Untouchable 2016

Add captionTerry "Turbo" Burrows, untouchable in speed window cleaning on the last day of the Manchester cleaning show.

Fastest window washer cleans up competition in just 20 seconds: Nimble Neil Caden has won the title of the fastest window washer after cleaning up the competition in just 20 seconds. The 50-year-old, from Leeds, West Yorks., wiped the floor with the younger lads - and used his skills as a black belt in karate to wax-on, wax-off the competition. 

Sadly he did not beat 20-year recorder holder Essex-based Terry Burrows (pictured top), whose best ever time for cleaning three 1.143m high windows is just 9.14 seconds, at the trade event held in Manchester on Wednesday. Terry says his success is down to a quickfire 16-move sequence that draws on skills he honed as a martial arts instructor and boxer. Sadly, Terry is banned from entering any further competitions to let others stand a chance at winning.

BBC News - Terry 'Turbo' Williams' window washing world record challenged: Terry "Turbo" Burrows, officially the world's fastest window cleaner for more than 20 years, is challenging rivals from around the UK to try to beat his world record time. He set the Guinness World Record of 9.14 seconds in Blackpool in 2009, and is now in Manchester to see if he is still a "glass" above the rest. Contenders have to clean three 1.143m high windows and the sill - crucially, no smears can be left. The event coincides with the 80th anniversary of George Formby's hit When I'm Cleaning Windows.

Buttershaw window cleaner takes prize at The Cleaning Show: A window cleaner is back in Bradford with a big bucket of prizes after a sparkling performance in a national contest. Graham Bower, of Buttershaw Drive, Buttershaw, beat off stiff competition from window cleaners across the country today at The Cleaning Show in Manchester. He was the speediest cleaner there today, but not quite as quick as the record set by world champion, Terry 'Turbo' Burrows from Suffolk. He set the Guinness World Record of 9.14 seconds in Blackpool in 2009. Contenders had to clean three 1.143m high windows and the sill - and could leave no smears.

The event coincides with the 80th anniversary of George Formby's hit When I'm Cleaning Windows. "I came first in the competition but didn't quite catch up with Terry. I was about a second out," he said. Even though Mr Bower's time was 12.01 seconds he did get a few penalty points for soap streaks. "Even with the penalties I was still on top. It was well worth having a go. Terry's quick but not quite as quick as he used to be - even he couldn't match his world record," he added. Mr Bower, 35, started cleaning windows at the age of 12 and now runs his own business. He won a Kindle Fire tablet and a big bucket full of beer. "I'm going to keep practising my speeds. Who knows I might be back for another go at the world record next year," he said.

Soap And Glory!

Neil Caden ready for Soap & Glory.

Soap and glory! Leeds window cleaner eyes place in record books: Leeds window cleaner Neil Caden is looking to produce a perfectly polished performance as he bids to earn himself a spot in the record books. Neil, 50, from Garforth, will be trying to set a new world record for fastest window cleaning at a trade event taking place in Manchester next week.

The record has been held for more than 20 years by Essex-based Terry Burrows, whose best ever time for cleaning three 1.143m high windows is just 9.14 seconds. Terry says his success is down to a quickfire 16-move sequence that draws on skills he honed as a martial arts instructor and boxer.

But Neil – who runs Caden’s Window Cleaning in Garforth – is himself a black belt in karate and believes he might have the right stuff to dethrone Terry. The Yorkshire challenger, who will be joined at the record attempt by three more members of the Caden team, said: “Terry is a legend in the world of window cleaning and his record has stood for over 20 years. 

“However, I’m pretty quick myself and also share the same strength, agility and flexibility as him which comes from years of combat training. “With a bit of intensive practice, I therefore might be in a great position to have a go at beating his time. “There’s also a chance one of my team could snatch it from Terry, but even if none of us get close to his time the world record attempt is a great way to demonstrate the skills and professionalism of Britain’s window cleaners.”

Dozens of window cleaners from around the country are expected to have a crack at beating the record during the Cleaning Show trade event, which is being held on Wednesday and Thursday. The attempts are being organised and adjudicated on behalf of the Guinness Book of Records by the Federation of Window Cleaners.

Looking ahead to the attempt, Federation of Window Cleaners chair Andrew Lee said: “Terry has done amazingly well to hang onto his record for this long but there’s always a chance of an upset. “Lots of our members have already told us they are planning to take a crack at his record. “Having said that, when you see Terry on video or cleaning live he moves so quickly it’s hard to imagine someone will ever manage a sub-nine second time even if they try and copy his technique.”

Neil previously made headlines when he used a telescopic cleaning rod to help save a man from drowning in the lake at Roundhay Park in 2012. See another challenger here. Previous challengers here. Question time with Terry "Turbo" Burrows" here.

Graham Bower ready for battle.

