What Do Professional Window Cleaners Use to Clean Windows?

What do professional window cleaners use to clean windows? We’ve written this guide to show you how to clean commercial windows properly. You can count on our advice because we’ve been selling window cleaning equipment for over 15 years. 

SweepScrub has everything you need to start your professional window cleaning business or outfit your janitorial team. When you invest in one of our IPC Eagle Hydro Cart Window Cleaning Systems, you’ll be set to handle commercial window cleaning jobs of all sizes. Get in touch today and find out more! 

What Do Professional Window Cleaners Use to Clean Windows?

What do professional window cleaners use to clean windows? Here’s a list of the tools and solutions professional window cleaners use to deliver a crystal-clear finish on every type of job.

What Solution Do Professional Window Cleaners Use?

Some window cleaners use simple but highly effective detergents, while others rely on advanced technology to wash away dirt with ultra-pure water. 

One important factor in a detergent-based solution is its “slip” or lubrication. A solution with good slip lets your squeegee glide across the glass without skipping or leaving streaks. 

Many clients demand non-toxic cleaning options. Look for biodegradable plant-based soaps or use a pure water system that cleans without using chemicals. 

Deionized Water

Deionized (DI) water contains no minerals, dissolved solids, or impurities. It leaves behind no streaks, spots, or residue when it evaporates.

WPS systems like the IPS Eagle Hydro Carts purify tap water with multi-stage filtration that includes deionization. Purified DI water has become the cleaner of choice for many commercial buildings.

Ammonia-Based Solutions

Ammonia is an excellent degreaser that cuts through greasy fingerprints, smoke film, and tough grime. It also evaporates quickly, so there’s little chance of streaking. 

Ammonia was used for many years in commercial and residential window cleaning. But its fumes can be harsh on a window cleaner’s skin and respiratory system. Most professionals today use ammonia only for the toughest degreasing tasks. 

Commercial Surfactants and Glass Cleaners

Professional window cleaners use commercial-grade liquid soaps. These glass cleaning products lift and suspend dirt in water so it can’t land back on the glass. They also create slip so your squeegee blade glides smoothly over the window.

What About Dish Soap or Vinegar?

You can add a few drops of dish soap to your cleaning solution for degreasing. Be careful, though, because too much dish soap leaves a sticky residue behind.

A bit of vinegar on a #0000 fine abrasive pad can remove many mineral stains. But since vinegar can be harmful to rubber squeegee blades, you shouldn’t add it to your bucket.

What Equipment Do Professional Window Washers Use?

Is window washing a good business? Yes, if you have the right tools. Today’s window washers use specialized equipment for faster, safer, and more efficient cleaning. Here’s a quick look at today’s professional window washing toolkit.

Squeegees and Extension Poles

The most important part of the squeegee is the rubber blade. The blade must be soft and pliable, and the edge must be sharp to clear water effectively. Many professionals replace their squeegee blade daily for the best results.

Extension poles let window washers work safely from the ground. They’re made of lightweight rigid materials like aluminum or carbon fiber for easy use.

T-Bars and Scrubbers

Window scrubbers have a T-shaped handle, the T-bar, and a removable sleeve. The highly absorbent sleeve soaks up soapy water from the bucket so you can thoroughly wet and scrub the window.

Most scrubber sleeves use soft microfiber for general cleaning. You can also use scrubber sleeves with abrasive strips for extra scrubbing power on windows with more stubborn dirt. 

Microfiber Cloths and Detailing Towels

Even the best window cleaning technician can leave a thin line of water along the window pane’s edges. Use microfiber cloths to wipe these edges down. For a complete cleaning, wipe down window sills and frames to remove any drips and leave the window spotless.

Use durable, absorbent, lint-free “huck” towels for the best results. They were originally used as surgical towels but today are the preferred detailing towel choice for many window cleaners. 

Safety Gear and Compliance Accessories

You need professional ladders for work above the ground floor. Make sure you have ladder stabilizers (stand-offs) that brace against the wall. Also, keep leg levelers on hand for work on uneven ground.

