Some people may think that this article contains just a motivational message, but no … this article is a call to action. And a lot of it. Also defined as “Mass Action”. I certainly don’t want to scare anyone with the word “massive”, but sometimes reality check is necessary. If you think you are going to be successful in cleaning up by placing a yellow page ad in the phone book for a good company, good luck with that.
Cleaning windows well and removing hard water stains requires a specialty product that you won’t find every day at your local hardware or grocery store. The glass restoration products I use can be ordered online at a variety of supply stores. In this article, I will list some reputable places where you can order hard water stain removal products and give you an overview of how to remove hard water stains with a mini hard water stain removal tutorial.
Water stain removal project
Just a quick tip before starting your water stain removal project. In most cases, hard water spots form due to improperly adjusted sprinklers. So before you begin, make sure all sprinklers are properly adjusted so they don’t spray your windows. The first thing you will need is a quality hard water stain remover. I am NOT talking about Limeaway or CLR.
These products just don’t work. You can find a list of high-quality water stain removers here. Now it may take a couple of days to receive your stain removal product, but it’s worth the wait. Also, all supplies and services have been tested and used by me in real work so I know they work and I trust sources to buy them. My favorite hard water stain remover is Bio-Clean, so be sure to look for it when shopping for a hard water stain product. Once you have your hard water stain remover in hand you will need a white scouring pad and I specify WHITE, not green! I use a cloth towel or rag to apply the solution.
The idea here is not to scratch the glass while removing the hard water stain. Next, make sure you have a window washing rod or sponge and a squeegee to clean the glass. To clean the window properly, use a bucket and apply a quick blast of Dawn dishwasher detergent in approximately. 2-3 gallons of water. When you start cleaning hard water stains, dip your wand into the cleaning solution and apply it to the glass where the water stains are.
The next step is to apply the stain remover to your rag or scrubber (a quarter-size amount is sufficient at first). Apply this on the glass rubbing in a circular motion until it starts to feel softer to the touch. The next step is to reapply the soap and water solution to the window. After lathering the window, use your squeegee to remove the soap and water. It may take a couple of attempts to completely remove the stain. Just repeat the process until the hard water stain is completely removed.
Necessary products and tools
Now that you know which solution to use to clean your windows without leaving marks, you will need a few tools to get the job done right. You can order equipment at a very fair price from a store that uses professional window cleaners and I have provided that site here.
That’s one way you can order tools online and have them delivered in about a week. You can also get basic supplies at a hardware store like Home Depot or Lowes. Here is a list of some basics that you will want to make your work smoother and faster for the best results. If used correctly, you should be able to clean your glass without leaving any marks.
Squeegee
Generally, a 6 to 12-inch is best for your home window, and an 18 to 22-inch is best for commercial and shop window washing. It is best to take a couple of different sizes to be safe.
Magic wand
You can buy a magic wand at a hardware store. Get a size comparable to your squeegee. This will make lathering the glass and cleaning the screens much faster.
Towels
The best towels for drying window edges are called “huck towels” or “surgical towels.” They are 100% cotton, absorbent and lint free. These can be ordered at J Racenstein or purchased at your local cleaning supply store. These are also commonly used by the maid. Don’t worry if you can’t find this type of towel. A regular, tightly woven cotton cloth will work fine, but keep a few on hand so you can always use a dry window wash towel.
Window wash bucket
This is any container or bucket that is 2 to 5 gallons in size. Almost anything that you can carry and move with ease will work just fine.
Ladder
Self explanatory – can be found at any hardware store based on size needed. For a 1-story home and most showcase work, a 6-foot ladder will suffice. These are generally used in homes to help clean exterior windows that tend to be a bit taller on the outside, they are also used to clean door entry windows.
Screwdriver
Just keep a flat head screwdriver and sometimes a Phillips head on hand to remove the screens and remove any excess material from the corners of the rails and window frames.
Professional window cleaners
Finding a professional window cleaner to wash your windows at home or in the office is a simple task. You will get a list of local businesses simply by typing in the name of your city or town and then adding “window cleaning service”. If you’re using Google, a map will likely appear with listings in your local area.
You can also scroll down and find reviews for particular window cleaners in Yahoo reviews and city search information. Angies List is also a great place to find information on reputable companies and customer testimonials. Feel free to ask your neighbors either. You will be amazed at how many people use the services and word of mouth is always the best reference.
Washing prices
If you are trying to determine how much it will cost to have your windows cleaned by a professional, this information should be helpful. Most window washing companies count the windows to determine a price for their estimate. Here are some very basic guidelines you can use to make sure the price is fair and to help determine whether it is profitable to use a professional cleaning service or do it yourself. A quick note: if your home has more than 1 story, using a professional is highly recommended.
Count the windows according to the frame. Each frame is considered a window (upper and lower glass)
Some average cost per window in the southern US Rates may vary based on location and weather. Most cleaners will include screen washing in the offer. If not, be sure to request it. A professional window cleaner can or should always provide a streak-free cleaning.
1 story
Standard windows: $ 7.00 entrance / exit $ 4.00 exterior only — Colonial style windows: $ 9.00 entrance / exit $ 5.00 exterior only — Lattice windows: $ 9.00 entrance / exit
Second floor glass
Standard Windows: $ 9.00 Entry / Exit $ 6.00 Outside Only – Colonial Style Windows: $ 11.00 Entry / Exit $ 8.00 Outside Only — Louvered Windows $ 12.00
Tips for cleaning windows at home
If you plan to wash your own glass at your residence, use this as a rough guide to the procedure.
Take your bucket and fill it with water and then pour in your dishwashing liquid. Place it next to the outdoor hose on concrete or a towel to prevent dirt from being carried away when you bring the bucket inside.
Remove all screens first using the screwdriver if necessary. Put all the screens in order outside and wash them with a hose and soap from your bucket. You can dip your wand in the bucket and gently apply to the screen, this should only take about ten seconds and then rinse off.
When you are done cleaning the screens, clean the bottom of your bucket and move it inside to a centralized position and place it on a towel. Pick a corner to start washing the glass and move neatly around your home to avoid confusion and possibly losing a window.
Once you’ve chosen your starting position, dip your wand into the solution and use your hand to squeeze excess water from the wand to prevent dripping. Apply the window wash wand to the glass and gently scrub back and forth for about 5-10 seconds. Put the wand back in the bucket and grab the squeegee. Have your towel or towels in a pocket and then start by placing the squeegee up and down against the edge and corner of the window. Move the squeegee blade straight through the glass without stopping until you reach the other side.
Take your towel and dry both ends of the squeegee. Now place the squeegee in the same position as before but where the glass has not yet been cleaned and repeat. Once you have finished the window, place the squeegee in the bucket and grab your towel, with one or two fingers apply pressure to all edges of the glass to dry the window. Do not use a towel to wipe the middle of the glass window unless necessary. This will help you have streak-free windows that look good rain or shine.
You may want to stick with a rag just to erase tracks and frames. Use a screwdriver with a towel on it to get into tough corners and such.
Once you’ve finished washing all the windows in your home, it’s time to put the screens back in place. That is why it was important when he started to make sure and keep them in order.
At this point, your window cleaning job should be done and you can take pride in doing it yourself and saving some money. You will also find a list of online stores where you can buy these products and all the information you need for any cleaning project.
