Cleaning Chemicals Today Are More Sustainable & Safer

Ann Laffeaty traces the evolution of chemical cleaning products. An increasing number of today’s raw materials are plant-derived. 

Cleaning solutions - a chemical change - Ann Laffeaty traces the evolution of chemical cleaning products in the light of tightening legislation and a greater emphasis on sustainability and safety. There was at time when the only requirement of a chemical detergent solution was that it should be capable of cleaning the item for which it was intended. But that all changed when the health, safety and sustainability implications of cleaning products began to be monitored more closely. For example, we discovered that Paradichlorobenzen - formerly used in urinal blocks – was a carcinogen. We also found out that Alkylphenol ethoxylates, a synthetic surfactant found in detergents, had an oestrogenic effect and could disrupt hormones in fish.

And as our concern for factors such as health, safety and sustainability began to grow, new legislation was introduced. This has resulted in some dramatic changes to the chemical cleaning industry over the past 20 years. But are today’s safer, more environmentally-friendly products as effective as their predecessors? And do manufacturers and customers ever mourn the passing of yesterday’s more hazardous products?

CEBE Reinigungschemie manager Dr Jan Reimers confirms that today’s cleaning chemicals are generally more sustainable, safer and easier to use than their counterparts of 20 years ago. “Both the manufacturer and the end-user have become more sensitised to this issue,” he said. “It is not only legislation that puts the industry under pressure; end-users are also demanding safer and more sustainable products. This has led to changes in formulations and higher levels of training on product use along with greater transparency on the part of the manufacturers where hazardous ingredients are concerned.”

He says that many raw materials have recently been replaced with more environmentally-friendly, less hazardous alternatives. “In addition many products have become simpler - not only in their formulation but also in their use.” However, he cites niche products as an exception to this rule. “Though even where specialty products are concerned the trend is to improve efficiency while also minimising hazard.”

According to Reimers, these changes in the industry have largely been determined by legislation. “If one considers, for instance, the changes in concentration thresholds for declaring a product as an irritant to the eyes, 20 years ago that threshold was generally a concentration of 20 per cent,” he said. “Today this has been reduced to one per cent in some instances.”

He adds that in some cases, changes in formulation have led to poorer performance.  “This is the compromise that has to be made for sustainable development,” he said. “In other cases new raw materials have been discovered which have led to improved performance and sometimes also better environmental degradability.”

Change in behaviour

But is there anything about the chemical solutions of the past that either Reimers or his customers miss today?  “I can think of one thing that may be missed: Alkylphenolethxylates which, as non-ionic surfactants go, are still unsurpassed in many fields and are still in use in some industrial applications,” he said.  “However their impact on the environment is substantial which means that phasing them out and prohibiting their use with only a few exceptions was the right thing to do.”

He describes surfactant-free systems for carpet cleaning – such as the company’s own Spray Brite product – to be among the recent ‘game-changers’ in the chemicals industry. “The development of green labels has also led to a change in market behaviour, particularly since the phasing out of solvents in many products has led to them being more user-friendly.” Dr Schnell Chemie’s marketing executive Franz Felbermeir agrees with Reimers that there is a trend towards developing products with a broader application window, such as general-purpose 

cleaning solutions.

Specialist products

“Customers want to use one product to clean a range of different pollutants from a variety of surfaces,” he said. “At the same time, very specific products are being developed for specialist purposes such as the cleaning of marble, for example. This means that users can rely on a narrow range of products that resolve 90 per cent of standard issues while having a second range of highly specialised products that deal with the remaining cleaning challenges.”

He says that today’s focused research on coming up with systems designed to improve efficiency through the use of better technical equipment - such as microfibre cloths, for example - has led to more effective cleaning. “On the other hand, restrictions in the use of certain chemicals such as some dangerous organic solvents has left the industry looking for replacements for what were highly effective cleaning chemicals in the past,” he said.

Like Reimers he feels that today’s cleaning chemicals are generally more sustainable, safer and easier to use. “As soon as there is an understanding of the potential risks involved with certain substances the trend is to substitute these very quickly,” he said. “Anything that helps our customers to become more efficient in what they do is always a welcome idea. And if a product helps our customer to do a better job, that can be translated into a monetary advantage.”

But does he miss anything about yesterday’s chemical solutions? “Superficially one could complain about the fact that some highly effective surfactants such as Nonylphenoles are no longer available,” he said. “However, these substances have a highly detrimental effect on the environment so the fact that they are no longer in use is overall good news. And this has helped us to keep the focus on seeking better and more sustainable ways to formulate new products.” He describes the company’s Milizid sanitary cleaner as one of Dr Schnell Chemie’s most revolutionary products. “It is our best-selling product and it stays on the top of our list through constant evolution.”

New regulations

Global marketing director of Diversey Care Lars Bo Madsen describes the changes in the chemical industry over the past 20 years as both significant and positive. “Changes have occurred due to regulatory introductions such as the Biocidal Products Directive, REACH, and latterly by GHS,” he said. “There has also been a move towards super-concentrated products that directly deliver less chemical and that entail less packaging, less storage, a lower carbon footprint and maximum safety for end-users.

“Meanwhile, closed systems and packaging with dosing control has been introduced to ensure accuracy, simplicity and safety. And end-users are increasingly requesting products with labels such as the Swan or Ecolabel.”

When asked whether today’s products were more effective than earlier versions he responds:  “What is meant by ‘effective’? Does it mean that a product removes more dirt and soil, cleans more quickly, does so at a lower temperature, uses a less concentrated solution or cleans with less scrubbing? I don’t think we tolerated more dirt 20 years ago so the question really boils down to the last four.”

He refers to the Sinner’s circle that sets out the four cleaning parameters of chemistry, mechanics, temperature and time. “Only when all four factors are harmonised can an effective cleaning result be achieved,” he said.

According to Madsen, super-concentrated cleaning products such as his company’s Diversey Smartdose system have changed the market considerably. This is a dosing platform for super-concentrated cleaners and disinfectants that is said to deliver larger amounts of cleaning solution, reducing plastic use and transport costs.

But what do Diversey Care’s customers miss about yesterday’s chemical products? “Maybe it was the easier decision process – does it work and is it the right price?” said Marsden.  “Nowadays the question: ‘Is it sustainable?’ has been added to the decision process. “But to be honest there is little about chemical products of the past that either Diversey Care or our customers miss today since chemical products have generally become much easier and safer to use.”

The company is launching a range of products containing plant-based actives from renewable sources. Most of the SURE range of products are derived from by-products from the agro-food industry and originate from crops such as sugar beet, maize, straw bran, wheat bran and coconut.

Green cleaning

“In the future I envisage that holistic green cleaning will become more prevalent,” said Marsden. “Green cleaning has already become more formalised in North America where it is accredited through schemes from the US Green Building Council’s LEED suite of accreditations and ISSA’s CIMS-GB scheme.”

Legislation has been the main driver for recent chemical industry changes says Dr Jim Taylour, head of research and development at Holchem Laboratories. “The chief focus in terms of legislation has been on personal and environmental safety,” he said. “The chemicals industry is relatively highly regulated and as new knowledge comes to light, regulations change and the industry reacts in order to ensure it remains legal. “In addition the industry often pre-empts legislation and through codes of practice and industry guidelines recommends voluntary restrictions or a change of use for certain chemicals.”

