Modern vs Traditional Window Cleaning
Water-fed pole and purified water vs the classic soap and squeegee… Which is better? There’s only one way to find out!
Modern vs traditional is an ongoing, seemingly endless debate in all kinds of fields and walks of life, and window cleaning is no different. Traditionally, window cleaning was carried out with soapy water, a squeegee and a bit of elbow grease. Now, modern advancements have helped to make the process more effective, such as water-fed poles and pure water.
Here at Clear Vision, our window cleaning team is committed to delivering the best service every time for your home or business. That’s why we use modern equipment to get the job done quickly, efficiently and with results that are sure to impress.
But that’s not to say we don’t appreciate the importance of the traditional as well. The old ways may not always be the best, but there’s certainly something to be said for how effective they can be when done right. There’s a reason we’re still talking about them now, after all. We combine the modern and traditional together to deliver the results you need, every time.
In this handy guide, we’ll take a look at both modern and traditional methods of window cleaning to see which is better and why – and how we here at Clear Vision give you the best of both worlds. To find out how we can work with you for all the cleaning services your home or business needs, contact us today.
What is traditional window cleaning?
Traditional window cleaning is simple yet effective. Soapy water is applied to a window and then scrubbed clean. It’s been that way for hundreds of years, as our guide to the history of window cleaning explains in more depth. While it sounds simple, today’s professional window cleaners develop these traditional methods further with the skills and equipment to take it to the next level – for high-rise buildings, that’s literally the case.
For example, microfibre sleeves, attached to a hand-held bar, are soaked in specialist cleaning fluid and applied to the glass. These work to remove dirt and grime, and the application of fluid gives superior results when scrubbing the windows clean. The trusty, traditional squeegee adds the much-needed finishing touch, removing the soapy water as it’s wiped over the glass. For taller builders, an extendable pole lets window cleaners reach higher as the squeegee can be attached to reach those higher windows.
For many years this was the accepted way of cleaning windows for professional window cleaners, and here at Clear Vision we use this method for cleaning interior windows and the inside of conservatory roofs, and glass partitions or offices in commercial premises.
While there’s much to be said for these traditional ways of cleaning, it can have its drawbacks when compared to more modern methods. Sometimes you’ll find a clear film left on the glass that won’t easily wipe away. This then attracts dirt and grime, and lets it stick to the window much more easily, so you could actually find them getting dirtier faster. Which is why we utilise these traditional methods for interior cleans only, as there’s less debris in the air, inside.
What is modern window cleaning?
Following on from the development of the squeegee in the 1930s, we now move forward to the 1990s – the decade that brought us the Tamagotchi, Girl Power, and of course the water-fed pole and pure water window cleaning system! Having been developed in the US, this technology made its way over to the UK to revolutionise the way windows were cleaned forever.
As the name suggests, this modern window cleaning advancement is a long-reach pole that typically can extend to around 30 feet or more depending on its individual specifications. Purified water is then pumped through the pole, onto the glass, and the brush attached to the end scrubs away dirt and grime. These features work in tandem to clean any window quickly, easily and effectively. It also works just as well to clean frames, sills and edges too.
The water-fed pole system is as safe as it is clever. It’s operated from the ground, much to the delight of any window cleaners who are afraid of heights, since they won’t have to clamber up onto any precarious roofs to reach those high-up windows. Acrophobic wannabe window cleaners the world over were no doubt thrilled that their dreams could come true when the water-fed pole system made its debut.
Here at Clear Vision, we use this system to give the best results to our valued customers. Not only because it’s safer for everyone involved, faster and more effective, but because of the many other benefits it brings, which we’ll tell you more about below.
Benefits of modern window cleaning
Water is just water, right? Nothing more to be said about it than that? Unfortunately, there’s a lot more to consider, particularly when you’re about to cover the outside of our house in it. Modern water-fed pole systems use purified water – that’s plain and simple H2O, free from other elements like dissolved solids that unpurified water will often contain. Purified water, when hot, becomes a powerful rinsing tool and a valuable weapon in a window cleaner’s arsenal.
Purified water binds to dirt and grime on windows, and removes the build-up quickly and easily. While it’ll still take some scrubbing and rinsing to shift (and that’s why traditional window cleaning methods and good old-fashioned hard work should never be overlooked) the purified water system is doing a lot of the heavy lifting for you to loosen the dirt. And with that, you’ll find yourself with beautiful, clear, clean windows that stay that way for longer.
If you’re looking to get your windows cleaned the right way – combining traditional, friendly service and experience with modern equipment and results – you can rely on Clear Vision. Get in touch with us today to get a competitive price for a wide range of cleaning services for your home or business. Armed with our water-fed pole system and years of experience, our team are on-hand to help your windows look their best. Even if you think the old ways are the best, the results of our modern window cleaning practices speak for themselves. We look forward to impressing you soon.
