Follow this step-by-step guide by Stratus Building Solutions of Portland to keep your facility windows clean at all times.
One of the many responsibilities of facility managers is to pay detailed attention to every part of the building and ensure that everything, including the windows, is well-cleaned and maintained.
In this article, Stratus Building Solutions of Portland, a leading commercial cleaning service company in Hazelwood, OR, shares a step-by-step guide for property managers to clean and maintain their facility windows efficiently.
Why is Window Cleaning Important?
Your windows play an essential role in your business's appearance and influence how your customers and potential partners view your business.
Welcoming your potential customers into an office with dirty or grimy windows will portray your business as tacky and unserious, which is not good for your growth.
Cleaning and maintaining your facility's windows will help to improve your building’s appearance, prevent wear and tear, and promote a positive business reputation. It’ll also help to prevent the spread of diseases, boost productivity, and save costs on window repair or replacement.
Recommendations to Keep Your Windows Clean by Experts
Cleaning your business windows might seem like a simple task, but in reality, it is quite complex. The cleaning experts at Stratus Building Solutions of Portland share essential tips to help facility managers to keep their windows clean.
1. Choose the Right Tools
Before you start cleaning your windows, the first and most important task is to choose your tools. Using the right tools for your window cleaning will make the process much easier, and your windows will be sparkling in no time.
Use a squeegee, extension poles, scrubber, bucket, and lint-free cloth for a streak-free window.
A good quality squeegee with a sharp and soft rubber blade will give you the best results. The right extension pole will make your cleaning less stressful, while the scrubber will attack all the grime and dirt on every corner of your window.
2. Choose the Right Cleaning Solution
There are many types of cleaning solutions, but not all are suitable for window cleaning. Choosing the right product to clean your windows can make all the difference in your results.
Choose a cleaning solution designed for window cleaning and free of harsh chemicals that may damage the glass or frames. Avoid using ammonia-based products as they can leave streaks on the windows.
For optimum results, use vinegar-based cleaning solutions for your window cleaning. Vinegar can be applied to all types of surfaces. It can kill germs, and remove tough stains on your windows, to give a clean, spotless result.
3. Clean Windows on a Cloudy Day
The weather when you clean your window affects how clean the windows will be. Direct sunlight can cause the cleaning solution to evaporate too quickly, leaving streaks on the glass.
To avoid streaks on your windows, clean them on a cloudy day, or in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not shining directly on the windows.
Although you can clean your windows at any time of the year, professionals suggest that spring or autumn, when the weather is relatively calm, is the best time to clean your windows.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Successfully Clean Your Business Windows
Getting your cleaning items is one part of the job; successfully cleaning your window is another. There is a strict step-by-step process to achieve a clean, streakless window. Not following the proper cleaning steps or taking shortcuts in your cleaning can result in gloomy windows.
1. Pre-Clean
The first step in your window cleaning routine is to prepare your windows. Remove the curtains on the windows to prevent them from getting dirty. If you have blinds, retract them, so they won’t get in the way or get dirty.
Once that is done, you should use a dry cloth or brush to remove any dust or loose dirt from the window surface before applying the cleaning solution. Wipe down the window panes, inside and outside the window, and the corners. This step is crucial as it will prevent you from wasting your effort.
Removing dust from your window before applying the cleaning solution will prevent the dirt from being smeared around the glass and creating a mess.
2. Scrub and Squeegee
When you have cleaned your windows and removed all dirt and dust, you can apply your cleaning solutions. If you are using a homemade cleaning solution, carefully mix your solutions and place clothes on the floor to catch any spills.
Fill a spray bottle with your cleaning solution and spray the window in small portions. Use a scrubber to agitate the dirt and grime, then squeeze the window from top to bottom in a straight line, wiping the squeegee blade after each pass.
As you work your way up and down, angle your squeegee to touch all uncleaned areas. Remember to clean the edges and corners of the windows to remove tough stains and dirt.
3. Wipe Clean
After squeegeeing the window, it's time to wipe. Using dry, lint-free clothes, gently wipe your window to remove any moisture left on the glass. Wipe the entire window surface, not forgetting the edges and windowsill, where there might be excess water.
