Do I Need to be Home When My Windows Will Be Cleaned?

 Can I Trust a Contractor to Be in My Home Alone?

In this day and age when the whole family is 'busy busy' there may well be days during the week when no one is home until evening time, it may be a source of stress to have to schedule some service by a contractor inside your home when nobody is there. Among the services that often require a contractor to be in your house is window cleaning. The potential reasons for uncertainly and trepidation are several. Will they snoop around? Will they lock up? Will they steal anything? Will they take their shoes off or wear shoe covers? No doubt other concerns exist as well. What if there is a genuine accident and injury results? Will you be held liable?

This chap probably shouldn't have been allowed to work in your home without supervision. It's definitely presumptuous for a contractor to make himself 'at home' in a customer's home without prior permission. 

Practical Advice for Deciding

It seems clear to me, based on dealing with customers and having a house myself that isn't maintenance-free, that sometimes an urgent need arises to have something fixed, installed, or upgraded. Emergencies, by definition, are not scheduled events. Even needed services you know are inevitable or upcoming plans to host something special on your property can become a challenge to orchestrate as time goes by and the need isn't being filled. They say the best contractors are the busiest. There is a good measure of truth to that statement. When that is so, they may be hard to get into the schedule that you are confined to. Residential window cleaning, a subject I know inside and out, is largely seasonal in northeastern Pennsylvania. If you call a well-established company on May 20 and want them at your house on May 22, you may be disappointed. 

With all that said, what factors are there to consider when deciding if you have to make sure someone you trust can rearrange his or her schedule to be home subject to a contractor's schedule? 

Proven, or strongly perceived (on your end) trustworthiness, may be a point in favor of allowing access to your house. Sure, so many homeowners now have remote controls for unlocking doors, disarming security systems, and viewing legally-allowed areas inside their homes. But, dealing with unethical or just bad conduct on the part of a contractor, can still be a hassle, even if there is proof something was done and security or police can be notified. Is it worth the hassle? Therefore, your certainty that Joe Contractor will behave properly or your level of tolerance for stuff that you're not happy about will dictate what you decide when your serviceperson has a proven track record of trustworthiness. 

Safety concerns could move you to make sure you or someone you trust is home with a contractor. This could be just as much or more for the safety of your serviceperson. Perhaps some difficult areas to access need attention or someone climbing up and down ladders worries you. Warranted concern or not, you would probably feel more at ease if the contractor is not isolated. 

Potential complication, ones that you are aware of, may move you to try explaining the situation to the one who will be working in your house. If you feel he comprehends your concern and can navigate such an issue, you can feel a bit more at ease that things will be okay. You might be the type personality that worries about the "what-ifs" more than the average homeowner, though. Honest dialogue with your visitor can bring your concern and his self-confidence into a mutually amenable space. 

A laid back or trusting personality might help you decide that you're just not worried that a non-resident in your home who knows certain behavior and decorum is expected is going to make you regret your decision. Or you may reason 'there is nothing here that I care that much about'. That take may be on the rare side, but some are of that thinking. Hopefully, this easygoing approach will serve you well and not come back to bite you! Granted, how this scenario plays out is almost exclusively dependent on the uprightness of the company you have hired. 

Being too rushed or pressured to have much of a choice might push you to just go ahead and let a contractor into your home when he can get there and just hope for the best. That certainly is not an ideal state of mind to have to be in. Often, better planning could help one avoid this stress. But sometimes there truly is not a better option.

My Thoughts and Experiences as a Residential Window Cleaner

I'd like to assure all who read this that I'm speaking solely based on my opinions and personal experiences, and I am not trying to lay down rules.

I personally know I am not going to pull any fast ones on a customer if my crew is trusted to be in a house without supervision. In my employee handbook, it is made clear that any legitimate charge of theft will result in immediate termination. However, I don't feel it is right to expect that every homeowner should trust me unquestioningly, since I know I am honest. It's all perspective. I will say that there have been many times when, after a brief conversation with someone I've never met or done business with before, the owner will for whatever reason, trust me enough to tell me how to get in the house. No doubt many other window cleaners can say the same in their case. For sure, it's a sobering thing to know you are able to instill trust by mere words and tone of conversation. Of course, word of mouth and good reviews don't hurt. On the other hand, I have some customers who after a decade or more would not even consider allowing me to be in their house without someone else around. This is not a fault or personality deficiency- it's simply their way of thinking or perhaps a reaction based on a bad experience with someone else they trusted in the past or how they have been brought up. This is not a matter of me feeling "if they can't trust me, I don't trust them". This is their home, a huge investment!

