The A.E.Mackintosh Specialist provides a step-by-step guide on cleaning windows using a squeegee. The process involves wetting the window surface with a scrubber or microfiber cloth, then using a two-bucket cleaning system, a squeegee, and a microfiber cloth. The squeegee is a fast and effective method for cleaning windows, as it allows for easy access to the top of the window.
A homemade window washing solution for a squeegee is easier than you might think, based on three key ingredients: squeegees, strip applicators, and a terrycloth rag. Squeegees can quickly remove water and cleaning solutions, leaving behind a streak-free finish. Strip applicators are excellent for applying cleaning solutions and loosening dirt.
For windows with divided lites (panes), use the scrubber to first wash the glass and then squeegee the glass clean. Hold a terrycloth rag against the bottom end of the squeegee to catch water. The rubberized blade of a squeegee effectively scrapes away the cleaning solution, making it the most efficient way to clean a window.
When cleaning window frames, use soapy water and wipe down the surface with a wet cloth. Hold the squeegee handle in your dominant hand and place the blade at a 45° angle to the glass. When cleaning windows with a squeegee indoors, squeeze most of the soapy water out of the scrubber to eliminate excessive dripping.
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What is the best way to clean outside windows without streaking?
Vinegar is a natural and effective glass cleaner that can be used for streak-free cleaning on windows. A 50/50 solution of vinegar and water can be used for a streak-free clean, but caution is advised for outdoor use. Ammonia can be used for a chemically-scented clean, but it may be necessary to leave the windows open to air out the smell. Mixing small amounts of ammonia and vinegar can also enhance cleaning power.
If soap is needed to clean windows, use a small amount to avoid creating a thicker mixture that can leave residue. Instead, dilute a small amount of liquid cleaner with water to eliminate dirty buildup.
What do you use to clean outside windows with a squeegee?
Windex is a good glass cleaner for some applications, but most professionals use a simpler solution of dishwashing liquid and water. A few drops of dishwashing liquid mixed with warm water is usually enough to clean most windows. A glass scraper is a useful tool for removing stickers, paint, and other grime. To use a scraper, align it at a 45-degree angle with the glass, place the blade on the glass, press forward, and then leave the blade and press forward again. This forward motion prevents scratches on the glass.
Why are my windows streaky after I clean them?
The combination of elevated external temperatures and direct sunlight can accelerate the evaporation of window cleaning solutions, resulting in the formation of streaks and smears on recently cleaned windows.
Why do my windows look smeared after cleaning?
The presence of an excessive quantity of detergent or cleaning agent in the cleaning solution can result in the formation of a soapy residue, which may manifest as streaking or smearing on the window surface.
How do you get streak-free windows with a squeegee?
To clean windows, start by using a squeegee and pull it down in a single straight stroke. Repeat downward strokes and dry the blade with a microfiber cloth. Use distilled water instead of tap water to avoid mineral deposits, or vinegar mixed with warm water for an environmentally friendly glass-cleaning solution. Avoid using soap and paper towels, opt for a solution with minimal soap and use a microfiber cloth or newspaper to prevent streaks and lint.
Window cleaning can be tedious and repetitive, especially when streaks appear when they catch light. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right tools, you can get your glass streak-free and crystal-clear in no time. Here are five tips to have your glass surfaces sparkling with little effort or expense. The first tip is largely about something that should be common sense, but often isn’t.
Should you use a squeegee to clean windows?
The use of a squeegee for window cleaning represents a time-saving and streak-free solution that can be readily mastered with practice. It is an efficacious method that saves time and provides a streak-free finish. Should further inquiries arise regarding the optimal window solution for your particular needs, we kindly request that you contact Window World TX, where our team of experts will be pleased to assist you. The distinction in the quality of the cleaning will be considerable.
How do you make no wipe outdoor window cleaner?
To clean windows, a solution of two cups of white vinegar and two gallons of hot water should be prepared in a bucket. It is recommended that the windows be hosed down outside in order to wet them and loosen the dirt.