Wiping your window and removing excess water will help to prevent streaks on your window surface and protect the window frame from damage. However, ensure not to use paper towels or clothes that might leave lint on your glass.
4. Use the Right Techniques
Clean your windows using the proper techniques to ensure a streak-free result. Hold the squeegee at a 45-degree angle and use a light, even pressure to achieve the best results. Avoid using too much pressure or tilting the squeegee, as this can cause streaks or missed spots.
Cleaning experts suggest that you work your squeegee in an S-shape to allow you to get to all the corners of your window and remove every smear and smudge. Invest in a good quality squeegee with sharp rubber blades to achieve an even look on your glass.
5. Clean the Frames and Sills
Your window’s frames and sills might be the last thing on your mind when cleaning your window, but these areas need thorough cleaning too. Window frames collect a fair amount of dust and dirt, so cleaning your window without cleaning the frames will not give you the perfect result you aimed to get.
To clean your frames and sills, first, wipe them down with a clean microfiber cloth to remove any dirt or dust. Spritz your cleaning solution on a clean microfiber cloth and use the damp cloth to clean your window frames and sills. For tougher stains, you can increase the pressure on the cloth and clean until you’ve removed all the stains.
You can also clean your window sills and frames with a soft, bristled brush and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth.
6. Check for Streaks
After cleaning every part of your window, including the glass, pines, frames, and sills, check for streaks or any missed spots. If you find any, use a damp cloth or squeegee to remove them.
At this point, you might be tired and be tempted to skip the missed spots; but don’t do that. Leaving streaks on some parts of your window will result in wasted effort, as your window will still look dirty even after you are done cleaning.
7. Practice and Patience
Window cleaning takes practice and patience, but the result is worth the stress. Don't rush the process, nor skip any part of your window. Take your time to achieve the best possible results.
Also, as you clean, don’t forget the non-glass parts of your windows. Pay attention to every part of your facility window, as they are all important. Clean and maintain your windows regularly to improve your business's appearance and maintain a positive reputation.
Stratus Building Solutions of Portland has received high praise from satisfied customers. Here are some testimonials:
“As the Service Manager of a property management company in Salem, I use Stratus every time. Their work goes above and beyond expectations. They'll work long hours to make sure I meet deadlines without cutting any corners! I highly recommend them and appreciate their work. Especially Ana's!” - Lake
“We love our cleaning crew. They do an excellent, thorough job. Their attention to detail is appreciated, and the overall feel of freshness and cleanness is felt throughout the building. Not only great service, but their upbeat personality shows they care.” - Chris C.
“Stratus staff have provided a consistent and dutiful service on a routine basis in cleaning the interior offices at KBNP Radio. If an added cleaning, vacuuming, or wipe--down incident (spills) has arisen, they are responsive in taking our notations and rectifying the condition.” - Teri L.
Conclusion
As a facility manager, cleaning your facility window is very important as it helps to improve the lifespan of your windows, improve your business reputation, and promote productivity at work.
However, maintaining your windows and keeping them clean at all times can be stressful and time-consuming. Getting the right cleaning solutions and tools for your window cleaning can also take time, as these items are scarce and expensive.
To save yourself from stress and trouble, you can rely on commercial cleaning companies like Stratus Building Solutions of Portland to efficiently clean and maintain your facility windows in Hazelwood, OR, and surrounding areas.
With experienced cleaning experts, improved technology, and eco-friendly solutions, Stratus Building Solutions of Portland can help to ensure that your business windows are properly cleaned and maintained at all times.
About Stratus Building Solutions of Portland
Stratus Building Solutions of Portland is one of the biggest commercial cleaning and janitorial franchises in Hazelwood, OR, committed to providing top-quality services that you can trust to maintain the cleanliness of your building and your staff’s health.
With many certified franchises around the state, Stratus Building Solutions of Portland wants to ensure that your business environment remains clean, safe, and presentable at all times.
They not only use safe and eco-friendly cleaning materials, but they also pay attention to details, ensuring that no surface is left uncleaned, no matter how big your building is.
Aside from window cleaning, Stratus Building Solutions of Portland franchises also offer other commercial cleaning services such as green cleaning, pressure washing, window cleaning, and construction cleaning.
For inquiries about their services, contact Stratus Building Solutions of Portland at (503) 461-0849 or visit their website.
