You have slipped into your cleaning attire, strapped on your cleaning gear, checked the equipment, and are now ready to take on the large glass surface that stands in front of you. Cleaning it is your mission, and nothing less than spotless, streak free work will do. With your window squeegee in hand you set out do your job.
What happens next?
Do you stand back and admire your magnificent clean and sparkling effort? Or are you frustrated at the streaks, spots and less than perfect window you leave behind?
Clean the right way
A window cleaning job can go downhill very quickly if the right procedures are not followed. The one major difference between the true expert and the amateur when it comes to cleaning windows is that the experts rarely put a swipe wrong. That’s because they have good technique and they practice it more than most. Window cleaning seems like a simple job and it can be when you have the skills you need to master the task.
5 easy mistakes to avoid
We are all human and we are all prone to mistakes. Here’s a list of the top 4 rookie mistakes that should be avoided at all costs when window cleaning. This is really simple and easy stuff, nothing too technical or complex. Our aim is to enable anyone and everyone who’s out to clean a window to do it perfectly with little effort.
The 5 window squeegee mistakes you can avoid are...
1. Using excess detergent
This is one of the most common mistakes committed. There is a tendency to assume, wrongly, that more window washing detergent is better. The opposite is true. The right amount of detergent provides a number of benefits that includes a smooth surface to clean, faster work, and effective removal of dirt and grime. Excess detergent causes more harm than good. It slows the work rate, causes streaks on the windows, reduces the effect of the squeegee and leaves glass that tends to get dirty faster after cleaning.
2. Applying too much pressure with the window squeegee
Another mistake that is easy to commit. The reason why people do this is simple: more pressure leads to better cleaning. Again, the opposite is true. All that you need to do is place the window squeegee on the glass. That is all the pressure you need. As you move the squeegee across, the tool will do the rest. Applying excess pressure will not only tire your hands out quickly and leave streaks behind. It could also damage the glass surface.
3. Holding the window squeegee at the wrong angle
This is something that some of us don’t pay a lot of attention to. We hold the squeegee the best way we can and clean the window. The fact is that there should be a distance of about 7cm from the base of the professional squeegee handle where you hold to the glass surface. Anything more or less results in less than a satisfactory clean.
4. Not replacing the squeegee rubber often enough
The rubber edge of a squeegee is good for 4 to 6 hours of continual use. It needs to be changed after that. When the edge wears out, it can slow down your cleaning task and cause streaks on the surface. Pushing harder on the squeegee is not the answer. Just change the rubber over, it’s easy to do and it’s very inexpensive. An easy way to prevent this mistake is to check the squeegee before you clean.
5. Not cutting the edge or creating a dry zone on the glass
Creating a dry zone down the left side and along the top of the frame allows you to place a dry squeegee on dry glass before you begin each squeegee stroke. That's why it's also important to give your squeegee a quick drying wipe before you place the squeegee back in the dry zone to begin the next pass.
Did you relate to any of those squeegee mistakes? How do you use a window squeegee? We’d love to hear about your thoughts and experiences. If you have any tips to share please get in touch.
Whenever you need any assistance with your window cleaning technique or equipment we’re here to help. Give the XO2 team a call today on 1300 123 499, or check out XO2's range of window cleaning equipment online.
Happy window squeegeeing!
Related articles
- How To Use A Window Scraper On Glass And Avoid Expensive Scratches
- How To Remove Hard Water Mineral Stains On Windows & Glass
- How To Use A Window Squeegee Like A Pro
- How To Use A Large Window Squeegee On Glass
- Clean Windows Like A Professional With These 7 Essentials Items
- How To Hold A Window Squeegee Like An Expert
- How To Eliminate Streaks When Cleaning Windows With A Squeegee
- How To Look After And Store Your Window Cleaning Equipment
- How To Get Your Window Washing Detergent Right Before You Start Cleaning?
- How To Clean Difficult Windows And Glass In An Instant
- How To Wash Or Scrub Glass Windows
- The Expert Window Cleaning Extension Pole Guide
- 8 Simple Steps To Clean Windows Like A Professional