Five Lessons From 1,000 Windows, Frames, and Tracks Cleaned

We certainly like our numbers.

If you’re a sports fan, then you probably know that Albert Pujols has just north of 700 home runs. If you’re among friends and talking about health, then you may bring up your latest blood pressure or cholesterol numbers. And if you’re driving across town, you’ll certainly know the time of your commute.

This spring, COS Exterior Services also hit a major number. I’ve cleaned over 1,000 windows, frames, and tracks for customers in Colorado Springs, Monument, and Black Forest. With that experience, comes some lessons, which I’ll share below.

Too often, windows get neglected. Yes as homeowners, the to-do list to maintain our houses can be endless. Folks don’t always think about their windows like they should. Regular window cleaning has several benefits to your home besides clear glass.

The benefits I’ve seen for my customers include easier sliding door operation, identification of potential pest problems, and avoiding safety issues where the screen mesh is torn. During a recent window cleaning in Monument, I was able to let the homeowner know about several issues with their screens. I repaired the mesh and spline and now those screens look great! A second example, earlier this year, I notified a customer in Black Forest about ants in their window tracks. Besides these positive benefits, here are a few tips for window washing.

The first tip is around the order of cleaning windows when you have an upper and lower set. Start with the top one. This will avoid any drips getting on the bottom window. Screens can be a pain to remove, so consider using a paint can opener or a flathead screwdriver to lift out one side or corner. The final pro tip is to make sure to detail. After you’ve washed a window, there may be solution or water around the edges and a microfiber cloth is perfect to clean these up.

Just like these tips will help you to clean your windows, proper equipment is also essential. First – having ladders – one capable of getting to second stories and another that is a step stool makes a difference. Also, a ladder stand-off allows you to get close to the windows without damaging the house. The third piece of equipment is a good track brush, which makes it easier to get dirt off tracks and screens. The fourth piece of equipment is a proper squeegee, like the Ettore quick-release brass model. This squeegee allows you to clean your windows faster. The track brush and squeegee are available at places like windowcleaner.com. Window cleaning isn’t an easy task, even with the proper tools.

Window cleaning is tough, physical work. Let me share an example from last week. I washed windows for a family in Monument who were putting their home up for sale. To get to all their windows, it required almost a dozen ladder moves, and climbing on different sections of their roof. However, all that effort was worth it, and I was happy to play a small, but important role in getting their house ready for the market.

Lastly, clean windows make a difference in your life. Yes – I’m a little biased on this one, however, it’s a treat when a customer steps into a room with beautiful clean windows and can’t believe how much sunlight is coming in.