Stripwashers – An Essential Tool For Cleaning Windows

Whether you live among the foothills of the Westside in Colorado Springs, among the trees in Trilakes, or the open plains near Peyton, our windows get dirty. The dirt and pollen that makes those windows dirty needs to be cleaned off and a stripwasher is one piece of equipment that can help.

Professional window washers, like COS Exterior Services, use stripwashers every day. In this second tools of the trade article, we’ll show homeowners how they can benefit from one also. I hope you’ll find that similar to the Ettore Super Brush (article here), a stripwasher is a useful and versatile tool that helps maintain your home. So let’s first talk about what a stripwasher is.

Parts, Sizes, and Types

A strip washer has two parts – the sleeve and the tbar. The sleeve is just that – a woven strip of material that covers the tbar. The tbar comes with a handle and holds the sleeve so that you can apply the solution to your windows. Beyond the basic components, it’s also important to understand the size and type of strip washers.

Strip washers come in a variety of sizes to meet the multitude of windows we face while cleaning homes. That size can be itty bitty, like a six-inch one for french windows. The standard range is ten to fourteen inches and covers most homes. The larger sizes are used mostly for large commercial jobs, like car dealerships. Besides size, a second factor is the sleeve’s purpose. Sleeves can be general use, like the Ettore golden sleeve. I consider a general use sleeve one that does both the insides and outsides of windows. The second type of sleeve is a specialty one, like the Pulex Microtiger sleeve. The Pulex Microtiger sleeve has abrasive strips built into it, which aids in removing stubborn debris. The final kind is dual-use. Dual-use combines a strip washer and a squeegee on the other size to make for a powerful one-two cleaning combination.

Choices – so many and a really great one!

The options available are almost endless and can make choosing the right stripwasher for your home a challenge. My recommendation for a stripwasher that covers most homeowners’ needs is an Ettore Golden Glove Stripwasher Complete in the 10-inch size. Most homeowners have an extra five-gallon bucket around and this size fits perfectly inside it. In addition, the Ettore Golden Glove Stripwasher Complete comes with a correctly sized tbar. So you’ll be all set to use it, whether you live in a lovely house in Black Forest, a new build in Meridian Ranch, or a happy house in Colorado Springs.

Now where to get one. Yes, stripwashers are available at many home and building supply stores. No, you shouldn’t skimp on price to get one there. Reason? There’s a significant quality difference between what’s available at those places and a professional window cleaning supply store. Consider these instead: windowcleaner.com (https://windowcleaner.com/t-bars-scrubbers) or ABC window cleaning (https://www.window-cleaning-supply.com/washers-t-bars-sleeves). Bought it? Great! Let’s talk about how to use and maintain it.

The Particulars (Usage and Maintaining)

Using your stripwasher is pretty easy. Assuming you already have your solution (water plus a small amount of dish soap) in a bucket, dip the stripwasher into the solution. Next, gently ring out the sleeve to get some of the excess water out. After that, use the stripwasher to spread the solution on the window. I recommend a simple left, middle, right, and across pattern. This vertical plus horizontal approach helps remove any dirt and keeps the glass wet. You’ll want to use a small amount of emph while applying the solution, but not so much you break the glass. I said it was easy!

Maintaining stripwashers is simple too. Wash the sleeve in your washer (I like to combine it with a load of towels) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Do the same with drying – and be careful, as excessive heat can impact the sleeve’s ability to clean. What about the tbar? Easier still. Let it air dry.

A stripwasher is a great addition for those wanting to clean their windows. It’s easy to use, easy to care for, and if you bought a name brand like we’ve mentioned earlier, it will last a long time. No matter where you live, a stripwasher helps you see more of the incredible beauty of the Pikes Peak region that’s just outside your home.