 

Being in someone's home without supervision is something to not be taken lightly. There's a certain responsibility to be completely respectful of what is not yours and mature enough to not use appliances and personal items without prior permission. Trust me, this is not self-evident to everyone without having it laid out for them! Years ago, a customer who trusted my crew to be in his house unattended, said "I don't care if you party like a rockstar when you're there". As you might guess, we still simply did all the work scheduled, locked up and left. No partying!  Even permission to make yourself at home needs to be tempered with propriety. 

Something else I learned many years ago is to not settle for help from people whom you can't fully trust when it comes to doing work at a residence. One day I had one employee working with me for the day and we were very behind on our schedule. Out of the blue, a former employee who had started his own business asked if I had any work he and his 'crew' could help out with. Out of desperation, I jumped at the opportunity. My team and his met at a large house that day and I basically gave them one half of the house and we took the other half. I got a call a day or so later from the homeowner. She was wondering if we had seen some jewelry that was missing. Big surprise, it was in a room that the other crew had taken care of. None of that crew ever fessed up. Fortunately, the homeowner trusted me and I promised I would never go out on a limb like that again, and she continued to have me there for many years to follow. A year earlier, someone for whom I cleaned windows four times a year was robbed shortly after I had been there, and it was on the local news. The police investigated it. I was surprised yet pleased that I was never interviewed. Apparently, I was trusted in this case as well. Those two 'near-misses' on my reputation made me more resolute to always be on good behavior and never assume people you don't know well will act above board because it's in a work setting. Dot your 'i's and cross your 't's when subbing out work and hiring employees. 

"Do You Need to Get Inside My House?"

This is a common question I am asked by a new customer when we're in the process of scheduling a window cleaning appointment. The answer is, that depends! As a rule, if we are going to be cleaning the inside windows at a home, we will need to be inside the house. There are certain windows, mainly casements, that can be opened by the homeowner from the inside and allow outside access the the inside of the glass. This is usually not an optimal choice for the window cleaner for several reasons. Many companies, including mine, include cleaning screens in the pricing for interior and exterior windows. This can't be done if the screens are still in place and there is no access to the inside of the house. Additionally, it may be very difficult based on terrain or height to safely set up to reach the inside from the outside. Stray water or cleaning solution could get through the adjacent screens an onto floors or other valuable items nearby inside the house. 

Another time that getting inside the house is necessary is when screens need to be taken out from the inside to allow cleaning of the glass on the outside. This applies even if only the outsides are being cleaned. 

It certainly would be great no doubt for the homeowner if we never needed to be inside the house. Unfortunately, that is rarely possible. 

Many customers, though, only want us to clean outside windows, when there are no screens and no impossible or dangerous climbs required to get to upper decks, we would not need to get inside. That is, provided that a water source is available.

Consider the Big Picture

In conclusion, humans tend to want reasons to trust others. Living becomes far more expensive and stressful when people are dishonest or irresponsible. Think insurance. Think the private security industry. The need and price of these services continues to rise. Theoretically, if everyone trusted one another, these markets would be significantly smaller. We know the world is not heading back to an earlier day in that regard, but yet, a huge number of individuals still go about their day-to-day affairs with a lot of trust. It may be for some that the odds are low that a contractor will steal or destroy tangible assets. For others it is the belief that nobody in his right mind would knowingly endanger his reputation and business by one or two bad acts. 

Whatever the case, window cleaners, plumbers, electricians, and others who spend time in private homes are wise to have it together when it comes to being responsible, ethical, and straight-up professional. Respect property, be honest about the work being done and any issues that arise, and be punctual. On the subject of punctuality, why cause even more stress and exasperation on a homeowner who had to shuffle around his or her schedule by not coming through on arrival for service? The saying is "time is money". What a disappointment when a homeowner ends up making all the sacrifices and still doesn't get the product or service that was expected. For a certainty, things come up. Good communication when this is the case will almost surely soften the blow of such disappointment. Thankfully, we have mobile phones that allow good communication!

Hopefully, the observations and insights will be helpful to window cleaners and other contractors as well as homeowners.

If you'd like to discuss this or have any questions, feel free to comment below or email me at dan@danwagnerwindowcleaning.com

Dan Wagner Window Cleaning has been serving home and business owners since 1986. Areas covered include Honesdale, Hawley, Narrowsburg, Beach Lake, Damascus, Pleasant Mount, Equinunk, Forest City, Carbondale, Scranton, Dunmore, Lake Ariel, Mount Pocono, Tannersville, Stroudsburg, and others. 