As an example he quotes a voluntary ban in 1995 on the use of Alkylphenol ethoxylates and Nonylphenol ethoxylates in detergents based on evidence that these compounds were endocrine disruptors. The ban was brought in before the legislation had been put into place.

Plant-derived formulas

Taylour echoes Marsden’s view that an increasing number of today’s raw materials are plant-derived. “An example of this can be seen in the use of palm oil-derived surfactants,” he said. “However, this issue has been complicated by considerations about the sustainability of palm oil production.”

Holchem offers a range of chemicals including its Perbac OPD open plant disinfection solution. This is claimed to be a safe and effective disinfectant for use on open surfaces without the strong acrid smell issues associated with peracetic acid disinfectants.

Like Marsden, Taylour feels that an increasing trend towards the use of super-concentrates has further changed the face of the industry. “This is particularly the case in the hospitality and facilities management sectors where the traditional ready-to-use toilet cleaner has been replaced by a thicken-on-dilution system developed using novel surfactant chemistry,” he said. Holchem’s Optimum Toilet Cleaner Concentrate is an example of this.

Taylour believes that industry regulations will continue to change and shape the chemicals sector. “As legislation such as BPR, REACH and the Detergent Directive matures, detergent and disinfectant suppliers will continue to drive the development of their products to ensure that they remain legal, cost-effective and safe both for personnel and for the environment,” he said.  ustainability and safety.

Our Toxic World

The argument for bucket & squeegee.

Our toxic world (Part 10): Indoor Air Pollutants Up Close: The degree of air pollution indoors is worse than outdoors. Inside the buildings and in our homes, the toxins are trapped in enclosed spaces. This is the reason they tend to be more concentrated. Our kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, bedrooms and living areas are prime targets of indoor toxins. Most of them are petrochemicals, which are the intermediate derivatives from petroleum, hydrocarbon liquids or natural gas. Most of them are from the wide variety of products we use for cleaning. The following list was culled from the book Green This, authored by Deirdre Imus, who runs an environmental center for kids with cancer in New Jersey.  Be conscious of reading the labels and avoid the products that contain them.

Aerosol Propellants (iso butane, butane, propane). Effects:  Irritation of the eyes, airways, asthma and lung disease. Sources:  Oven, carpet and upholstery cleaners, furniture polishes and waxes, air fresheners and insecticides.

Alkylphenolic  Compounds. Effects: Disruption of hormone signals that regulate reproduction and development. Sources: All-purpose cleaners, laundry detergents.

Ammonia. Effects: Irritation of the skin, eyes and airways, and pulmonary edema. Sources: Automatic dishwasher detergents, window cleaners, furniture polishes and waxes, metal cleaners.

Chlorine Bleach. Effects: Local irritation affecting the skin eyes and airways. Sources: Bleaching or whitening products and laundry detergents.

Chloroform. Effects: Nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, respiratory problems; in extreme cases—cancer, liver and kidney damage, heart problems, even death. Sources: Fabric softeners.

Colors and Dyes. Effects: Skin and eye irritation, contact allergy, even cancer. Sources: All-purpose cleaners, hand dishwashing liquids, fabric softeners.

Crystalline Silica. Effects: Irritation of the skin, eyes and airways. Sources: All-purpose cleaners.

Diethanolamin. Effects: Possible cancer. Sources: All-purpose cleaners, hand dishwashing liquids, personal-care products.

Dioxane (also known as diethylene oxide, dioxide, or ether). Effects: Suppressed immune system, cancer. Sources: Window cleaners.

Dioxin (the most dangerous man-made chemical). Effects: Birth defects, development delays, damage to the immune, reproductive and respiratory systems. Sources: Any cleaning product labeled “antibacterial” or “antimicrobial.”

D-limoneme. Effects: Skin and eye irritation.Sources: All-purpose cleaners, fabric softeners.

Ethylacetate. Effects: Headache, stupor, irritation of the eyes and airways. Sources: Fabric softeners.

Formaldehyde. Effects: Severe irritation of the skin, eyes and airways, skin allergies, asthma,  pulmonary edema. Sources: Air fresheners, disinfectants, spray starches; off-gassing furniture, dry-cleaned clothes and upholstery.

Hydrochloric acid. Effects: Highly irritant to the skin (on contact) and to the eyes and airways via fumes. Sources: Toilet bowl, aluminum and oven cleaners, and rust removers.

Hydrofluoric acid. Effects: Extremely irritant to the skin and eyes. Sources: Metal cleaners and polishes.

Kerosene. Effects: Damage to lungs and nerves. Sources: Kerosene itself or component of furniture polishes and waxes.

Linalool. Effects: Nervous system disorders. Sources: Fabric softeners

Methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). Effects: Neurotoxin and skin irritant. Sources: Window cleaners.

Methylene chloride. Effects: Possible cancer. Sources: Air fresheners and any artificial fragrances.

Morpholine. Effects: Irritation of the skin, mucous membranes and eyes; liver and kidney damage. Sources: All-purpose cleaners, furniture polishes and waxes.

Naphthalene. Effects: Skin and eye irritation including corneal damage and cataracts; liver and kidney damage; damage to the fetus via maternal blood; nervous system disorders; hemolytic anemia. Sources: Moth balls, air fresheners, deodorizers, carpet and toilet bowl cleaners.

Optical brighteners (synthetic chemicals used to brighten clothes). Effects: Allergies. Sources: Laundry detergents.

Organic Solvents. Effects: Nerve toxicity, depression. Sources: All-purpose cleaners, metal polishes, dry-cleaning fluids.

Oxalic acid. Effects: Gastrointestinal problems. Sources: Metal polishes and cleaners.

Paradichlorobenzene or PDCB. Effects: Liver and kidney damage, hormone disruption, cancer; vapors irritate skin, eyes and airways. Sources: Moth repellants, insecticides, air fresheners, toilet deodorizers.

Pentachlorophenol. Effects: Irritation of skin and airways, headache, sweating, weakness and gasping; liver and kidney damage. Sources: Spray starch.

Perchloroethylene, or PERC. Effects: Irritation of the skin, eyes and airways; damage to the liver, kidneys and the nervous system; hormone disruption, and cancer. Sources: Spot removers, de-greasers, dry-cleaning fluids, carpet cleaners.

Phenol. Effects: Highly toxic irritant to the skin, eyes and airways, bronchitis, pulmonary edema, convulsions, shock, coma, even death. Sources: All sorts of cleaners, polishes, disinfectants and fabric softeners.

Phosphoric acid. Effects: Eye, skin and airway irritation. Sources: Toilet bowl cleaners, metal polishes, fabric softeners.

Sodium bisulfate. Effects: Respiratory problems including asthma attacks; damage to the skin, eyes and internal organs if swallowed. Sources: Toilet bowl cleaners and deodorizers, drain cleaners.

Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda or lye). Effects: Skin, eye and airway irritation; lung damage, blindness, even death if swallowed. Sources: Dishwashing liquids and detergents, laundry soaps; oven, tile and tub cleaners, toilet bowl deodorizers.

Sulfuric acid. Effects: Burns, eye damage even blindness. Sources: Metal polishes and drain cleaners.

Synthetic Pine Oil. Effects: Eye irritation. Sources: Air fresheners.

