Women Window Cleaners

WindoWoman Ltd in Christchurch, New Zealand was started in 2002 offering mainly window cleaning. Owner operator, Mary Macharper had returned from Australia where she had been residing for 9 years running a successful cinema cleaning business. Mary’s focus back then was attention to detail through listening to client needs and delivering more than expected. The focus remains the same but, now includes outstanding customer service along with critical staff selection & appropriate training with regular skill updates and ongoing performance reviews.  To date Mary has over 20 years cleaning experience and is well networked with experts in a range of specialty areas regarding property maintenance and care.

WindoWoman Ltd has since expanded to include more services such as housewashing, office cleaning, mattress sanitising, ceiling cleaning, tenancy cleaning and builders’s cleans. “Our philosophy remains the same: friendly, professional service with attention to detail, not the exaggerated cost.” The average 3 bedroom house can be cleaned inside & out including channels & sills as well as bottom of exterior frames from as little as $45 +gst.

Mary understands that it’s a privilege to be invited into your home or business – so respect and care along with reliable service goes a long way. “It is important to leave someones’ home the way you found it – along with sparkling windows.  Businesses along with the general public are more conscious of security and privacy issues so the company recently became security licensed, with staff applying for a certificate of approval each year. ”

Unsolicited testimonials will reinforce how efficient, professional and responsive our window cleaners are, and on the high standard of work carried out that our regular clients take for granted. WindoWoman knows what it means to feel safe and confident with people around home and family. WindoWoman is an equal opportunity employer and has both genders working in the team.   There are at present, 7 on the team, 5 staff and 2 contractors.

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Women Of Achievement: (Columbus, Ohio) - Lynn Elliott comes from a long line of entrepreneurs. "My grandmother was very cool. She started this beauty salon. It was the war effort, so her part was to keep the women looking good," said Elliott. Elliott owns her own business like her grandmother and both of her parents. Hers is the Columbus Window Cleaning Company. "I can tell you, the hardest thing I've ever done is run this business. I learned this business from the ground up, the same way any rookie would, because the truth of the matter is, I had never walked in the front door before.  So I came in, I put on my boots, my jeans, got my hard hat and I rode in the trucks with the supervisors," Elliott said.

Elliott decided to take the plunge as a first time business owner after her boyfriend, Neil Schultz, died of a heart attack. After encouragement from his family, customers and their friends, she purchased the company from Schultz's remaining partner. "I'm a female business owner in a business that is dominated by men. Of my 25 employees, two are women," said Elliott.

Elliot was first a teacher and then took a one year leave of absence to help at 'Action For Children', but when her time was up, she couldn't leave. "The project itself was very exciting and the people I was working with were terrific. I was hooked.  I was hooked," said Elliot. Elliot said that her first role model also hooked her on to helping the less fortunate early on. "I grew up watching my mother juggle work and family and she always had time to volunteer," Elliott said.

Elliot now uses her love of the Arts and Music, along with her business expertise, to support the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra and the Columbus Housing Partnership. She said philanthropy is easy for anyone. "In truth, the word actually means the love of human kind.  So anyone, if you have 10 cents or 10 million can be a philanthropist. It's about giving of your time, your talent and your treasure in the community. Whether that means money that translates to dollars or it means volunteerism," Elliott said.

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The first woman high rise woman window cleaner on Youtube!

Dan The Window Man Terrorising New Zealand

Dan the Window Man was also believed to wear a black German Army-style helmet and had an old 10-speed bicycle with turned-down handle bars wrapped in white tape. The police can't find him.

Window cleaner may be preying on elderly: A door-to-door window cleaner may be preying on elderly and vulnerable Christchurch residents for money, police say. Christchurch south police last week received two reports of a window cleaner who demanded money from elderly women for work that was never completed. The man went by the name of "Dan the Window Man". Senior Sergeant Steve Bothamley said in the most recent case the man turned up at the home of an elderly woman in St Martins, claiming she owed him money for having the windows cleaned. "According to the victim, the windows had definitely not been cleaned. "Fortunately the householder's home care worker arrived - just as the window cleaner was about to take the woman to an eftpos machine to withdraw the cash.'' The home-care worker managed to remove "Dan" from the property, but he threatened to return later.

The woman's family suspected she had been targeted previously, Bothamley said. "At this stage we cannot be sure that any criminal activity has taken place, but with more than one report of this nature in the past week we have serious concerns.'' The man was described as a male European, aged 30 to 40, 1.78 metres tall, of slim to skinny build, with a gaunt face and short brown scruffy hair. He was wearing a green jacket, carrying a backpack and had an old 10-speed bicycle with turned-down handle bars wrapped in white tape. He was also believed to wear a black German Army-style helmet while cycling. ''It is of concern to police that this man may be targeting people who are especially vulnerable,'' Bothamley said. Anyone with information should contact Constable Chris Clent at Christchurch south police on (03) 363 2500 or anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Dan the Window Mans get-away vehicle, too quick for police. Green jacket may have camouflaged him.

