Working at height: For working at height with access and control, expert use of an extendable pole system is unbeatable. High modulus carbon fibre telescopic poles allow us to safely reach higher than ever with little risk. Not only does this protect us, but also the fabric of your building and landscaping. The wear, weight, and attendant indentations caused by ladders is avoided.

Selecting the best brush for the job at hand is an often overlooked art. There are a great many brush varieties on the market for window cleaning, all with different purposes. There are single flock, of dual flocked brushes, different grades of stiffness and bristle length, hybrid brushes, multiple-jet brushes, and more.

In addition there are jet options, which is the way the water will contact your glass. Pencil jets of different sizes affect the pressure of the water as it is applied, or the volume (two distinct things). Some jets are fan-jests, which combine a pressurized spray with wide coverage; and there are rinse-bars which cause dirt and impurities to move done the window pane in a single movement.

These are all incredibly boring, but important aspects of a good window-cleaners toolbox. Understanding how different tools work in different scenarios and on different windows allows for the highest standards of finish. It also allows the building to be considered: is excessive water being used on older windows, and are these leaded lights / Georgian panes fully waterproof? How are your large architectural panes of glass affected by overhanging trees, pollen, sap, and bird issues? What type of brush and jet is best used on deep sash windows? Is this a hard paint on your wooden frame or a softer one, and what brush will give the best result without damage? Is modern hydrophobic (highly polished) glass going to react differently to the rinse (yes), and how will this affect the final shine?

Window cleaning can be done by just about anyone. The difference with a good professional window cleaner is not just his hours on the job. It stems from taking an interest and from learning every single day, on all types of properties in all weather conditions, and in trying new techniques and equipment. One must maintain the interest in the task at hand.

Traditional techniques with squeegees and blades are the foundation of understanding how clean windows effectively, how to achieve great results. It demands full attention and control all the time. Muscle memory comes with hundreds of hours of honing technique, but be sure to train those muscles with the right technique!

All the principles and movements that underpin traditional work are applied to great brush technique. For brush and pole work to really shine, to be demonstrably superior to traditional cleaning, it has to be applied fastidiously. Traditional can still be better, and it is often the most appropriate approach to a job (or part of a job). These two cleaning disciplines complement each other perfectly, and dedication to both of them results in cleaner windows for you.