Tips For Hiring Window Cleaning Pros

Tips for hiring pros to wash your windows, or doing it yourself: Window washing is a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. The question is, do you hire a professional window washer? Or do you save money and tackle the task yourself, even if that means climbing up on countertops indoors and a ladder to reach high glass outdoors? Either way, squeaky-clean windows make your home look more appealing, and make you more content, so the accumulation of winter grime cannot be ignored.

If hiring a professional is on your spring to-do list, but you haven't yet lined up anyone, you'd better get going. Particularly if your windows are being cleaned for a special occasion such as a graduation party. Some window washers, especially those who have regular customers, might already be booked into June. "Spring is one of our busiest seasons," says Bill Mastro of New View Window & Gutter Cleaners in Newbury. (Fall is busy, too, he said.) "This time of year, don't wait until the last minute."

Says Ray Nicolli Jr. of Ray's Cleaning Service in Lyndhurst, "I have regulars, so it might be hard to get an appointment. I have clients whose windows I do twice a year, and some of their appointments [including those for fall] are already made." James Lee of Robin Window & Gutter Cleaning in Lakewood says sometimes he can take a job with only two days' notice if it's small job, but two weeks' notice is best. Prices depend on the company, and, of course, the number and size of the windows.

With Ray's Cleaning Service, an average bungalow with about 12 to 14 windows cleaned inside and out is about $100, says Nicolli. With storm windows (which most homes in this area have), the job would run you $175 to $250 because there is more glass to wash. Windows with wood dividers might cost a little more. With Robin Window, says Lee, a job that involves cleaning only the outside of windows runs $60 to $85, not including storms.

Some professionals don't require the job to involve every window in the house. Some are called on to clean only first-floor windows or just the outside. "I have gone to a customer's home and done just the picture window," says Mastro. "Others just want the windows in a great room washed or some other tall window."

Do-it-yourselfers will spend a lot less, but there is a technique for cleaning windows to a spotless, streak-free, professional-looking finish. Generally, you'll need a quality squeegee with a soft rubber blade, a bucket of warm (not hot) water, a couple of squirts of dishwashing liquid or window-cleaning fluid, a sponge that isn't too coarse for scrubbing rough patches, and lots of clean, white cotton rags (diapers work well). It's best to clean your windows on a cool, cloudy day because the sun dries the window too quickly.

Wet the window with the cloth wipe and use the rougher side of the sponge for stubborn patches. Pull the squeegee from top to bottom, drying the tool between each swipe. Don't forget to clean water that drops onto the windowsill. Vinegar or ammonia are often recommended instead of soap, but Lee and Nicolli don't suggest them because people have a tendency to use too much. In addition, ammonia can take the finish off the glass after a time. A couple of gallons of water and a couple of squirts of dishwashing liquid should do the trick. Lee recommends that do-it-yourselfers work in one room at a time or one side of the house at a time so that the job isn't so overwhelming. Ladders can be dangerous, especially when one is holding a bucket and stretching to reach corners, so at the very least have someone holding the bottom.

Betsy's List, a consumer group, surveyed some window washers around the country. Here are their tips:
• Most homes should get a thorough window washing twice a year. This includes screens and sills.
• Most glass can be cleaned with soap and water. However, some call for special cleaning solutions.
• Large panes are best cleaned with a squeegee and finished with cloth to eliminate streaks. Small panes and leaded or stained glass are best cleaned with plain water and specialized window-cleaning cloths.
• Minimize the need for extra cleaning by not taping or sticking anything to your windows that you don't want to leave there permanently.
• If you hire a pro, make sure the company is licensed.

The Sörbo Way Part 2

The Sörbo Way Part 1 here.

If you value your back like you should (and we all should) The Quadropod is pretty much a necessity. Sörbo Samuelsson shows us how to use the Quadropod Bucket Stand (AKA Backbone Saver). He ought to know. He tweaked his back doing windows which is why he came up with this brilliant invention. Also see here.

One arm getting longer than the other from lugging your cleaning bucket around? Sick of getting your pant leg wet? Get your bucket a pimped-out ride, and save yourself from all that misery. The Leifcart Sport Utility Bucket stand goes over curbs, lawns and rough terrain without spilling. It has a graceful and comfortable handle so you can push it along faster with little effort. Perfect for those commercial jobs outdoors.

If you've ever been mystified by how the channel end clip is removed or inserted, this video is for you. Part of the secret is to relax and not worry too much about it. The end clip is a tough little bugger, and the rubber is too. So take it easy... feel free to push, pull and bend this way or that to make it all come together... and don't forget, a little lubrication never hurts. But please, only use water.

The Sörbo Tool Belt puts the tools you need most within easy reach. Quality, Speed and Ergonomics is what we're all about. But you can't get speed if you're wasting time fetching your tools. Stooping and bending to get your tools isn't good ergonomics. The nice thing is, if you have all three, you also have that all important fourth leg of a good business...better earnings. Which is why you need the Sörbo tool belt! My favourite belt!

Sörbo cleaning compounds give you more control. You can adjust your cleaning solution to compensate for the temperature and humidity. You don't have to be stuck with somebody else's idea of what a perfect cleaning solution should be. Over thirty years of experience doing windows in the desert region of Southern California gives Sörbo some valuable insight into what it takes to work in extreme environments.

The Eliminator: After all, one person doing as much work as five people in the same amount of time sounds too fantastic to be believed. Well believe it. Sörbo Samuelsson shows you just how easy it is to be a superhuman window cleaner, and make more money too.

Your backbone is your most important equipment, so why jeopardize it. Most of the bending and stooping can be eliminated by the creative use of an extension pole. Extend your reach and multiply your strength without tweaking your back. Sörbo Samuelsson shows how most of the steps in window cleaning can be done better and safer with an extension pole.

Sörbo explores the Sörbo Fast Release Handle.

Don't forget to watch the tricks & tips blog post here, and don't forget the alternative is the Slayer channel from WCR which has taken the market by storm here. Currently "just for fun" the boys at WCR are creating an 8 foot channel!

Squeegee Video Tricks & Tips

Here are a few tricks from Sörbo Samuelsson of Sörbo or SPC tools. Discover new and better ways of cleaning windows with innovative techniques and tools. Get fresh ideas on how to do windows better, more easily, more ergonomically and more profitably. Also see "The Sörbo Way."

All work and no fun is not good for anyone. Here's a technique developed to take care of that prerequisite. But don't let that fool you. It's a perfectly viable technique of doing windows, and you can express your artistic side at the same time. Great for killing time on a Friday afternoon.

You've heard of the jitterbug and the macarena. You've seen The Circler. Continuing our fun series, watch The Swirl. For some real serious speeds, use longer squeegee 3X4 adjustable channels. For French windows, use the MultiSqueegee®.

Here's Sörbo with both barrels blazing. Lots of movement, plenty of action, but this is just part of our fun series. If you really want to get done fast, try out longer squeegee channels or 'The Eliminator'.