Thioureas. Effects: Thyroid enlargement, bone marrow depression. Sources: Metal polishes and cleaners.

Toluene aka Xylene. Effects: Neurotoxin, carcinogen. Sources: Stain removers.

Trichloroethane (TCA). Effects: Skin irritation, dryness, cracking, inflammation; eye and airway irritation; liver and kidney damage and birth defects on heavy exposure.  Sources: Furniture polishes and waxes, stain removers.

Triethanolamine. Effects: Skin, eye and airway irritation. Sources: All-purpose and carpet cleaners.

Trisodium  phosphate. Effects: Local irritations, breathing problems including asthma, and damage to the mouth, throat and stomach. Sources: All-purpose cleaners.

Dr. Ginsberg presented his book, What's Toxic What's Not, co-authored with Brian Toal, and discussed a number of frequently asked questions and myths the book addresses, ranging from asbestos, power lines and cancer clusters to radon, pesticides and mold. The increasing concern for sustainable environmental practices has been steadily gaining public attention over the last few decades in what Dr. Ginsberg described as the "green wave." But pseudo-environmental practices used by companies trying to appear environmentally concerned are sabotaging progress through a practice he calls "green-washing." He used as a window-cleaning product touting its use of vinegar as an eco-friendly product as an example of green-washing. "When I researched it and contacted them [the producer], vinegar was the last and smallest ingredient and the thing that did most of the cleaning was this industrial solvent that was always in the product," he said.

Thinking environmentally: Catching the "green wave" is really about new ways of thinking, he said. Homeowners associations and neighborhoods that prohibit clothes lines are key examples of an old way of thinking that needs to be replaced by new values, he said. "A new way of thinking is we see wind turbines on a ridge line and rather than people objecting to that as something that mars their view of their yacht when they're off of Nantucket, they see that as the way things ought to be, as a beautiful thing that people are using the wind and the sun," he said. He referenced the Kennedy family's opposition to wind power development off Cape Cod. "Sometimes the way things were, are the way things ought to be," he said.

Fitzrovia Window Cleaner Champions Green

Antony Cairns cycles to work with all his window cleaning equipment attached to his bicycle.

Cycling makes environmental and economic sense for local window cleaner: Antony Cairns has been selected as a Green Streets champion for Fitzrovia. Antony is a window cleaner and travels into Fitzrovia by bicycle from his home in Somers Town. The Green Streets campaign is part of Camden Council‘s plan to encourage more walking and cycling in Fitzrovia and was officially launched yesterday (Tuesday 21 February 2012).

For Antony cycling not only makes environmental sense it also makes a lot of economic sense. “I can get around quickly and cheaply and easily carry my buckets and gear,” says Antony. He was asked to be a green champion because his work brings him into contact with lots of businesses and people in Fitzrovia and he is an ideal example of someone using cycling as a way to get around. “As a window cleaner I get to meet a lot of people and a variety of businesses in Fitzrovia. I’m also able to put people in touch with each other through my work,” says Antony.

“I got chosen as a green champion through these connections I have in the neighbourhood. I clean windows all over Fitzrovia. Lee Lyons of the Fitzrovia Partnership had seen me and said that Woof London, a marketing agency, were looking for suitable people to be green champions for a campaign that Camden Council were running. Lee thought I’d be good at this because I was using a bicycle to get around. “It’s easy for me to promote cycling because riding a bike is so necessary for me to do my job. People are often impressed that I carry all my gear on the bike including a folding ladder,” says Antony.

Most of his work is in Fitzrovia, but Antony also cycles to do a number of window cleaning jobs in, Regent’s Street and across the river in Waterloo. Antony has been a window cleaner for five years and has always got around by either walking or cycling. As it was Shrove Tuesday yesterday cyclists and walkers were treated to free pancakes at Whitfield Gardens and Bedford Square.

Here's another window cleaner that gets around town on a bike, see if you can recognize him...

Window Cleaning News

Click to enlarge.

‘They delivered what they promised’ - With an impressive business portfolio including a restaurant, retail operations and hotels, experienced entrepreneur Ali Khandokar quickly recognised the huge potential that commercial cleaning franchise, Totally Clean Solution, had to offer. Having owned and operated a variety of businesses over the years, Ali Khandokar was eager to find a new challenge that would allow him to utilise his management experience and offer him financial security. It was during his visit to a franchise exhibition in 2010, that Ali first discovered commercial cleaning franchise, Totally Clean Solution (TCS).

"Having researched the franchise industry extensively, I felt that franchising offered a more secure route to success," he explains. "I connected well with the TCS management team and their philosophy on business." Upon joining TCS, franchise owners are provided with a minimum of £7,500 worth of cleaning contracts for their first month of trading and a team of cleaners – so you can have your business up and running from day one. Also, as TCS has a dedicated sales team to secure your contracts, there will be no door knocking for you.

Since launching his Brixton-based franchise, Ali has been very impressed with the training and ongoing support the TCS management team has provided. "TCS have delivered what they promised, the training has been excellent," he enthuses. "The support has been very good, particularly the monthly review, which has been useful for keeping track of my business performance against my business plan."

TCS franchise owners and their staff are fully trained in the skills they need, as well as customer appreciation and service. As a fully trained TCS franchise owner, you will offer the following services: contract cleaning, one-off cleans, window cleaning and hotel and housekeeping services. Ali has thoroughly enjoyed being his own boss and is pleased to say that the only challenge he has faced is trying to keep up with the customer demand.

"Quite honestly there haven't been many challenges, but explaining the TCS franchise format to clients has been difficult as they can't believe we can deliver such great services for the contract price," he enthuses. "Learning new skills and meeting new people from all backgrounds and levels has really boosted my confidence. My plan for the future is to build my business to a point where my family and I are financially secure."

Totally Clean Solution (TCS)

• Summary of Operation: A ready made commercial cleaning business staffed and operating from day one.. A recession proof business. Training in all aspects of running your business is included. We do the selling - no door knocking for you.
• Ideal Franchise Owner Profile: Self-motivated, good sound management background, with the ambition to run own business.
• Cost of Franchise: £33,000 + VAT
• Year Company Established: 2010
• Year of First Franchise Owner: 2010
• Training Provided: Operationally to achieve brand standards delivery as well as cleaning standards delivery. Financially with regards to cash flow and profit and loss. Anyone can be a busy fool. Ethically to treat people legally and with the respect they deserve.
• Support Services Provided: All invoicing, account collection, sales, full call centre and logisitcs back up. You will receive assistance from the senior management team which has over 70 years of franchise experience. Our operational support system is 'Best in Class'. Financial support that means growth is always affordable – earn your way to a successful business.

Karren Brady, 42, became the youngest managing director of a public company when Birmingham City Football Club floated on the London Stock Exchange. She was also the first woman to hold such a post in the top flight of English football when the club was promoted to the Premier League in 2002. Now vice chairman of West Ham United, she is also a columnist, author and Lord Sugar's sidekick on The Apprentice. She lives in Birmingham with her husband, Paul Peschisolido, 42, and their children Sophia, 15, and Paolo, 13. How do you separate responsibility for financial decisions with your husband? Who takes a stronger role? I do it all. Some years ago a window cleaner was touting for business down our road and knocked at our door when I was out. Paul later told me the quote had seemed a bit expensive – £500. I couldn't believe anyone would charge so much so I asked him to tell me more and it turns out the guy said "five" and Paul, assuming no one would clean windows for £5, had thought he meant £500. He hasn't a clue about money.

