Happy Window Cleaning's number one priority when working in and on someone’s home is that we do no harm even before delivering value. The first part of it is obvious, being cautious and considerate around flooring, furniture walls and woodwork. We have booties for our shoes, use a special sectional ladder that is easily transported through tight spaces without getting into contact with painted walls and woodwork. There is a soft cotton bonnet at the top of the ladder to protect molding when we set up the ladder to clean windows up high on a home’s interior walls.
Doing no harm, extends further than just the present tense. It also has to do with the Happy Window Cleaning process, tools, cleaning agents, and skill set training.
To explain what I mean in layman’s terms think about a $180 pair of Calvin Klein jeans. Perhaps you have noticed that some folks can buy a designer pair of jeans and keep them looking like new for decade or more. Ever wonder how this can be? Well, they use a gentle agitation cycle on their washing machine. They are careful to use just the right amount of detergent. They are conscious when they are out about what they allow to come into contact with their clothing, and if something does get onto it, they treat it immediately. The same pair of jeans might only last three years in different hands.
Cleaning windows (or anything for that matter) follows the same principles. One must understand the properties of material to be cleaned and the effect that the tools and cleaning agent will have on the material, not just immediately, but over time. Over aggressive cleaning, using the wrong or too concentrated of a detergent, using the wrong agitation device or dwell time, will cause extensive wear prematurely over time. In practice, there are many materials and surfaces, plastics, metals and woods. It is important to understand the best practice to all.
As a homeowner you might be wondering what you can to do to avoid damaging your home between professional cleanings. A good place to start is to read your window manufacturers cleaning recommendations. You might even want to call the toll-free number and ask someone to explain them to you. Here is another tip, document the conversation. This can go along way if you ever need to put in a claim on a warranty. For example, many glass manufactures warn to stay away from products containing ammonia (Windex). Follow the guidelines, consider how you will protect all the surfaces from drips, and what type of scrubbing device you should use on your unique set of windows, frames and sills.