6 Tips for Clear and Clean Commercial Windows

Countless businesses with a physical location face the same constant dilemma – What’s the best, most cost-effective way to keep our windows clean? Do we train someone to handle that job, or do we hire an outside contractor? No matter the best course of action for your business, the importance of keeping your windows cleaned can’t be overstated. Clean, clear, streak-free windows are essential to upholding a professional, welcoming image.

Whether you’re training an in-house window cleaner or seeking help from another professional, there are a few things to know about the process that will ensure your commercial windows always look their best.

1. Use the Right Tools

Unlike residential windows, commercial windows take more than a paper towel and a bottle of Windex to keep clean. Commercial window cleaning requires a variety of equipment to achieve the best results, including:

• Squeegee
• Sponge
• Microfiber cloth
• Utility bucket
• Scraper
• Cleaning solutions

Ammonia is a highly effective glass cleaner but typically needs to be diluted before use on commercial windows. Many commercial windows have tinted coatings, which ammonia may interact with and potentially remove, so the right mix is essential. Be sure to consult your window manufacturer or a professional window cleaner to ensure no damage is caused. In areas where hard water is abundant, windows often get stained by mineral deposits. In these instances, specialized commercial cleaning products for removing calcium buildup, lime, rust stains, and more may be more effective.

2. Use the Right Technique

Achieving professional results when cleaning commercial windows is a straightforward process, but the most effective techniques for wetting, cleaning, and drying glass can be difficult to master:

1. Dilute your window cleaning solution in a bucket with water using a two-to-one mix.
2. Apply your cleaning solution to your commercial window.
3. Use your scraper to remove dirt and debris that isn’t easily removed by the cleaning solution.
4. Squeegee the glass starting in the upper left-hand corner, pulling the squeegee straight across from left to right. Use complete strokes across the entire width of the window, and use a rag to dry the squeegee blade after each stroke. Repeat this process until the window is dry.
5. Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the edges and any spots missed with the squeegee.

3. Avoid Direct Sunlight

Washing windows in direct sunlight commonly results in streaks. To avoid streaking, schedule window cleanings at times when they won’t be in direct sunlight. Very liberal use of a cleaning solution also helps reduce streaking.

4. Use a Razor Blade

A razor blade is a very effective commercial window cleaning tool for removing debris from glass. However, incorrect use of a razor blade can cause scratches or damage, leading to hundreds of dollars in repair or replacement costs. Razor blades should not be used on tinted glass, for example, as the risk of damaging coatings and laminates is very high.

Only use a razor on wet glass! Using a razor on dry glass is a recipe for disaster as scratches are sure to occur. Make sure your commercial glass is fully soaked in your cleaning solution before applying a razor blade, and try your best to move the blade in one direction only. Blades may become dull or misshapen quickly, so change them frequently and be ready with enough replacements to handle the whole job!

5. Apply the Final Touches

A dry microfiber cloth is critical to ensuring a crisp, clear, and clean finish for your commercial windows. Dirty windows may require more than one round of wetting, cleaning, and drying to remove all dirt and eliminate all streaks.

6. Keep Your Windows Clean Year-Round

Routine commercial window cleaning is vital to making a good first impression, but there are other benefits, too. Natural light goes a long way towards boosting the mood of employees and helps enhance the overall look and feel of any space. Commercial window cleaning even helps prolong the life of your windows by removing dirt, overspray, salt, and other particulates from the glass, reducing the chance of cracks, scratches, and etching.

However, most businesses don’t have the time, labor, and equipment available to tackle this task on their own. Commercial Cleaning Corporation provides thorough, high-quality, and cost-effective interior and exterior window cleaning solutions customized to your business’s needs. We serve all types of properties, including high-rises, multi-tenant housing, retail locations, and construction sites. Contact us today to speak with a commercial window cleaning expert and keep your windows clean all year round.

Don’t forget – commercial window cleaning is just one of our specialties! Check out our commercial cleaning calculator to see how much you could save for your business by combining services with Commercial Cleaning Corporation.