Quality Window Cleaners Are Hard to Find

    I recently cleaned the windows for a new client, and she told me that they hadn’t been cleaned since they where installed. She mentioned that she had hired a window cleaner for her daughters wedding but he never showed up and she was so busy with the wedding plans that she never followed up on it. So many times I’ve heard stories like this, or cleaned windows at a house or business and find scratches on the glass from a previous window cleaner, or heard horror stories of a customers bad experience. But why does this happen? Sadly, anyone now can pick up a squeegee and say they can clean windows, but what they don’t realize is that cleaning windows is an art. It takes skill and practice. Glass is fragile, and there is a technique to cleaning it that must be learned. On larger houses windows can be hard to access, so you must have the right tools and knowledge to complete the task. I heard that there is a window cleaner here who only does one level houses, how much business is he missing out on just because of his lack of experience and equipment?

    I also recently received a call from a local window cleaner wanting to sell me his accounts as he was only doing this aside from his other job and could no longer keep up with it. All of this tells me that there are so many average Joes picking up a strip washer and squeegee and saying they can clean windows then either 1) don’t show up to the job 2) don’t have the equipment or experience to complete the job, or 3) are not committed enough to stay in business. Unfortunately the window cleaning industry is polluted with people like this and the one who suffers the consequences is, sadly, the consumer.

    So I guess the question is, how do you know the window cleaner you are about to hire is a quality, genuine, real-life, window cleaner? The short answer is - Research. How long have they been in business? Do they have insurance? Although it’s not required in the state of Oklahoma if they have insurance that means they are serious and committed. Do they show up on time to give an estimate? Do they have referrals? A lot of times I know I got the job before I even show up to the house to give an estimate because I can tell, just by talking to the person on the phone, that they’ve done their research and have already decided to hire me. Those are my best clients, and I know I’ve done a good job because they keep calling me back to re-hire me.

    In short, don’t be fooled by all these average Joe window cleaners, take the time, do the research, and know before you buy.

Why are storm windows so expensive to clean?

On many older homes storm windows are fitted over the older single pane windows to provide better insulation and cut down on energy costs. This is usually a cheeper route then installing new double pane windows and on some historic homes it isn’t allowed to replace the older windows with new ones leaving the homeowner no choice but to have storm windows installed. The drawback is they are not easy to clean. Some are surprised to hear how much it  will cost to have them cleaned professionally, but this is because the storm windows have to be taken out and cleaned separately in addition to cleaning the original windows. Since it’s like cleaning two windows in one the price will normally be double. So what is the difference on a double paned window? Any new window will most likely be double pane. This is two pieces of glass built into the window side by side. Since the window is sealed so no air or moisture can get in between the glass there is now way (and no reason) to clean the inside and it is only necessary to clean the two exterior sides just as you would on a single pane glass window. Therefore the cost to clean newer double paned windows is considerably cheeper.

Cleaning Window Screens, Tracks, and Sills

I’m going to be honest, I hate screens. If I owned my own house I would only have screens on the windows I opened regularly and the rest I would leave off. This is because screens trap dirt and I would rather look out a clean clear window then out of a dusty screen. But thats my opinion. If you have screens on your windows, however, you’re probably wondering whats the best way to clean them. There are actually a couple different ways to clean screens. If they are just dusty you could take a damp cloth and wipe them down, I would suggest taking them off the window before you do this as it will cause the dust to get all over the glass. If they are really dirty you could set them up against the house or fence and spray them down with the garden hose, then let them dry before putting them back on. I would not recommend power washing them, they make screens very flimsy now days so a power washer may tear them up unless you have the old metal screens.

Since you have the screens off your windows now would be a good time to clean the tracks and sills. (Do this before you clean the windows) You can use a small brush to sweep out the dirt and dead bugs that got trapped between the screen and the window, now you see why I don’t like screens, or if there is a lot of caked dirt you could spray it off with the garden hose but be careful not to use too much water pressure because water could seep through the window sill and into your house. Then just wipe dry put the screens back on and you’re done. After I cleaned the windows on one house the home owner didn’t even realize the screens where on the window, so clean windows and screens can make a big difference.

