Window Cleaning News Round-Up

The impact of higher oil, product prices on US economy deepens. Both major and independent retailers are closing outlets as a result, he continued. "Liz Claiborne is shuttering 54 Sigrid Olsen stores. Ann Taylor is closing 117 of its 921 stores. Talbot's has closed all of its men's and children's clothing stores along with 22 women's stores. Even Target and Starbucks are seeing a slowdown. Each of these chains are served by countless small businesses that provide window washing and custodial services, paper products, deliveries, alterations and many other services."

Earth day is getting nearer (April 22nd). Almost four decades ago, with the help of college students, staff members and activities coordinator Denis Hayes, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson founded the first Earth Day. Earth Day 1970 was a grassroots effort to raise environmental awareness. Since then, Earth Day has evolved and expanded into an international day of awareness and activism.

More window cleaning robots are needed in Michigan. If you have a design, you're a student - then you'll need to construct this window first. The 2008 ASME Student Design Competition is under orders for the Winrobo—an automated window washing robot.

Procter & Gamble is giving its Mr. Clean a new job to tackle: washing cars. The company is moving the iconic brand beyond kitchens and bathrooms and is testing its appeal on car washes. P&G has opened two Mr. Clean Performance Car Washes in Ohio, and plans to open up to seven more in Cincinnati, Dayton, OH, and in Kentucky, according to news reports. The car wash features a waiting area with wireless Internet access, flat-screen TVs and a convenience store area, which sells snack and drinks, including P&G¹s Millstone coffee. Mr. Clean car care products are also sold in the stores. A basic wash costs $7.51 and rises up to $16.90 for a gold shine package, according to the Web site http://www.mrcleancarwash.com/. Visitors can pay $24 for a full-service interior and exterior cleaning, which includes a car wash, window cleaning, vacuuming, polish and fragrance.

More window washers Stuck on Building! Atlanta fire and rescue crews came to the aid of a window washing crew in Buckhead Monday afternoon. The crew was working on the 16th floor of a building at 3350 Peachtree Street, when the motor on the scaffolding blew out. Emergency crews worked to get the scaffolding pulled down. No injuries were reported.