How do you clean windows outside like a professional?
To clean windows, use a two-bucket system to avoid spreading dirt and grime. Start at the top of the window and work your way down, avoiding drips and streaks. Clean windows from top to bottom to avoid missed spots. Clean windows frequently to avoid buildup, depending on your location. Avoid using paper towels and fabrics that are not microfiber, as they can leave debris and lint. Instead, use microfiber cloths or newspaper for best results.
For most homeowners and business owners, washing exterior windows 2-3 times yearly is enough. Scrubbing windows a couple of times each year helps prevent dirt and debris from building up and causing other problems, such as liability issues. For best results, avoid using paper towels and fabrics that are not microfiber.
In summary, cleaning windows on a cloudy day, using a two-bucket system, starting from the top and working your way down, and cleaning windows frequently are essential steps to maintain a clean and safe environment.
Is foam or rubber squeegee better?
Floor squeegees are made of rubber and foam, with rubber being durable and suitable for smooth surfaces, while foam is softer and flexible for uneven surfaces and delicate flooring. The choice between floor squeegees and mops depends on specific cleaning requirements and flooring type. Both tools have their advantages and ideal use cases, and a detailed comparison can help determine which is better for your needs.
Why is my squeegee leaving streaks?
Excessive pressure on the rubber can result in deformation, which may lead to an unsatisfactory fit with the glass.
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Just moved into a house with large bi-fold doors and the sun shines in showing every blemish and has made previous attempts at cleaning look embarrassing. I’m working on this technique and even from the beginning have had better results than any attempt previously. There’s no doubt with a little more practice the results will be fabulous. Thank you for sharing your knowledge 👍
I’m adding window cleaning to the services provided by my exterior renovation company. Very few people in the area do it. I already offer pressure washing, I’ll probably offer a bundle. In the winter, decks slow down and I don’t typically make up for it with more roofs. This article was the perfect crash course.
Great tips. I own a residential cleaning company and your articles have enabled me to add this to my service. It was incredibly frustrating in the beginning but once you get the rhythm its an awesome feeling of satisfaction to be able to do this properly. Not to sure how to properly price it out but at the end of the day it adds a lot to my bottom line. Thank you for these articles they are extremely well done.
Thanks i learned alot, the 40degree angle (i use straight) also when switching rubber to use a bit of the excess as guard Pro tip for noobs – Its better you use more soap AND water than less. Less = friction and streaks. More = More towel work. Also, cold outside = use warm water. Warm outside = use cold water. (no the glass wont break from temp diff)
One tip I will give if you’re doing kitchen windows that have grease on them and it’s hot and sunny be sure to degrease them first before you wash them otherwise you’re going to get streaks lots of it. I also think there are some glass that’s more prone to getting squeegee marks than others I can’t exactly explain it but some are more prone
Window cleaning looks like the simplest thing ever to do when you look at. Pick up the tools and actually give it a try and you will find out quickly it’s anything but. Someone who can wield a squeegee on glass especially at a height (on a pole) successfully is past a talent more like an art form. Great tips. BTW the water fed pole I picked up with your help from Window Cleaning Resource works outstanding. Thanks for your guidance.
i always load new rubber with the logo facing down, i like to always know at a glance if i am on the first or second side. so when i turn the squeegee toward me if i see the logo i know i still the second side available. also i rarely use the ettore websites in my moerman but occassionally so i ground out 3 scoops where the teeth go so the handle grips the rubber and i don’t need the end clips
I’ve been cleaning for 6 years now and I love it. I always use liquid squeegee for my “soap” it works so good. if I have to clean a restaurant I add a little dawn to help with the grease. I love that blue handled squeegee you have I need to look into that. I have a basic swivel handle. Gets the job done but I like the one you’re using too!