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Reconciling Window Cleaning With Rain in the Forecast

There's A Chance of Rain in the Forecast!

Rain, or snow, is the legendary and perceived enemy of a window cleaning schedule! From what I've read in various industry groups on Facebook and forums, the alarms go off in the heads of customers at varying levels of probability for precipitation. Some in southern California say that clients will postpone their window cleaning appointments if there is a 5% chance of precipitation. I can't personally confirm or deny that. I don't know that official forecasts go lower than 20% even in arid regions of the US, but the point seems to be that in areas where homeowners are accustomed to clear days as a rule, even the slightest mention of rain may be a dealbreaker. 

I've also gathered from window cleaning and pressure washing companies in the Pacific Northwest that if they allowed the precipitation forecast to strictly guide their schedule, they wouldn't have a business. On average, in Seattle, Washington it rains somewhere around 150 days per year, but it seems to be more frequent than heavy. It clearly depends on local tolerance for precipitation. Here in northeastern Pennsylvania, a chance of precipitation is pretty common, but not necessarily a daily concern. I checked with my local National Weather Service office and they said the lowest probability of precipitation they will mention on their website's forecast is 20%. They mentioned that on social media posts they may say as low as 10%. Either way, rain is a potential factor. 

 So, Does Rain Make Windows Dirty?

In my years of interacting with residential customers and even passersby when cleaning storefront windows, countless people will say something such as "it's going to rain later this week and ruin all your work", "it's going to rain tomorrow. At least I'll get one day of clean windows!", or "you know it'll rain tomorrow since you're cleaning the windows!" Thus, the question of whether rain truly makes clean windows dirty and how to address it looms large in the minds of many window cleaners. Such an assertion has become about as common as 'if I go skiing or snowboarding, I'll break my leg'. Here is something to think about. Rain itself is pretty clean and pure in its falling state. That does not mean there are no minerals or any other solid matter in it. Technically, pure water (comprising nothing but H₂O) does not exist in nature. It can only be manufactured by distilling or other methods. But it does mean that there are no chemicals or contaminants in typical rainwater- chlorine and so on. There still must be a reason why the fear that rain that falls within days after a window gets cleaned is going to ruin the whole proposition. No question, in certain cases, windows can look pretty awful after being cleaned and then subject to a rainstorm. How do we reconcile the belief with the reality?

What Makes Windows Dirty After It Rains?

As roughly explained above, by and large, rainwater itself is extremely clean and does not mess up clean windows without other factors entering in. A popular saying with professional window cleaners is "Rain doesn't make windows dirty. Dirt makes windows dirty."  If stated the wrong way, this may come across as patronizing. However, it pretty much is the deal. Granted, in some areas such as heavily industrialized locales, there may be a high level of contaminants in the atmosphere which raindrops will pick up and deposit on glass. This would be a potential issue. Other added factors that can make windows look dirtier after a good rain are as follows:

filthy frames or siding above the glass - this is a solid reason to also have a good program to maintain the cleanliness of the building itself. When cleaning companies offer power washing and window cleaning, the power washing always is done first. Any legitimate window cleaning company, in my opinion, will clean the frames and openings that are part of the window at the very least. In this way, it will eliminate or greatly minimize the potential for dirty water from above to mess up clean glass.

very windy conditions after a cleaning - in fairness, if there is a significant chance of high winds kicking dirt around following a window cleaning, rescheduling might be the best option. A growing number of companies -mine included- use purified water to clean outside windows. The pure water is applied through some type of jets that use gentle pressure along with a brush or pad to scrub the glass thoroughly. Then, the loose dirt and debris is rinsed off the glass with the same pure water, leaving no dirt on the glass. The fact is that the pure water will take a little time to disappear from the glass, by gravity and evaporation. If wind and dust are present, there may be an issue with the remaining water droplets picking up the blowing dust or dirt. This will be a judgment call that an honest company will have to make as to whether it's best to reschedule or use the more traditional method of drying the glass right away with a squeegee and detail rag. 

 dirty window screens - many windows such as double-hungs, single-hungs, and storm panels may be accompanied by screens that are outside of the glass, not inside the house. Screens, by design, keep insects out and collect some of the airborne particulates. When it rains, though, screens that have not been properly cleaned as part of the window cleaning service, will give up some of the junk on them and the junk will be deposited on the glass behind them. So, either leaving your screens out or making sure they are thoroughly cleaned, is the key to keeping the glass clean as long as possible. 

