Every person has washed his or her windows and has experienced self-disappointment at some point. One would spray the window with the cleaning solution, wipe it and step back to discover that the streaks have only become worse. That’s something which appears simple when thought about in theory.
Professional window cleaners in Sacramento manage to get brand new-looking windows every single time. The difference doesn’t lie in the trade secrets of the solution used. It lies in using the proper tools, the proper solution and the proper technique for each type of window. Below goes a sincere description of all the things they use.
The Core Tools Every Professional Window Cleaner Relies On
The toolset for window cleaning is not complicated. There’s no magic behind it but rather tools specifically designed to do their job better than average household equivalents.
- Squeegee: This is the most vital tool in the set. It features a rubber blade that effectively sweeps all the water and soap from the glass in a single stroke. A good squeegee should produce no streaks whatsoever since it doesn’t smear the cleaning solution, but rather takes it away completely. Professional window cleaners change their rubber blades often since even the slightest damage to it will produce a streak on each window pane.
- Scrubber or applicator pad: This is applied prior to the squeegee. It absorbs the cleaning liquid, breaking loose the dust, pollen, and other particles stuck to the surface of the glass. In other words, this is the washing step followed by rinsing step, otherwise, the squeegee would have nothing to remove.
- Microfiber cloths: These appear in the final stage of the window cleaning process, cleaning all the edges and corners that cannot be reached by the squeegee. No lint, no scratching, no smearing of residue, everything is absorbed.
- Window cleaning bucket: Professionals use a dedicated wide bucket that fits the scrubber and keeps the solution clean throughout the job. It sounds basic but it matters. Dirty water in the bucket means dirty water on the glass.
That’s genuinely it for most residential windows. Four tools, used correctly, make all the difference.
Water-Fed Poles for Upper Floors and Hard-to-Reach Windows
When it comes to windows higher than the ground floor, there is an additional equipment used – water-fed poles. This is a pole which is often quite long, up to 30-40 feet, equipped with the brush head and allowing cleaning glass windows with a constant flow of water directed to it.
The crucial element here is that water delivered to the window surface with the help of the pole is pure. Tap water has minerals dissolved in it. They remain after tap water dries on glass creating white spots. Pure water does not leave any residues after evaporation and, thus, there will be no spots, and no necessity to go with a squeegee again.
In addition, this way makes it possible for cleaners to clean high floors windows being on the ground level without ladders.
What Cleaning Solution Do the Pros Actually Use?
This surprises most people. The go-to professional home window cleaning solution isn’t an expensive specialty product. It’s dish soap and water.
A couple of drops of liquid dish washing soap added to a bucket of water produces an adequate amount of bubbles which assist the scraper in sliding on the glass and removing grease, dirt, and fingerprints from it. Soap provides a bit of slip to enable the squeegee to move effortlessly. Too much soap will produce extra suds. A bit of soap is sufficient.
Beyond basic dish soap, professionals also use:
- Vinegar solution: The combination of white vinegar, dish soap, and water is applied to clean up hard water stains. The residents of Sacramento suffer from the issue of hard water stains since there is a high level of minerals in the water in that area. The stains will be dissolved by the vinegar without damaging the glass.
- Commercial-grade window soaps: Glass Gleam and other similar products are used in cases when one needs to remove commercial dirt and grease on storefront windows, or when cleaning a window that has not been cleaned for a while.
- Ammonia-based solutions: Sometimes used for very tough degreasing jobs such as smoke film or heavy grease on windows in commercial kitchens. It is generally reserved by professionals for certain circumstances since the vapors are unpleasant to deal with.
- Specialty solvents: Solvents like Goof Off are kept handy for sticky adhesive residue or paint spots that cannot be removed with standard cleaning methods. They are carefully applied only to the problem spots prior to general cleaning.
How Indoor and Outdoor Window Cleaning Differ
Professional cleaners don’t treat the inside and outside of your windows the same way, and for good reason.
Inside, the goal is a clean result with as little water as possible. Floors, sills, and furniture are all nearby, so pros use a lightly loaded scrubber and keep their technique tight. A squeegee and scrubber combination works well here, moving top to bottom in controlled overlapping passes.
Outside is a different story. Exterior windows deal with rain, dust, bird droppings, oxidation from the sun, and in Sacramento’s case, a solid coating of valley dust and seasonal pollen that builds up across the year. Water-fed poles with purified water handle most of it efficiently. For ground-floor windows with heavier buildup, pros will scrub by hand first and then squeegee clean.
The technique matters as much as the tools. Professional house and office window cleaners start from the top of the window and work downward so dirty water doesn’t run over already-cleaned sections. They keep a small clean rag tucked in their pocket to catch any drips along the edges as they go.
“We called Imagine Clany Eco when another company cancelled on us last minute for our move-out cleaning. Clany Eco was able to book us and make it out in 2 hours and did an amazing job. We even got our deposit back.”
Why Sacramento Windows Need More Attention Than Most
It is a problem that competitors do not mention, but it should be considered when living or doing business in Sacramento.
There are certain problems that occur in windows due to the climate in Sacramento:
- Valley dust accumulates on the exterior of the window all the time, especially during the dry seasons. The dust gets baked in the sun and is more difficult to clean after it remains on the window longer.
- Pollen from the agricultural land in the area causes a yellow or gray film on the windows, especially during spring.
- The hard water in the area causes mineral accumulation in the glass, particularly on those windows located near sprinklers or hoses.
- The summer heat may result in the cleaning liquid drying up before the squeegee wipes the glass, that is why professionals often use a wetting solution on hot days.
A professional house window cleaner who knows the Sacramento area comes prepared for all of this. It’s not the same job as cleaning windows in a cooler or less dusty climate.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional Window Cleaner
However, washing the windows by yourself is an option, particularly the first-story windows in one-story houses. However, there are some challenges that make such a venture not quite feasible.
Using rags and paper towels causes the water to move across the surface but does not clean the glass, hence the formation of streaks. It would be hard to wash windows to clarity without using a squeegee. In addition, in the absence of purified water or cleaning solutions, minerals and soap will always remain in the window pane.
Another issue worth mentioning here is that of safety. Washing the windows that are above the first floor is dangerous and requires proper balance and positioning, which is why water-fed pole was invented.
The other thing most people underestimate is time. A professional window cleaning crew can clean all the windows on a home in a fraction of the time it takes a homeowner to do the same job, and the results will be cleaner.
Why Sacramento Homeowners and Businesses Choose Brass Tack Cleaning
Brass Tack Cleaning operates in Sacramento, California and neighboring areas such as Roseville, Folsom, Elk Grove, and Rancho Cordova. All our office and home window cleaners undergo a background check and training and have all the necessary equipment for the different types of windows from single storey houses to commercial buildings with multiple levels.
We use environmentally friendly products that pose no threat to humans and our work is covered by our satisfaction guarantee. Anything that has been overlooked will be corrected in the next 24 hours without any additional cost.
Get a Free Quote Today
If your home or office windows are overdue for a proper clean, reach out to Brass Tack Cleaning for a free quote. One call and we’ll take care of the rest.
I love a good deep clean and organize. Looking forward to reading your tips and tricks!