From Corporal to Captain: While Johnson is no stranger to aggressive policing tactics, his initial attraction to law enforcement was the potential it offered for helping others. "That's my main goal," he said, "I like to help people." A graduate of the Franklin Learning Center, Johnson signed on to the PPD in 1988 after serving three years of active duty in the Marine Corps as a bulk fuel specialist. In 1992, Johnson was involved in a highly publicized police shooting known as the "Window Washing Charlie shooting," in which a West Philadelphia resident was shot 22 times by police after he pointed what turned out to be an empty gun at them, according to archived reports. He considered leaving the police department, and took classes in nursing at the Community College of Philadelphia.

People Are Strange - Betting Tips for Normal People. He reminded me of my sister's window cleaner who realised he was scared of heights one afternoon. Unfortunately, this epiphany occurred when he was up a ladder throwing a cloth over some dirty panes two storeys up. The fire brigade suggested a change of career.

Patch sits down with the state senator for Southwest Minneapolis and Richfield. What bills will you be introducing this session? Kelash: I’ll be introducing a bill related to window-washer safety and another one supporting the extension of the Mall of America’s Tax Increment Financing district (for infrastructure improvements). There’s great economic development potential there. Also, the jobs bill that the governor is promoting will wind up in my committee.

More Kentucky schools may go green to clean: More Kentucky schools could start using environmentally friendly cleaning products if a bill making its way through the state legislature succeeds. House Bill 146, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Carl Rollins, would direct the Kentucky Department of Education to promote “green cleaning” programs. It sailed through Rollins’ House Education Committee Tuesday morning. Cleaning products are considered “green” when a third-party has determined they are nontoxic and meet standards for health and the environment. Local school officials say they are already using cleaning supplies that are safe for the environment, students and employees. Assistant Superintendent Charley Preston says Franklin County Public Schools buys green cleaning products whenever possible. Supplies are bought at the district level and distributed to each school.

Preston says the products cost about the same amount as conventional cleaners, or a little more. The cost has come down over the last several years, as they have gained in popularity, he said. HB 146 stipulates that the Kentucky’s education officials publish an annual list of preferred green cleaning supplies, including all-purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, window and glass cleaners, carpet cleaners, floor care products and hand soaps. The bill directs state education officials to consult with the Department for Environmental Protection and the Kentucky chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council to promote the program and recommend cleaning procedures, local policies and ideas for staff training. Schools that participate would see their names on a statewide list.

Bridport: At last! Peter gets his pineapple: Peter Pinker, a semi-retired window cleaner, persevered in spite of suffering many a horticultural setback over the quarter-century. “All the other ones I’ve grown I’ve over-watered and they rotted, or I’ve left them outside and a cold spell killed them off. But I’m pleased to say that after 25 years of trying I’ve finally got one to bear fruit,” he said. He decided to give it a go back in the Eighties when he read about pineapples in a gardening magazine. In spite of the 15 or so failed attempts, his ‘never say die’ spirit has finally been rewarded with a fruit currently the size of a small aubergine. He grew the plant by cutting the top off a supermarket pineapple and simply planting it in a pot in his conservatory. Tending the plant required just a little water and some tomato fertilizer once a month. But getting it to fruit proved trickier until his wife, Jan, intervened. “She kept getting stabbed by the sharp leaves and told me that either it went or she did,” he joked. “So I cut back the leaves and shortly afterwards the fruit came.” Mr Pinker, who has also grown sweet peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes in his conservatory, has no intention of eating his prize specimen just yet. “I’ll wait and see how big it grows and then I’ll eat it” he said. But he acknowledged that Mrs Pinker might be looking forward to the day it’s gone. “She says I think more of my pineapple than I do her,” he laughed.

Meet the new guy: Ald. Will Burns isn’t a complete stranger to South Loop. Between 2008 and 2010, he represented the 26th District in the Illinois General Assembly, a district that stretched from Gold Coast to South Shore neighborhoods, moving through South Loop along the thin sliver of land east of Michigan Avenue. As an alderman, Burns joined the Reform Caucus his predecessor helped to establish and sponsored a number of reform initiatives. Those include: The Responsible Bidder in Service Contracts ordinance, which would increase scrutiny over bidders for city janitorial, security and window washing contracts. As of this writing, those ordinances are either being held in committee or await City Council vote.

Michael William Sarback: Michael William Sarback, 95, of Stratford, husband of Isabelle Irene Barrett Sarback, died Jan. 20. He was born in Bridgeport to the late William and Mary Sherbatiuk Sarback. Mr. Sarback was the proprietor of Central Window Cleaning, retiring at 88. He was a member of the PAL Cadet Drum Corp, vice commander of the Corp and director of PAL Thunderbird Color Guard. He was an avid UConn, NY Mets, Giants and Rangers fan. One of his favorite pastimes was woodworking where he spent countless hours in his workshop creating items nothing less than beautiful, his family said.

Is this the best husband ever? The man who combines his workout with housekeeping: Housekeeping and exercise are both chores that, though essential, can be tedious to carry out on a regular basis. But one man believes he has found a solution that is both time-effective and fun: combining the two to create a cleaning regime that doubles as a workout. Steve Markovich, 57, from Crescent Springs, Kentucky, has perfected his hybrid routine over the past 16 years. Marrying popular resistance-training methods with day-to-day housework, it comprises vacuum lunges, window-cleaning squats, sofa-lifting and even kitchen karate kicks.

Modified bath salts now appearing under new labels: Drugs similar to recently banned bath salts are back in some convenience stores in the Upstate, now packaged as glass cleaner. Bath salts were banned in South Carolina in October, but the bans failed to include modified drugs in the same chemical family. State Rep. Anne Thayer of Belton has filed a bill that would extend the ban to similar stimulants. Thayer says the bill will likely make it to the House floor on Tuesday. Bath salts, the term for powdery, paranoia-inducing drugs, were sold in gas stations and some head shops before bans at the federal, state, county and municipal levels last year. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration deemed mephedrone, methylone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone or MDPV, three common stimulants found in bath salts, as controlled substances in October. The same ban included synthetic marijuana. According to a forensic chemist, there are 45 modified versions of stimulants found in bath salts. This week the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office discovered a package marketed as glass cleaner. A December seizure by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office of $39,000 worth of bath salts at Randy’s Smoke ‘n Holes in Anderson included several packages labeled glass cleaner, spokesman Chad McBride said. Manufacturers of the stimulants are skirting the law, marketing stimulants as harmful as the original three banned for the DEA. The stimulants are being sold not only as glass cleaner but also as window cleaner, plant food and axle grease.

Lawmakers also discussed legislative plans to ban synthetic drugs. Lundberg said he “went into a head shop” to find out what it’s like to buy the synthetic drug known as “bath salts.” “I said ‘I would like to buy some bath salts,’ and they said ‘We don’t sell bath salts,’” Lundberg said of the experience. “(They said) ‘We sell window cleaner.’ I said ‘OK where do I get the window cleaner?’ He opened up a strongbox and brought up a little vial. ... I said ‘OK, I’m not going to get through many windows with that.’” State Rep. Tony Shipley, who is advancing legislation to create new felonies for manufacturing, distributing and selling synthetic drugs, described a meeting he had with school students to discuss the issue.

