Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Shane sharples on January 03, 2016, 10:34:52 am

Title: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Shane sharples on January 03, 2016, 10:34:52 am
Hi all!
I'm sure it's the same for most window cleaners in their own homes, when they see dirty glass / a bird splat or bug marks in their living room window etc , it niggles at you until it's cleaned!
I personally offer a monthly service to customers but I find myself constantly cleaning inside (kids fingerprints etc) and out to keep it spotless!!
How about you? how often do you clean your own windows 🤔
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: JackieW on January 03, 2016, 10:42:19 am
I try to clean them at the same frequency as my customers so as to picture it from their point of view.

I find that  with my kitchen and  lounge bay window, which we look through the most,  I will also get
 my squeegee out and clean them more frequently.

But what I've also found is that I could go many months without  cleaning the rest of the windows and it wouldn't bother
 any of us in the house.

Any window with net curtains or blinds or frosted doesn't notice.
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Smudger on January 03, 2016, 11:36:38 am
Our house is on a round so the lads do it every 4 weeks, as is their own houses  ;D

Darran
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: ascjim on January 03, 2016, 11:48:36 am
Our house is on a round so the lads do it every 4 weeks, as is their own houses  ;D

Darran

Same here.
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Smurf on January 03, 2016, 12:00:41 pm
All this rain washes my windows so I say "leave it until next time"  ;D
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Walter Mitty on January 03, 2016, 12:04:15 pm
2 or 3 times a year for outside - maybe once or twice for inside.  I have to give my downstairs neighbour a freebie when I do mine.  Well, I don't have to but I choose to as it seems fairer that way.
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Smurf on January 03, 2016, 12:24:30 pm
Just looking out the back garden and I'm more worried about ground water flooding than cleaning the outside of my windows as I can see water sitting on top of the grass as it’s so waterlogged.  ???
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: SeanK on January 03, 2016, 12:25:01 pm
I never clean mine as wfp does a crap job and I don't think I could handle the rejection if I was to sack myself, thinking of taking on a traditional guy as they are bad at the moment.
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Smurf on January 03, 2016, 12:28:49 pm
I never clean mine as wfp does a crap job and I don't think I could handle the rejection if I was to sack myself, thinking of taking on a traditional guy as they are bad at the moment.

What you don't no how to trad?...Call yourself a window cleaner shame on you  ;D
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: SeanK on January 03, 2016, 12:30:41 pm
I never clean mine as wfp does a crap job and I don't think I could handle the rejection if I was to sack myself, thinking of taking on a traditional guy as they are bad at the moment.

What you don't no how to trad?...Call yourself a window cleaner shame on you  ;D

Its the uppers that beat me, I know how to come down a ladder but haven't a clue how to go up one. ;D
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Mick Kent on January 03, 2016, 12:33:46 pm
A trad guy comes and does mine. £4 for the front. Suits me.
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Smurf on January 03, 2016, 12:35:23 pm
I never clean mine as wfp does a crap job and I don't think I could handle the rejection if I was to sack myself, thinking of taking on a traditional guy as they are bad at the moment.

What you don't no how to trad?...Call yourself a window cleaner shame on you  ;D

Its the uppers that beat me, I know how to come down a ladder but haven't a clue how to go up one. ;D

Going up is the easy bit. So is the falling bit but the sudden stop at the end I've found out hurts like hell.  ;D
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Smurf on January 03, 2016, 12:37:58 pm
A trad guy comes and does mine. £4 for the front. Suits me.

Good man, nothing like helping the poor is there mick  ;D
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Smurf on January 03, 2016, 12:48:33 pm
You raise an interesting point there mick as how many work in the same street that they live in?
I for one stay clear as found out that is more hassle than it's worth.
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Shane sharples on January 03, 2016, 01:15:05 pm
I work round the corner and to be honest I do find it hard to drive past my customers in my shiny bmw , I wear a hat and keep the sun visor down so no one sees me!  :o
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Smurf on January 03, 2016, 01:35:24 pm
I work round the corner and to be honest I do find it hard to drive past my customers in my shiny bmw , I wear a hat and keep the sun visor down so no one sees me!  :o

