Washing windows is not an easy job, especially if the apartment is in a high-rise building. How to wash the windows from the outside on a high floor if you can’t stand on the windowsill, because there’s a chasm below and you’re afraid to fall, and it’s simply impossible to reach the far corners from a stepladder? It turns out that manufacturers of household appliances have already come up with safe devices - a mop for washing windows from the outside while being inside. And those who do not want to spend money on expensive devices can be advised to use the services of climbers.
Telescopic brushes: general overview, pros and cons of the model
The simplest and most popular option among the population. Models in this series are equipped with two replaceable nozzles or one, a handle adjustable in length (or a fixed size), and in some of them the position of the washing base can be changed. Adjustable designs are considered more practical, as they allow you to wash a window of any length without additional equipment (for example, a chair).
Designs with a telescopic handle are of a domestic and professional nature. The first option has one attachment, a standard holder adjustment scheme. For the second option: several attachments for cleaning windows, the ability to change the angle and length of the handle.
Features and application of telescopic brushes:
- Purpose: washing attic windows, shower stalls, any glossy or mirror surface, tiled cladding
- By price: inexpensive
- Features: adjustable tilt angle and handle;
- changing attachments from different materials
- The main advantage: minimal consumption of detergents
- The main disadvantage: the lowest service life compared to other types of brushes
What should you pay attention to when choosing telescopic brushes? The main steps in this matter are:
Purpose: cleaning the window from the outside or inside;
Handle length taking into account window height;
Features: for example, changing the angle of inclination;
Selecting the material for the cleaning surface of the device;
Durability of the structure (alloy composition of the handle and blade holder).
Should you wash your windows yourself?
If the apartment is located high, it is dangerous to wash the windows from the outside. It is worth using the services of a cleaning company.
The main advantages of professional cleaning include:
- Equipment for working at height and insurance. Cleaners can work at heights without risking their lives, so they will clean the glass better.
- Professional tools and chemistry. No streaks or stains: special detergents remove dirt, even in the most difficult to reach places (cracks, hinges, locking mechanisms).
- Fast and high quality work. Cleaners can handle even a large range of work without compromising the quality of washing.
For cleaning windows, a mop with a telescopic handle
A mop with a telescopic handle is convenient primarily because its length can be easily adjusted to the required length. That is why they are most often used for external window cleaning.
Sliding windshield wipers are also distinguished by the presence of a convenient double-sided nozzle with:
- A soft sponge for cleaning glass;
- Rubber scraper for removing water from the surface.
By rotating the mop 180°, you can quickly simultaneously wash and wipe away any remaining product from the window.
Advantages of a telescopic mop:
- light weight;
- handle that fits comfortably in the hand;
- sliding design;
- the presence of several nozzles at the same time;
- safety of use.
The only disadvantage we can note is the high cost, and the price of more “sophisticated” models can reach up to 5,000 rubles. On the other hand, by buying such a mop once, in the future you can save on microfiber cloths, the price of which varies between 30-150 rubles per set.
When purchasing a mop with a telescopic handle, it is important to correctly calculate its maximum length. For standard windows, it is better to choose models that extend up to two meters; for panoramic windows, this figure can reach ten meters.
Remember that the maximum length of the mop handle should be at least half a meter greater than the height of the window.
Criterias of choice
You should choose a mop taking into account the height of the window, the degree of dirtiness, and the presence of hard-to-reach places.
For windows with solid frames or plastic ones, it is best to purchase a telescopic mop or magnetic brushes - the steam one does not have an adjustable handle and will not allow you to efficiently and safely wash the far corners of the outer surface.
For windows facing a busy highway, where a large amount of dust and dirt quickly accumulates, steam mops are suitable - they will effectively and without much human effort remove old and heavy dirt.
How to choose a good steam mop, read the link.
You need to inspect the scraper of the product itself before purchasing. A high-quality water distiller is smooth, elastic, but not hard. Only this one will cope with his task best.
BEWARE OF FAKES!
There are many low-quality fakes of the original telescopic window squeegee. To reduce the cost of the product, manufacturers use low-quality material (alloy) to make the structure. The handles and fastenings of these types of mops are fragile and easily damaged.
The material of the washing brush is made of cheap synthetic material, which makes washing surfaces ineffective. Using such cleaning products is no better than washing windows with a regular rag.
As you know, the miser pays twice. The manufacturer of the original Telescopic Window Cleaner mops did not set themselves the task of making the product as cheap as possible. Therefore, the design of the product is a high-quality, reliable aluminum alloy, which is extremely resistant to stress and damage.
Fastenings and joints are made of durable plastic, which is non-toxic and safe for health. The washing brush is made of specially designed microfiber, which is easy to remove and wash.
Vacuum cleaner for glass
In fact, a window cleaning device in the form of a vacuum cleaner is universal. It can be used to wash any glossy surface – mirrors, kitchen tiles, and ceramic tiles. The most common design consists of a housing in which two tanks are located. One is filled with a cleaning solution, and it is supplied to the surface through a special pipe. The other is needed to collect dirty water.