Brighter, bigger, wider: interior design using glass: Lang believes glass is the simplest method to attain an open living area. He uses glass not only as a window to the outside world but also as a form of furnishing, as a stair, as a floor-window or as a sliding door. Glass was first used to divide up space in offices and businesses. Only later did it find a wider use in homes. 'It's mostly used to allow light to enter the interior from the building's facade. Sometimes it's used to allow light to pass from room to room,' says Johannes Berschneider, an interior designer. Glass can also play a role in energy-saving such as by using a skylight to allow natural light into a walk-in wardrobe. Glass partitions are gaining in popularity. 'What people often want today is more flexible use of space,' says Berschneider. If you want a clear view from the dining table, through the kitchen and into your living room, then glass is the best why to get it. On the other hand a glass partition can instantly give an open plan area a more private atmosphere. But how can transparent glass generate an intimate and private feeling? 'You can make the surface of glass translucent or matt by sand-blasting it or using acid,' says Jochen Groenegraes from Germany's Bundesverband Flachglas, an umbrella organisation that represents the glass manufacturing and retail sector in the country. Translucent glass has given architects more scope for design. 'Glass gets really interesting when it's used in an artistic way,' says Lang. That arty look can be achieved by using especially clear Optiwhite glass or reflective glass, which is often used in spa areas to mirror water. Translucent glass for home use does not need to be exclusively matt or enamelled but can also be printed with photographs and patterns. Varnished glass can be used as a floor covering or as an alternative to tiling on walls. When using glass on floors and walls safety aspects begin to play a major role. 'You must use safety glass in the home,' advises Groenegraes. Only use laminated safety glass in flooring or as an overhead window. Laminated glass consists of two layers of glass bonded together by a middle layer of plastic resin to prevent it from shattering. For other uses in the home, tempered glass will usually provide an adequate standard of safety. If safety is your top consideration then you can rest assured that glass can find a place in the home. But even the experts think glass is not suitable for every application. 'Glass is not a material that a person will feel most comfortable in,' says Berschneider. 'Glass steps always feel smooth and I hate it when a ceramic coffee cup clatters on a glass table surface.' 

Window size: The size of the house windows determine whether it will be cool or not. The bigger the windows, the cooler the house will be. Large windows allow in a lot of cool air and allow hot air out easily. However, for this purpose to be fully served, Pagril says the size of the fraction of the window that opens has a part to play.  “In the case of sliding windows, they might be big but because its only one fraction of the window that opens, it limits the air coming in and out whereas in the case of shutters, because both windows open, they will allow in more cool air,” he says. Pagril adds that with the new way of construction, most people have the tendency of having the ventilators fixed with the windows. In this case, when you place the curtains, they will end up covering the ventilators thus limiting the aeration in the house. So it is important that when constructing, people consider the old style of constructing by having the ventilators above the window because these contribute towards the air circulation in the house. 

Firm's weather products create storm of interest: It's handiwork can be found all over the globe, from the depths of the Amazon jungle to top of soaring Asian skyscrapers. And now a small North East firm, whose success shows that Britain is not the only weather-obsessed nation, is preparing to break into the vast US market. North Shields-based Environmental Measurements Limited (EML), and its team of six, supplies rain and wind gauges to markets across the world, including China, Russia, Turkey and Korea. Closer to home, on top of the towering Milburn Stand at St James’ Park, EML’s wind gauges are used to determine whether or not conditions are safe for window cleaners to go to work on the glass exterior of the stadium. The company produces wind,speed and direction sensors, aerodynamic rain gauges, data-loggers and automatic weather stations.

Man jailed for burglary and drug-related offences: A young man who targeted maisonettes and flats in Bukit Batok and Jurong West to break in was packed off to jail for 42 months on Friday for burglary and drug-related offences. Adam Jamaluddin's crime spree lasted about five months before he was caught by the police at his home on Nov 18 last year. The total amount of property he stole was worth approximately $37,500 of which $8,110 worth of goods had been recovered. The 21-year-old former window cleaner, who faced 23 charges, pleaded guilty to six charges of housebreaking and theft and one each of heroin possession and consumption.

Vinyl windows: Vinyl windows should get a yearly inspection. Clean window tracks of debris, says Burt Harold, a rep for Pella Windows. Make sure weatherstripping is sound and making proper contact. Replace as needed. When cleaning, never use abrasives, which can damage the window's vinyl skin. If you need to lubricate a track, use pure silicone spray, not WD-40. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for caulking. When washing windows, be aware that bleach can discolor dark vinyl colors. And, remember, window films can void your warranty.

Window Cleaning News

Free Window Cleaning Business Owner Magazine Issue #1: WCBO (Window Cleaning Business Owner) issue #1 can now be download free of charge as a pdf. Just click the picture to take you to the download site. In this issue:

• Pro Window Cleaner Spot Light - Salvatore Marino
• Manufacturer Spotlight - Cody Thomas GlassRenu
• Regular Features: Marketing, How I roll, Leadership, In the Field, Manage, Sales, Money, New Product Alert, Tech, Web, Web Again, Thinking Outside the Bucket, On the Road, Safety, The Hard Numbers & Fun.

Thanks to Randy Mills of Pioneer Services in California for tipping me off on this video. Amelia Rudolph, founder of Project Bandaloop, shows off her group's unique, skyscraper-scaling style of dance.

RE: Lost: The Desire To Work - a letter from Jeffrey Miller, Noah, Chris and Tyler, Window Washers.

We would like to respond to Mr. Callahan’s recent letter regarding the youth of today and the fact that he feels this group has lost their desire to work. He says he doesn’t see young people mowing lawns or washing cars, etc. A friend and I started a window washing business while at CHS. This business continues today and is the source of our college money. We have some amazing clients and we learn something from each of them. We give back to the community along with another entrepreneurial graduate from CHS, Luis Madrid, in the form of an annual scholarship to a senior at CHS who has best demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit while in high school. There is a pool of candidates each year.
We were not alone in starting a business while in high school. There were and still are students who walk dogs, do tutoring, do small errands, etc. We often get requests for additional small jobs, which we do ourselves or we send a qualified young person out to assist. Over the years this work group has refurbished a yacht deck, moved boxes in, boxes out, and moved furniture around, picked up packages, gardened, removed trash, put up light bulbs, delivered items, put up Christmas lights, dug holes, and/or assisted with just about any small job that was requested. Many continue to do these jobs assisting residents even as they moved on to local colleges. We have a running list of those who are always looking for work they can do after school or on weekends.
The young people in Coronado are working or would like to work, but it is sometimes difficult to connect the two. We have tried to assist with this, however, if you look at this from a different point of view, you will see that times are much different than those you described. Finding after-school work is difficult, if not impossible. No one wants to hire a ‘kid’ to mow their grass, when they can get a gardener with his own equipment. To work in a post office as a teenager these days would never happen … too many adults want that job. Parents are afraid to let their kids go out to look for work and residents are afraid to have someone new in their homes and everyone is worried about liability and lawsuits.
So Mr. C., we challenge you. Call us to do your windows. Call other young people for your odd jobs. Use your voice to help young people who want to work by encouraging a spot in the Eagle where they can post their ads at a reduced rate. We know from experience that advertising and other expenses can be costly. Encourage other residents to support their local labor pool before looking at other companies/individuals. No, not every young person is motivated, but there are many who are. We grew up working on weekends and after school and many of our friends did the same. Of course, we have many years of experiences ahead of us, but that saying, “It takes a village …” Well, it does, but fortunately … we have a Village. Encourage others to look for these young locals when they have work to be done.