splashing water near ground level window panes - sometimes the lower areas of ground level windows are in close proximity to a considerable amount of loose dirt. Perhaps landscaping is not completed or simply not present near some glass, and so persistent water falling onto dirt nearby can splash mud, in essence, onto the glass.                             

clogged gutters or downspouts causing water spills - it often does not take much of an obstruction somewhere in a run of gutter or at the downspout to cause water to back up. If the rate of backup exceeds the rate of proper flow through the gutter system, enough rainfall will cause water to spill over and out of the gutter at any point before the obstruction. The spilling water will either work its way down the siding of simply free fall somewhere beyond the siding. Strong wind or further physical objects below the gutters may divert some dirty water onto glass. Really, then, just as important as regular maintenance of the siding, is the regular monitoring of how the gutters are working. 

We Don't Live in a Perfect World

Ultimately, clean windows will eventually get dirty. Even the highly-touted 'self-cleaning' windows don't promise to never need attention again. Go figure! Many window cleaning companies, including mine, for this reason offer some type of 'rain guarantee'. This guarantee promises that if rainfall after cleaning makes some of your windows dirty up to xx days after service, we will return and reclean such windows at no charge. This should help put a homeowner's fears at ease and also keep the cleaning company's schedule as intact as reasonably possible. When you think about it, if the chance of rain is the sole factor in deciding when ones windows should be cleaned, there are few regions in the world where it would be considered feasible to even bother. I myself have offered a 5-day rain guarantee for probably 20 years and have only been called to return once or twice that I can recall. That's fair and expected, since we don't live in a perfect world! 

What Reasons Are There Not to Cancel an Appointment if There is a Slight Chance of Rain?

As previously reasoned out, a window cleaning company that is completely at the mercy of possible rain in the forecast within lets say the next week, would be in pretty rough shape in most parts of the world. The hard truth is that unless you live in an extremely arid region, it will rain and probably rain will touch your windows within a week or two. I have found that most homeowners will eventually accept this if they don't already. It has also been established that under typical circumstances, rainwater itself does not leave clean windows dirty. If the mitigating circumstances listed above are not present, there should be no issue with cleaning windows before rain is coming or even during a very light rain or drizzle. Another reason, tough as it may be to consider, is that it is not always easy to reschedule an appointment the next day or exactly when a homeowner requests. This all depends on some factors such as how much wiggle room the contractor has, where the company will be in the next few days. Where there is a hard deadline, such as a graduation party, wedding reception, big family gathering, or something else, it may become a very difficult dilemma to solve. 

If you'd like to discuss this or have any questions, feel free to comment below or email me at dan@danwagnerwindowcleaning.com

Dan Wagner Window Cleaning has been serving home and business owners since 1986. Areas covered include Honesdale, Hawley, Narrowsburg, Beach Lake, Damascus, Pleasant Mount, Equinunk, Forest City, Carbondale, Scranton, Dunmore, Lake Ariel, Mount Pocono, Tannersville, Stroudsburg, and others. 

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Five Marketing Phrases That Don't Mean Much in Window Cleaning

Whom Are We Trying to Kid?

"We're the best window cleaners in the area because.........." Insert the terms for carpet cleaning, landscaping, child care, builders- you name it- and this same thinking will apply. Most any service company who is at least making an effort to market for new customers will devise a reason or reasons why they are the clear choice. I like to look at what other companies are saying, especially in my field of expertise, which is window cleaning. There are several common reasons put forth that have, in my opinion, become catchphrases. I will review five of them and why those words might be just words. First, please take a look at this window cleaning pro.

Would it be obvious to you as a customer that this is the gentleman you should hire to clean your windows? 

Here are some of the things he may have on his website, or social media page:

1. We only use state of the art equipment

Now don't get me wrong- state of the art equipment is great and often a game-changer for efficiency and safety. But does it really guarantee that better and/or newer equipment  will yield better results? The x-factor will always be the operator or technician. Does he or she know how to properly use the amazing equipment? Does he have the patience and integrity to take the time to be thorough and careful? What happens when a problem arises and a different approach may be needed for some of the project? Ultimately, the professionality of the human behind the equipment will get you the win. 

If you are a homeowner, do you ever miss your old window cleaner? Hopefully not! But if you do for some reason, is it because he used the best ladders or squeegees you've ever seen in your life? Or is it because you knew that whatever challenge may have arisen, he would make sure everything was right in the end?

So, yes, state of the art or SOTA is wonderful. But is it a deal-winner? Probably not on its own.

