While cleaning your first-floor windows is a relatively easy job, if you have a second story, you might be concerned about how to get up there to clean. Not all windows are located in an area that is readily accessible, and if you aren’t a professional window cleaner, figuring out how to safely and effectively wash those windows can be difficult. In this article, we lay out a few different ways to clean those hard-to-reach windows.
Safety Concerns
The number one thing you may be thinking about when trying to clean hard-to-reach windows is safety. There is nothing more important than keeping you and your family safe when working on your home, so making this a priority is essential.
When you take on the task of cleaning tough to reach windows there is going to be some risk involved, hence the term “tough to reach”. However, you can reduce the risk of injuries by taking some precautions before you start, and by making sure you follow safety steps during the cleaning process.
First, make sure you have all the necessary equipment and supplies before you start the job. Towels, brushes, sponges, buckets, squeegees, cleaning supplies, and anything else you might need to do the job should be gathered and staged in the area where you will be working. This should help minimize the number of times you have to go back and forth for supplies.
Next, if a ladder is needed make sure it extends beyond the area you need to reach so you’re not working from the top few rungs. Make sure the ladder is secure against the exterior of the house, so it doesn’t shake or wobble when you’re on it. A best practice is to have someone at the base of the ladder to steady it while you are working. If this isn’t possible, make sure the ladder is secure, so it doesn’t move or fall. It’s also a good idea to wear protective gloves when cleaning the glass in case the glass breaks unexpectedly.
Get a Telescope
If you are trying to clean windows that are higher up and harder to reach, consider using a telescoping rod that has a mop attachment on the end. This cleaning method is one of the safest ways to clean through tough-to-reach windows because you don’t have to leave the ground. Just make sure you are aware of your surrounding and keep the cleaning rod clear of any low-hanging wires.
Remove the Windows
Removing the windows is another effective way to clean glass that is hard to reach. If possible, taking the windows down from the inside and cleaning them in another location will allow you to get a better angle on cleaning without putting yourself in an awkward position. This is one of the best ways to get a complete, thorough window cleaning done.
Roof Access
If your roof is easily accessible, and you don’t mind heights, you may be able to access some of those hard-to-reach windows from your roof. Provided your roof does not have a steep slope, it may be safer to lay on your stomach and clean the windows from above rather than trying to reach them from below. However, you still need to be extremely careful whenever you are walking on the roof.
Forget the Ladder
No matter how convenient it might seem, using a ladder to access tough-to-reach is a risky endeavour. Not only is it hard to get the right angle to clean the glass while on a ladder, but it can also be very difficult to maintain proper balance while cleaning. Falling off a ladder can cause serious injuries. Therefore, it’s best to leave cleaning those high, hard-to-reach windows to professionals, like Window Genie.
Avoid Magnetic Window Cleaners
Magnetic window cleaners are one of those contraptions that seem like a good idea in theory but don’t always work as well in practice. These devices use a magnet to attach two sponges together on either side of the glass. But the magnets don’t take the thickness of the glass into account which results in the cleaning device either separating or being too strong that it scratches the window glass. Either way, your windows don’t get any cleaner.
The safest and most effective way to clean your hard-to-reach windows is to call the window cleaning professionals at your local Window Genie. We have the knowledge, experience, and tools to do the job thoroughly and safely. So, if you’re tired of looking at those dirty, hard-to-reach windows, don’t risk doing it yourself, contact Window Genie.