So, I cleaned my kitchen windows with a squeegee a couple of days ago. Didn’t mention my plans to anyone or talk to anyone about it after it happened. Didn’t recently purchase a squeegee or other cleaning supplies. Didn’t do any sort of internet search on window cleaning or squeegees. Have never watched or heard of this YouTube website before. So, how did this end up as a recommended YouTube article.? Be careful, they’re right behind you.
Put a couple squirts of soap directly on the applicator, just seems better than in the water for me. Have a bucket on a belt, half litre bottle of water with you and you can leave your main bucket in the van out of the way. I just usually go back to the van every hour or so for dry microfibres and top up from main bucket. If i have busy day or dirty work i bring a couple of 5 litre tubs clean water so can change main bucket if needed. Add a touch rinse aid in the water for a nice sparkle 😉 😅
I would always advise to use you reach and wash system when ever possible, i been window cleaning since 2005 and for the first 5 years i used traditional tools and its hard work and slow. from 2010 i been using the water fed pole system is so easy and fast also the money you can earn in the time is unreal. I don’t even carry traditional tools these days.
I don’t think “wearing in the rubber” first is a real thing 😛 It’s just skipping off the edge when you’re going up because its edges are still sharp and it’s gliding soother over the glass. Instead of doing all that other stuff just start at the top if you’re having that issue. Another trick when putting in a fresh rubber is always start with the logo on a specific side. I always start with it facing inward. That way I’m always 100% sure if it’s been flipped or not already.
Hey SteveO, I bought a Super-Channel and the clips are completely different than the brass ones. It has thin, silver clips which I am not used to. I’ve messed around a bit with the super-channel, but it’s much more difficult to use. Sometimes I can get it working great, and it makes short work of huge interior windows, but other times It will leave wavy-streaks and I end up having to re-do the window. Maybe you have a article on super-channels? Or if not, any advice would be helpful. I know that Super-channels are much more difficult to control, but even with the perfect angle ( while doing pole work) It will streak sometimes, and I end up switching to my 18-inch Ledger website. It would be a lot less work if I could get the super-channel dialed in. (It’s a 36-inch Sörbo Quick Silver Clip Style Wide Body T Shaped Aluminum website) Thanks EDIT: I found your article on Sorbo squeegee clips, and your dish soap method makes those silver clips a thousand times easier to use. Thank you.
I’m not a professional window cleaner. I’m a 64 yo woman who loves in an apartment with two windows. A bedroom and a sliding glass door. I’m currently struggling to find a way to clean the upper outside part of my bedroom window. Carpenter bee have crapped it up. How do I open the window??? I need it to tilt out!!! New sub to your website for the handy tips!!😊
So i am a custodian and i clean a lot of windows. I didn’t know that the rubber on the squgee wears that fast. So my questions are. About how many windows would you say i would need to clean before i would need to flip the rubber on the squgee. And Are there any other signs that you can share that point to a squgee rubber that is wearing out. I ask because i am starting to get a lot of streaks on the down stroke technique and i wasn’t before, so i belive i have a worn out squgee blade but would like to hear your thoughs. THANKS
I do my single house windows about 4 times per year. To extend squeegee rubber lifespan to about 5 years, only straight down or sideways glide is used on the windows. A 24 inch Sorbo squeegee is used for the large windows, while a 14 inch Sorbo is used for the smaller windows. For a large window, the 24″ is used first, followed by the 14″ for the remaining small area. I like the fly screen removal tool tip. Fortunately my 5-year old house fly screens can be easily removed by hand.
Dude thank you so much! I started a new job this week and today I had to wash windows in the office for the higher ups and I never done it before but I watched your article before work and follow your tips and I was getting compliments all day on how good it looked. I think you might have got me a raise lol
Struggling to figure out what equipment I can buy to clean my own floor to ceiling sliders that have permanent screening on the other side. I have about 4-5″ room between the outside of the glass and the screened railing. Glass slides side to side but cannot come out of the tracks because it is hurricane rated with a very high track. So, reach in sideways and clean with some kind of pole and squeegee but what angle/type should I buy? Any thoughts?