2. We give attention to detail

C'mon! Isn't it simply expected that any service company, window cleaning or otherwise, will give attention to detail? I'm quite certain this catchphrase is not meant to imply that all other competitors don't care about detail. It is true that some technicians will agonize over the minutest detail while others will go 99% of the way. The point is that any professional will give due diligence to detail. A 'splasher and dasher' will not. 

3. We are a family-owned business

Again, I have no qualms about family-owned businesses. I'm part of one, happy to be so, and wish there were more of them. But does family-owned itself automatically mean you will be better served? Not automatically. Some families, sadly, don't operate above reproach in business. Some families may feel they have such a strong reputation in the community that they can cruise on that alone and relax in the customer service category. At the same time, a nationally-known company may vet their subcontractors so carefully that you'll actually do better with them. This is not to say that these scenarios are typical or expected, but the catchphrase 'family-owned', as with the others, needs to have teeth. I feel as I mentioned earlier, that it is great to support family-owned businesses, especially when they are your neighbors, if it is a good fit. You expect that a local family business knows that in rural America word spreads fast. They can bolster their reputation in the community or ruin it by how they deliver during and after the transaction. 

4. We use a proprietary solution

Somewhat similar to the 'state of the art' saying, this one is assumedly used to imply that it is better than the solution that the other companies are using. Or perhaps the company touting this has the secret sauce that nobody else knows about. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of chemical suppliers who sell proprietary solutions for cleaning. Most are very good to excellent. Some are run of the mill or largely ineffective. Proprietary in this context simply means specifically designed for a certain application. And, of course, the x-factor, like with state of the art equipment, is the operator. The proprietary cleaner needs to be applied and used properly. That said, it is better to use proprietary cleaners than all-purpose as a rule on windows, siding, and roof shingles. 

5. Organization membership or certification

Yet another horn toot that doesn't seem to mean much to a prospective window cleaning customer. It means a lot to the company marketing with it, for sure. In almost 38 years of speaking to customers, I don't think anyone has ever asked me if I belong to an org or have certifications. To be clear, I don't have any problem with window cleaning companies spending time and money to become further educated and trained in proper procedures and safety. In my experience, the fact that some test was passed or course hours were spent or money was paid or all three, does not automatically translate to a better choice for a customer. Who is going to enforce the standards that are to be upheld? If they are broken, how does the customer get compensation? The reality is, a window cleaner can become a professional without vaulting over even the lowest bar. Once he buys basic equipment and completes his first of many transactions, he is a professional. His inclination toward honesty and integrity is probably just as strong as the organization member and certification holder. How he handles the challenges and customer relations will be the key.  I'd venture to say that the average consumer trusts good standing in the Better Business Bureau more that membership in some organization that few have heard of and less know anything about. Thus, touting one's piece of paper or passing grade bespeaks effort, but is no guarantee of excellence. To be fair, neither is it an indication of less relevance.

Concluding Comments

It is understandable and expected that service companies will provide plenty of reasons they feel they should be your choice. The five I listed above and certainly some others are overused in my opinion and may not have the convincing power that is hoped for. I've actually found that good and believable reviews are mentioned to me as a convincing factor to give me a call or email. At least that's my experience.

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Residential and Commercial Window Cleaning in Northeastern Pennsylvania since 1986

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The Top 4 Reasons You Can't Get Your Windows To Look Good

Why Can't I Get My Windows Clean Like I Want??

How frustrating it is when you've tried your best to clean your windows like you may have seen actors on TV or other advertisements do, and it just isn't working! You may use some new product or a time-tested method and are so proud of yourself- until the morning sun shines through! You may cringe with disgust at how they really look. What went wrong? Perhaps you'll keep on trying, perhaps you'll just live with it- as in, don't even look at them when the sun shines on them. Or, you may finally decide to call a local professional window cleaner to 'do it right'. This could be the key to figuring it all out and hopefully avoiding the dreaded smears and streaks in the future! Here is my personal list, based on over 35 years of professional window cleaning, of the top 4 reasons why you can't make those windows look clean.

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Top 4 Reasons You Can't Get Your Windows Looking Right

These reasons are the ones I've compiled and not in any strict order.

