Window cleaning is a task that involves both skill and equipment. If you want to do it yourself, then you will need the right tools for the job. This article discusses what you should include in your basic window cleaning kit.
The Equipment You Must Have
Listed below are some of the must-have tools you need in your kit.
Rubber gloves – Protect your hands from coming into contact with dangerous chemicals and hot water. Get a slightly bigger size than usual so that they have room to dry out overnight if needed.
Scraper – You can get long-handled scrapers or normal-sized ones depending on which one suits you more.
A squeegee – Get a package of pre-moistened wipes as well as paper towels for those tiny bits that need scrubbing with glass cleaner or ammonia.
A rag or cloth – For those areas that need wiping down.
An aluminum ladder – Aluminum ladders are light and rust-resistant.
Protective equipment – Protect your eyes with goggles and protect your ears with earplugs to prevent the risk of injury due to falling debris, flying glass, or liquid chemicals.
Cleaning solution – The only other essential item needed is a cleaning solution which will depend on what kind of windows you are dealing with. Some good choices are ammonia, vinegar, rubbing alcohol, dish soap or water if nothing else is available.
Bucket or Ziploc bag – Keep all items inside a bucket with a handle for ease of use. Alternatively, you can keep them in large Ziploc storage bags if you do not have access to buckets.
Tips for What Items to Get
You want to make sure that the squeegee is on an extension pole, but it can be challenging to find one which suits your needs. It should have a wire-reinforced edge that will prevent it from breaking too easily while also having a smooth rubber blade that cuts through the water rather than pushing it around. Avoid getting any handles with swivel necks because they are less sturdy and more likely to break if caught on something while being used.
For scraping, you need either a plastic or aluminum scraper. An old credit card is a good alternative for this since it is flexible yet tough enough to remove all remnants of dirt or film from windows without scratching them. It is important not to get a squeegee with a sharp point since it can scratch your window surface.
How to Clean Windows with Your Kit
You can clean any surfaces that come into contact with your hands or tools by using warm water and soap. It is also recommended that you wipe down your ladder before putting it away to avoid dirt on it when storing it for future use.
It is essential not to forget about safety while cleaning windows since gravity can cause serious problems if something goes wrong. Always make sure that you are standing securely on the ground before reaching any higher than around 6 feet high to avoid falling off an unstable ladder which could cause injury or even death. It’s best in situations like this that you reach out to a professional window washer, such as the experts at Cool Glass Window Cleaning.
The last thing to do is to dry them off to prevent water spots or streaks from appearing on the surface. If there is a breeze outside, it will take care of drying most of your window for you. For smaller areas that are too wet, use paper towels, but for larger surfaces like patio doors, it may be better to open the door and let the airflow through for faster results. If you don’t want any mould growing on your clean windows, then make sure they are completely dry before closing up your house again.
For any areas where your towels or squeegee aren’t getting the job done, you can use a sponge to soak up excess water and a paper towel for those tiny spots. If you don’t have either of these, then old newspapers will suffice as well.
When cleaning your windows, you should always wear protective gear such as goggles and earplugs to prevent injury from falling debris, glass, or chemicals. Also, be sure that the ladder is sturdy enough to hold your weight correctly. If it feels wobbly, set something underneath one of the legs, such as a stack of books, before climbing on top like a step-stool. When there is no breeze outside, open up all doors and turn on fans to get the best results possible.
