Every housewife knows that windows must be clean. This creates coziness and comfort in the premises. But such a procedure sometimes takes up a huge amount of free time and physical effort, turning weekends into working days. However, this only applies to cases where you have to use simple means: rags, water and newspapers. Stains still remain and perfect cleanliness is not achieved. To avoid such problems, special devices have been invented for washing windows that can reduce cleaning time and save energy for future relaxation.
Modern tools that have been invented recently for cleaning rooms include a window mop. It looks like a regular mop, which ends with a rubber nozzle. Currently, such a device is an integral attribute of all companies providing house cleaning services. But such an assistant can be in every apartment. Its cost is reasonable, and its benefits are very great. Thanks to it, stains and stains do not remain on the glass, and the cleaning itself is quick and without unnecessary nerves.
Devices and products for cleaning windows
Before you start cleaning windows, you need to understand whether you have everything for this. The list of necessary devices is as follows:
- The sponge is porous. The best option is a sponge, one side of which is soft and the other has a hard surface. The hard side is used to clean the dirtiest places that are very difficult or impossible to wash with ordinary water.
- Screed or windshield wiper. Helps to quickly and effectively clean glass without much effort or time. The screed comes with a long handle, which simplifies the washing procedure and you don’t have to constantly use stools because you can use a window sill. There are several models of mops for washing windows: simply equipped with a sponge or devices with a screed on the other side, which helps to quickly clean window surfaces from dirt.
- Detergents. Here each housewife decides for herself what to use. Any product that can remove greasy stains or can be used to wash dishes will do. The main thing is that they foam and are of high quality. You can also purchase special window cleaning products.
- Cloth or dry rag. It should be cotton or gauze. You can use linen or suede. Its main task is to absorb liquid well. Synthetic fabrics are not suitable for these purposes and their use is not recommended.
- Water containers. These can be buckets or basins. They are necessary in order to first make a foam solution in them and wash the windows with it, and then rinse the windows with clean water so that no streaks remain.
Care Tips
After cleaning, it is important to rinse the device thoroughly
In order for the brush to serve for a long time, you need to follow the rules of storage and care. After finishing work, rinse the mop thoroughly to remove any remaining detergent. Then you need to dry the work surface and wipe the base of the product with a dry cloth.
The product should only be stored out of the reach of children to prevent the brush from breaking.
A window cleaning brush makes cleaning much easier and saves a lot of time. There are several types of devices, each of which has a number of advantages and disadvantages. To choose a good option, you need to study in advance the characteristics of the devices and consumer reviews, of which there are quite a lot on the Internet.
The most inexpensive are telescopic brushes, which are the most popular. Long-term use of glass cleaning brushes can ensure proper care and compliance with the rules of use.
*Prices are current as of September 2022.
Alternative, folk remedies for cleaning windows
There are times when there are no commercial cleaning products in the house, but the windows need to be tidied up. Then they resort to old, but time-tested methods and means that are always available in every family:
| Salt and vinegar | These products can clean windows to a shine without leaving streaks or stains. To do this, make a solution that contains clean water, two tablespoons of table salt and the same number of tablespoons of 6% vinegar. A sponge is soaked in this product and the windows are thoroughly washed with it. Afterwards, wipe the glass with a dry cloth or paper napkins. |
| Potato | A little inconvenient, but effective. Raw potatoes must be peeled, cut in half and wipe the glass well with each half. Afterwards, rinse with clean water and wipe dry with a cotton cloth. |
| Chalk | This product makes it easy to clean windows from dirt. To do this, you need to carefully dissolve a little crushed chalk in one liter of water and apply this mixture to the window glass. Afterwards, wash the windows well with plenty of water and wipe dry with paper. |
| Blue and starch | The solution is made as follows: take 4 liters of water, add 4 teaspoons of starch and a little blue. To get a beautiful shine, you can add 2 tablespoons of vinegar. It is best to pour this substance into a container with a spray bottle and spray it on the glass. Then wipe the windows with newspaper or use a paper towel. |
| Potassium permangantsovka | Take warm water and dissolve a couple of drops of potassium permanganate in it. Nothing complicated, but the effect is amazing. This product can be used to clean not only windows, but also any glass and mirrors in the house. |
| Laundry soap | You need to choose the simplest and highest quality. The soap is grated with a fine grater and dissolved in warm, clean water. Moisten a sponge with a soapy solution and gently wipe the glass. Then all this is washed off with cold water and wiped with a dry cloth so that no streaks remain. |
| Ammonia | Take 4 liters of water and add 4 tablespoons of ammonia there. Using a container with a spray bottle, apply the mixture to the glass and leave for a couple of minutes. Then all this is thoroughly dried with paper towels. The cleanliness and shine of the glass will pleasantly surprise you. |
Security measures
A significant number of requirements are placed on specialists who carry out high-altitude window cleaning, regardless of height, weight and education. They must be in good physical shape, have practical experience and undergo special training.