Buttershaw window cleaner competes to be the UK's fastest at The Cleaning Show in Manchester: A Bradford window cleaner is hoping to bring home a world record for being the fastest in his trade. Graham Bower, 35, is hoping to snatch the crown from reigning champ Terry "Turbo" Burrows when they meet shammy to shammy at The Cleaning Show in Manchester tomorrow.

Mr Burrows, from Suffolk, has held the squeaky clean world record for 20 years but dad-of-five Mr Bower is ready to take him on. So far, Mr Bower’s fastest time has been three windows in 10.3 seconds, while Mr Burrow’s best-ever performance was three high windows in just 9.14 seconds, using a rapid 16-move sequence powered through core strength, flexibility, fast hands and reflexes.

Mr Bower, who lives in Buttershaw Drive, Buttershaw, and cleaned his first windows when he was 12, said he heard the current world record holder had thrown down the gauntlet and so decided to have a go. “It’s not as easy as people think. I’ve been studying his technique. I’m not sure I’ll beat him but I’m going to have a good go and put Bradford on the map.

“Terry is a legend in the world of window cleaning and his record has stood for over 20 years. " I actually saw him in action some years ago, and it was an incredible display of skill and speed. Even if I can’t come close, the world record attempt is always a lot fun and is a great way to demonstrate the skills and professionalism of Britain’s window cleaners," the 35-year-old said.

Graham Bower shows off his skills.

Mr Bower, who has been practising on his sister’s conservatory windows, followed his grandfather and father’s footsteps into the window cleaning business and started his own firm two years ago called Bright and Clean. His number one supporters are wife Roseanne and their five children aged from six to 16. “They are quick themselves to be my number one supporters, but there’s no interest whatsoever from any of the kids to give me a hand cleaning windows!

Mr Bower said: “I just love being outdoors. " I couldn’t stand having a job where I was stuck indoors all the time. I’m out and about in all weathers – nothing puts me off.”

The world record window cleaning challenge is being organised and adjudicated on behalf of the Guinness Book of Records by the Federation of Window Cleaners (FWC), the national trade association for the window cleaning industry.

Andrew Lee, chairman of the FWC, said: “Lots of our members have already told us they are planning to take a crack at his [Mr Burrow’s] record, and some are in training right now. "So we’ll have to wait and see if anyone can match him when the competition comes to Manchester.”

Another Challenger To The Squeegee Crown

Terry ‘Turbo’ Burrows - still officially the world’s fastest window cleaner 20 years on from first appearing on BBC1’s Record Breakers.

Cleaner looks to take world’s fastest squeegee crown: A Brighouse window cleaner is aiming to prove he has the quickest sponge and squeegee on Earth as he takes on a world record holder. Paul Boothroyd (pictured below), who runs Commercial and Domestic Cleaning, will go up against Terry ‘Turbo’ Burrows who is still officially the world’s fastest window cleaner 20 years on from first appearing on BBC1’s Record Breakers.

Terry’s best-ever performance, which saw him clean three 1.143m high windows in just 9.14 seconds, took place in Blackpool in 2009. Paul, 51, from Bailiff Bridge, said: “Terry is a legend in the world of window cleaning and his record has stood for over 20 years. “However I’m pretty quick myself, and with a bit of intensive training I might be in a position to take him on in Manchester. But even if I can’t come close, the world record attempt is always a lot fun and is a great way to demonstrate the skills and professionalism of Britain’s window cleaners.”

Terry ‘Turbo’ Burrows, who is from Romford in Essex, is returning to the North to see if anyone can beat his record and is throwing down the gauntlet to window cleaners from Yorkshire who might fancy their chances. He said of the contest: “As a former martial arts instructor and boxer I managed to perfect a rapid 16-move sequence which is very hard to copy if you don’t have the core strength, flexibility, fast hands and reflexes. “However, unlike the early days when I first started competing, now you can study my technique via clips on YouTube, and each year a new generation of cleaners come along to try and beat me.

“Maybe this year in Manchester I’ll finally meet my match, and I’ll have to hand over my title. But even if that happens I’ll never forget how great it was to break my own record twice on Northern soil, and it would be great to see a cleaner from the region help to continue this tradition.” The world record window cleaning challenge itself is organised and adjudicated on behalf of The Guinness Book of Records by the Federation of Window Cleaners (FWC), the national trade association for the window cleaning industry.

Andrew Lee, chair of the FWC, said: “Terry has done amazingly well to hang on to his record for this long but there’s always a chance of an upset in April. Lots of our members have already told us they are planning to take a crack at his record, and some are in training right now. “Having said that, when you see Terry on video or cleaning live he moves so quickly it’s hard to imagine someone will ever manage a sub-nine second time even if they try and copy his technique. So we’ll have to wait and see if anyone can match him when the competition comes to Manchester in April. ” Paul will look to break the world record along with other Yorkshire cleaners at The Cleaning Show in Manchester on April 6 and 7. Click here to challenge Terry.

