Washing your Glass Window Accessories

by Commercial Window CleaningWindow cleaning

We all love dressing up our windows! It’s both functional and for aesthetic purposes but today, we have so many options of what to put on our glass windows that we also have to learn how to keep them clean as well.

How to clean Window Blinds

 

Wood and Faux wood

You should never wash your wood binds with water, the water can still cause discoloration or bubbling. Some cleaners and chemical solvents can also damage wood slats. So what you need to do is use a dry feather duster, or a dust cloth and lightly wipe or brush each slat.

With faux wood, you can use a cloth with a little water as they are a bit more resistant to damage. You can also add a little soap or detergent to the water to remove any grease or sticky fingerprints

Aluminum Blinds

If your windows are cladded with Aluminum blinds, then you can use a dry dust cloth to remove the dust, then you can do a deep clean with either cold or warm water with some soap and wipe down each slat. Just be careful not to twist or bend the slats as you clean them.

Window Solar Shades

Solar shades are one of the best options to protect your windows and also you from the harmful UV rays. Most are made form PVC fabric that is fade-resistant, so they do not retail moisture or mold making them pretty easy to clean! So, the cleaning options could be light feather dusting, or you can wipe them down with water and mild soap. If you want to use a stronger detergent, test them on a small area so you do not leave marks on your shades. If you have solar window film, you can learn how to clean it HERE.

Fabric Shades and Window Curtains

Well cleaning these will really depend on the fabric itself. If you are looking to spot clean, use a damp rag with mild soap and only dap the spot until its clean, try not to rub as it can damage the fabric. You can also use a vacuum attachment to remove the dust from the fabric. If you want to wash your curtain, depending on the material you can either take it to the laundry or use the delicate wash setting with your washing machine.

Window curtains_Tresure coast window cleaners

Tempered Glass: How to survive the Glass Bridge in the Squid Games

by Commercial Window CleaningWindow cleaning

SPOILER ALERT!

If you haven’t seen Squid Game yet, stop reading, get on Netflix and watch it! 

For those who did finish watching the series, then you watched the gut-wrenching episode about the Glass Bridge Game.

 The game itself was a probability game, giving the first player a 1:2 probability of surviving the first step on the glass and the probability of the subsequent players increasing based on the glass step decisions of the previous players.

The game starts with 16 players and ends with 3 players who successfully manage to only step on the stronger glass within 16minutes. The bridge itself has 18 steps, and each player must go in a pre-determined order choosing to step on two sheets of glass which at first glance look indistinguishable.

The rules are simple, jump from one glass to the other to make it across the bridge; the catch, on each step, one sheet of glass is made from tempered glass, which can hold the weight of two players, while the other is regular glass, which drops the player to their death.

So, how do we beat this game? We need to understand the difference between the two types of glasses.

Tempered Glass squid games

Tempered glass vs regular glass

A 2019 study describes how tempered glass is four to ten times stronger than regular glass. The reason is because tempered glass goes through the tempering process, treated with extreme heat then cooled by running cool air through it making it incredibly strong and unable to shutter. A great example of tempered glass are car windshields, that make it difficult for it shutter unless something passes through with extreme force.

The games take an optimistic turn, when the glassmaker can tell the difference between the two glasses. He looks closely at the glass in the lights and the tempered glass looks a little wavy and this works well until the game makers, kill the lights and they are back to probability guessing.

So how can you tell the two apart if you were in the game?

1. Tempered Glass has smooth edges

Due to the extreme tempering process, tempered glass has smooth edges that regular glass does not have.

2. A Sandblast marker

Tempered glass usually has a marker from the sandblasting process and the edge of the glass.

3. Tiny Imperfections

It can show some tiny imperfections on the surface, because sometimes during the tempering process, small particles can be melted to the glass or scratch the surface, therefore, giving it that imperfect look.

Jupiter Window Cleaner Cleaning Windows

Fortunately, we will never have to put this newly gained knowledge to the test, but now you can tell if your glass is regular or tempered and that might help with deciding on where, and what to install in your homes!