High-rise window cleaning requires specialized equipment. You'll need full-body safety harnesses, rope descent systems, and industrial strength ropes. OSHA regulations also demand extensive training and certification for high-rise window washers.

The Case For More Advanced Cleaning Systems

Water-fed pole systems let cleaners wash windows up to six stories high without using a ladder or lift. A WFP system is a strategic investment in your operation’s future. It reduces the risk of accidents and lets your crews clean more windows in less time.

Benefits of Water-Fed Pole Systems

Adding a WFP system to your cleaning closet dramatically improves worker safety. There’s no more risk of falls from ladders, as your workers stay on the ground. A water-fed pole system prevents injuries and worker’s compensation claims. It makes both ethical and financial sense. 

WPF systems also provide a massive efficiency boost. A single operator can clean high windows in a fraction of the time it would take with a ladder and squeegee. There’s no climbing and moving ladders. You get spot-free cleaning and scrubbing faster. 

Introducing IPC Eagle Hydro Cart Systems

What do professional window cleaners use to clean windows? Smart ones use the IPC Eagle Hydro Cart. This mobile purification system is the gold standard for durability, performance, and user-friendly design. Its multi-stage filtration system guarantees pure water and perfect chemical-free cleaning.

Which is Right For You?

We offer three IPC Eagle Hydro Cart models suitable for every cleaning business or facility management department. 

• Hydro Cart Jr. – At just 41.5” high, the Hydro Cart Jr. is easy to transport and move. It provides 3-stage filtration and is a great choice for small to midsize facilities. If you’re wondering how to start a window cleaning business, this is a great starter unit.

• Hydro Cart Compact – The Hydro Cart Compact is a great system for schools, hospitals, clinics, apartments, and other facilities. You can add an electric or gas-powered EcoBoost pump module for extra water pressure.

• Hydro Cart Pro 4-Stage System – The Hydro Cart Pro 4-Stage System gives you 4-stage filtration and can handle up to 3 simultaneous users so big jobs get done more quickly. It’s a great choice for cleaning windows for malls and big commercial buildings.

Factors to Consider in Choosing Window Cleaning Solutions and Methods

What do professional window cleaners use to clean windows? They use different tools for every job. It all depends on the situation at hand.

Window cleaners not only need to consider window height and accessibility. They also need to take into account the type of glass, weather conditions, and the type of dirt being removed. Let’s explore these different factors.

Window Height and Accessibility

Many cleaners use the traditional T-bar scrubber and squeegee for storefronts and residential windows. Washing by hand gives experienced window cleaners maximum cleaning control and provides a perfect, streak-free finish. 

For buildings up to five stories, professionals often use a water-fed-pole (WFP). Climbing ladders slows down the process and greatly increases the risk of injuries. A WFP system lets cleaners work from the safety of the ground. 

High-rise window cleaning requires specialized equipment. You need rope descent systems, boatswain's chairs, or motorized suspended platforms to reach the windows. Your choice of access tool will depend on the skyscraper's architecture and anchoring system.

Type of Glass or Surface

Many commercial buildings use tempered glass for safety. But tempered glass is prone to scratching when you use metal razor blades to clean away paint or adhesives. Use plastic blades or specialized scrub pads on tempered glass windows.

Historic buildings often feature leaded glass or single-pane windows. These windows require soft scrubbers, minimal water, and a very careful squeegee technique to protect the glass and the surrounding glazing putty.

WFP systems may damage porous materials like unsealed brick, stone, or wood. T-bar and squeegee cleaning is less likely to stain or damage the surrounding exterior.

Environmental Conditions

Springtime is a busy season for window cleaners thanks to sticky tree pollen. Scraping pollen off windows with a scrubber is labor-intensive, but a WFP system washes away pollen and other contaminants so windows look clean again. 

Summer brings bird droppings, bugs, and spider webs on window sills. You’ll need to have scrapers, fine abrasive pads, and microfiber cloths on hand. Windows dry faster, so you’ll have to work quickly to avoid streaking. 

