10 Must-Know Commercial Window Cleaning Tips & Hacks
It is imperative to get your windows cleaned once in a while by a commercial window cleaning company. We are sure that you have often wondered why it is so hard to get your windows completely clean and streak free. Well, like any other job, this also needs practice and professional tools and appendages.
Window cleaning requires quite a bit of tips and tricks. But business owners and property managers have the choice to hire a professional window washing company or to learn how to do a professional level job themselves.
We are not talking about cleaning high rise building windows here because that requires a different kind of equipment. You will need hydraulic lift buckets and ropes to rappel down the side of a building. Here we are focusing on windows that are not higher than an eight-foot ladder or house windows which also often requires professionals to clean them.
Here are Some Window Cleaning Tips and Tricks That Will Help You
Calculate the Cost
The cost of cleaning commercial windows in a one or two storey building is 2 to 4 dollars per pane of glass for outside. If you want the inside glass cleaned it will cost you another 2 to 4 dollars.
Make a Cleaning Schedule
It is important to make washing entryway windows a part of your daily or weekly contract cleaning. The rest of the windows in your building ca ne cleaned according to your personal preference.
The climate you live in and whether the windows are visible to your customers are some of the factors that you should take into account during cleaning office windows.
Professional Washing Once a Year
Commercial windows should be washed professionally at least once a year. If winter is long in your region you can wash your windows during spring or fall. If the climate is warmer you can clean your windows quarterly or monthly particularly in retail and fashion business.
Do Not Wash Your Windows in Winter
You should never wash your windows in below freezing temperatures. If you apply warm or hot water to your cold windows, the glass can crack. It can also lead to streaking if you apply chemicals or cold water.
During winter, climbing on ladders or rooftops can be a serious safety issue and might be hazardous. Even with windshield washer fluid, your windows are likely to crack if you clean them in winter.
Removing Hard Water Spots from Your Windows
You can use an acid based cleaner to remove stubborn white water spots from windows but we would suggest preventing them altogether since it is fairly simple. If you have a poorly positioned landscape sprinkler system, it can cause calcium build up and nasty white water spots on windows and sign boards.
Do Not Pressure Wash Your Windows
Pressure washing is not the way to go when it comes to washing windows. The high pressure can potentially damage the rubber window gasket seal.
Secret Solution to Washing Windows
You can use our secret formula for commercial window washing. Most professional window washers use the same solution as recommended for household windows as well. Mix a few drops of Dawn dishwashing liquid in distilled water.
Distilled water is wonderful because it eliminates the water spots caused by calcium in tap water. You can also mix in some ethanol or isopropyl alcohol to help the windows dry faster especially on humid days.
Professional Tools
If you can use a professional squeegee like Etore or Unger, then nothing like it. Wiping the blade with a natural sponge after each stroke will extend its life. When it is no longer cleaning well, replace the squeegee blade just like your car’s window washer blades.
Cleaning
Dust well to remove the cobwebs and loosen dirt. Then wet the windows with a spray bottle or water fed pole system. With long over lapping strokes squeegee the window and pay particular attention to edges and corners. After that use a natural sponge to wipe the blade after each stroke.
You will need to chamois the edges and corners to remove the water caught under the rubber gaskets. Do not skip this step as it might lead to streaking once the water escapes from under the rubber and dries around the edge.
Hire a commercial window cleaning company
With practice you and your employees might get pretty good at washing windows but still it is more advantageous and cost saving if you get a cleaning company to do it than doing it yourself. You will also learn to appreciate the value of your cleaning windows once you notice that they are spick and span.
The benefits of having clean business windows are innumerable. It can help improve the appearance of your building inside and out. It will also allow the sun to help warm the building in cold months.
But most importantly it will boost employee mood and morale especially people suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder which is often caused by shortage of exposure to natural light. If you need more help, you can contact a commercial building cleaning service!