Glass Windows: How to Remove Water Marks with Vinegar

by Commercial Window CleaningWindow cleaning

Knowing how to spot hard water on your glass windows is crucial! We broke it all down for you HERE in case you still are not too sure what the difference is between hard water and soft water. 

Glass with Water Stains

As we know now, there is nothing that stains on your windows more than hard water. Hard water is a term often associated with large cities or industrial areas and simply put, its just water with a high mineral content filled with limestone and chalk deposits. The major minerals that make up heavy water are calcium and magnesium carbonates.

Almost any water that has not yet gone through the softening process will have a trace of the values of these minerals. Many households in hard water sources have sodium dispersers. This method is enough to make your water taste good, but it may not be enough to save money on your windows.

A major challenge facing homeowners in the fight against waterlogging is the safe and effective way to remove stains from their windows. Glass is durable and can actually be used with chemicals. There are only a few options to clear these areas. The best home made method would be to use a cleansing substance made with water and white vinegar.

Vinegar water for Glass cleaning

There are chemicals you can find in any store that will work best if used properly. It will take a lot of elbow ointment and a skilled hand to remove these spots. Unless you are familiar with the procedure, you can easily damage or scratch the glass.

Distilled white vinegar is a mild acid (acetic acid) that will help break the bonds the hard water minerals have formed with the glass surface. You can also substitute with any citric acid you have in your home.

1. Mix the Cleaning Solution

In a bowl or spray bottle, combine one part of distilled white vinegar (better to use cleaning vinegar) with one part of distilled water.

2. Spray on the Solution

Place a towel at the bottom of the glass panel to catch drips. Starting at the top of the glass shower door or window, spray the solution from the top of the glass and work your way slowly down until every part of the glass is wet and allow the the solution to work for at least 30min.

3. Scrub and Wipe Away the Mineral Deposits to Clean Glass Windows

Use a soft-bristled brush or microfiber cloth, panel and wipe away the mineral deposits. Work in a circular motion rinsing the brush or cloth often. Use an old toothbrush to get into corners or around the edges of metal trim.

4. Rinse and Dry your Glass Windows

Once the hard water stains have been loosened and removed, rinse the glass with fresh water. Starting at the top, and remove the water with a microfibre cloth. 

 

If this doesn’t work, call us!!!!!!

4 Causes of Dirty Windows

by Commercial Window CleaningWindow cleaning
Window cleaner cleaning dirty windows

Did you know that the more you clean your dirty windows, they likelier they are to last and hold its value?  For this reason, every property owner should have their windows cleaned regularly.  Of course the frequency is dependent on several factors.  One of the main factors relating to the weather and environmental conditions concurrent with the location of the property. 

Many residential and commercial property owners clean their windows only to find out that in the next month, it has returned to its previous dirty state.  Here are four reasons why this occurs, and at sometimes faster rates than expected.  

1. Wind can kick up dirt and dust, which will then cling to the exterior, adding to the appearance of dirt.

Jupiter Window Cleaner

Wind can kick up dirt and dust, which  will then cling to the exterior, adding to the appearance of dirt.

If you have home air commercial offices in vastly different locations, you may notice the degree of dirty windows will differ from one location to another.  For example, you may have an office surrounded by other buildings and offices, which may in turn shield and protect your windows from becoming dirty.  On the other hand, dirt and other air particles may have direct access to your home that is in open land or near the ocean. 

Many residential and commercial property owners clean their windows only to find out that in the next month, it has returned to its previous dirty state.  Here are four reasons why this occurs, and at sometimes faster rates than expected.  

2. Pollution is another large contributing element in which the homes location is a big factor to dirty windows.

Pollution is another large contributing element in which the homes location is a big factor to dirty windows. 

South Florida is filled with pollutants that can build up on window exteriors over time. Particle pollutants, smoke, such as airborne soot, mold pores, and pollen, are especially causes of dirty windows.  Especially if your home or business is located in an area with high levels of pollution.

Also, air pollution levels in all areas of the country typically increase during the winter, because cold dry, dense air traps pollution in particles and leaves them suspended in the air instead of blowing them away, as warmer, faster-moving air tends to. Rain also falls less often during the winter months, and rain naturally rinses pollution particles out of the air.