1. Products not used properly

I will venture to say that just about every product on the market advertised to clean windows is adequate in its own right. Chances are that they will make your windows look better than they were, not necessarily perfect. Some of us don't care about or expect perfection, so properly-used retail window cleaning products may be the ticket. The problem often lies in either the inability of a homeowner to follow the directions or the short cuts he or she may decide to take. Oftentimes there are 2nd floor windows, even third floor, that are very difficult to access depending on the style and actual location they are in. There could be a tree or large hedge that restricts clear approach to some windows. If ideal conditions are not present when trying to clean such windows, the results may be disappointing. The fact is that no advertised window cleaning product is going to warn you that there is a good chance it won't work perfectly. The ease and effectiveness are what are featured, understandably so. But the reality will be in the 'small print'. Here is an example by Windex Outdoor 

In some circumstances, windows may be extremely dirty and need more than one treatment with the product of choice. 

Or it could be that not enough or too much of a product is being applied to a window. In the case of wiping rags, they may not be absorbent enough or large enough. In either case, one will likely not get the desired or promised results.

2. Poor technique

It may at times appear that a product is simply garbage. While that may be the case, it also may be that patience or careful deliberate technique is lacking enough to the point that poor results will ensue. Depending on the method of cleaning being used, it could be a matter of bad aim with a spraying device, rushing the spraying process, not a thorough enough scrub, too much pressure, too little pressure, not looking carefully at your work, improper squeegee technique, and so on. 

3. Bad prevailing conditions

Sometimes you simply have the odds stacked against you. It could be you are cleaning a window that is in the direct sun. Inside or out, the glass will heat up, sometimes to the point where the liquid you are using dries before you can clean it off. That can be a source of frustration sometimes even to a seasoned veteran . Strong wind or low humidity can have the same effect, and combined with sun, may make you want to rethink your life. There can also be contaminants on the glass that simply won't come off with the standard method of applying an effective cleaner and either rinsing, squeegeeing, or wiping it. This can include mineral deposits from hard water, shotgun or artillery fungus- those black dots that are on windows near certain types of mulch, grease spatter from a nearby grill, paint, wood stain, or mortar left behind by careless contractors, and residue left by someone using an inappropriate cleaner in the past. 

There are ways, of course, to combat these extra challenges. They may be beyond the ability or ambition of a homeowner. 

4. Marks or blemishes that nobody can fix

This last, but not least reason is not your fault! We get calls sometimes from frustrated property owners who have tried everything under the sun to get smears or haze off their glass. Quite often the explanation is that what is seen in certain lighting conditions is in between two panes of glass. It is very common for windows to be insulated glass units, in other words two separate panes of glass connected by spacers on all sides and sealed with a gas, such as argon, krypton, or xenon. There can be leaking over time, or infiltration of moisture into the sealed unit. This will cause a reaction on the inner sides of the two window panes. You obviously can't remove it, since you can touch it. It can appear as patches of haziness. There are even examples, too many in my experience, of manufacturer defect. Suction cup marks from the original handling of the glass can show up in between the panes. There can also be scratches or scrapes on glass from an accident or mishandling. Some scratches can be buffed out, others are such that replacement would be the only option to remedy the problem. 

This is not in any way an exhaustive list, but at least reasons 1-3 can be successfully dealt with. You may decide it is worth it to hire a professional window cleaner to make everything look awesome and save you the time and effort. 

Residential and Commercial Window Cleaning in Northeastern Pennsylvania since 1986

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Can I Clean My Windows When It's Cold Outside?

 It Is A Challenge to Keep Windows Clean in Cold Weather

This subject of window cleaning becoming more difficult in winter primarily affects individuals in climates where the temperatures make being outside uncomfortable or downright difficult. It's certainly not as pleasant to be using tools with your hands in the 40's or lower as compared to the 70's and 80's. Personal taste enters in for sure. For me, living in northeastern Pennsylvania, I feel the most pleasant working temperature range is from 60-75 F, provided it is not too humid. I am not thoroughly familiar with other countries, but know that in quite a large portion of the United States, there can and will be air temperatures below 32 F overnight from October to April, and from November through March there may be several days where it never breaks the freezing mark. Also, there are some states or parts of states that consistently get even colder than that. 

Window cleaning in colder conditions can become an act of bravery and grit if one is hard set on having a clear view. Having to wear more layers and gloves puts freeness of movement and hand dexterity at a potential disadvantage. And when air temperatures get down into the low 30's, freezing liquid becomes a real concern. Many of my own customers or passerby on streets where we may be cleaning windows assume our company does not work when it gets this cold or simply wonder what we do to keep working. All very good questions!

What Solution Works on Windows Below 32 degrees Fahrenheit?

Window Cleaners hear the stock phrase "you missed a spot" pretty often! When it's cold outside they may hear something such as "you must be cleaning them really fast!", perhaps because it is assumed that the solution will freeze within seconds if not cleaned off. For companies whose livelihood depends on being able to work no matter how cold it is, there is obviously a way to manage this that is simple cost-effective enough. 