Autumn brings cooler, milder temperatures, so fall is a good season for squeegee methods. There’s less risk of the solution drying too quickly. Look out for wet leaves stuck to windows and sills. 

In winter water can freeze on the glass or equipment, so you may need to add a winterizing agent to your cleaning fluid. You may also find yourself removing salt and brine films from ground-floor windows near salted roads.

Cleaning Frequency Needed

Windows on a monthly or quarterly cleaning schedule can generally be handled quickly. A quick pass with a water-fed pole or squeegee will wipe away any dust or grime that’s accumulated since the last cleaning. 

A long-neglected property or doing a post-construction requires more time and effort. You’re dealing with years of baked-on dirt or construction debris like paint and concrete splatter. These jobs require scrapes, abrasive pads, and specialized chemical solutions. 

A maintenance contract assures you both a steady income and an easier cleaning job. One-time deep clean jobs require more labor, more tools, and more time. Consider this when deciding how much to charge for window washing.

What Cleaning Methods Do Commercial Window Cleaners Use?

Want cleaner windows? Ask yourself, what do professional window cleaners use to clean windows?

The squeegee method is a great way to keep your windows clean at home. But you have to know how to use these tools. 

If you don’t have a T-bar scrubber, use a lint-free microfiber cloth. Add a few drops of dish detergent to distilled or bottled water to avoid streaks. Wash the window down gently but firmly and make sure you cover every inch of the window including the corners. 

Squeegee away water in a figure 8 motion. Cover as much surface area as you can with each motion and work your way down the window to minimize dripping. When you’ve finished, let the window dry as you wipe down the windowsill. 

Should You Clean Your Own Windows or Hire a Pro?

Cleaning your own windows is definitely cheaper. But don’t overlook the cost of your time, the risk of injury, or the superior quality of a professional window cleaning.

Professionals have specialized equipment that most businesses don’t own. They know how to clean different types of glass and have commercial window cleaning experience and skill. Keep these factors in mind.

The Cost of Hiring a Professional Window Cleaner

Most window cleaning companies offer a flat rate per window pane, a price per window, or a simple hourly rate. Larger commercial properties generally get a comprehensive quote for the entire job. 

Your cost will vary based on your total number of windows, their size, and their accessibility. You will pay more for windows on the second story or higher. And if you haven’t cleaned your windows in a while, you can expect to pay more for the added labor and cleaning costs.

When it Makes Sense to Outsource vs DIY

A small, ground-floor business with only a handful of easily accessible windows might be able to handle its window cleaning needs in-house. 

If your property has windows on the second story or higher, you need a professional service. And the sheer size of time and effort required for cleaning a larger commercial building makes DIY cleaning impractical if you don’t have a dedicated property management crew.

Take Matters Into Your Own Hands at SweepScrub!

Look no further than SweepScrub for all your window cleaning needs!

We have worked with small and large commercial organizations. Count on us for fast shipping, competitive prices, and the best customer support. 

What do professional window cleaners use to clean windows? You’ll find it here at SweepScrub. We have everything you need for commercial window cleaning. Call us today!

Frequently asked questions

What can I use to clean windows without leaving streaks behind?

Add a few drops of dish soap to bottled or distilled water. Apply the cleaning solution with a scrubber or microfiber cloth. When you are done, overlap each squeegee stroke by an inch as you wipe the blade between passes.

What do commercial window cleaners use to clean hard water spots?

For light hard water spots, commercial window cleaners use a fine abrasive like #0000 steel wool combined with a mix of vinegar and water. More stubborn spots may require commercial hard-water stain removers or glass polishing.

What should professional window cleaners NOT use on windows? 

Professionals should never use coarse scouring pads or gritty cream cleansers. They can leave permanent scratches. They should also avoid using too much soap in their cleaning solution, as it leaves behind a sticky film that attracts dirt.

What brand do professional window cleaners use?

Many professional window cleaners swear by IPC Eagle Hydro Cart systems. Pure water washing cleans windows quickly and thoroughly without using harsh chemicals, so it’s much faster and more environmentally friendly than traditional window washing methods.