Vacuum cleaner for washing glass Source build-tips.com
What is the best way to wash glass?
Special window cleaners remove dirt well
When washing glazed openings, it is important to remove dust, dirt, and cobwebs from them without leaving soapy streaks or water streaks. Use products specifically designed for this purpose.
Store-bought aerosols Mister Muscle, Amway, OpticShine, Frosch are effective, easy to use, but sometimes cause allergies and are sprayed at a distance of no more than 30 cm, which is not always suitable for doors that cannot be opened.
Products diluted with water from manufacturers HG, Karcher, Help are more convenient. They are concentrated, so they have low consumption, are mixed with warm water and applied with a sponge or poured into a special technique. Basically, they are environmentally friendly, but when using it is better to wear rubber gloves; they clean the surface efficiently and do not require rinsing.
Instead of store-bought ones, you can use accessible and inexpensive folk remedies prepared from familiar ingredients. Add a spoonful of starch, 1 ml of ammonia or a glass of vinegar to 1 liter of water. Each of these solutions will provide shine and cleanliness.
Features of use
Leifheit
On the one hand, there is nothing complicated in using a glass mop (the essence is the same - wash the glass with a wet cloth, press the rubber scraper against the glass and remove the water from top to bottom), on the other hand, each type has its own characteristics of use. Therefore, below we will detail how to clean windows with a special mop.
Using a telescopic mop:
- adjust the height of the stick and secure it;
- adjust the angle of inclination;
- moisten the washing side well in soapy water and wash off all dirt;
- turn the mop over and use a screed to collect all the moisture;
- After use, thoroughly wash the attachments, dry and fold the unit.
Steam models have higher requirements for working with them:
- first of all, you need to fill the container with water;
- set the desired steam temperature (the stronger the contamination, the higher it should be);
- plug in the device and after the water boils in it, start washing the window (it is recommended to do this from top to bottom);
- after washing the glass, unplug the device from the outlet and use a rubber tie to remove any remaining moisture;
- Drain the water remaining in the container and wash the attachments.
A magnetic brush is a very primitive, but convenient device. To use it you will need the following:
- wet the window with a rag or a spray bottle (this must be done on both sides at once);
- disconnect the two plates of the brush and connect them on both sides of the glass unit (one on the outside, the other on the inside), if possible, tie the part that is from the street to your wrist;
- move the brush across the window until all dirt is removed;
- After finishing cleaning the windows, be sure to thoroughly wash the brush.
Important! If you use any window mop according to the recommendations, it can last for many years.
Classic set
Glass moistened with water is wiped off dirt with dry newspapers to a mirror shine. It becomes perfectly transparent, and the room is immediately filled with bright light. But such a result comes at a cost. The hostess will spend a lot of time on this, and most importantly, effort. After all, you will have to rub a lot.
In addition, the most difficult part of the window remains - the outer side. The place is not only inconvenient, but also very dangerous. Reaching the corners of the window from the street side, a person risks falling out. And if those living on the ground floor can escape with injury, then those living in apartments on a higher level will face more disastrous results.
Washing a window from the outside Source maiso.ru
In order not to think about the bad, it is better to remember what century we live in and look at technical achievements. And in particular, consider any window cleaning device. But you need to start simple. After all, technology is not only about robots and spaceships. A significant place in the development of progress is occupied by the search and development of new materials and substances.
Microfiber cloths
They are also called non-woven material. Because microfiber mainly consists of the finest polymer fibers and high molecular weight chemical compounds. True, there is both cotton and viscose, but in small quantities. In order to strengthen the microfiber and enhance its already impressive properties that have most attracted the cleaning industry.
Microfiber for glass cleaning Source variety-store.ru
Microfiber cloths have the following qualities:
- allow air to pass through;
- are able to absorb liquid three times their own weight;
- their surface is soft and completely lint-free;
- high strength contributes to long-term operation;
- the material penetrates even into pores and cracks;
- electrolyzed fibers attract dust;
- remove microbes from the surface;
- dry quickly.
This material was developed in Japan back in the seventies of the last century. But widespread use throughout the world began only at the beginning of this century. And housewives appreciated this napkin the most.
Washing dirt on a window with microfiber Source slovenskenovice.si
After all, when washing a window, the material:
- does not leave streaks;
- easily removes any dirt from the surface;
- collects all the lint.
And you can use the napkin several times. Moreover, manufacturers produce two types of them. Dry microfiber collects all the dirt and water from the glass after it is washed with soapy water. But you don’t have to prepare a separate cleaning composition and spray it all over the window.
Microfiber for perfect glass cleaning Source easylifebg.com
There is microfiber already impregnated with a special cleaning liquid. You don't even need to rub anything with this napkin. It is enough to sweep it over the surface, and it will collect all the dirt from it in one go. All that remains is to wipe the glass with regular microfiber. Therefore, many manufacturers sell sets that contain both wipes, wet and dry.