Harry Hunderman wasn’t amazed when his colleagues recently rappelled near the top of the Washington Monument, because he’s done it himself, on the dome of the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison. The WJE “Difficult Access Teams” have worked the heights in Chicago, The Willis Tower, John Hancock Center and BP Amoco Building, along with Soldier Field. They’ve gotten down and dirty in the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. And yet few structures could have provoked a reaction like the Washington Monument. The WJE people feel they just have clients to serve, even if it means being latched to ropes or working from the relative safety of window-washers platforms. Somehow the WJE staff has married the outwardly dull, office-bound callings of engineering and architecture with the thrill of alpine-style adventure.

GRAND RAPIDS – The inconvenience of getting kicked out of his office for a day didn't faze Haris Alibasic, who knew the temporary imposition during a $1.2 million window replacement project would result in years of benefit for Grand Rapids. The feeling has been experienced by workers throughout the building's eight above-ground floors as two months of work are expected to wrap up in the next week, leaving the structure with energy efficient double-paned glass that will knock off about $40,000 annually from the city's utility bills. “A project of this magnitude is an important step to meeting our energy conservation goals and reduce our consumption,” said Alibasic, the city's director of energy and sustainability. “It will help us save money and become more sustainable.”

Single-paned windows installed in the mid-1960s left workers baking in the summer and freezing in the winter. Screens placed over the windows in 1977 were known for collecting dirt, bugs and spiders that gave the appearance of being constantly dirty. Once completed, contractors will have removed and replaced 640 panes on city hall's second through ninth floors, 54 more lining Calder Plaza and 11 along Monroe Avenue NW. The entire project, which also includes swapping out lights and installing motion sensors, was paid for with a federal grant directed at finding energy loss solutions.

Oakland aims to add more businesses to its “green certified” list: What do the Chabot Space and Science Center, PGAdesign, Red Oak Realty, The Tip Top Bike Shop, Mr. Sparkle Window Washers, and Baja Taqueria have in common? They are all “green” businesses in Oakland. Oakland is currently home to 138 green certified businesses—restaurants, stores and offices that meet county standards of energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling, and waste reduction, among other things. City officials aim to certify 100 more by next fall thanks to a recent push by Oakland’s recycling program to spread the word about green certification and help business owners complete the process. “I personally notice when a business has a green certification logo in their window,” said Becky Dowdakin, supervisor of the city’s recycling program. “Every business is supposed to be in compliance with general regulations, but it impresses me personally when a business goes beyond that. Read the full story by Brittany Schell at OaklandNorth.net.

A designer drug that simulates cocaine that is marketed as "glass cleaner" has replaced "bath salts" in many smoke shops across the Tempe area, rendering all but useless an emergency federal ban enacted last month to stem the sale and use of the potentially lethal bath salts, officials say. The legal sale of the white powder that is altered slightly from "bath salts" for less than $20 in smoke shops, on websites and in some liquor and convenience stores is sending a rapidly rising number of patients to emergency rooms, treatment facilities and poison centers, officials say. State Rep. Matt Heinz of Tucson, a physician, said he will push for bills in the upcoming legislative session to ban the dangerous chemicals found in synthetic cocaine and marijuana, and more importantly, to penalize the businesses that sell a substance causing psychosis, extreme agitation and unnatural strength in users.

Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman wants Arizona to join the 28 states that prohibit the manufacture, use and sale of the drug. "Every smoke shop on every corner is now selling this," Hallman said. "They are pretending it is not for human consumption." Just this past weekend, Hallman said, he was on Mill Avenue and aided a young woman who was suffering side-effects from the glass cleaner. No one in Arizona has died yet as a result of using the "glass cleaner" that is molecularly similar to the banned "bath salts," drug counselors and city officials say. But the hallucinations, paranoia and agitation often triggered by snorting, injecting, eating and smoking the drug have led to arrests on crimes caused by the side-effects, police say. One patient had walked through a plate-glass window oblivious to pain, Heinz said. Others have stabbed and cut themselves, have been so agitated police stunned them with Tasers, or have spent days experiencing paranoid hallucinations.

More Than 3,500 Children Work to Support Families in Bolivia: The Bolivian families of low income force many children to work as a shoeshine, peddlers, window washers, carters. According to the recent survey “Infancia Sin Derechos”, carried out by the Observatorio Infanto Juvenil, by the University Gabriel Rene Moreno and by the founding of Projects and Study Services and Analysis (SEPA), approximately 3,500 children and adolescents work on the streets of Santa Cruz Montero, Camiri, San Ignacio de Velasco and El Torno. Among these children, 40% do not attend school and only 35% live with their parents. In addition to not having any health insurance at work, they are excluded from medical care, and 4 out of 10 are mistreated at work, school and family.

Algae Problem in Your Fishtank? Find Out Which Species Really Eat Algae: Various South American suckermouth catfish are effective algae-eaters. The most popular are the various species sold as "plecos." The namesake for the group, the common pleco (Hypostomus plecostomus), is an excellent algae-eater but is not the best choice for most hobbyists. Dealers sell small, inexpensive youngsters without warning that they can grow to 2-foot adults. However, if you want an algae-eater to keep with large fish, the common pleco is a good, hardy choice. Plecos can readily handle gold or green slime. Their tough, rough lips will reduce green dot algae to a certain extent, as well. Plecos may have a face only a mother pleco could love, but they make the best window cleaners.

Seth Glick, 27, is a Movember participant who joined the movement to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer research. Glick decided to grow this iconic moustache specifically to stand apart from other participants, in an effort to have more conversations about prostate cancer than he did last year. It's a smart move in a month when more men are deciding to grow facial hair for the cause.

EDMONTON — A charitable month of moustaches is at the end of its growth. Movember, a play on combining the word “moustache” with the month of November, is a movement to raise awareness and donations for prostate cancer research through the novelty of growing groomed facial hair. The end of the month is here and men who have grown moustaches are eager to shave, but also count the funds they’ve raised, which might be less than they’re used to. Seth Glick, 27, a Wolf Willow resident and west-end business owner of ClearSkies Window and Gutter Cleaning, is the man of the mo’ment. He’s grown a classic handlebar moustache with twisted curls on the end, reminiscent of ‘80s baseball pitcher Rollie Fingers, all in the name of helping the cause. “I heard about Movember and I thought, ‘That’s kind of cool,’ ” said Glick. “Instead of running a race, you grow a moustache all month, that’s kind of funny.”

