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Many people hire their window cleaning done by a professional window cleaner because the results are always so great. Beautiful shiny windows with no swirl marks or streaks just don't happen compared to when you clean them yourself. But with the right knowledge, materials and practice, you can also become a pro. The Right Equipment and Supplies There are only two basic items that you may need to purchase from a janitorial supply house because your department store may not carry; a T-bar that is covered with a soft sheepskin-type fabric for wetting the glass and a 14" squeegee. Squeegees come in different sizes, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18, but a professional window cleaner usually finds the 14" works for most windows and is easy to handle. You may want a 6" for small panes if you have many. Next, a microfibre cloth or tee shirt material, a bucket, dishwashing soap and lots of dry cloths will round out your cleaning supplies. Getting Started on your Window Cleaning You do not need special soap or glass cleaner unless the weather is extremely cold and you find the water frosting on the windows. In this case, add a bit of alcohol to your dishwater. A good window cleaner always starts with upper windows because the water will run down and get the bottom windows wet. Get your pane wet with your T-bar dipped in your bucket of water. Starting with a nice dry squeegee, place in the window's upper corner and pull down. Wipe off your squeegee with a dry cloth and proceed to the wet area beside of your dry area. When finished, wipe off the sill with a cloth then use your microfibre cloth or tee shirt to go around the edges. Problems Encountered with Window Cleaning If you have a window that is marked with hard specks of dirt, you might carry a glass scraper with you. One end is dull for nudging dirt and the other end has a razor sharp edge. A good window cleaner always makes sure that the window is wet before using so as not to scratch the glass. The window cleaning will go a lot easier once you have removed any bumps of dirt on the pane. A window cleaner that is expected to wash a skylight or a window that is too high for a standard ladder, have to use a pole with the squeegee on the end. These windows will probably not turn out perfect since you can't even see the squeegee. Different Types of Windows Not all types of windows are this simple for a window cleaner. There are lead/lattice, French/Georgian, Sculptured or tiny paned windows that can be quite an obstacle. You cannot use a squeegee on these because of the surface, shape and size. The best thing you can do is wet with your T-bar, wipe off most of the excess water with a cloth and shine with your microfibre cloth or tee shirt material. The main thing to remember about window cleaning is to keep it simple. All the fancy chemical-based products in the world will not give you a better job or make you a better window cleaner than plain soap and water. The rest is practice.
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window, windows, window cleaning,
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