Knowledge of safety precautions when working at height is mandatory.
For your information. Currently, educational and training centers for specialists in this profile operate throughout Russia. There's a prom. climbers get acquainted with new methods of belaying and also hone their skills.
When working, it is mandatory to use the basic safety equipment listed above. In addition, a mandatory rule is to protect not only the climber himself, but also passers-by (for example, if a specialist drops a tool from his hands while working at height). In this regard, safety precautions indicate the need to fence the area where specialists work.
For your information. Additional safety requirements may be issued depending on the conditions in which climbers work. For example, if there is a power line nearby.
Currently, window cleaning by climbers at height has become increasingly popular. In cities there are a large number of tall office and residential buildings, the windows of which can only be washed by involving special specialists (industrial climbers). There is a fairly wide offer on the market for services of this nature. It is better to use large cleaning companies - they employ high-level specialists, use modern window cleaning products, and follow safety precautions.
The cost of services varies depending on the degree of contamination, weather conditions, building height, presence of risk factors and inaccessibility of windows. However, at the present stage, supply completely covers demand.
*Prices correct as of September 2022.
When is the best time to wash windows?
If you want to enjoy the result of your work, then try to choose daytime for washing windows, but without bright sun. Give preference to cloudy but not rainy days. If direct sunlight hits the window glass, the detergent applied to it will quickly dry out and streaks will remain, no matter how hard you try. Naturally, if it rains or snows, you won’t be able to wash the windows well either.
Windows should be washed twice a year, choosing the spring and autumn months. If the procedure is carried out rarely, then it will be quite difficult to wash the windows due to the presence of a large amount of dirt accumulated on them. In this case, the glass will need to not only be washed, but also dirt removed from it.
Flaws
Magnetic devices are available in different modifications.
The more powerful the magnets, the thicker the glass they are designed for. The price of these devices depends on this. For double-glazed windows with glass thickness over 20 mm, it is quite high. This is the biggest disadvantage of magnetic brushes. But you shouldn’t refuse such an acquisition. By purchasing a unique device, you will greatly facilitate the work associated with washing windows. Another disadvantage is that the magnetic device does not clean the most inaccessible places well enough. However, if you wash the glass regularly, this problem will disappear on its own. It is much easier to remove fresh contaminants than existing ones.
Preparation before washing windows
Before you start washing window glass, you need to carefully prepare for this:
- change into a work uniform that has convenient pockets and doesn’t mind getting dirty and wet;
- stock up on warm water, if necessary, heat it with a kettle and stove;
- decide on the detergent (if there are a small number of windows, it will be enough to have only a couple of caps of liquid);
- bring buckets, cotton rags or paper towels, hard sponges;
- get a mop for cleaning windows;
- remove flowers or other objects from the windowsill that will interfere with the process.
It is worth keeping in mind that the window frame is washed first. To do this, use a sponge soaked in soapy water. It is necessary to carefully inspect window joints and other hard-to-reach places where a lot of dirt can accumulate. They need to be washed with special care. If the apartment is located on the upper floors, then it is advisable to use a special brush with an extended handle to wash the frames from the outside and not make sudden movements.