We find 10,417 outdoors jobs up for grabs right now: As part of our Get Britain Working campaign, we’ve unearthed an impressive 10,417 jobs across the UK. For many of us, staring at a computer screen day in day out or working in a shop or factory fills us with dread. The good news is that, if you’re prepared to face whatever the weather has to throw at you, there are jobs to be found across the whole country. You could decide to work on the land, you might want to improve the environment, perhaps you prefer plenty of contact with people, or maybe the construction industry is for you. There are opportunities across the UK, in towns and cities, as well as in the countryside. Careers are available at every level and you can join after leaving school, college or university, or after gaining experience in other roles. If you want you can even set up on your own offering services such as gardening, dog walking, or window cleaning.

Why are women dumping their husbands in their sixties? Shirley Sandford, 75, who divorced her husband of 35 years when she was in her early 60s. ‘It took a lot of courage to leave my marriage,’ she says. ‘I grew up in an era when you stood by your husband through thick and thin. Years ago, women stayed in unhappy marriages largely because they couldn’t afford to leave, but I have always had my own career. ‘I took the final decision to leave on the morning of my youngest son’s wedding. I looked in the mirror and thought: “I can’t do this any more.” My ex-husband ran his own window cleaning business, but he only used to work in the mornings. And while he sat in front of the television every afternoon, I came home from work to a schedule of domestic drudgery. ‘I took care of the children and did all the cooking, cleaning and washing. Previous generations of women would have put up with it, but I just snapped. I wanted the rest of my life back before I got too old to enjoy it. I am so much happier now I am on my own, and I don’t have any contact with my ex at all.’

The dirt on window cleaner: A reader bought a voucher from Yazoom and is having terrible trouble trying to redeem it: Denise writes: "It was for a $69 house-lot of window cleaning. I phoned the company the next day but there was no answerphone and no one picked up. I emailed Yazoom and they assured me the answerphone would be enabled and sure enough it was. I left a message, and texted. No reply. I called again and got a live person who said to text details and he would get back to me. Nothing was sent back. I called and texted him four or five more times all to no avail. Yazoom does not even bother to reply now ... The voucher has now expired."

Paul J. Molz Jr. of Bensalem passed away Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was 75. Born in Philadelphia, he was a resident of Bensalem for 45 years. He was a graduate of Lincoln High School, Class of 1953. Paul was the owner of Paul's Window Cleaning and retired after 45 years. He was also a mechanic and, along with his son, was very involved in sprint cars, modified's and eventually antique cars. He was a Jeff Gordon fan and just loved racing. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Tomlinson Funeral Home, 2207 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, and again from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park, Feasterville.

The 100 Biggest Stories of 2011: The Colonel Takes Lunch to New Heights - KFC launched an extreme menu makeover by dispatching the Colonel to personally deliver its new $5 Everyday Meals to window washers working nearly 40 stories up at Chicago’s River Bend building in May. Facebook fans were asked to name people in need of a “So Good” extreme lunch delivery, and after the votes were tallied, KFC decided to bring lunch to one of America’s most extreme occupations, high-rise window washers. Also on the blog here & here.

A former window cleaner from Hull died from inhaling toxic gases after an intruder attacked him and set fire to his holiday apartment in Spain. Charles Stabler, 64, was staying at his flat in Benalmadena, Costa del Sol, when a man broke in, robbed him and set fire to the property in April 2009. His attacker was caught by police and later convicted and jailed for 25 years for Mr Stabler’s murder, an inquest at Hull Coroner’s Court heard. Recording a verdict of unlawful killing, coroner Geoffrey Saul said: “(Mr Stabler died from) multi-organ failure caused by the intoxication by the inhalation of toxic gases as a result of the domestic fire.” The brief inquest heard that an intruder broke into Mr Stabler’s third-floor apartment on April 9, 2009 and attacked and robbed him. Mr Stabler received a number of injuries as a result of this assault but they did not contribute to his death, Mr Saul said. The intruder then set light to the premises and Mr Stabler was found unconscious and rescued by firemen. He remained in a coma for three weeks until he died on May 1, 2009.

Charred body found from UBL building: Islamabad: A charred body of a man working in the United Bank (UBL) was found on Friday from the eighth floor of the building where a massive fire erupted on Thursday, police said. The recovery was made when a cleaning contractor of the building approached the police with the complaint that one of his workers working at the building as a cleaner was missing since Thursday morning. The contractor further stated that the worker “Ghulam Farid, 35, a native of Attock“ went to 14th floor of the building where UBL offices are located to perform his duty and the fire incident took place.

In response of the complaint, the Kohsar police came to the building which was sealed on Thursday evening after the incident and conducted search of the cleaner along with the colleagues of the missing person and building management. After hours long search a body was found buried under debris at eighth-floor of the building which was under the use of Hashwani Group. Ghulam Farid was identified by the contractor through his shoes. Later the body was shifted to hospital for autopsy and other necessary legal process. The presence of the victim at the floor raised several questions, which, the local administration said, would thoroughly be investigated.

A funeral service was held at All Saints’ Church, Driffield for Charlie May of Wansford Road, Driffield, who died in the Alfred Bean Hospital on 2nd November. He was 97. Charlie was born in Bradford and attended school there. After leaving school he joined the army and served in France and North Africa.  After leaving the army he became a bus driver in Bradford.  After moving to Driffield he worked as a bus driver for EYMS until retirement. He also worked at The Trout Inn and had a window cleaning round.

Man conned pensioners in window cleaning scam: A Fraudster who scammed Harborough pensioners in a window cleaning con has been ordered to complete 40 hours of unpaid work in the community. Kevin David Gibson, of no fixed abode, turned up at the elderly residents’ homes in Highfield Street and Burnmill Road claiming to be a window cleaner collecting money for work he had done. They gave him the cash and the scam was only revealed days later when the genuine window cleaner turned up. Gibson (27) was arrested on Monday and appeared before Hinckley Magistrates the following day, where he was convicted of two counts of fraud. He was sentenced to a 12 month drugs rehabilitation order and 40 hours of community service. The offences happened earlier this month, the court heard. Now officers investigating the two incidents are appealing for other victims to come forward.  Sgt Mark Williams, of Harborough Police, said: “This was an excellent result with some swift action from us and the rest of the criminal justice system. “There is potential for Gibson to have approached other people in their homes and carried out the same crime. If you have recently been approached by a man requesting money for window cleaning, who you feel suspicious of, please call us so we can investigate the crime.” Anyone with any information is asked to contact Sgt Williams by dialing 101, following the instructions to leave a message for a police officer, and when prompted keying in the officer’s identification number 2241. Alternatively, phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

MoD staff fear for families’ security: Striking public sector workers took to the picket lines on Wednesday morning outside MoD Corsham to show their anger at the government’s pension reforms. Around 20 representatives from two unions, Prospect and PCS, were protesting outside the base, in Westwells Road, about the reform plans which they feel will force them to pay more for their pensions and work for longer before they can retire. Union members, who started their picketing at 7am, lobbied workers on their way into the base. John Streeter, 57, Civil Service President of Prospect, said: “I was involved in the strikes in 1979 and this has a much different feel, back then, it was about pay but now this is about something much bigger, the robbery of pensions for many generations of people.” He added: “The protests today are absolutely vital as this dispute is something which will affect around 4 million people and the government will have to take note.”

