When you think of clean windows and rainy days, do you cringe inwardly, assuming that all the time and money being put into window cleaning has been a waste? Well, believe it or not, most window cleaners utilize rainwater in their business. This technique starts with harvesting rainwater, then using it to correctly clean windows, and finally, relying on it to maintain clean windows. Take a look at the correlation in more detail below.

1. Harvesting Rainwater for Window Cleaning

An increasing number of professional window cleaners are harvesting rainwater for use in their business. They do this because the water is cleaner than what they can access from a hose – which has growth such as bacteria, algae, and minerals. Rainwater, on the other hand, is practically free and naturally soft – or pure. It also saves energy because window cleaners don't have to use a heavy filtration system to purify water before using it.

To collect rainwater, window cleaners can divert roof gutters into a special tank designed to prevent contaminant growth. Rainwater is filtered to ensure bugs haven't gotten into the water. It may be filtered again before use to ensure that you are getting the cleanest water available on your home.

2. Cleaning Windows with Rainwater

Once harvested and filtered, rainwater is ready for cleaning. With the proper cleaning tools, professionals offer a streak-free clean. When homeowners attempt to clean their own windows, they often experience buildup shortly after cleaning. This is due to 2 factors: improper cleaning tools and impure water.

A squeegee is the best tool to wipe away dirt, salt (if you live near the ocean) and grime. Instead of rubbing it in the way a paper towel or rag does, a squeegee effectively removes buildup. However, if you clean glass with hose water, you are adding even more contaminants to your window, and the squeegee is hard-pressed to remove all of that, as well. Cleaning with rainwater is the best way to wash dirt and grime from windows because it doesn't add any more.

3. Maintaining Clean Windows – Even in the Rain

Lastly, rainwater helps maintain properly cleaned windows. You might think that when it rains, dirt will be streaked across your professionally cleaned windows and your money will be wasted. However, window cleaners know a few tricks to prevent that dirt from showing up. Those tricks are the squeegee, the rainwater, and the window polish. Take a look:

• The Squeegee: Effectively pulls dirt away from your windows and prevents it from hiding in the glass frames.
• The Rainwater: Doesn't add more dirt and minerals to your windows to show up in the future.
• The Window Polish: An added barrier that repels both moisture and debris and prevents new buildup.

If you see streaks of dirt after a storm, it's not because that rainfall was filled with dirt. It's because dirt was lurking in the glass frames and was drawn out and then ran down the window, leaving behind an unsightly residue. However, with a professional cleaning, you can feel confident that there is no dirt present on the window, and the polish will repel any dirt stirred up by the wind.

Once you realize that rainwater is the cleanest form of water for window washers to access, it isn't surprising that they harvest it for their business. And after you have your windows cleaned with it – as well as some other professional tools – you shouldn't have to worry about a rainstorm affecting the pristine appearance of your home. In fact, it might even help freshen them up a bit.

For more information about various window cleaning methods, contact a local home window washing company. 

Share