Do It Yourself Guide for Window Cleaning
Do It Yourself Guide for Window Cleaning contains everything you need to know about cleaning glass. In the “Equipment & Supplies” chapter, there are digital photographs and descriptions of the various types of equipment now being used by the Pro’s. The “Techniques” chapter contains 48 digital photographs; an actual step by step pictorial of a journeyman window cleaner cleaning a window using the swirl method, the straight pull method, cleaning a box window and the proper procedures for poll work
The “Helpful Hints & Safety Procedures” chapter contains pertinent information that will save you time and money and the most important thing, your life. “The Business End” chapter takes you through all the steps necessary to start your own small business, such as licenses and certificates, insurance, advertising, bidding jobs, writing proposals and hiring help
There is also a copy of a standard proposal. It’s compact in size but big on information, which, for the do-it-yourselfer, makes it ideal for on the job referencing. With the information in this book, you can learn to clean windows like the Pro’s, and if you so desire, become a Pro and make the money the Pro’s make.
Window Cleaning Cost & Prices
Are your windows beginning to display that thin layer of film? Do your windows seem to be letting in less natural light these days? If so, it’s probably likely that they are overdue a good clean. A comprehensive window clean can remove any grime, dirt and pollution that has built up. It also improves the overall impression of your property.
Average Window Cleaning Prices
We requested quotes from 25 different window cleaning companies across. Special thanks to Window Cleaning Services. Prices quoted are for a window clean of a 3 bed house (exterior only). Prices include VAT.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Window Cleaning Services
These are a few common factors that can affect the prices quoted.
Number of rooms
Window cleaning contractors may quote in different ways. Some may charge by the hour, whilst others can charge by type of building being serviced. Contractors sometimes quote according to the number of rooms, specifically the number of windows.
Size and Type of Property
Whilst the number of rooms is important, cleaning jobs on building like flats or large estates with multiple stories will naturally come at a higher price.
Window Washing and Workplace Safety
There is a new standard in place when it comes to workplace safety, specifically for those who are exposed to certain safety hazards at commercial buildings on a regular basis. It is called “Prevention through Design,” highlighted by the recently published American National Standard.
The “Prevention through Design Guidelines for Addressing Occupational Hazards and Risks in Design and Redesign Process” provides guidance on how to include prevention methods through design concepts “within an occupational safety and health management system.” Introduced in 2011 as ANSI/ASSE Z5903-2011, the standard is intended to complement existing safety practices and procedures.
While developing a written work plan, a professional window cleaning contractor will need to incorporate several elements to prevent accident or injury while on the job: equipment, training, and site assessment. These elements are important to note if your business currently provides window cleaning services or is exploring the possibility of offering them.
Element One: Equipment
The first element—equipment—involves the components that you, as the contractor, will bring to a site to properly and safely perform window cleaning services. The early part of the year often finds many window cleaning companies in a sluggish, if not inactive, state of operations in certain parts of the country. While some companies that work in climates where it is warm year-round are still at it, it’s still not as busy as spring and fall.
This downtime is the perfect time to do in-house inventory and equipment inspection. Additionally, this is one method for practicing Prevention through Design, because now you’re planning for the upcoming busy season by ensuring you have equipment that is in safe working condition and meets codes and standards.
ULTIMATE WINDOW CLEANING TIPS – INSIDE & OUT
ULTIMATE WINDOW CLEANING TIPS
By now, your windows have a thick sheen of streaks, dust and debris. That’s what happens when your windows withstand a relentless assault of smudgy fingers and seasonal elements. Don’t fret—backup is on the way. The cleaning pros here at Molly Maid bring you this complete window cleaning guide for clean windows – inside, outside, screens and sills!
STREAK-FREE SOLUTION
All it takes is a couple drops of dish soap and a warm bucket of water. But be careful: Too much soap will leave streaks. Vinegar alternative: You can also use equal parts vinegar and water as a multipurpose solution. Vinegar manufacturer Heinz recommends using 100% vinegar to spot-clean stubborn streaks from windows.
ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT
Bucket
Dish soap
Natural sponge
Professional squeegee
Microfiber cloth
Old rags
White vinegar
Toothbrush
Dust Mask
Sturdy ladder
NEWSPAPER?
For the best clean, we recommend using a squeegee. But when the squeegee won’t fit, you can use crumpled-up newspaper to wipe down your windows. Unlike paper towels, newspaper doesn’t leave behind residue.
WINDOWSILLS
Cleaning windowsills requires an old toothbrush, some elbow grease, and a dust mask to protect you from mold spores. Using your vinegar solution, wet the toothbrush and start scrubbing the moldy spots. Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe the surface clean. A chlorine bleach solution also works in place of vinegar, however, please use safety cautions when using bleach. We recommend wearing rubber gloves to protect your hands.
Things To Consider Before Hiring A Window Cleaning Company
Spring cleaning is just around the corner and one of the most important tasks on your list is to hire a window cleaning service to get gleaming and streak-free windows. If you have been thinking of hiring a professional window cleaner, there are important things you need to do to ensure you are employing the right one.
Moreover, a professional window cleaner can save you money, time, and handle this tedious job for you. Window cleaning is one of the household chores that gets easily moved to the bottom of your “To Do” list but once this task is accomplished, you’ll see the huge difference clean windows do to your home’s curb appeal.
Now, let’s discuss some things to do before hiring a window cleaner:
Hiring a window cleaning professional requires a few phone calls to make inquiries. It would be worth your time to ask a few questions before making your final decision to get the service you need.
Here are some questions to start with:
1. How do you ensure the safety of your employees?
One of the most common accidents that happen during window cleaning is ladder-related. It is the main cause of injuries for cleaners. Therefore, it is wise to ask about the company’s safety measures. Do they provide safety training or education to their employees? Hard-to-reach windows or those placed at upper stories require climbing and sometimes need roof access so it is crucial to keep all window cleaners and other people at the area safe all the time.
2. Do they clean blinds?
Windows, no matter how much you clean them regularly, can still gather dust and grimes from blinds. If you’re not up to the task of cleaning your blinds before hiring a window cleaning professional, then it would be wise to ask if they accept blind cleaning too. If the window cleaning company accepts this kind of job, ask for the additional fees. However, if they do not, it’ll be good to clean your blinds before getting your windows cleaned. If you don’t, all that dust and grime can shake off and mar your freshly cleaned windows.
3. Ask for reference and check for reviews online
Experienced and reliable window cleaner professionals should have a list of references and good reviews — this goes for both residential and commercial services. Take some time to reach out to the potential services you have on your list or check their social media pages or websites for reviews, you can also check their Yelp reviews for your reference to know their trustworthiness.
4. Do they move fragile items or furniture?
There are instances when moving fragile items or furniture is not included in a window cleaner service’s task inclusions. Let’s face it — no matter how extremely careful and professional window cleaning services are, accidents can happen in reality. So if they don’t offer this kind of service, you can move fragile items of furniture to safety ahead of time. Again, if they are accepting this kind of service, it is essential to ask for the additional fee that they would charge.
5. What are other services they offer, if any, what are those?
Many window cleaning professionals expand their services to tasks such as a house, roof, or gutter cleaning. There are instances when they even offer pressurized washing too. That’s why it is essential that you ask this when you make an inquiry — combined services are more efficient and cost-effective because of bundled pricing. Furthermore, this can help you deal with your spring cleaning tasks that can sometimes become a challenge to accomplish, especially when you don’t have the luxury of time.