Civil Servant Nicola Williams, 41, who works at MoD Corsham took to the picket lines because she felt the pension reforms would significantly hamper her family’s financial security. She said: “I think today is starting to gather real momentum in what we want to highlight locally and across the country. As a mother of two young children I am very concerned for the future. Myself and my husband are both out on strike as we feel these reforms will have a huge affect on our family. “We’ve already had to start recalculating our finances, we’ve cancelled our window cleaner, thinking of getting rid of our milkman and changed supermarket as we are nervous about what the future holds. Today, for example we are both losing a day’s wage, so close to Christmas which isn’t ideal but it is a fight we had to support.”

Tips for Christmas lights: It may be a cold forecast for the weekend, but many people will be heading out to put on Christmas lights. But climbing up on the roof in slick conditions can lead to some nasty falls. Experts have some tips to stay safe: be careful with ladders, look for cracked or broken sockets before installing strands, and wear the right shoes. "They want to make sure they have the right pair of shoes on if they’re going to be on the roof, a good pair of hiking shoes,” said David Peterson, president of Clear Choice Window Cleaning. “If they’re going to be on shake shingle, you need cleats on."The Consumer Products Safety Commission reports that 12,000 people nationwide end up in emergency rooms because of holiday decorating accidents.

Have you recently checked your home's gutters? If not, you could be in for some major problems. Angie Hicks, of consumer group Angie's List, says  "Your gutters should last about 20 years so it's important to properly maintain them, but more importantly your gutters are your first defense against water coming into your house. So if you are not cleaning your gutters once or twice a year, you can have serious water problems." Angie's List explains the benefits of clean gutters:

• Clogged gutters can cause problems with water damage, by allowing water through the foundation level, window wells, or roof line. This can then lead to mold. 
• Clean gutters can help prevent landscaping erosion and cracks in your home's foundation. 
• Gutters filled with debris fill faster with water and ice and weighted down can collapse. Gutters can also overflow with ice and snow, leading to ice damming. This can lead to water being trapped on the roof, forced under shingles and up the roof line.

Angie's List reveals tips on proper maintenance and ways to extend the life of your gutters:

Twice a year: Gutters and downspouts should be inspected and cleaned at least twice a year - once in the spring and again in the fall after the leaves have stopped falling. Homes in heavily wooded areas may need a cleaning three or four times a year. Expect to pay about $100 or more per cleaning, depending on the size of your home.

• What you should look for: Regularly walk around your home and look for leaking or sagging gutters, loose or damaged fasteners, and streaking in front or back of the gutter. 
• Check gutter screens/guards: Gutter protection systems can help keep debris from settling in the gutter - allowing water that does collect to flow freely through the downspouts. But that doesn't mean these products are maintenance-free. Check regularly that these are not damaged or clogged with leaves.
• Time to replace? If you notice your gutters pulling away from the fascia board (the board that holds the gutter) or your gutters to continue to overflow after having already been cleaned, it could be time to replace them. The cost to replace aluminum gutters is between $4 and $7 per foot. 
• Don't forget gutter miter seams: Be sure gutter miter seams, the corner seam where gutters bend, are caulked properly. Miter seams not caulked can eventually lead to the gutter board or soffits rotting out. Pay special attention to drips from seams occurring over walkways, or leaks that may be causing harm to the adjoining wood fascia. These should be repaired.

Angie's List hiring tips:

• Licensed & insured: Working on gutters requires the use of a ladder, which can be dangerous. When hiring a professional, check that the company is licensed and insured - ask to see their policy - do they have worker's compensation protection for employees? Check that YOU have enough homeowners insurance. 
• Be informed: If you have to replace your gutters, there are many types available today (aluminum, vinyl, copper, stainless steel) so be sure you learn about the pros and cons of each. 
• Read the fine print: When purchasing new gutters, be sure to read all the details before signing a contract. Check the warranty - look for a warranty that runs at least 20 years.

Scientists working at Simon Frasor University have created a robot "gecko" that is capable of climbing walls the same way as its reptilian counterparts, according to a report by the Vancouver Sun. Though it borrows its technology from nature, the robot runs on tracks and actually looks more like a small tank than it does a lizard. The device could soon be used to perform all kinds of jobs that are perilous for people, such as inspecting nuclear power plants, cleaning skyscraper windows or performing search-and-rescue missions in collapsed buildings. The robot performs its gravity-defying task by utilizing a clingy silicone compound that has been formed into tiny bumps shaped like mushroom caps. It works thanks to a little known chemical force called the Van der Waals force, the weak force that attracts molecules or the components of molecules. The force accounts for molecular attraction not caused by a covalent bond or the electrostatic interaction of ions.

In nature, geckos also take advantage of this force when they climb walls. "The adhesive pads on geckos follow this same principle by utilizing a large number of fibers, each with a very small tip. The more fibers a gecko has in contact, the greater attachment force it has on a surface," said Jeff Krahn, one of the researchers working on the gecko-like bot. Another advantage of the technology is that it doesn't leave behind any kind of sticky residue, which is a necessary byproduct of other forms of adhesive like glue or tape. It is therefore ideal for tasks such as window-cleaning. So far the 240-gram robot prototype isn't as versatile as a living gecko, as it is only capable of sticking to glass or whiteboard-like surfaces (geckos, on the other hand, can climb on almost any surface, even rough ones like concrete or tree trunks).

Estimating Expenses Before Buying Your First Home: If you are like most people embarking on their search for a first home, you will do a certain amount of math. You will look at your current budget, size up your down payment and figure out what sort of monthly mortgage payment you may be able to afford.  But the list of new expenses, previously handled by the landlord, only starts with line items like property taxes. There are monthly condo or co-op charges or homeowners association fees. Insurance, electricity and heat will probably cost more than they used to, and there may be a new water bill, too. The expenses will differ a fair bit depending on the size of the home, but there are others — a double-digit number of others, alas — that are fairly predictable. Not all will hit you each month, but you should save for them as if they will, so you are not turning to credit cards when they do.

This list will get you started, though a good home inspector can provide you with one as well. Our list includes estimates (in today’s dollars) from service providers in the Chicago and Los Angeles areas that are highly rated on Angie’s List, which ranks local merchants. Costs may vary depending on your region, and some of you may well mow your own lawn or clean your gutters or not have a swimming pool to worry about. But much of this is unavoidable, and if you shoulder it all, you’re looking at roughly $900 each month on average. Ignore it in your home-shopping budget at your peril. WINDOW WASHING L. A. McMahon Window Washing in Schaumburg, Ill., charges an average of $150 for an annual interior and exterior spring cleaning, or about $13 a month. GUTTER CLEANING About $100 annually, according to L. A. McMahon, which performs this service, too, or about $8 a month.

The scandal of rogue factors: The Property Factors (Scotland) Act will force property managers to be registered for the first time and introduce a body to resolve disputes. And for householders who have run into difficulty with their factors, it is a welcome step forward. Three years ago when Andy Kennedy queried a bill for gutter maintenance – opting not to pay until he received an explanation for the charge – he was taken to the small claims court by his factor. By the time the case was heard, Kennedy said his initial bill of £120 had escalated to nearly £2000 with penalty charges and interest. The factor agreed to drop the extra charges after the sheriff expressed concern about the penalties levied. It is a problem which affects people across Scotland. Edinburgh City councillor Gordon Buchan, who has intervened in cases involving factors, said: “In Edinburgh you need to have a licence to become a window cleaner, but you can just call yourself a factor and do the job.”