For you homeowner who may just want to clean a handful of really high-profile windows, here are some helpful pointers for doing so in subfreezing conditions. 

Generally speaking, any solution that can actually clean well and stay in liquid form below 32 F will be the starting point. You may be able to cheat the air temp a bit if the sun has heated the outside glass where you would like to clean, or if the room temperature inside is warm enough to radiate some heat. Conversely, wind will tend to negate any heat advantage you have as well. 

Anyway, what mix of liquids will get you where you need to be? I've never tried mixing white vinegar with water to work in cold conditions, but several sources give this as one method. Your typical household concentration will not freeze, even diluted with water and a drop or two of dishwashing liquid down to the upper 20's. So, you would have maybe 5 degrees extra to play with. I am very familiar with the effectiveness of rubbing alcohol. It is based on isopropyl alcohol, but diluted somewhat for safe consumer usage. This alcohol, in undiluted form, remains a liquid down to -100F or lower. Common store concentrations are 70% and 91%, so for smaller amounts of cleaning, you'll get a very good bang for your buck with isopropyl-based mixtures. Obviously, the colder the air is, the less water you can mix in and still keep it liquid. The alcohol on its own, is not an outstanding window cleaning agent, but mixed with water and a very small amount of dishwashing liquid, for instance, you'll be able to do what you need to do- with limitations, of course. 

Windshield washer fluid rated for -20F obviously is another option for use on glass, since that's what your typical motorist will use to clean his windshield in winter. This is usually methyl alcohol- based. It is often sold with a blue dye included which gives it its recognizable appearance. As with vinegar and rubbing alcohol, it is sold to the masses in a diluted state. 

 Simple Directions to Successfully Clean Glass in Subfreezing Temperatures

Depending on your tolerance level for cold air, dress as you need to when outside. If you are working in the sun, that will be an advantage. Also, if the air is mostly calm, all the better. If you need a hat, wear a hat. A few thin layers and a medium to thick outer layer will afford you comfort and  the range of motion to use your arms and hands. Unless you are sure to keep your hands from getting wet, gloves or mittens made out of cotton or wool would not be the best. Something waterproof or water-resistant at the very least would be preferrable, as long as your digits have enough dexterity to 'feel' what you're doing. 

Here is a comprehensive list of materials, depending on your chosen method that, you'll need and the tips to effectively clean           

                                                                    Materials    

spray bottle with half water and half 70% rubbing alcohol and 3 drops of dishwashing liquid or a bucket with the same ratio of water to alcohol, and 10 drops of dishwashing liquid

a cotton or microfiber applicator on a t-bar to work your solution around on the glass

a squeegee (size doesn't completely matter, but one in the 12-18" range is easy to work with)

microfiber rags, paper towels, scrim, or surgical towels

Ladder or pole for the applicator and squeegee that will allow you to safely reach the highest points of the window safely. 

                                                                    Method

Spray solution in bottle to thoroughly cover glass. Work the solution around the glass very well with an applicator, or wad up a microfiber towel and work it through that way. If you use a microfiber rag by hand, respray the glass again.

If using a squeegee, you can work across the glass from right to left or left to right, or down from the top right or top left. Overlap the squeegee channel onto the dry part of the glass by 1/2-1 inch. It is not necessary to wipe the rubber blade off each time you make your pass. If you can use paper towels, scrim, or surgical towel to detail the edges and possibly streaks left in the middle, that will probably be better than a microfiber rag for detailing. If you have to use a microfiber to detail, run it along the residual solution as lightly as you can while still getting it off. Despite what many claim, all but super high quality microfiber rags tend to leave a lot of lint on glass, especially when dry or in the sun. 

Since you will be working in cold conditions, even water mixed with rubbing alcohol will freeze on the glass if you let it sit too long. Wind will accelerate that as well. Also, the dirtier the suspended solution on the glass is, the less time it will remain workable before freezing. If any part of your work does freeze on you, try buffing it with one of your towels to create friction and melt it away. If it is beyond that, you can wet your rag with straight alcohol and try melting the ice. Or you can patiently wait until the liquid evaporates and do the whole process again, either more quickly or with a stronger initial mix.

Keep in mind that while a moderate amount of this solution in a ventilated area is pretty safe, weak lungs might be affected if not careful. Also, excessive handling of rubbing alcohol at consumer levels without wearing gloves will dry out skin. In a stronger state it can enter your bloodstream through your skin and cause a toxic reaction. So, give it the respect it is due.