The Benefits of Clean Windows

Let’s face it, not everyone is on the same page when it comes to having clean windows. I have some clients that call me and haven't had their windows cleaned in years, and I know they probably won’t get them cleaned for another few years afterwards. Then I have other clients that can’t stand to see their windows dirty and have me come out every month. So what are the benefits to having clean windows? I recently cleaned a new clients storm windows and she told me: “It’s like I have a new house!” Although you may not be paying attention to it over time having dirty windows can effect how you view your home. For example when you drive your car when it’s dirty you begin to feel like it’s old and depressing and that it would be nice to have a newer vehicle. But after you have it cleaned it feels like new and you remember how much you loved it when you first bought it! Clean windows can have the same effect on your home and you enjoy living in it more. But there are also long term benefits. Dirt, hard water stains, and even mildew left on your windows for a long period of time can wear out the frames of the windows faster, in double paned windows it can wear out the seal around the glass and cause condensation inside the window making them look forever dirty or foggy. Having to replace all your windows is a lot more expensive then having them cleaned regularly. Also, cleaning the windows regularly is a lot easier and faster then cleaning them once a year or more. A window cleaner knows this and will probably give you a better price if you want  him to come by regularly. So stop putting window cleaning at the very bottom of your list and start living in a home that feels like it did when you first moved in.

What to know before hiring a window cleaner

Unfortunately I hear all too often that many people hesitate to hire a window cleaner because they had a bad experience in the past. One house I did in Arcadia, Oklahoma had such dirty windows, when I asked the homeowner when the last time they where cleaned they told me it had been a few years because the last window cleaners scratched all the windows and tore up all the screens so they where nervous to hire someone again.

    Then, on the other end of the spectrum, there are these large cleaning companies that send a crew of inexperienced employees on a minimum wage salary who come in and only care about speed over quality. The end result is a frustrated homeowner who is not happy with the work and possibly broken items in there home or ruined landscaping.

    What do you need to know before hiring a window cleaner? Simply put, research. Try to learn everything about them. Do they have reviews? If so, are they all positive? It doesn’t matter if they have over 100 reviews, if they are mostly negative then odds are they are not someone worth hiring. Do they have experience cleaning windows in residential homes? It’s also good to know who will be coming to clean your windows. If they will be sending a crew, do they have experience? In my case I am the one who talks to the client and shows up to do the work so the homeowner already has an idea of who will be coming inside of their home. Also, how much are they charging you? this is important because the cheapest isn’t always the best. An inexperienced window cleaner will usually bid a house really low, so it may seem like a great deal but buyer beware, you could end up with serious problems or even damage which will cost more to repair or replace.

    I’m not trying to frighten anyone, there are a lot of good window cleaners out there. I personally know a few in the window cleaning community and I am good friends with them. And as a small local business owner I have a lot of respect for those who are just starting out. But when it comes down to your home it’s important to know what your getting into, so do your research and be sure you are hiring a skilled professional.

Video: How to clean your own windows

A lot of people may want to clean their own windows instead of paying someone else to do it. I can can show you an easy way to do it in this video. Click the link below to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pw1rBFJjPQ&feature=share

How often should I have my windows cleaned?

I usually get this question a lot, but the truth is there is no right answer. It really depends on two things. First, the house, how often do the windows get dirty? If the owner has pets or small children or if the windows are in an area that gets hit by a lot of wind and rain then they probably get dirty quite often. Second, the home owner. Some people can’t stand dirty windows, not even a little, and I do have some clients where I clean their windows once or twice a month. Then you have others who like to have clean windows but don’t want to spend a lot on window cleaning. Those clients usually just call me once or twice a year. In general, however, I recommend having your windows cleaned inside and out twice a year, and just the outside every three months, since the outside usually gets dirtier then the inside. This way the windows look great year round. Believe it or not having a regular maintenence schedule is the best because this will make your windows last longer and will prevent you from having to replace them early. Dirt and hard water stains exposed to the elements can gradually damage the glass and frames. So ask your window cleaner to put you on a regular schedule. If you live in the Oklahoma City area feel free to contact me.