I’m guessing many of you, like myself, like to clean a job up when finished to make it look nice. Getting frustrated with windex and paper towels, nothing but streaks. What would work better?
And don’t tell me the obvious “leave that to the ladies” I find H.O. to be impressed when I clean up.
upnorthframer
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Replies
Go to a janitorial supply house.
Get a "good" squegee. Few lint free rags. They will have solution. Usually it is 64-1 dilution. So just a bit does a lot.
Oh, and blades. Razor blades if you get anything that may stick to the glass. But be careful. When we did Final Cleans we never did buy any glass...........but it was close a couple times. Usual culprits were masons smearing mortar and siders moving ladders across the glass.
There is an art to cleaning glass, but this gets you started
Not gonna tell you to "leave it to the ladies"....but I will recomend you look into hiring it out.
I use a local "Maid Brigade" type outfit.
They do a much better job than I would...and cost me a lot less than having to pay myself and/or my crew.
But, around the house, I use "Glass Plus".
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Pp, Qq
For interior windows a lot of professional new construction cleaners still use windex and paper towels. However if you haven't tried it, a good squeegie and applicator, combined with a cleaning bucket and professional cleaning solution is probably quicker once you get the hang of it. Home Depot actually carries a decent brand of the basics.
Even though my dad cleaned windows professionally and is probably turning over in his grave to hear it, I'm a fan of a dozen rolls of paper towels and windex. Use a lot of good paper towels and turn them often. Guys get in trouble when they try to get too much use from the lowly paper towel.
Good cleaning!
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
surprises me no one mentioned using newspapers to clean with,will out do paper towels every time. hints from helouise.......... larry
if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
I recommend a squeegee. Just keep it wet. Spray the glass to get as much dirt off as you can. Dirt on glass will scratch if it is rubbed in. If you use razor blades, make sure you use new ones. Buy one of those 100 packs and use 2-3 blades per window. An old razor blade will scratch the glass.
"It is what it is."
I was about to but you beat me to it....That's what I use, too.++++++++++++++++++
"Where will our children find their enjoyment when everything gets itself done by steam? Frederick Law Olmsted, 1850s.
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You can also try Mr Clean Majic Eraser for those stubborn spots. Works great.
"It is what it is."
I have found the best is a "wool mop" to spread the cleaner around the window I recommend a professional grade cleaner to minimize streaking and then final with a very good squeegee. wipe squeegee after each swipe. I like the "ettore" brand I have had excellent luck with these products. Here is a link to their home page but also available through Amazon.
http://www.ettoreproducts.com
For around the house and auto I highly recomend Stoner invisible glass as the worlds best aerosol glass cleaner !!! sells for about $2-4 at Walmart.
I use Windex and the wide razor blades on a handle, the blades are around 3-4" long.
I spray the entire window and then use the blade on the whole thing, then dry it off. Crystal clear each and every time.
Woods favorite carpenter
I like vinegar & water.
Now, what do you all use on a mirror to get what looks like greasy streaks off? I have tried literally everything I know and every type cloth or towel and the marks are still there! They've been on these mirrors since they were installed in my cabinet doors and nothing will take them off!
Try drying with the MICRO-FIBER towels - streak free.
When we do a remodel on an occupied house we bring in a window washer at the end of the job. I think on some of the bigger houses they may charge a couple three hundred bucks, I suppose higher on bigger homes, but it is impressive to the HO when its all said and done.
Does your area have any window washers? If so you might be surprised by how much, or little, they can do it for compared to your time and aggravation.
Doug
Squeegee is the only way.
Did you ever see professionals using a windex and paper towels?
Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Upnorthframer,
Use an ammonia free window cleaner. The ammonia tends to leave streaks. I use a store brand called the works but there are plenty out there..
I was a window washer in my early days, commercial buildings. They offered me a dollar more an hour to stay at the insurance building cleaning windows on the 11th floor, hooking on to hooks just outside the windows, leaning out, wash, wash, wash, and come inside, slide over, do the next one.
No f......ing thanks!! I was making $3.50/hr
Anyway...........we used a little pumice in the pail. Just a handful in a couple gallons of cleaner. It made the mix a bit "gritty", but didn't scratch the glass.
And always.......a squeegee and a shammy.
Rod
upnorthframer
Oh and don't forget the razor blades.. New construction windows always have gunt or junk on them which only a razor blade will clean off. you can wash 'til the cows come home and still not get windows clean without the razor blade work..
Careful with that razor blade. The new windows that have the self cleaning feature may be damaged.
Andersen says no razor blades on E4 glass.
ammonia (diluted) and newspaper...
I hear you laughing...
try it and thank me later
A La Carte Government funding... the real democracy.
I suggest combining two cleaners posted by others: ammonia and vinegar. I always used vinegar, but noticed on a bottle of ammonia a recipe of 1 cup of ammonia and a half cup of white vinegar diluted to a gallon with hot water. I tried it this week-end and it works great.
Apply to and scrub the window with an old dish rag, dry/polish with lint-free cotton towel. Very clean, no streaks.