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Pure Water Window Cleaning- Hype or Reality?

 Pure, Ultrapure, Distilled. What's the Difference?

How 'clean' does water need to be to clean windows?

Few people would disagree that water quality should be a serious consideration in most anything that affects them. Beermakers, bottled water brands and others often highlight the pureness of their water, perhaps because it comes from a high mountain, a glacier, or an extremely clean spring. 

When it comes to window cleaning, who of us would intentionally start a project with obviously dirty water? If you've had the privilege of being in stopped city traffic and had someone voluntarily clean your windshield, you may get really mad or be okay with it. Regardless, if you see the water is filthy and probably contains some of the junk from previous recipients' windshields, that may be the dealbreaker! Yes, we like clean water. 

Does it matter when it comes to residential or commercial window cleaning? It certainly does, to an extent. The application and the method have a bearing on how 'clean' or pure your water should be. 

The words clean and pure must be taken in context when it comes to water. No water existing in nature is by strict definition 'pure'. Rain droplets pick up solid matter as they fall. Water flowing over and through exceptionally clean areas of the earth pick up minerals. Thus, there is always some foreign matter in water that has not been processed for a special purpose. That isn't always a bad thing. Our bodies need certain minerals, of course, and water can provide some of that. 

For cleaning glass, water that is not filthy and is being properly removed in a short amount of time with proper tools, is sufficient. Many realize that just spraying water on glass, even with some force, is not going to yield great results on its own. That is one reason why my window cleaning company gets some requests to clean an owner's windows professionally. Those spots on your high windows or the white haze on low-lying glass that is getting hit by automatic sprinklers is probably from pretty decent quality water that, after draining or evaporating, leaves a residue of calcium, magnesium, or something else that is in the local water. Removing mineral deposits can be quite difficult. 

Do the terms 'pure', 'ultrapure' and 'distilled' mean anything in window cleaning?

As in any industry or service field, terms can be used soundly or casually. They may be relevant or simply be buzzwords or catchphrases. For a more technical explanation, here's a helpful article

In the arena of professional window cleaning, you will likely never see someone advertise that they use distilled water. However many, including Dan Wagner Window Cleaning, will happily announce that they use pure or ultrapure water, especially for outdoor applications. What is their relevance and how much does it matter? In a nutshell, distilled and pure water have been by different processes, had practically all impurities removed. Distilled is associated with boiling and condensation while pure is associated with filtration. Ultrapure water, by description, has had as much impurity removed from it  as humanly possible. So a layman might say 'ultrapure' is actually purer than 'pure'. When it comes to window cleaning, this distinction is not as vital as in high-end industrial or medical applications. 

So how and when is pure water a benefit for window cleaning? The benefit is by and large seen when using a water fed pole whereby the technician is first scrubbing off the dirt and grime and then rinsing said dirt and grime off the glass. With this method there is no need to follow up the wash with a squeegee or detailing rags. The pure or ultrapure water that is still on the glass after thorough rinsing will dry spot-free. Although there are many window cleaners that will maintain 'till their dying breath that hands-on or 'nose to glass' window cleaning is always superior and the truly professional way, probably just as many, hopefully more, realize that this is simply not true under all but the most difficult circumstances. A window cleaner who knows how to properly use pure water technology and the tools that go with it and understands there is equipment maintenance involved, and also that there are certain limitations that at times will dictate he opt for 'older school' methods' when necessary, will be in very good shape for successful execution. For companies like mine that also clean interior windows, we still need to do an amazing job in the inside with common methods, such as what cleaning solution we use and the tools and level of thoroughness and detail. You simply can't hide mistakes whether inside or out when the right light hits it!  That is one reason we often get called to provide service in the morning, when the sun is just coming up and homeowners look out their east-facing windows with sunken hearts. 

So in summation, pure, ultrapure, or distilled water has many benefits, especially for outside cleaning.

Is it really a good idea to drink distilled water?

This question continues to be debated and also used by opposing camps to argue their cause one way or the other. If this is a very important matter to you, there is an abundance of articles that present compelling arguments to support or oppose the use of distilled water for human consumption. And many articles explain that either choice is not life-altering. In a nutshell, our bodies need certain minerals and distilled water does not contain any. But many or most don't feel it is too difficult to compensate for what that type of water lacks. It is best to do your research, and that will be very easy if you have an internet browser!

At Dan Wagner Window Cleaning  we have been producing smiles and happiness in northeastern Pennsylvania since 1986 and we are not going away! I

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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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