Cleaning windows

d0nkeyk0ng

Has anyone had success with using a telescopic pole (either with or without a waterfed system) to clean their own windows?

flashg67

I tried a cheap (non fed) version - forget it - the pole is too slim/weak to allow you to put any pressure on the squeegee to get a decent finish

EssexExile

Without superclean water you'll leave water marks, as Flash says a squeegee won't work.

Fire_Fox

Yes but from the inside only. Upper floor city centre apartment, heavy diesel exhaust deposits (wall-to-wall bus stops) on mirror finish glazing (ex-office block).

I have tried three extendable poles over the years, the longest being 1.5 metres. For detergent and rinsing water there is no tap near the windows, so I have worked from a regular washing up bowl, spray bottle on a pole and a garden pressure sprayer (manual pump container with wand).

As others have said, the angle of the mopping head / sqeejeeing head is relevant, and how much pressure you can apply. There is one window pane that I cannot get good results on at all, not least because it can only be reached one handed.

Product wise, I have had the most success with a strong solution of sugar soap (the soapy yellow liquid not the powdered stuff) applied with the garden pressure sprayer. When rinsing try a solution of white vinegar.

HTH!

Aylesbury_Duck

flashg67 wrote: »

I tried a cheap (non fed) version - forget it - the pole is too slim/weak to allow you to put any pressure on the squeegee to get a decent finish

I've had the opposite result. I have a £15 3.3m one of these and it worked fine for me as long as I didn't fully extend every section. It did need a bit of fiddling to angle the blade to be able to exert some pressure but it worked. I get a decent finish on my upstairs windows and conservatory roof with it and the other side of the head can be angled to clean the upper sills nicely, too.

bris

Like anything else its how much you are prepared to spend.


Go to B&Q, Homebase etc you will get overpriced rubbish.


Buy from professional window cleaning specialists and you will get proper gear. https://www.thecleaningwarehouse.co.uk/window-cleaning-271-c.asp

d0nkeyk0ng

I know from car detailing about how hard water can leave water marks and the use of distilled/deionised water and DI units. I'm not a fan of going up ladders more than 6ft high and was debating cost of doing it myself vs getting someone in.