Terry "Turbo" Burrows record still stands & 20 years on he still holds the World record.

Worlds Fastest Squeegee - The Wagtail Swoop

John Winters showing off the Wagtail Swoop

John Winters working in Germany shows us how he is getting on with the Wagtail Swoop - the Worlds fastest squeegee after a couple of weeks. This video is entitled the "Wagtail Swoop, two tools in one." Want a free Wagtail? Friend me up on facebook here & tell me what size you want to be in the free draw (14" or 18") - more details here.

If you missed the first video ... here it is. In this blog - you can find more Wagtail videos by entering "Wagtail" in the search bar (top left), also more videos here.

Fast Window Cleaning Techniques # 6 - The Carpal Tunnel Elevator

This one deserved a post all on it's own..

Some more of the same..

Go here to find a squeegee that you can work all day with & this fast!

The Wagtail Window Cleaning Giant

The Wagtail giant pictured here slinging a squeegee on the side of the old Wagtail warehouse in Sydney, Australia was once a canny advertising piece for Wagtail window cleaning tools. Looks like Willie Erken, owner of Wagtail saw a chance & took it by featuring him outside his workshop & had the giant welcoming people in (Click pictures to enlarge). The Wagtail line of tools are manufacturers of multi-award winning cleaning tools that was established by a professional window cleaner with 20 years of experience in abseiling, shopfront and residential work. Wagtail Squeegees are regarded as the fastest window tools in the world, using either extension pole or arm. Willie says...

""Jack Blue" was originally the Malboro Man but I bought it after the restrictions to cigarette advertising." "We were going to make a giant squeegee in scale but the temporary squeegee was too difficult to replace so we just kept it."  "The guy standing next to me Leigh Thomas helped make it when he worked for the Outdoor Sign Company." "Sylmark International loved the factory and took extensive videos and released it in their infomercial as Welcome to World of Wagtail! "

"A local newspaper photographed it and asked if anyone knew the story behind it and we got hundreds of visitors taking shots." "Unfortunately window cleaners got wind and started coming directly to the factory for discounts." "We had to move to a secret location and unfortunately the "Jack Blue" sculpture did not survive the move."

All pictures courtesy of Willie Erken of Wagtail tools.

Wagtail Whirlwinds - Squeegee Winner - 20-20 Vision

Congratulations to Stephen Hill (pictured above) with 20-20 Vision who  is the latest winner of the Wagtail Whirlwind 14" & 18" squeegee's (competition here) that enable you to work faster with this combination & wash/wipe simultaneously. It features a new aggressive micro-fibre pad. Mop and squeegee in one or alternate between modes in less than a second. Very robust. Great for most cleaning applications - especially windows, excellent for pole work and great to clean floors as well.

20-20 Window Cleaning is owned and operated by Steven Hill, and specializes in residential and commercial window and gutter cleaning in the greater East Dallas, Texas area. In 2001, Steven was introduced to the window cleaning industry by a good friend, Jim Ham, owner and operator of the original 20/20 Window Cleaning, which services the Northern Front Range of Colorado. During the six and a half years Steven worked with Jim, they serviced thousands of homes and nearly 300 businesses each month.

A little about Stephen..

Born and raised in central New Jersey and an artist at heart. I met my wife while in community college, she being a Texas native.  We made our way down to the Dallas - Fort Worth area in the late 90's so that she could finish up school.  After her graduation we relocated to Longmont, Colorado,  she took a job with a Architecture firm based in Boulder, and I found a retail job in downtown Boulder.  Once a month the window cleaner, Jim Ham would come and clean the shops windows, and I started to chat with him when he would come by.  Retail pay was low, and I was not all that thrilled with the job,  he offered me a job and I gave my notice with the shop.  Never in a million years would I have thought of getting in to window cleaning. I wanted to be a full-time artist, I didn't realize the potential for income and flexibility involved with window cleaning.  I was scared when I first started and was wondering if I had made the right choice, but it got easier with time and practice.  

I worked for Jim and 20/20 Window Cleaning from 2001 till 2007.  In 2004 we had a daughter and had to cut back on my hours to raise her as a full time dad (pay is real low, but it is rewarding).  In 2007 we moved back down to Dallas to be closer to family and a job change for my wife.  I thought I was done with window cleaning at that stage, but found myself back in it and  found another company to work for. I was 33 or so at the time with a child that was home sick more than in full-time daycare, so I became a full-time home dad once again.  So once my daughter started kindergarten it was time to get my version of  20-20 Window Cleaning started in Dallas.  I am still a full-time dad, juggling, dropping off and picking up a six year old to first grade everyday, washing dirty dishes and laundry, and running a small window cleaning and gutter cleaning company, but it is all worth it. Just wanted to thank Karl for the great blog that he runs as well as the contest and Wagtail tools.

If you missed it before, here is Max, a window cleaner in Mexico who quickly adapted to using the wagtail - in 5 minutes no less!