle or pressure of doing it oneself.  

So back to the question- "what is more important?"- it is what my customer wants from me and additionally how I can take care of that. After 27 years, I realize that adequately providing for my family is the main goal on my side of the coin and that merely deriving enjoyment or some self-fulfillment is secondary. Still, it goes right along with my personality to love making people happy. In this case, it's 'icing on the cake'. 

                                         Want to be happy?

               Residential Window Cleaning in Honesdale and Scranton

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