A Complete Guide To Window Washing In Superior – Keep Your Glass Crystal Clear Year-Round
Over time your windows collect pollen, grime, and mineral deposits, and this guide shows you how to clean, maintain, and protect glass in Superior’s climate so you can keep views clear year-round; you’ll learn best tools, safe techniques for high and low windows, seasonal schedules, and stain-removal tips to preserve sealants and frames for long-lasting clarity. Types of Window Washing You’ll pick from methods like pure‑water systems, traditional squeegee work, reach‑and‑wash poles, pressure washing for masonry frames, or aerial/rope access for high rises; telescopic poles often extend 30-60 ft and squeegees commonly range 10-24 inches, while deionized water systems typically reduce TDS to single digits to prevent spotting. Pure‑Water (DI/RO) Deionized or reverse‑osmosis water rinses leave glass spot‑free; ideal for multi‑story via 30-60 ft poles and softens mineral films. Traditional Squeegee Hand technique for interiors and accessible exteriors; uses 10-24 in blades, microfiber wipes, and ammonia‑free cleaners for streak control. Reach‑and‑Wash Poles Water‑fed poles let you clean up to 3-5 stories without lifts; efficient for routine maintenance on storefronts and townhomes. Pressure/Soft Washing Low‑pressure soft washing removes grime on frames and adjacent masonry; avoids etching when kept below manufacturer‑recommended pressures. Aerial/Rope Access Used for high‑rise curtain walls; requires rope‑access technicians, pilot points, and NFPA/OSHA‑compliant anchoring for safety. Assess access, glass type, and frequency-residential jobs often need 1-4 visits per year, while commercial sites can be weekly to monthly. Factor in water quality, pole reach, and whether coatings or films demand specialty cleaners or abrasive removal methods. Assume that high‑rise work requires certified rope access, permit coordination, and anchor inspections before any cleaning begins. Residential vs. Commercial You’ll see residential work focus on aesthetics and gentle techniques-typical visits run $100-$400 for a house and involve patio doors, skylights, and screens; commercial contracts target storefronts, curtain walls, and large glass facades with scheduled maintenance (monthly or quarterly), higher liability coverage, and pricing that scales from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per project. Interior vs. Exterior You’ll clean interiors for streak‑free clarity using ammonia‑free cleaners and lint‑free cloths, paying attention to sills and window hardware; exteriors demand tougher methods for hard‑water stains, mineral deposits, and environmental grime, often requiring water‑fed poles, soft washing, or mechanical scraping on south‑facing windows exposed to road salt. When you plan a job, prep differs: interior work needs drop cloths, low‑VOC cleaners, and furniture move‑out, while exterior work depends on weather windows, scaffolding or lifts, and permits for sidewalk protection; technicians typically squeegee top‑to‑bottom with 1-2‑inch blade overlap and finish with a microfiber edge to eliminate edge beads and spots. Essential Tips for Effective Window Washing You should wash on overcast days to prevent rapid drying and streaks, work from top to bottom, and tackle frames and screens before the glass. Use a squeegee with 6-12 inch overlaps and keep a 15°-20° tilt to channel water off glass. Employ a ladder stabilizer for multi-story work and microfiber for finishing. Knowing how small adjustments-15° squeegee tilt, 6-inch overlap-reduce streaking and save time. Wash on cloudy days to avoid rapid drying Use 6-12 inch squeegee overlaps for even removal Clean frames and screens first, then glass Choosing the Right Tools You’ll want a squeegee between 10-18 inches for most residential panes and a pole that extends 4-24 feet for second-story access; professionals often use 3-6 m poles for homes and 10-20 m for taller buildings. Select microfiber towels (300-400 GSM) for edge detail and a scrubber with a replaceable sleeve for heavy grime. Use a stable ladder rated for your weight and a bucket with a grit guard to keep abrasive particles off the glass. Best Cleaning Solutions You can mix 1 part white vinegar to 10 parts water for everyday cleaning, add 1-2 drops of mild dish soap per gallon for greasy buildup, or use an ammonia-free commercial cleaner on coated or tinted glass. Distilled or deionized water prevents spotting when rinsing, especially if your tap water hardness exceeds 120 mg/L. Avoid ammonia on Low-E or tinted windows to protect coatings. For spot-free results, professionals use deionized (DI) water in water-fed poles to strip minerals-DI systems reduce total dissolved solids to near zero, eliminating mineral deposits that create spots. If your local water hardness is over 120 mg/L you’ll notice spotting after rinses; using DI water or a final rinse with distilled water prevents that and often removes the need for a final squeegee, saving you time on larger jobs. Step-by-Step Window Washing Process Step Action 1. Prep Remove screens, vacuum sills, lay a 3-4 ft drop cloth, and set tools (5‑gal bucket, scrubber, squeegee, microfiber) within arm’s reach; allow 10-20 minutes per elevation to stage safely. 2. Mix Solution Use warm water with 1-2 drops of mild dish soap per gallon or a commercial window mix; for hard water areas use distilled or deionized water to reduce mineral spots. 3. Scrub Wet the glass with the scrubber in 6-8 in overlapping passes from top to bottom, agitating dirt and softening deposits before squeegeeing. 4. Squeegee Hold blade at ~30° and pull in straight or reverse‑S strokes, overlapping 1-2 in per pass; wipe blade after each stroke to prevent streaks. 5. Detail Wipe edges and corners with a microfiber or cotton rag, use a razor at 45° only for paint or adhesive, and clean tracks with an old toothbrush. 6. Final Check Inspect from 3-6 ft for haze or streaks, buff small marks with a dry microfiber, and replace screens once frames are fully dry. Preparing Your Workspace Clear a 6-10 ft perimeter for ladders and place tools on a stable caddy; you should remove window treatments, set a 3-4 ft drop cloth, and position a second person or spotter for exterior work above one story to maintain safety and speed. Cleaning Techniques Start with warm, soapy water and scrub in overlapping 6-8 in passes, then squeegee at a 30° angle using 1-2 in overlaps; you’ll get best results using horizontal pulls on exteriors and vertical pulls inside so drips reveal missed areas for quick touchups.











