Windex Outdoor All-In-One: Not Impressed

If we ever get a nice stretch of dry weather, you might be able to wash your outside windows. I got a pro to test out the Windex Outdoor All-in-One. Let's get the outcome in this edition of Does it Really Work. Working all summer and all winter, Greg Vivian is a full time professional window washer. "I had ropes of my own, and someone trained me to wash windows, so I could do the old hospital here in town," says Greg Vivian. Greg usually spends about 4 hours cleaning windows on each house. "I have a lot of different chemicals, polishes, razor blades, and then good ole soap and water," says Greg.
But will the Windex Outdoor All-in-One replace all those materials? The box comes with 4 pole sections, a cleaning head and one pad, with enough soap to clean about 20 windows. And once you put it together, you can't take it apart. Before using the Windex Outdoor, you have to hose down the window. Something Greg wasn't a fan of. "It also gets all the dirt on your house," says Greg. So working out of his comfort zone, Greg used the glass cleaning tool, and it only took seconds to complete the window. "Ok. We'll just wait and see," says Greg.
Before moving on, Greg was a little nervous about the water from the hose and began drying off the siding. "Any dirt that collects in the drips will concentrate and bond to the material, so that's one drawback right there," says Greg. The other window, Greg cleaned his normal, professional way and we wait for the windows to dry. And the final examination from a distance looks about the same, but close up...
"...there's little spots everywhere of bonded dirt, which are still on there," says Greg. Greg says the Windex Outdoor is a good way to maintain your windows. "Then once a year, have a professional deep cleaning to keep the real stubborn mineral from staining your glass," says Greg. Turning to the Spud-o-Meter... "For what it's intended for, I'd give it a generous 3. It does a good job of washing. It does a good job of rinsing." says Greg. But fortunately, Greg can still keep his job. "I don't think it'll replace a professional window cleaner," says Greg.

Other problems Windex "all in one" could create. Hard water stains or 'water spots' if left untreated can seriously damage your windows and shower doors, reducing the overall appeal and value of your home. Hard water stain treatment will remove the hazardous mineral deposits left by your water system, but at a cost. This treatment is called renovation & is time consuming, see here for previous blog. Renovation is also dependent on what type of window you have installed. Generally this system is a bad copy of a water fed pole & home owners may want to take note of the waivers on the bottle.

Does It Work: Windex Outdoor All-in-One Window Washer? HomeOwners say: Our volunteers tackle a number of tall windows in their home and the pads seem to be holding up well. Some windows, however, are left with a small amount of residue on the glass. "I like the pole, but I have to rinse and wash again," she said. The cleaner will make window washing easier, especially in hard to reach places, but can't live up to its promises of a streak-free shine like the traditional window sprays. And we know how good they are!

Windex Outdoor All-in-One, also have a waiver hidden away in grey on white background which states "Results may vary based on water quality." In the Disclaimer S. C. JOHNSON (makers of Windex) say - S. C. JOHNSON DISCLAIMS ALL EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES ABOUT THE MATERIAL IN THE SITES.
THIS INCLUDES (BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO) WARRANTIES...
THAT THE MATERIAL IS OF ANY PARTICULAR LEVEL OF QUALITY OR FIT FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
THAT THE FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE MATERIALS WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE.
THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED.
THAT SUCCESSFUL RESULTS OR OUTCOMES WILL RESULT FROM PROPERLY FOLLOWING ANY INSTRUCTIONS, DIRECTIONS, INSTRUCTIONS OR RECIPES CONTAINED IN THE MATERIALS.
IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, YOU (AND NOT S. C. JOHNSON) ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION.

......something to chew on. Direct your clients here if they get the DIY passion!