Obligatory Winter Window Cleaning Solution For Sub Freezing TempsThread

First blast of sub-freezing temps are in the forecast here in my area. For those not in SoCal, Florida, AZ, etc…what is your go-to solution? Windshield Washer fluid and your normal soap/glide of choice? Methyl Alcohol / Methanol (same thing from what I have read)? Any issues with that stuff on metal frames? I know the best solution is to move where it never freezes, but that is not an option right now.

Thanks!

If you look into the chemistry of most of these fluids/additives they are a bit of a placebo in all honesty.

Used neat they work, but to get a solution that will not freeze at even -5C (23F) you need to mix pretty much 50/50, which is very harsh on your skin, very hard to clean with, and very costly if you’re using gallons of it each day.

My personal method is to use warm water to start with (NOT hot - you might break the glass with thermal shock) and a splash of IPA or washer fluid, and when it gets too cold, just be sensible & know when its time to quit.

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Windshield washer fluid
NO issues with frames. Depending how cold I start with a half gallon to about 3 gallons of water , see how that starts out then add from there

If it’s really cold in the 20s somewhere I start with 1 gallon to 2 1/2 gallons water take it from there.
I add very little soap. Soap freezes. Add s little you could always add a little more if you feel you need to.

Like I said it depends on how cold below 20 I’ll start with 2 gallons of blue an like 1 gallon or so of water

You can always add water or blue depending how it’s reacting to the glass

If a window freezes up. You can put straight blue right in your strip washer that usually defreezes it
Work slow at first maybe one window or 2 windows at a time to get a feel

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If you keep working below 20 you’re a tougher man than me!
Maybe the mild Irish climate made me soft, but I found it very tough to work at those temps - and a couple of unusually harsh winters in 2010 & 2011 were a big factor in my decision to sell up my cleaning business & go full time doing web design. I should say too that I’m in a fairly rural area, and we rarely see those trucks spraying salt/grit on the roads, so half of my issues were being able to drive to the job, before I even worried about water freezing on the glass!

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@Davis

Windshield washer fluid will work fine, the colder it is the more you need in your solution mix (WWF/H2O), like mike said soap freezes.

Another quick tip learn to use the two handed technique, less time for the water to freeze up on you.

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Working below 20 i don’t make a habit out of it. Lol
I have leeway I’ve been dealing with my customers for quite some time I know what I can An can’t get away with it. 95% won’t even know I wasn’t there.
For the weeklies I try not to miss 2 weeks in a row
For the bi-weeklies usually get them done 2 times. Even if it’s back to back Weeks …like if I miss the first week I’ll do them the 2nd if the weather is good the next week I’ll do them again. It’s winter man nothing usually stays on a schedule. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

I get what your saying about driving some days with ice or snow on the ground it’s just not worth it. Especially now that I have a van. Use to have a pick up

Man 2010-2011 those whrrr the worst years I ever worked out in. Ya constant cold . If it gets like that then ya you have no choice your going to be working in below 20
The wind chill as we all know is the worst 18 defeees with a windchill in the single digits. Woooooo. Your laying in bed like oh man this is going to be fun listen to that wind whipping :sob:
I didn’t do anything last week. Whyyyyyyyyy did I skip last week. Whyyyyyyy.
It wasn’t that bad. What was I thinking. I used my get out of jail free card on he wrong week. I’m an idiot.
You learn that if it isn’t that bad just get everything done. Cause next week it might be brutal

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So true, thanks for the laugh Mike! :joy:

Be like clock work!

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I don’t mind below freezing temps but I am very concerned about footing. Most of my WC is done on grades. If I have concerns with too much ice I just postpone until a chinook comes through.
Fortunately I live in a warm place in Alaska and we frequently get above freezing temps during our winters.

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here in winterpeg many companies work year round on commercial and store front , methyl hydrate/methanol definitely works.
High °F Low °F High °C Low °C
12 -7 January -11 -21
17 -1 February -8 -18
31 13 March -1 -11
52 28 April 11 -2
65 40 May 19 4
74 51 June 23 11
79 56 July 26 13
78 54 August 25 12
66 43 September 19 6
51 31 October 11 0
31 15 November 0 -9
17 0 December -8 -18
48 27 Year 9 -3

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I like how you shut down all the wise guys before they even start. Cheers, from Florida. :sunglasses:

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Methanol. 100% pure. Use it 50/50 down to 10. I have worked at zero. Gotta love that number. Use water proof mitts. Go to the speed racers to get it. They use it as fuel. Or a propane company. They use it to keep condensed water from freezing as the propane comes out the nozzle. This can form a plug of ice. Typically they put in about one gallon to one or two thousand gallons of propane. And will buy one or two 55 gallon drums of it each year. You might want to buy a drum yourself. Put a spigot in and you’ll be set for one to three years.

If you live in a cold climate don’t buy the blue windshield wash. On real cold days it will slush up and you will end up cursing it. Go for the best.

Henry

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You Henry who have the knowledge - how toxic is pure methanol?

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I will defer to the MSDS on that question. Here is a link. https://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927227 If you check it out there are a couple of health sections that will help out. I think the biggest concern is skin, and breathing. So I don’t use it inside, and only work with water proof mitts. Eye wear would be good too. In winter maybe some tinted ski goggles. Mostly for looks and to keep people away.

Henry

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I did an article for the AWC many years ago on Understanding the MSDS. I wonder if Mike the new owner would let the Lambrinides republish it here.

Henry

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I will add: someone who makes biodiesel. It’s used to process the vegetable oil, and is then evaporated out. My wash solution smells like steak and fries, lol!

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Excellent Alex! Definitely got to research that one !!!

Henry

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… Seems like a waste of India Pale Ale…

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Haha I thought the same thing!

LOL - isopropyl alcohol is what I meant!

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