 ;D
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Mick Kent on January 03, 2016, 01:47:54 pm
I work round the corner and to be honest I do find it hard to drive past my customers in my shiny bmw , I wear a hat and keep the sun visor down so no one sees me!  :o

Im the same in my 09 plate kia  :-X
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: richard groves on January 03, 2016, 02:03:12 pm
I clean mine regularly each year, usually around  June/July, so long as its not raining ( or I skip it til next year ).
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Smurf on January 03, 2016, 02:15:28 pm
Nice and regular then barry  ;D
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: richard groves on January 03, 2016, 02:40:48 pm
Nice and regular then barry  ;D
I dont like my neighbours, the last thing I want is to be able to see them out of my windows.
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Susan Dean (1stclean) on January 03, 2016, 03:40:04 pm
same as mick , we have a trad rat that cleans ours every 2w  , because hes stupidly cheap and does a extra good job because he knows were window cleaners lol havnt the hart to tell him what we charge
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: dazmond on January 03, 2016, 07:19:16 pm
whenever i can be bothered.usually every 2-3 months.i also clean some of my neighbours for free too at the same time.
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: STEVE-UK on January 04, 2016, 03:20:30 pm
Mick & Susan

Wouldnt it be ironic, if he falls off his ladder and a no win no fee solicitor advises him to sue you!
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Smurf on January 04, 2016, 03:24:28 pm
Mick & Susan

Wouldnt it be ironic, if he falls off his ladder and a no win no fee solicitor advises him to sue you!

Now that would be funny and he would probably win too  ;D

If your window cleaner falls from his/her ladder on your property and injures himself or damages your property is it:
 
A) His problem – surely he carried out correct risk assessment procedures beforehand?
 
B) Your problem – you should know whether he can use a ladder on your property for cleaning windows or not.
 
C) His insurer’s problem (if he has any) – but will they pay out?
 
D) Your insurer’s problem – but will they pay out?
 
E) Who knows until it goes to court? (With all the attendant hassle beforehand)
 
Since circumstances vary, most likely “E” would be the answer in the majority of cases. The stress, hassle and expense involved in this kind of situation can be huge for both the injured cleaner and the home owner.

Makes you think don't it  ::)roll
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Susan Dean (1stclean) on January 04, 2016, 04:16:30 pm
Mick & Susan

Wouldnt it be ironic, if he falls off his ladder and a no win no fee solicitor advises him to sue you!

Now that would be funny and he would probably win too  ;D

If your window cleaner falls from his/her ladder on your property and injures himself or damages your property is it:
 
A) His problem – surely he carried out correct risk assessment procedures beforehand?
 
B) Your problem – you should know whether he can use a ladder on your property for cleaning windows or not.
 
C) His insurer’s problem (if he has any) – but will they pay out?
 
D) Your insurer’s problem – but will they pay out?
 
E) Who knows until it goes to court? (With all the attendant hassle beforehand)
 
Since circumstances vary, most likely “E” would be the answer in the majority of cases. The stress, hassle and expense involved in this kind of situation can be huge for both the injured cleaner and the home owner.

Makes you think don't it  ::)roll

well in asked my insurance todays as I was renewing our fleet cover and there take is

because we don't have a registered office at the house then its classed as a domestic job so we don't have any duty of care laws to consider , however if we did have a office in the house it would be classed as part commercial ,

 hes cleaning our office/house then we have a duty of care to all our contracters so he could win in a court fight !!
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: DeLuce on January 04, 2016, 06:48:12 pm
I live in an old farmhouse which has wooden framed windows with each section of glass being about 8"x4" and plenty of condensation on the inside!!  :-\ a right royal pita!
I clean the outside every month-ish but the insides let it all down. Best thing is pure water in spray then wipe off with one of Tadghs' little waffle clothes 👍
Anyway, we just had some nice new double glazed units put in about couple of months ago on one side of the house and I'm cleaning inside and out every couple of weeks  ;D
It's great to be able to see out!! We're going to have the rest done........soon.
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Smurf on January 04, 2016, 07:03:42 pm
I take it you did not get that self cleaning glass then rigsby  ;D
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Matt. on January 04, 2016, 07:21:17 pm
Probably 5-6 times a year, will just be when the mrs says something, I will do them right away like a good boy
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: DeLuce on January 04, 2016, 09:57:12 pm
I take it you did not get that self cleaning glass then rigsby  ;D