Elderly targeted by bogus Christchurch window cleaner: Police are after a man they say is posing as a window cleaner and preying on elderly residents in Christchurch, trying to make them give him money. Police have received two reports about the man who goes by the name "Dan the Window Man". In the latest incident the man turned up at an elderly woman's house and demanded payment for cleaning her windows. "According to the victim, the windows had definitely not been cleaned," Senior Sergeant Steve Bothamley said. "Fortunately the householder's home care worker arrived - just as the window cleaner was about to take the woman to an Eftpos machine to withdraw the cash."

The careworker managed to get rid of the man, but he threatened to come back and get the money from the elderly woman later. He is described as a male Caucasian and aged between 30 and 40, and is about 1.78 metres tall. Police say he has slim build, with a gaunt face, and short brown scruffy hair. He was wearing a green jacket, carrying a backpack and had an old 10-speed bicycle with turned-down handle bars wrapped in white tape. He is also believed to wear a black German Army-style helmet as his cycle helmet. The woman's family believe she may have been targeted by the man before, and police are concerned he may be targeting other vulnerable people.

Cops Link Amateur Window Cleaners + Raymonds Last Note

Cops link gang to window cleaners: Police believe gang members are linked to amateur window cleaners offering their services in Christchurch. Police are worried the window cleaners maybe casing properties for burglaries. Inspector Dave Lawry (pictured above) confirmed yesterday that a gang member had turned up to a property when police were called to a house whe the owner became concerned when a window cleaner offered to wash his windows. Police believe the window cleaner and gang member were connected.

Police have become increasingly concerned about the motives of amateur window cleaners in eastern Christchurch, who have been turning up at properties unannounced and offering to wash windows. Inspector Lawry said the public should be very cautious. "Police are aware of this group and will be keeping a close watch on their activities," he said. "They do not appear to be linked to any recognised cleaning company, and seemed to be approaching local properties at random.

"We urge householders to be cautious. There's a strong possibility that these window cleaners are using the business as a ruse to approach houses and establish if they are unoccupied. "Where they do undertake cleaning, they may be using the opportunity to identify items of interest inside or around the property for future burglaries."

The window cleaners were known to have targeted properties in South Brighton in recent weeks. One elderly man paid $25 to have his windows cleaned. Properties in South Brighton had been visited by window cleaners in recent weeks. Inspector Lawry urged householders to be cautious about who they let onto their properties, ask any door-to-door window cleaners for identification, and to report any suspicious approaches to police. The first blog about this story here.

"We have always wondered what triggered him to do it, if he had just had a customer say no that day."

Police failed to tell widow about window cleaning husband's suicide note: A widow spent almost a year wondering why her husband took his own life because police did not tell her about a suicide note. Window cleaner Raymond Curtis, who suffered from depression, was found dead at a lock-up garage in Seagull Road, Strood, in March last year. But it was not until an inquest into his death 10 months later that his wife discovered officers had picked up a hand-written letter from the bonnet of his car.

Heather Curtis was giving evidence at the hearing when coroner Roger Sykes questioned her about the note. She replied: "Note? I knew of no note." She added: "We have always wondered what triggered him to do it, if he had just had a customer say no that day." Mrs Curtis sobbed as she read the note outside the inquest court before the hearing continued. The coroner, who recorded a verdict of suicide, apologised to Mrs Curtis and said the police officer who dealt with the case would be spoken to.

The inquest heard how Mr Curtis, 58, of Darnley Road, Strood, had been diagnosed as clinically depressed three years before he died. He had been unable to work for a short time when he broke his foot and Mrs Curtis said it led him on a downward spiral as he worried about the future. Mrs Curtis went looking for her husband when he did not come home from work on March 2 last year and found him hanging in the garage.

They had three children, Jemimah, 32, Damian, 30, and Barclay, 28, and a one-year-old grandson. Mrs Curtis paid tribute to her husband of 32 years: "We miss him madly. He was a very sensitive, caring person." After the inquest, DCI Andy Pritchard said: "Our officers spoke to Mrs Curtis straight after the incident and spent around 45 minutes with her talking over the possible circumstances of her husband's death, including some details that had been left in the note. "This was a very emotional time for all of those involved, however, if our officers did not directly show the note to Mrs Curtis then we do apologise for any distress that was caused."

New Zealand Window Cleaners "Casing The Joint?"

Window cleaning burglary warning: Burglars may be using a new tactic by posing as neighbourhood window cleaners. Police are concerned about the motives of a group of people who have been knocking on doors in the eastern suburbs and asking if the homeowners want their windows cleaned. An elderly man in South Brighton accepted and had his windows cleaned for $25. But another householder rang police on Saturday because he was suspicious of the man who knocked on his door.

The window cleaner appeared to have associates in a car which was parked nearby. Acting sergeant Simon Mooney said the people approaching householders could be casing properties to see if the owners were home, even though they had window cleaning equipment. Police were aware residents in Collingwood St and Union St, South Brighton, had been approached. There could have been approaches to people in other streets police weren't aware of.

