Sparkling windows can make all the difference to the professional appearance of your business. To achieve the streak-free shine you’re looking for, the right tools matter much more than simply getting the job done. Professionals rely on a range of specialised window cleaning equipment to not only get the right results, but also do so safely and efficiently on a commercial scale. So, what window cleaning tools do professionals use?
Professional window cleaners use a range of tools to contribute to building upkeep, including:
- Applicator
- Squeegee
- Reach and Wash telescopic soft Brush
- Specialised Chemicals
- Purified water
- Access Equipment
In this blog, we’ll run through the tools used by professional window cleaners and how they help produce the right results for your business.
What Tools Do Professional Window Cleaners Use for the Best Results?
Sparkling windows can help produce a clean and professional look for your business, and a number of tools are required to achieve the right results. These include applicators, squeegees, and reach brushes.
Applicator
Used alongside squeegees in traditional window cleaning, applicators typically consist of a T-bar handle with a removable microfibre cover. They often come in different sizes to suit various windows, and are dipped into a bucket of soapy water before being brushed onto the window by the operative.
Applicators are used for several reasons in commercial window cleaning, including:
- Even soap distribution.
- Loosening dirt and debris.
- Minimising scratches.
Squeegee
Also known as ‘rubber blades’, squeegees are arguably the most important tool for a streak-free, professional finish. They are also used in traditional window cleaning, following the application of the soapy water.
Squeegees remove the dirty water from a window using smooth and controlled strokes. They take off any dirt and debris loosened by the applicator, leaving no streaks or residue if done correctly, with any drips wiped up with a dry cloth.
A range of techniques and frequent replacement of the rubber blades are key to the shining finish that is needed for large, high-visibility commercial windows.
Reach And Wash Brush
Reach and wash brushes are part of a water-fed pole system, used by professionals to clean higher windows safely from the ground or a lifted platform. Consisting of telescopic poles with soft-bristled brush ends, this system is ideal for commercial window cleaning.
The use of purified water in this system removes the need for chemical solutions, drying quickly and streak-free without a squeegee. Reach and wash brushes should be used for regular window cleaning, but may not provide the best results on the ‘first clean’, depending on the build-up of dirt.
What Do Professional Window Cleaners Use on Hard Water Stains?
Hard water stains are caused by mineral deposits that build up on glass over time. Soap and water will often be enough to remove these stains when done by a professional window cleaner, but there are chemicals that can be used to help with deeper staining, like Rub-Out or TFR.
Rub-Out
Rub-Out is a mildly abrasive glass polish designed to remove hard water stains and soap scum. Your professional window cleaner will buff the product into the area by hand, typically with an applicator, to restore the clarity of the glass.
This product is ideal for smaller areas of hard water stains, or even for cleaning up etching caused by construction debris.
TFR
TFR, or Traffic Film Remover, was originally designed to remove the grime from vehicles, but is now used by many commercial window cleaners to break down grease and mineral deposits.
TFR is typically sprayed onto the window surface and agitated with a brush, then rinsed with pure water to leave behind a streak-free shine. This product can also be used on window frames or cladding, but must be diluted correctly to avoid any damage.
TFR is ideal for industrial sites, commercial signage, or businesses that sit in heavily polluted urban areas, removing long-term grime or mineral build-up with ease.
Importan Note:
How Do Professional Window Cleaners Access High-Rise Buildings?
Commercial window cleaning often requires access to every level of high-rise buildings, with access equipment playing an equally important role as window cleaning equipment. Professionals will often use a variety of methods, depending on the building’s size, design, and the necessary safety requirements.
Truck-Mounted Platforms
Truck-mounted platforms are hydraulic lifts mounted on vehicles, each with different height capabilities.
The operative will stand in a secure basket, operating the lift to position themselves in front of the window. The necessary tools are brought up in the lift with the operative, and the commercial cleaning is completed window by window.
Truck-mounted platforms are ideal for buildings that have clear access around the perimeter, or where using other methods, like ropes or scaffolding, isn’t practical.
They also have several benefits, including:
- Quick set-up
- Mobility
- Less labour-intensive than scaffolding.
- Safer in windy or unstable weather.
Scaffold Towers
Scaffold towers are freestanding structures, assembled to assist a professional window cleaner in reaching windows on higher stories. They’re put up on site and are usually used in areas that will need prolonged access, like full-glass facades.
They’re more suitable for slightly smaller buildings and offer an option where access with a truck wouldn’t be possible. Scaffold towers are also much more suitable for commercial jobs that require a longer cleaning time per window, like hard water stain removal.
There are several benefits to using scaffold towers, including:
- Stable and secure for more detailed work.
- Easily moved and adjusted.
- Doesn’t require the space or power of hydraulic systems.
What Safety Equipment Do Professional Window Cleaners Use?
Alongside gaining access to higher stories and using the right window cleaning equipment, safety equipment is also vital to the completion of commercial window cleaning jobs. Operatives need to be able to clean efficiently without worrying about working from a height or the effects of chemical use.
| Safety Equipment | How/Why is it Used? |
| Harnesses and Lanyards | Operatives wear a harness and lanyard at all times when working in a truck-mounted platform. This ensures they are always clipped to the anchor point and aims to prevent falls from height. |
| Face Visors | Face visors prevent cleaning chemicals from irritating or causing damage to the eyes or face of the operative. This is especially necessary when working with reach poles or other tools that require the operative to look up towards the necessary areas. |
| Overalls | It’s important to protect the skin on the body from the chemicals used during the commercial cleaning process. Solutions may splash or run during the cleaning, and overalls protect the bare skin from potential irritation or damage. |
Trust IClean with Your Commercial Window Cleaning
Commercial window cleaning requires a variety of tools, solutions, and equipment to achieve the shine that aligns the outside of your business with the quality you offer inside. Whether you have a retail space, office building, or multi-story site, our professionals come equipped with the right tools to add that finishing touch to your business, safely and efficiently.
Get in touch with the team at IClean today to receive your free quote.
