When it comes to cleaning your windows, you need equipment that is reliable and gets you the best of results. That said, this post reviews the best window cleaning equipment based on the quality of results, value for money and ease of use.

1. Karcher WV2 Vacuum: This vacuum has one of the widest blades, is quiet and of great quality. It only comes with a charger alone but if you upgrade for a tenner, you also get spray bottle with cleaning head as well as a narrow attachment that comes in handy for smaller panes.
2. Vax Window Cleaner: It’s one of the least bulky window vacuums, which also comes with a two year warranty. A trigger spray allows you to the cleaner or water straight onto the panes while the head pivots ensure that the edges of the windows are properly cleaned.
3. Window Trigger Spray Mope: This is ideal for those who want to clean up higher windows without risking the ladder. It can reach higher heights and has a trigger spray and a water tank that eliminate the need to dip in a bucket.
4. Vileda Windowmatic: It has a continuous runtime of twenty minutes, thus allowing enough time for clean around the windows and patio doors before recharging is required. The flexible head makes sucking water from the corners easy as the whole process is drip-free.
5. Scoopy Condensation Squeegee: It picks up the entire cleaning residue as you scoop upwards and collects it into the handle.
6. H2O HD Steam Cleaner: It comes with a smaller, removable unit that squeegee attachments specifically meant for window cleaning. Even without chemicals, you get great results using this tool. It can also be used to clean upholstery and floors as well as other surfaces in the house.
7. OXO Wiper Blade Squeegee: This is as efficient as a squeegee can be. It allows for streak free results and the only drawback is its flexible wiper blade that leaves excess suds that have to be mopped.
8. Leifheit Window Vacuum: It takes about an hour to fully charge this tool which only powers up when it comes into contact with the surface being cleaned, thanks to a standby system. Otherwise, there isn’t much difference between this vacuum and the Karcher. Both are equally effective.
9. E Cloth Glass Polishing Cloth: Forget everything you know about cleaning your windows with vinegar and newspapers. These aren’t as effective as E-cloths, which are effective with just warm water and no detergent.
   

During rainstorms, gutters route runoff water from the roof to a point where it can drain off and by so doing, they help protect foundations, doors, windows and siding from water damage. They also help prevent flooding in basements. To remain effective at what they do, gutters have to be properly maintained and cleaned regularly. If not, dirt and debris collect and the rainwater ends up overflowing and eventually the gutters become loose. Of course, you can always hire a professional cleaning service to get the task done but accomplishing this yourself can save you some money.

• The Process

Scoop out the debris: Scoop out any debris using a garden trowel and be sure to start at the low end of the gutters. The easiest time to accomplish this task is not when the debris is dried and encrusted or soggy, but rather when it’s slightly pliable and damp. Scoop all of it into a bucket to minimize cleanup afterwards.
Blast out the gutters using a hose: Wash the length of the gutter using a high pressure nozzle mounted at one end of a hose and work your way towards the drain outlet. This task can get messy quickly so avoid splattering mud all over the building. A stiff scrub brush can help clean up the encrusted dirt.
Tackling the obstructions in the gutters: The water should drain freely through the drainpipes but if that doesn’t happen, you can try hosing down the debris. You can also push the debris from the top or pull it from the bottom using a plumber’s auger.

• More Cleaning Tips

As part of maintenance, inspecting as well as cleaning your gutters at least twice a year, during autumn and spring, is recommended. At times, you will have to loosen some of the dirt and scrub it off with a stiff brush. To ensure that the water is always moving towards the downspouts, adjust the slope of the gutters. To when to re position your gutters, run some water through and readjust them if the water drains slowly. Downspout extenders or plastic/concrete splash blocks that slope away from the house are a great way to ensure that the water is carried away from the house. Your downspouts can run into a gallon or dry well especially if the area you live in receives plenty of rainfall. If you are to collect clean water, cleaning the gutters on a regular basis is a necessity.

If you don't have the time or energy to do this yourself, we specialize in gutter cleaning to help keep your gutters working as they should.  Give us a call for a free estimate at . 