There had been burglaries in South Brighton but it was not known if they were connected to the window cleaners. Acting sergeant Mooney said it was common for burglars to knock on a door first to see if someone was home before breaking in. If someone was home, the would-be burglar would have a plausible reason for being there. They would say they were looking for a dog or a person.

Acting sergeant Mooney said if people suspected there was something sinister behind a door-knock, they should contact police. "Anyone that comes knocking on your door, if they don't sense something right about them, ask them to leave. Don't let them inside the house."

Christchurch police are urging caution over door-to-door window cleaners. A group of men have been approaching householders offering to clean windows in the New Brighton area but have also been seen later observing the properties Area Commander Inspector Dave Lawry said police were concerned the men are trying to identify empty or vulnerable homes. Inspector Lawry said the men don't appear to be linked to any recognised cleaning company. "Police are aware of this group and will be keeping a close watch on their activities," he said.  "They do not appear to be linked to any recognised cleaning company, and seemed to be approaching local properties at random." Inspector Lawry urged householders to be cautious about who they let onto their properties, ask any door-to-door window cleaners for identification, and to report any suspicious approaches to police.

Warning over 'window cleaners' scam: Christchurch police are warning people to be cautious about employing door-to-door window cleaners, after recent approaches to householders in the New Brighton area. Police were concerned the "cleaners" may be attempting to identify empty or vulnerable homes as burglary targets, said northern Christchurch area commander, Inspector Dave Lawry. A group of two or three men had approached householders in New Brighton and had been seen observing other properties, he said. The men did not appear to be linked to any recognised cleaning company and seemed to be approaching local properties at random.

"We urge householders to be cautious. There's a strong possibility that these window cleaners are using the business as a ruse to approach houses and establish if they are unoccupied. "Where they do undertake cleaning, they may be using the opportunity to identify items of interest inside or around the property for future burglaries." People should be cautious about who they let onto their properties, ask any door-to-door window cleaners for identification, and report any suspicious approaches to police.

Caution urged over door-to-door cleaners: A group of men approaching home owners offering to clean windows in Christchurch are prompting Police to urge caution. Christchurch police are urging caution over door-to-door window cleaners. Area Commander Inspector Dave Lawry said a group of men have been approaching home owners offering to clean windows and have been seen observing the properties after. He said the men don't appear to be linked to any recognised cleaning company. "In realty while they might do your windows, they may also do your house over," he said. "They've got a bit of a background where they link in with some gang members and are actually inclined to pass on information." Inspector Lawry said people must be careful about who they let onto their properties.

High Rise Window Cleaning in New Zealand + Videos

Fearless folk are busy spring cleaning some of Christchurch's tallest buildings. Goleman industrial abseiler Josh Pretty shares the perks, and the quirks, of high-rise window cleaning with KATIE WYLIE (Source: Press, The; Christchurch, New Zealand).

Hi Josh. How long have you been in the world of window cleaning?
I started back in 2001. I'm into the outdoors big time and I studied over in Greymouth to be an outdoor instructor with the whole tourism thing, but the whole seasonal thing got a bit boring. I went back up to Auckland and kind of fell into it there.
You fell into it? Not literally, I hope.
Yeah, something like that.
How do our buildings compare with Auckland's monstrosities?
They're a lot smaller, of course, but it becomes part and parcel of the job. Before I came down I was a supervisor at SkyCity . . . so I used to do exercises abseiling off the Sky Tower. When you're hanging 200m up in the air, these things are just tiny in comparison.
You're a man with a head for heights.
I wouldn't say I'm fearless, but it's having a healthy respect for heights.
You seemed pretty fearless easing over the edge for our photographer. Is that the worst bit?
Yeah, I think it actually is. You get some buildings where it's a lot more precarious with obstacles in the way and it can become a bit of a nightmare.
Sweaty palms, a racing heart and all that?
No, not really. I've had a few "ooh" moments when it was a bit hairy. On ropes, you feel real comfortable.
And you get to sit down on the job. It's positively cushy!
The seat just makes the job a lot more comfortable. Hanging in a harness just by itself gets really uncomfortable, particularly for gentlemen.
Ahem. Yes. Still you don't have a bad office. Smashing view.
Definitely. I wish I'd actually started earlier taking a camera with me and taking photos of the views from the rooftops. It would make a great pictorial book.
You would see some funny things going on indoors, no doubt.
I have seen some real interesting sights. You get some people that totally freak out when you come down. Sometimes you might be going quite fast and you jump down from one ledge to another, all of a sudden the life jumps out of them. I've seen a variety of naked people and people in the act in some residential apartments. A lot of the time people inside don't even notice you're there and I guess that's part of the job, to be quite discreet.
What's the secret to a clean window? Do you give my hard work a second life and use newspaper?
We just use basically liquid soap and plenty of soapy water on the window. If it's too dry and you pull your rubber across it, you're going to get streaks.
How about fluff? How does one prevent the cloth moulting mid- wipe?
I think it just comes down to the rags that you use. We go through mountains and mountains of rags just to make sure it's all tidy.
You really wouldn't want to miss a spot in this line of work. Thanks.

Some video's from the Eastern hemisphere...

and a funny...........