An Introduction To Traditional Window Cleaning

Q: "How does Traditional Window Cleaning work?"

• The basic process is very simple:
  1. Wash the window with soapy water. Use an applicator for this.
  2. Scrape off any difficult bits on the glass using a scraper.
  3. Dry the window with a squeegee. Use a squeegee for this.
  4. Use a cloth to wipe off the frames and window sill. Use sill cloths for this.
  5. Use a cloth to wipe up any little bits of water in the corners. Use any cloths or scrims for this
  6. Wipe off any bits that got missed with the squeegee
  7. Buff and polish the glass using a smooth microfibre cloth or scrim.

Q: "What chemicals do I need for Traditional window cleaning?"

• Traditional window cleaning uses soap or some other chemical to loosen the dirt on the window. These are available here on our website.
• Some chemicals are can be rather aggressive and can dry the skin quickly. For this reason there are special soaps made for window cleaning. They are kind to the skin.
• A squeegee needs to glide slightly on the glass. For this reason many window cleaners use a little too much soap in the water. Some special window cleaning chemicals are also designed with 'glide' in the mixture.
• There are special formulas for special jobs, like PVC cleaning, which can otherwise be a tricky job.

Q: "What is an Applicator?"

Q: "What is a Washer?"

• This is a T-shaped mop that can be wet with soapy water and then used to soap the window. We sell them as complete ones here or as a separate sleeve and T-Bar handle.
• There are several kinds of sleeves:
  1. Standard Sleeves: Made from blended fibres and don't hold much water, but are often lighter in the hand for that reason.
  2. Part Microfibre Sleeves: Made from blended fibres including microfibre, they hold more water than standard sleeves.
  3. Microfibre Sleeves: Made from microfibre only, they hold lots of water and absorb dirt very well.
  4. Heavy Duty Sleeves: Made from blended fibres, these contain harder fibres for scrubbing action, or have a rough strip for ultimate scrubbing power. Good for very dirty windows.
  5. Some standard, part microfibre and microfibre sleeves also have a small pad on one end for scrubbing small areas as required.
  6. NOTE: All microfibre materials can be machine or hand washed but avoid using any bleach or fabric softener as these will ruin the absorbency of the material.
• There are also several kinds of T-Bars:
  1. Standard T-Bars are made from plastic and have no extra grip on the handle.
  2. Ergonomic T-Bars are also usually made from plastic but have extra grip on the handle for a more comfortable use.
  3. Aluminium T-Bars are usually made with a plastic handle but with an aluminium rod to fit inside the sleeve.
  4. Swivel T-Bars could either be made from plastic or mixed plastic and aluminium. They can swivel and be locked into many angles other than 90°. Good for getting into awkward corners especially when using a pole for extra reach.

Q: "What is a Scraper?"

• A metal blade for cutting difficult bits off the surface of glass. Our range of scrapers is here.
• There are several kinds of scraper:
  1. Mini / Pocket Scrapers: Have a tiny blade, usually 1.5" (4cm) long that can be retracted completely. They are a one hand tool to operate.
  2. 4" Scrapers: Have a 4" (10cm) long blade and are usually in T-shapes. They have a cover to put on the blade and are a two hand job to use.
  3. 5" Scrapers: Have a 5" (13cm) long blade and are in T-shapes. They have a cover to put on the blade and are a two hand job to use.
  4. 6" Scrapers: Have a 6" (15cm) long blade and are in T-shapes. They usually have a cover to put on the blade and are a two hand job to use.
  5. Long Handle Scrapers: Usually having a 4" (10cm) or 6" (15cm) blade and are T-shaped but have a longer handle. They have a cover to put on the blade and are for heavy duty scraping.

Q: "What is a Squeegee?"

• A T-shaped tool with a rubber blade that is dragged along the window to remove the soapy water. We sell complete ones here and also spare handles and channels, as well as rubbers.
• There are several kinds of squeegee handles:
  1. Ergonomic Handles have grips made from plastic and rubber and are comfortable to use. For the ultimate experience, try the Unger ErgoTec CARBON Squeegee Handle
  2. Stainless Steel Handles are only for use with Stainless Steel Channels
  3. Brass Handles are only for use with Brass Channels
  4. Swivel Handles are (like swivel T-Bars) able to be rotated and locked in other angles, and are ideal for awkward corners and pole work
  5. Special Swivel Handles such as Wagtail and Moerman Excelerator are designed to have a loose hinge and are for faster cleaning than standard squeegees.
  6. Super System Handles are only for Super System Channels
• There are several kinds of squeegee channels:
  1. Aluminium Notched Channels: Are light and need a handle with teeth to grip the rubber, or need brass clips at the tips to hold the rubber.
  2. Stainless Steel Notched Channels: Are for Quick Release handles with teeth to hold both channel and rubber together. These are more robust than aluminium channels. They do not need Brass End Clips to hold the rubber in place.
  3. Stainless Steel Un-notched Channels: Are for Quick Release handles without teeth to hold both channel and rubber together and for that reason you will need brass clips to hold the rubber in place.
  4. Brass Channels: Are only for Brass handles and may or may not need Brass End Clips. Heavy but tough channels.
  5. Super System Channels: Are only for Super System Handles. Chunkier than all other kinds, they also need special handles to hold them. They are used for the larger squeegees (up to 1m long!). Made from aluminium. they need some kind of end clip to hold the rubber.
• There are several kinds of squeegee rubbers:
  1. Soft Rubbers: Better for working in winter. The cold weather makes them feel harder. Also good for large squeegees.
  2. Hard Rubbers: Better for working in summer. The warm weather makes them feel softer. Also good for very short squeegees.
  3. Spotless Blades These have the standard shape and fit as regular rubbers but are made from a premium material. They are neither hard nor soft but somewhere in the middle and usually last far longer than standard rubbers. Find them on our website here

Q: "What is a Scrim?"

• A style of cleaning cloth used by many traditional window cleaners. They are literally made from the material 'scrim'. They are here on our website.
• They are good for general wiping and also for polishing the glass.
• They can be prone to leaving lint or other fibres on the surface once used.

Q: "What is a microfibre cloth?"

• Microfibre cloths are very popular for window cleaning. They are made from a synthetic fabric called 'microbfibre' and we have them here on our website.
• The smooth ones are good for polishing the glass, while the rougher ones are better for general wiping.
• They do not leave lint or other fibres on the surface once used. If the do they usually need washing.
• NOTE: All microfibre materials can be machine or hand washed but avoid using any bleach or fabric softener as these will ruin the absorbency of the material.

Q: "What is a telescopic pole used for?"

• Telescopic poles are great for extending your reach into high or otherwise inaccessible areas. Most manufacturers make their own poles for their own traditional cleaning tools and it's advisable to stick to a single brand for maximum compatibility.
• Our range of these poles is to be found here