Safety is one of the primary requirements of the window cleaning industry, particularly when high rise windows are involved. Many of the developing countries have put in safety regulations for working on high rise buildings and those countries that don’t have such regulations have well defined practices. When it comes to cleaning high rise windows, the responsibility of ensuring safety lies on the contractor, sub contractor, building manager and facility management companies. Accidents have been known to happen as a result of negligence when cleaning windows on high rise buildings. The best way to avoid unsafe occurrences are to practice a few safety tips below.

Extensive training and certification
Like most jobs, high rise window cleaning requires extensive training and certification. It is important to ensure that all the workers on site meet the above requirements. They should know which machinery to use and how to use them as well as the safety practices and features. In addition to machinery, the workers need to be skilled at working on heights.

Medical examinations
Many high rise window cleaners work on buildings that are 50+ feet high and for this reason, being checked for medical conditions that could interfere with their work performance is important. This is something that should be done when one takes on a contract with a company. Ailments to be checked for include epilepsy, obesity, psychiatric illness, diabetes, difficulty with balance, high/low blood pressure, drug dependence, and impaired limb function.

Using the rope access kit
Always ensure that you are connected to both the working and safety lines. These are usually adjacent to one another. Wearing a helmet helps protect you from head injury in case of a fall while a back up rope adjustment device prevent a fall in the event that one loses control or slips, or the main working line fails. Always wear a chest harness when ascending the rope as it will keep you safe if all the other equipment fails when climbing down. Other tools that a basic rope access kit should have include a descender and work harness.

Safety anchors
Safety anchors should be installed on the sides of the buildings before one can descend for cleaning. Choose for anchors which have been tested for a pullout load of 1000k. The safety and main lines usually go through the eye holes of the anchors and as such help prevent accidents if a bolt gets unplugged. Also ensure that the anchors are tested at least once a year.

If you have been wondering what is the best window cleaning solution then you have come to the right blog post.  I have tried so many different solutions in the past and have decided on this perfect solution which has never failed me. 

The way to successful window cleaning is purchasing a good squeegee. Be sure to keep it fitted with a sharp, new rubber blade. You can purchase window washing tools at home centers like Home Depot and hardware stores. The whole purchase is inexpensive and will last many years. Also, make it a 10 inch or 12 inch squeegee and also purchase scrubber, a 5 gallon plastic bucket , hand dish washing liquid(Dawn) and a some lint free rags or smaller towels.

Make sure to purchase a quality squeegee and replace the blade frequently. When buying replacement blades, which can be called rubbers,  pick up a few to have on hand. I like to change my squeegee blades as often as once a day. That's because I can't do a good job if the edge of the blade becomes nicked,  jagged or dull from over use. If your squeegee starts to leave streaks or is not performing like new, be sure to replace the blade. You can get a so much more time out of blades that aren't nicked or jagged by simply flipping them to reveal a fresh edge. When you store your squeegee, be careful that nothing touches the blade.

You don't need special buckets or an expensive soap solution.  Next, it is time to fill your large bucket with the solution. Add a couple of gallons of water and about one teaspoon of (Dawn) dish washing liquid to the 5 gallon bucket. That is all it takes to shine those windows. In warm weather you want to use cooler water to help your solution last longer and work better. If you've waited so long that you're washing windows in very cold weather, add wind shield washing solution so that the water doesn't freeze on the surface of the glass.  It's It is up to you whether you want a scrubber, sponge or a squeegee. A scrubber works perfect and is worth purchasing if you have a lot of large panes of glass. It also helps with medium panes as well. I recommend a good quality sponge especially if most of your window panes are smaller. Of course, the best tool to clean windows is with a squeegee.  That's how the pros do it.  If you need a pro, I am here to help. 

Remember to never purchase those industrial window cleaners that are expensive.  The best window cleaning solution is simple, effective and easy to make.  It only takes water and dish washing liquid.  It is all about the tool and the method which can leave you with super streak free shiny windows.