Our Ultimate Window Cleaning Guide 2022

We often get questions about how we clean windows so I thought I’d share the ultimate guide to how we do it here at Green Grads!

Step One: Listen

We encourage you to share what is important to you via email, text, phone or our estimate form. While our window cleaning is comprehensive, we want to make sure we’re prepared to provide the best possible service.

Step Two: Safety

Upon arrival at your home, building, or business we do a full site inspection and safety plan. 

Everyone on our team is briefed for hazards and watch-outs. We also do this to ensure we can be efficient and effective at your property.

Step Three: Preparation

Since we clean windows by-hand, we use a half-bucket of water and a small amount of environmentally-friendly soap. No other chemicals are used in our window cleaning mix. 

By-hand cleaning takes a little longer but it works out much better. And we use considerably less water than our competitors who may use water-fed poles from the ground.

Step Four: Start Tall

Green Grads begin with the highest windows and work down. This is because ladder work is the trickiest part of the job. In addition, any drips and splashes on lower level windows will be cleaned up as we move down.

Step Five: Wash

If you have any screens that remove from the outside only, we carefully take them off and wash them. If the screens remove from the inside only, we ask that you remove them before we arrive and leave them in a conspicuous location. As for the glass, our microfibre mops give the pane a good scrub releasing all dirt, dust, and grime. If we have to mop twice, we do. Then it’s time for an expert squeegeeing (that’s a word right?) to remove all water and suds from the glass.  

Step Six: Detail

There will always be a little residual water framing the pane. With a finger pointed into a soft towel, Green Grads wipe away that water. We then wipe down the window frames and sills and admire our work AKA checking for any streaks or missed spots. Finally, we replace your freshly-washed screen and move on to the next window!

A Note on Skylights, Interior, and Exterior Glass:

For skylights, we always try to clean these with our mops and squeegees on poles. Only when the skylight isn’t reachable will we look at other measures. 

We clean interior windows, glass, and mirrors as well! In the same fashion as above, just without the ladders in most cases. We carefully move and replace furniture. 

We also clean both sides of glass barricades and overhangs.