Robot cleaners
Robot cleaner with vacuum attachment
Special automatic devices for washing windows - so-called robotic washers - are capable of cleaning glass surfaces without human intervention. Fixed to glass using a vacuum or magnet, the device can clean any area following a given program. The robots work according to a similar scheme: one of the two nozzles moisturizes the surface and applies a cleaning agent, the second wipes and polishes the glass. One of the main differences between the robots on the market is the method of attachment to the surface:
- Vacuum-mounted robots are held to the glass using negative pressure. Most vacuum models are equipped with an additional safety cable. A significant advantage of robots of this type is the fact that they can work on glass of any thickness, as well as the absence of the need to waste energy on creating a magnetic field.
- Robots with magnetic attachment have a block located on the other side of the glass. Devices of this type are used exclusively on single-glazed windows and only on surfaces that fall within the working thickness range.
Most models run on rechargeable batteries and can perform their functions autonomously for up to several hours.
Advantages and disadvantages of window cleaning robots
Magnetic robot window cleaner
The advantages of robotic windshield wipers over other window cleaning equipment are:
- The ability to clean large areas of glass surfaces without human intervention: the robot will move according to a given program, which can be adjusted using the remote control;
- The ability to minimize the risk of falling when washing windows and facades, while the devices can operate at any height from the ground, both inside and outside the building.
The disadvantages of this type of window cleaning equipment include:
- Relatively high cost (an order of magnitude higher than the prices for steam and electric wipers);
- The design of the robots eliminates the possibility of washing hard-to-reach places, embossed and lattice windows, as well as small windows.
How to choose and use a robotic windshield wiper correctly
In the domestic market, the segment of automated windshield wipers is represented by two brands - Korean Windoro and Taiwanese Hobot. Both manufacturers have models with vacuum mounting and with a magnetic block in their assortment. It is necessary to select a specific instance depending on the double-glazed windows on which it will be used. Double and triple glazed windows standard for apartments exclude the possibility of use with magnetic fastening.
Most standard battery-powered models of automatic window cleaning equipment can operate autonomously for up to one and a half hours. For vacuum robots, the fastening does not depend on power, and even after being completely discharged, they cannot fall. Magnetic ones can remain on the surface for up to half an hour after the battery is discharged, and then they need to be removed and charged.
All models presented on the domestic market can be used with any glass cleaning products.
How to clean windows with a window squeegee - step-by-step instructions
Cleaning glass with a window mop is easy, but a positive result will only be achieved if everything is done correctly. The main secrets of perfectly clean windows are as follows:
- the sponge attachment of the mop is well wetted in the soap solution, but it should not be wrung out;
- washing windows begins from the top, and the movement of the mop should be horizontal;
- carefully draw one strip with a tie, holding it at an angle of 30 degrees;
- if there is a place on the window with heavy dirt, then such an area is washed more thoroughly in a circular motion;
- the nozzle should be rinsed regularly in clean water;
- we repeat the movement on another (located below) area, slightly capturing the previous already washed area;
- After passing each strip, wipe the wiper with a clean cloth;
- Over time, the rag will become wet and must be replaced with a dry one. If this is not done, streaks will remain, so do not skimp on rags;
- Once the window is completely cleaned, you need to look at it carefully. If stains or stains remain, then wash the area again using the above method using a detergent;
- Lastly, the window sills are wiped using ordinary rags.
If it is inconvenient for you to carry out horizontal movements, then you can fix the tie in the upper left corner of the window, press it a little and carefully move the mop down vertically. At the same time, the principle of washing windows remains the same as with horizontal movements.
Battery capacity
As mentioned, the steam washer is a cordless device.
This is a convenient, mobile device that can be taken anywhere and used far outside the home.
The basis for the operation of a steam cleaner is, of course, the battery.
