The Window Cleaning Supplies You Need for Your Business

Efficiency is key to a window cleaning company’s success.

Window cleaning tools that are fast and easy to use will allow you to work more efficiently and make fewer mistakes so you can get paid faster and be able to move on with your next customer.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on fancy equipment.

The traditional window cleaning kit includes several tools that you can pick up at your local hardware shop. We’ll also show you some specialty tools if you are ready to tackle larger residential or commercial projects.

Stephen Richardson, a professional window cleaner who also owns a business, was our interviewee. He regularly reviews window cleaning products via YouTube.

Equipment required for window cleaning business

1. Rubbers, channels and handles for the Squeegee
2. Extension poles
3. Sleeves and T-bars
4. Scrapers
5. Cleaner solution and buckets
6. Towels
7. Belts and holsters
8. Ladders
9. Software for billing and estimation
10. Water purification system
11. Screen cleaning tools

These tools will allow you to manage a profitable and efficient window cleaning business. From the time you estimate the job and finish it, to the moment you get paid.

Let’s get started.

Squeegees

Squeegees are great for giving windows a streak-free, perfect dry. You’ll likely use many of them in your daily window cleaning routine. What should you look out for in the many options?

The handle, channel and rubber are the three main parts of a squeegee. Traditional window cleaners prefer a heavier handle made of brass. This helps maintain the blade pressure. Modern squeegees have light-weight aluminum or plastic and quick-change options. This allows you to work faster and with less strain on the wrists. You can use multiple squeegees, so you can test them all to find the one that feels right for you.

Stephen’s choice for pros and beginners is the Unger ErgoTec Ninja handle and channel, which starts at $38 It is comfortable and doesn’t bend. He says that it gives the best results and is also easy to use. It is a great channel to start with.

Extension Poles

Window cleaning poles are essential for cleaning high windows that are difficult to reach without ladders or lifts. Many are made from ultra-lightweight aluminum or carbon fiber. You should look for one with ergonomic grips and easy locking mechanisms.

Stephen’s choice is the Unger Optilock Pole (12 ft) ($74), which he claims is the best bang for your buck when it comes to getting into small spaces.

Sleeves and T-bars

The T-bar, or window cleaning wand, delivers your cleaning solution directly to the window surface. It includes the wand and the mop or sleeve.

Different sleeves for different jobs. Microfiber sleeves are the most popular. They can hold a lot of water and have scrub pads at the ends to help with tough spots. Bronze wool attachments are also available for removing tougher grime. However, they should not be used on tinted glasses. The most common sizes are 24″ for storefronts and 6″, which is the best for french window panes.

Stephen recommends the professional window cleaners the Telescoping Sorbo Swivel T-Bar (starting at $13.25) as well the Moerman Microfiber Sleeve and Ettore Pro+ Microfiber Sleeve (starting from $13.84). “It will retain the most water than any sleeve that I have tried,” he states. Trust me. This product has been great for me for more than a year.

Scrapers

Keep a scraper on hand for really sticky grime. Stephen loves the Unger Ergotec Ninja Scraper (6″ in length) starting at $49.69 The holster allows you to attach the scraper to your belt, and then whip it out whenever you need it.

Solution and buckets

Keep it simple when it comes to finding the right solution. You can clean your dishes with dish soap like Palmolive or Dawn mixed with water. It is very cost-effective and can be used to give professional results. You can find a few cheap buckets at any hardware store. You should get at least one rectangular bucket large enough to hold your largest T-bar.

Towels

Window cleaning supplies can also be very cost-effective with towels. Both microfiber towels and surgical towels can be used for detailing, and they don’t leave any lint or streaks.

Stephen recommends that you keep a few bath towels with you in your truck. These can be used as drop blankets or to clean up after clients before you leave.

Tool Belt

You can take your most used tools along with you everywhere you go with a good belt. There’s no need for fancy.

Stephen buys a carpenter’s belt at his local hardware store. He says it is very comfortable and has great padding. To keep your most used tools close to you, get a bucket-on-a belt or squeegee-holster.

Ladders

Extension poles are great for keeping your feet on the ground, but there will be times when you need to use a ladder to reach high windows. You shouldn’t skimp here. A ladder can literally save your own life.

A Werner extension ladder (20 feet) and a standard step ladder (3 feet) will cover your bases.

Software for billing and estimation

To run a profitable and efficient window cleaning business, you will need tools to create bids and invoices and get paid. This is where field service management comes into play.

Field service management software lets you manage client information, schedules, bids and invoices from any device, including your smartphone or desktop. Although you can still write estimates on business cards and mail invoices by hand with a few exceptions, this practice is messy and prone to errors that could make you appear unprofessional to your customers.

Stephen uses Jobber to manage his business, 20/20 Windows Cleaning. He says that Jobber allows him to view every quote, job, and information for every client he has. “I have been doing bids for years, and this has made it much easier and more professional.”

Below, you can see exactly how Stephen makes professional window cleaning bids:

Stephen can use Jobber to:

• His crew and he can schedule visits and do jobs
• Turn-by-turn GPS directions for your next visit
• Send professional bids via email or SMS to create and submit.
• You can convert the bid into a job, and all client information is accessible right from your phone.
• When the job is done, send a professional invoice and get payment online

Water purification systems

These tools are all you need to manage a traditional, professional window cleaning business. You should definitely consider a water fed pole or water purification system if you are ready to take on bigger jobs.

These systems utilize extension poles and a brush head to dispense 100% purified water. The water is free from chlorine, minerals, and larger particulates. It can be dried completely clear without the need for a squeegee. Water fed poles are easy to use, require no ladders and can reach windows much farther than traditional ladders. Water fed poles can be learned by anyone, even beginners.

“Once one is established, it’s easy to find the answers to any and all questions. Stephen says there is no job that you can’t do.

Our window cleaning expert advises against purchasing one as part of your starter kit. You need to know what you are doing before you buy one. You should learn the basics of water purification before you buy one. Additionally, you will need to buy window cleaning brush, replacement resin, filters, and other accessories.

There are two types to choose from if you’re ready to make an investment. Stephen helped us to break them down.

1. Di Systems: di systems deionize water with resin in a tank. You will have 100% pure water because the resin has both positive and negative charges. This eliminates all minerals and total dissolved solids (TDS).
2. RO/DI systems: If you live in an area that has extremely hard water (TDS readings above 200), this 3-step water purification system will be required. This system combines a reverse-osmosis filter, carbon filter, and a DI tank in order to remove all impurities.

Stephen said that water fed poles were the future of window cleaning. They’ve been around for 10 years but they’ve really grown in the last 5 years and have made our lives so much easier.

Window screen cleaners

A screen cleaning kit is another option to your traditional window cleaning supplies set. These are three ways to clean your window screens.

1. Microfiber sleeves and solutions: To simplify things, you can remove and clean the screens with your regular microfiber sleeves, cleaning solution and a bucket.
2. Pressure washer To remove grit or dust, use a gentle pressure washer. You should make sure that the pressure washer is not too harsh to damage screens.
3. Professional screen cleaner: This screen cleaning machine pushes water through bristles to clean your screens quickly and efficiently. This tool is not necessary but may be worth it if you have many screens to clean in a short time.