No mate! Anyway, it doesn't work very well does it??  ;D
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Smurf on January 04, 2016, 11:07:33 pm
I take it you did not get that self cleaning glass then rigsby  ;D

No mate! Anyway, it doesn't work very well does it??  ;D

Nope  ;D
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Rich Wilts on January 04, 2016, 11:15:33 pm
If you come home and discover your trad window-cleaner lying on the floor with a broken back, pelvis and legs, as his ladder has slipped from underneath him halfway through cleaning your windows repeatedly beat him around the back of his head with the nearest shovel until he he dies.

Then phone an ambulance claiming you just turned up that minute and the head injuries must've been sustained when he bounced off your coal-shed on the way down.

That way you avoid any court dispute between window-cleaner and yourself. Whilst the ambulance is on it's way loosen a few paving slabs and suggest to plod when he arrives that the window-cleaner can't have done a particularly thorough site assessment as 'look how uneven the ground is, I just don't know what he thought he was doing up a ladder, poor fella, he was such a nice guy too.'
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Mike #1 on January 05, 2016, 06:59:02 am
Hardly ever as my wife does a great job and cleans them about twice a week  ;D ;D
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Shane sharples on January 05, 2016, 07:57:43 am
Hardly ever as my wife does a great job and cleans them about twice a week  ;D ;D

I thought I was bad doing them once a week! 😃
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: richard groves on January 05, 2016, 10:56:50 am
Hardly ever as my wife does a great job and cleans them about twice a week  ;D ;D

I thought I was bad doing them once a week! 😃
He was bad, that's why she now has to do them  ;D
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Smurf on January 05, 2016, 01:31:03 pm
Hardly ever as my wife does a great job and cleans them about twice a week  ;D ;D

I thought I was bad doing them once a week!
He was bad, that's why she now has to do them  ;D

Cheeky devil  ;D

Anyhow going by most of the replies makes you think don't it why some people don't want/need a regular window cleaning service as much as a window cleaner does. Then those types of customers get slagged off for being time wasters just because they decide they don't want them doing so often after all. I think I fall into the time waster category... how about you? :D
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Shane sharples on January 05, 2016, 02:41:10 pm
I'd be an excellent customer 😊
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Smurf on January 05, 2016, 02:51:54 pm
I'd be an excellent customer

OCD springs to mind but the real question is would you pay on time or say something like I'm not paying you as you have missed a bit and/or left my windows wet. I tend to stay well clear of OCD types myself as are more hassle than the job is worth ;D
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Shane sharples on January 05, 2016, 03:15:33 pm
When I used to have a window cleaner, I never even noticed whether my windows were dirty or clean lol I used to just pay 🤑
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Smurf on January 05, 2016, 03:22:38 pm
When I used to have a window cleaner, I never even noticed whether my windows were dirty or clean lol I used to just pay

Just get net curtains as will save yourself a fortune over the years  ;D
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Shane sharples on January 05, 2016, 03:27:57 pm
My net curtain customers love me 😊
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Smurf on January 05, 2016, 05:08:57 pm
My net curtain customers love me

 ;D
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: Joey Eastwood on January 10, 2016, 12:59:54 am
I clean 2 window cleaners Windows haha!!   I do my own when I have the day off and the neighbours are at work so I don't have to do theirs. I'd feel bad charging them full price cus their nice and I'm too tight to do them cheaper
Title: Re: How often do you clean your own windows?
Post by: tony day on January 10, 2016, 06:21:09 am
Hi all!
I'm sure it's the same for most window cleaners in their own homes, when they see dirty glass / a bird splat or bug marks in their living room window etc , it niggles at you until it's cleaned!
I personally offer a monthly service to customers but I find myself constantly cleaning inside (kids fingerprints etc) and out to keep it spotless!!
How about you? how often do you clean your own windows 🤔
I don't. It's too much work for one man!