Chapter 4
Solution Preparation
Pre Solution Preparation
A window cleaners' solution is used in order to loosen the dirt and lift it away from the glass. While there are professional solutions available, you can make up a solution at home that will work quite well. Dish soap will do the job adequately.
Make sure they do not "bleed" back on the area already squeegeed. That means when you make a pass on the window with the squeegee, the solution does not creep back onto the already squeegeed glass. If your soap mixture bleeds back, it will probably give you runners from the top and along the sides.
You can test your present dish soap by wetting a window with a towel or sponge and making a pass with your squeegee in the middle of the glass to see if the solution "bleeds" or "creeps" back into the squeegeed area.
Dish soaps are sudsy. Use sparingly!
CAUTION!
Do not use ammonia or alcohol mixtures for window cleaning. The use of ammonia or alcohol mixtures for window cleaning is not recommended for several reasons:
Harsh to your skinCan cause breathing difficultiesWill damage solar (darkening) or reflective film that may be on some of the windowsMay also damage any acrylic (plastic) windows, skylight domes, or chandelier prismsDamage the finish on the trimPotentially void any warranties on the windows stated or implied
Do not use any kind of scrubby pad on the inside surface of any brand of interior removable glass panel or window with solar (darkening) film.
Some have coatings that can be easily damaged. Also, do not use a scrubby pad on reflective coated glass without first testing for the possibility of scratching.
Mixing Your Solution
Now you are ready to mix up the window cleaning solution!
Concocting your basic window cleaning solution will be as easy!
All you need are three things: A bucket, dish soap, and water.
Yes, It's that simple.
Start with a clean bucket that will hold about two gallons of water. Pour in a gallon of cool to lukewarm water. Hot water is not necessary.
Add a teaspoon of dish soap to the water in the pail and mix it thoroughly.
Note: Excess soap does not help. It will only create more suds.
Too much soap in the solution will leave a heavy residue where the solution remains on the glass. Remember, the solution is used to lift the dirt away from the glass so the squeegee can remove it. Excess suds just get in the way.
It's important to mix up the solution the same each time. This will allow the solution to cover the glass well when you apply it, and stay that way throughout the squeegeeing process. The right mixture is critical. The squeegee will not perform well without the correct solution.