Thinking about getting into Window cleaning. Large market/plenty of market share. Reading some of these comments have me a bit baffled. Like any trade there are different schools of practice but in the end if the finished product looks clean I doubt there’ll be any real noticeable differences between “professional” and “amateur”. An amateur can still be skilled. At least that’s what I’m telling myself as I consider to start this career! Good stuff.
Big fat thumbs up and you got a subscriber! this was a super detailed to the point tons of pro tips article. I am on a job installing glass walls at a new building under construction. Each piece of glass is roughly 4′.5″ x 10′ and there’s about 80 of them. My technique of cleaning them today will be different than what I have been doing after perusal your article. Thank you. I suppose my only question would be how much soap am I putting in the bucket? Let’s say I have 2 gallons of water, how much soap will I be adding?
I know I’m going to sound like a jerk but I’m not impressed with the basic pull down moves. The basic two pull downs for beginners isn’t going to go well for them because it’s going to leave a streak because water will still be across the whole top and when the right end or left end of your blade hits it it will bring it down the middle of the window. It would be better to line up the left tip of the squeegee 3 inches below the top left corner of the window with the right tip touching the top middle of the window. Then slide to the right staying connected to the top until you hit the other corner and then pull straight down. Then you have no wetness on the whole top of the right window all the way down to the bottom. Then dry your squeegee blade off and pull down the left side. No line down the middle with just a tiny bit to dry off at the top. Sorry to dis agree with you Steve but its still America and so I’ll express my opinion. Your fanning looks good and was easily understood. That I have nothing to say about. lol
Thank you for the great article, learned a lot. My problem is streaks. They are on the outside and I can’t get them off. I tried a small section 8″x8″ with various things ( soap and water, windex,vinegar, alcohol), nothing gets them off. Please help, don’t know what else to try. Once i can remove the streaks then I can clean the whole window.
Ok, so if I measure my windows and windows in my service area and they are all 30 inch width and some 22 inch width windows, would you recommend getting a 16 inch for the first windows and 12 inch for the second ? Or is it ok to use 16inch for both? I guess is it ok to overlap on the dry window by 4 inches?
After 25 years of pro window cleaning, I have a few pro tips here on my website and one is that you don’t need 2 clips. That way, you never have a wavy rubber, either. Also, use a wet but wrung microfiber towel ($1.98 at Walmart for 3 and they last months) to swipe the whole blade and for ledge cleanup, then there is no need to wipe the top with a towel. (I never use a towel or sponge anymore) That brass squeegee handle is what you want, they last forever and are smaller so they are easier on your hand and wrist… one more thing, switch the screen around so the tabs are outside. Makes them easier to remove in the future and makes no difference otherwise. Good tips for newbies, though, especially getting used to doing it all in one motion.. My tips are more for the pro I guess.
wonder if he ever uses “fish foam” or whatever on windows.. I had an indoor only residential friday and they were 6 inch panes so I used fish foam and a 6 inch brass website on an ettore handle. worked great. but Afterwards thought and wondered if thats something steveo would do or if they even make tbars that size. lol.
Something that I’m trying to figure out being early in the business: what difference does it make what website you’re using? I hear a lot of people say don’t just buy stuff from home Depot or Lowe’s, then in their articles use things that I can get at home Depot or Lowe’s. For instance I have a ledge ease handle that came with the ettore backflip from lowes. I’ve heard people say that ettore rubber is the best, which I can also purchase at Lowe’s. And I’ve noticed a lot of the pros like the ettore mop sleeves… Which I also get… From lowes… I’m just trying to figure out why I would go with sorbo for a higher end unger set up for 2 to 3 times the cost. Maybe it’s the kind of thing that I just won’t understand until I do it, but things are so tight for me right now I can’t afford to, especially if I feel like it’s not justified. Not trying to sound like I know it all are stuck up by any means just wish there was more in-depth explanations as to why they might be better in the long run.