Pay special attention to its capacity. The higher the battery capacity, the better
Why? First of all, because it is this parameter that determines the operating time of the windshield wiper. It takes several tens of minutes to wash all the windows in an apartment, which means you need to beware of equipment whose battery, after charging, cannot last even ten minutes.
Such a tool will be useless if you are not going to wash the windows in just one room. Of course, every battery loses capacity over time. This applies to all devices in principle, not just the windshield wiper. Therefore, there is no point in buying a steam washer with an initially low-capacity battery.
It should also be taken into account that the battery takes time to fully charge
It is important, however, that charging does not take too long. Standard charging takes about 4-6 hours
If it lasts longer, too much electricity is consumed, which is completely unprofitable. In addition, it negatively affects the ease of use of the device.
You may be interested in: Steam cleaner for the home. Rating of the best, tips for choosing
Do I need an extra battery?
The ability to replace the battery is a very practical feature. Thanks to it, the service life of the device increases significantly. But it all depends on the specific manufacturer. In many devices, the battery is installed permanently, without the possibility of replacement. If it breaks, you will simply have to purchase a new device. Replacing the battery with a new one will cost much less. But of course, models equipped with an additional battery tend to be more expensive.
The removable battery is easier to charge. Simply disconnect it from the device.
Windshield wiper overview
Electric glass cleaners are inexpensive and make cleaning windows, mirrors, tiles and other glossy surfaces much easier.
To purchase a high-quality electric windshield wiper, you should read the review of the most popular models.
| Characteristics | Kärcher WV 50 Plus | Endever Q-440 | Kitfort KT-514 |
| Working surface width | 28 cm | 28 cm | 28 cm |
| Water suction function | There is | There is | There is |
| Suction water tank volume | 100 ml | 100 ml | 150 ml |
| Battery life | 20 minutes. | 45 min. | 30 min. |
| Weight | 0.7 kg | 0.8 kg | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions (height, length, width), cm | 35.5 x 13 x 28 | 37.5 x 12 x 28 | 31 x 10.5 x 28 |
| Nozzles included | 1 | 1 | 1 |
You should choose a windshield wiper based on the planned cleaning area and the weight of the device. The smaller the dimensions, the more convenient it will be to wash glass surfaces
In addition, it is important to pay attention to battery life. After all, no one wants to be distracted by recharging and interrupting cleaning.
Which mop to choose for double glazing
Many manufacturers make various mops, but basically, the set remains the same: the design involves the presence of a rubber scraper, which is designed to remove soapy water, and a nozzle for directly washing the glass unit. It can be made of microfiber, in most cases, or sponge.
The stick handle is available in a variety of lengths. The minimum is 15 cm, and the maximum is a couple of meters, but these are already telescopic handles. Small designs will be convenient for those who are tall and have standard small windows. There is a way by which you can choose the length of the handle - if the housewife can reach the upper edge of the frame when raising her hand, then she definitely does not need a several meter handle.
If we talk about sticks with extendable handles, then such a device is suitable for owners of high ceilings and panoramic windows. Or in the case when there are frames on the loggia or balcony that cannot be opened. A distinctive feature of a mop with a sliding part is that it has a design that allows you to change the angle of the mop for work. This greatly simplifies the cleaning process.
Scope of application
As already mentioned, the mop is used by industrial climbers in cleaning companies and housewives. But this is not a complete list of areas where a mop can be used. Cafes, canteens and restaurants use the device to easily wash windows, because they have large double-glazed windows. During public works and general washing, it will become a reliable assistant.
Brush Glider: Divorce? Deception? Scam?
Glider reviews on the Internet do not give an accurate picture. More than 70% of magnetic brush owners gave a positive rating.
Brush glider
However, on third-party resources, users criticize Glider. Many people claim that the brush does not work as it should. Often, negative reviews about Glider are written by those who bought a fake on scam sites. Scammers create their own web sites where they offer to buy innovative brushes at a low price. Naturally, such a device will quickly break down and will not be able to meet all the characteristics declared by the manufacturer.
Positive reviews are written by those who went to the “Glider Brush official website” and purchased the device from the manufacturer.