For this reason, your windows may become covered with airborne pollutants faster during the winter months, no matter where you are located in the country.

3. Untrained Window Cleaners may not ideal to keeping your windows clean.

At Olaf’s Window cleaning, we ensure to diligently train all  employees to clean windows using a specific company process and technique. This ensures that every window we clean is spotless and streak-free. Unfortunately, I have witnessed other window cleaners that do not clean dirty windows with such diligently and effectiveness. 

One do the biggest mistakes other window cleaners make is using the wrong products. This is also a contributing factor to streaky Windows. Utilizing a window cleaning agent that leaves behind a streaky residue can have a tacky finish that dirt and pollution particles readily stick to.

4. Hard water can cause your windows to become dirtier.

Jupiter Window Cleaner Cleaning Windows

Some property owners and regularly rinse their windows with water in between window cleanings in order to help keep them cleaner longer.   For some, it’s a great idea. For others, we don’t recommend it. This is especially the case if your property contains hard water.  Rinsing windows with hard water may cause your dirty windows to become dirtier. Refraining from rinsing them in general may keep them cleaner.

Hard water contains minerals, including calcium and magnesium, that can leave a chalky coating on windows after the water evaporates.

So, unless your windows are covered on dirt and debris, rinsing them with hard water between professional window cleanings can make them dirtier instead of keeping them cleaner.

While it is difficult to fully control the amount of  dirt, debris, and pollution surrounding your home or business, it is quite simple to meditate the problem with Olaf’s Window Cleaning. It’s safe to say that dirty windows are our area of expertise. We have been fighting the good fight with dirty windows since 2013 and will continue to do so while serving the Treasure Coast community. Schedule your appointment today by calling 772-204-3067.

Jupiter Window Cleaning Dos and Don’ts for Homeowners

by Commercial Window CleaningWindow cleaning
Window Cleaner in Jupiter Cleaning windows

Are you thinking about hiring a local Jupiter window cleaning company? Maybe you are planning on selling your home. Or you intend to host guests at an intimate gathering. Perhaps you simply want to enjoy the beautiful view that awaits you outside your windows. These are all great reasons to call Olaf’s Window Cleaning.

Having clean windows will make your entire home sparkle! Your windows are a focal point, in and outside of your home, and clean windows can elevate the appearance of your home. The opposite is true, too: dirty windows can make your entire home appear less clean.

With that said, it’s safe to conclude that clean windows are ideal for an all-around clean home. For this reason, we have put together a couple of dos and don’ts to help maintain your home’s windows.

Do Clean the Interiors

Jupiter Window Cleaner

Here is a typical scenario we see with several of our Jupiter window cleaning customers. The client hires our team to clean the exterior of the windows. However, for the interior, the customers either clean it themselves or assigns the task to their housekeeper.  

It is cost-effective in the short run but can prove costly in the long run. For example, many homeowners will use products such as paper towels to clean the interior of their windows. Paper towels have a tough surface that can easily attract dust or scratches your glass. This can in turn affect the longevity of your windows. 

Our local Jupiter windows cleaning company will use safe professional-grade products to clean your glass and windows. For example, instead of paper towels or newspapers, we use microfiber cloths and squeegees to produce sparkling and see-through windows. 

Don't clean the windows first.

Pressure Washer in Jupiter, Florida

Most Jupiter window cleaning companies will suggest homeowners clean their windows last if they have scheduled any other services around the home. Such services can include landscaping, power washing, and painting to name a few. 

Why? You’d be amazed at how much dirt and dust your windows attract, even for minor maintenance projects. If you are having any construction or remodeling done, ask your contractor to tape and cover your windows. Drywall mud, paint, and even abrasive chemicals may end up on your windows.  

Do schedule our Jupiter window cleaning company last so that your windows can remain clean for longer!

Don’t wait for Mother Nature.

It’s expected that here in Jupiter, rain can be a constant element in our lives. One thing we’ve found is that oftentimes, homeowners rely on the rain to clean their windows after dirt, dust, and salt have accumulated.

You might think that this week’s downpour will solve all your window cleaning problems, but we say, “not so fast.” Rain will only make dirty windows dirtier — it’ll roll right off a clean window. 

