Washing high windows

[Dragster Racer]

OK. Not my garage, but my house. In the back, we have in our greatroom vaulted ceilings with floor to ceiling windows. That's great, except for cleaning them. Inside I have covered with a 12' step ladder and some stretching. But outside.....the back side of the house has an exposed basement, adding another story to the height. With my extension ladder, I can get to the first tier of windows by hand, but I have another 15' of window to do. Well, 10 anyhow. What is the best method to clean way up high windows? I have seen hose systems, but cannot imagine that they are ok without scrubbing. Can a pole that long be manageable? I would have to think if you did have a pole that long, that dipping it would be a two person job.
I can't handle too many more sunrises through this glass that has yet to be washed. LOL. Help?

 

[green.bubbly]

How about using something like a swimming pool cleaning pole? The one I had would reach about 20 feet or so. That p;us the ladder should get you pretty close. Maybe attach a squeegee to the end of it or a towel to wipe the window.

 

[mjb]

I have a large window 15 feet up and use a scrubber and squeegee on a 12 foot pole.

I bought all three at Lowes for under $40. It was so simple and easy to use, that I cleaned every window in the house and was looking for more.

Good luck!

 

[Az Scooter]

You know those spot free car washers? Get a long pole, use a fine brush with joy dishwashing soap, and scrub them down. Use the spot free rinse to rinse them clean. If you get one, make sure you keep it sealed up between uses, and realize that there is a point it will have to be replaced.

 

[cowboyjosh]

Hire it out!

 

[Dragster Racer]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I will try a pole and a spot free rinse. Or, get a pole to clean it for me. Oh, she was helping me get the lower ones cleaned. I don't think she would be interested in the high ones.

 

[kartracer23]

I hadn't cleaned my upper windows for the first 5 years that I lived in the house. It's a 2 story house, but with the foundation and high ceilings the upper windows are way up there. Last year, I got a pole / brush / squeegee. I couldn't believe how dirty they were! You just get used to the film on them and don't realize how much light they're blocking. Aside from making the interior brighter, it also kinda makes the outside sparkle with clean windows.

It doesn't take too long, but the hardest part is trying to figure out how far out to put your bucket 'o wash water so you can swing the pole right up w/o trying to move your hands - leverage is a *****.

 

[Lippyp]

You can get an extending pole with a sponge one side/squeegee the other that connects to your hosepipe, add a detergent dispenser and you have the ideal solution. Thanks to stupid health and safety laws here some professional window cleaners now use them rather than a ladder.

 

[NUTTSGT]

You could do like the professionals and repel from the top.

 

[shanker]

I have a 2 story house, but I just get up on the first floor roof, walk around and wash them.

I recently installed all new windows that can be easily cleaned form the inside too though

 

[Steevo]

I found a product that has made my high-window (outside) cleaning a breeze.
Windex has a pad that goes on the end of a handle (fits standard threaded paint pole), that is embedded with a window cleaner and rinse agent. You simply hose the window to get it good and wet, scrub it all over with the pad, until it is all soapy, and hose it off. No squeegee, no drying, the water just sheets off and they dry clear and clean.
They sell the starter kit with a couple of pads and a holder at Home Depot or other similar places, and refills come in four-packs.

I love them!

 

[vwracer]

I have 33 years of professional window cleaning experience. I would not even think of using a pole and squeegee to work that high. Granted I am used to doing ladder work that high but you can not do a good job that high with a pole. If you were in sun or it was hot it would dry out. Those Windex pads and rinses are a big joke as far as I'm concerned. HIRE IT OUT if you really want clean windows!

 

[Bojans]

I have not tried it yet but have heard that if you rain-x your windows after you clean them they will stay clean much longer. This would require getting all the way up to the window but may be worth the effort depending on your weather.

 

[Lippyp]

I have to say I agree with getting a professional in, we have a window cleaner that comes every other week, does a great job and only costs me six quid a go. I have to say I am biased though as my late Grandfather owned a window cleaning company although he did mostly industrial stuff, shops and offices he did do one home, belonged to an older woman you might have heard of.....The Queen! He used to have the contract to clean all the windows at Windsor Castle and was officially ""By appointment to Her Majesty The Queen, Window Cleaner" whats called a Royal Warrant.

 

[grog]

I second the windex pad outside cleaner. The only product I've tried in a while that does like it says. i Cleaned all thirteen windows in less than an hour and they look great. To VW racer, they threaten your livelihood so of course you think they are a big joke.

Grog

 

[Holedgr]

Is the cost of hiring it out REALLY worth an injury?? Seriously. A few guys on this board have really F'd themselves up on ladders. I appreciate the whole idea of doing it yourself, but F' it why risk it. Maybe if you work out a contract for a year or two with the window washer, then he might give you a better deal. Good luck and be safe.

-T

 

[nate379]

Rain doesn't do a good enough job?

 

[Az Scooter]

Is the cost of hiring it out REALLY worth an injury?? Seriously. A few guys on this board have really F'd themselves up on ladders. I appreciate the whole idea of doing it yourself, but F' it why risk it. Maybe if you work out a contract for a year or two with the window washer, then he might give you a better deal. Good luck and be safe.

-T

If you hire it out, make sure that they are insured.

 

[vwracer]

Grog I also tried the pads to see how they worked. FAIL I can make a piece of glass disappear to sight! No threat to my lively hood there.

 

[ZeroSignal]

Check out Ettore squeege company they specialize in commercial window washing extension poles with squeeges and washpads. Also Unger is another good company.

 

[Dragster Racer]

It would cost me more to get the guy out here than for him washing the windows. Plus, I don't much care to have any more people that I don't know well scoping the place out. I'm not paranoid, but you don't know who you can trust until you know them well enough to trust them.
I may try some of the pole ideas with rinse.

 

[gymman12]

what you need is one of those long telescopic window cleaning poles. quite a few brands out there and they are easy to use. just remember to filter your water to make it pure water ive been having a look at https://wfp.co.uk/ as they seem the most affordable ones, all the other ones im seeing are made out of carbon fiber and are super expensive

 

[Alchase]

I have had very good luck using the Windex outdoor window cleaner that you attach to the hose. Once a year, the wife and I do the windows. Her on the inside me spraying from the outside. It even works with the screens in place.

 

[fitter30]

30' extension pole use with a professional squeegee with pro glass cleaner

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08156F257/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[strutaeng]

Swingstage!

 

[jwilson645]

HOLY 11 YEAR OLD THREAD FROM THE DEAD!!!!!!!!

 

[MattN03]

Rent a towable boom lift. I've rented them for a weekend and used them for pressure washing, cleaning windows, and trimming trees all at one time.

 

[kbs2244]

I have a 40 foot ladder that I use for high work
with spreaders it is stable at full length
(it is a 2 story house witth wood sideing a a gable roof that needs painting every few years)
you get used to the height after a few tries

but the windows you can get to from inside are tippers that can have the outside washed from inside
no reason to tempt fate

I cannot imagine trying to use a hose or a pole on a ladder
the leverage is all wrong

I will have to try the rain-x idea

 

[nadogail]

We call a service "Lovely Windows By The Lads" about once a year.