The same can be said for oceanfront properties. If you live on Jupiter Island, the moisture from the marine layer isn’t helping dissolve salt or sand on your windows — it’s cementing it into a layer of grime. To fully take advantage of your ocean view, your home may need more frequent window cleaning.  Click here to learn more.  

We use gentle cleaning products. Not harsh and store-bought products.
Abrasive products can damage your windows, cause streaks, and weaken the glass. Harsh chemicals from strong products can pollute the air in your office.

Do Pay Attention to Hard Water Stains

Glass Cleaner in Jupiter Florida Cleaning Glass

Hard water deposits minerals on glass and other surfaces. This may leave white circles and marks which can be difficult to remove. We recommend that homeowners do not try to take these off on their own. Without the proper tools, it can be very easy to scratch glass.

Our Jupiter window cleaning team can safely remove hard water stains and other mineral deposits.

To learn more about the effects of hard water on your windows click here to read a previous post.

Need to schedule window cleaning with our local team? Call Olaf’s Window Cleaning today at 772-204-3067. Don’t forget to ask how you can save hundreds with our routine cleaning plan. 

 

The benefits of hiring an established commercial window cleaning company.

by Commercial Window CleaningWindow cleaning
Commercial Window Cleaning in Tequesta, Florida

The benefits of hiring an established commercial window cleaning company.

Let’s face it! Nobody loves dirty windows. But with commercial businesses, dirty windows happen to be a common problem. This is especially the case if the building is located near the road or highway. And think about all the people walking in and out of the establishment, touching the glass as they pass through. Then again, if you are already an on-going customer, you may not be too worried considering will be there next week, and the week after, and the week after next. If you are not a commercial window cleaning customer, you may think it’s time to hire professionals. We repeat, hire the professionals! Here are the top reasons why you should hire a professional commercial window cleaning company vs. Joe Shmoe down the road.

Now we are not putting down Joe Shmoe. After all, that’s how we got started. Those were humble beginnings. But for those looking for a commercial window cleaning company with all the credentials, then keep reading.

Simply put, we have insurance!

If hiring a commercial window cleaning company with insurance is important to you, then look our way! There are several risks that come with the job. The most obvious ones are associated with height. We are at risk when a team member is standing on a tall ladder, or a small balcony as he or she cleans your windows. In the unfortunate event that someone gets injured, then we are covered, and so are you!

Other accidents are also liable to happen, as with any other commercial window cleaning company. For example, there can be glass and hardware breakage. Luckily for us, we have never had any serious injuries or breakage on the job. But it’s better to be safe than sorry. With reliable insurance, you will know that our company will be responsible and ready to take charge of any losses.

Our commercial window cleaning company pre-screens and trains all employees.

New Windows with a commercial window cleaning company

Not only do we do background checks, but we also ask for character references. Some employees have been working with the company since the beginning. This means that they are also well-trained to provide service at the highest standard. When you open your doors to our window cleaners, you will know that your equipment and sensitive files are safe!

We have quality commercial window cleaning equipment.

window film cleaning supplies

Equipment can determine the quality of the window cleaning. A bigger and more established window cleaning company will have the purchasing power to obtain the best equipment. We have it all; brushes, ladders, wash pads, pressure washers, high-quality squeegees, and more.
We use gentle cleaning products. Not harsh and store-bought products.
Abrasive products can damage your windows, cause streaks, and weaken the glass. Harsh chemicals from strong products can pollute the air in your office.

We have the best customer service on the treasure coast.

Many smaller commercial window cleaning companies are running the show on their own. Again, we have been there and understand how that can be a completely different experience for the customer. 

Our established commercial window cleaning company has the ability to hire a customer service representative. This means every time you call, there is someone there to answer, or return the call immediately. With a smaller one or two men company, this may not always be the case. Oftentimes, calls are either returned after the workday, between jobs, or while working. This can lead to misunderstandings, misinformation, and more.

Customer service is crucial when you want to order commercial window cleaning services. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to schedule service and not being able to reach your commercial window cleaning company.

To work with the best of the best, give us a call at 772-204-3067. We will ensure you won’t be dissatisfied!