Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Clean Cloth on March 05, 2019, 11:54:01 am

Title: Can a Microfibre cloth scratch glass?
Post by: Clean Cloth on March 05, 2019, 11:54:01 am
I have been traditionally cleaning the windows and doors on this property for about 1 year, outside and inside.
On one of the inside double glazed units there are some scratches that I have not noticed before.
The customer has not said anything.

I clean the outside first and then for the inside I change the water, rinse the mop, clean cloths and clean microfibre.
I never use anything else or other tools such as a scraper.

I am sure if there is dirt on the applicator or microfibre this coud cause a scratch on the glass but can a clean microfibre cloth scratch glass?


Title: Re: Can a Microfibre cloth scratch glass?
Post by: Smudger on March 05, 2019, 11:58:45 am
I doubt it - only if you had grit on the cloth

Are the scratches in a swirl like you clean or straight lines  ?

Deep or light ??

Most likely they were already there - even new glass can have scratches

Darran
Title: Re: Can a Microfibre cloth scratch glass?
Post by: G Griffin on March 05, 2019, 12:10:05 pm
I'd say no.
I reckon you'd feel and/or hear it if you were scratching the glass to a noticeable extent.
Title: Re: Can a Microfibre cloth scratch glass?
Post by: Stoots on March 05, 2019, 12:22:08 pm
Can a CLEAN microfibre scratch glass chaps?

 :-X
Title: Re: Can a Microfibre cloth scratch glass?
Post by: Granny on March 05, 2019, 12:23:26 pm
I would say only if it is really gritty or sandy and you would know.
Probably scratched all the time you just didn't notice it.
I had new windows fitted about 7 yrs ago and have cleaned them WFP.
Only last week I noticed a small patch of scratches as if someone had cleaned something off with sandpaper.
I reckon the scratches were done by the fitters or in the factory - but I've only just noticed them, the light was just right!
Title: Re: Can a Microfibre cloth scratch glass?
Post by: NWH on March 05, 2019, 12:47:30 pm
They were more than likely done when they were either pit in or when they had a builders clean with a scraper,can a microfibet scratch glass I very much doubt it.
Title: Re: Can a Microfibre cloth scratch glass?
Post by: Clean Cloth on March 05, 2019, 04:47:11 pm
To answer the questions,

The scratches are straight and from what I can tell are light to medium in depth.

It is the inside and it's noticeable if the sunlight catches it so I would not be surprised if the customer will see the scratches. No curtains on this window.

I definitely did not feel or hear anything whilst cleaning the window but I would have thought I would have seen them before as I have cleaned them about 10 or 11 times.

Just thinking ahead in case the customer blames me at some point.

I do have Public Liability insurance that covers damage to windows being cleaned but do not tell my customers I am insured (never been asked) in case some dishonest person deicdes to make a false claim.

Title: Re: Can a Microfibre cloth scratch glass?
Post by: andyM on March 05, 2019, 05:44:32 pm
To answer the questions,

The scratches are straight and from what I can tell are light to medium in depth.

It is the inside and it's noticeable if the sunlight catches it so I would not be surprised if the customer will see the scratches. No curtains on this window.

I definitely did not feel or hear anything whilst cleaning the window but I would have thought I would have seen them before as I have cleaned them about 10 or 11 times.

Just thinking ahead in case the customer blames me at some point.

I do have Public Liability insurance that covers damage to windows being cleaned but do not tell my customers I am insured (never been asked) in case some dishonest person deicdes to make a false claim.

Scratches on windows seem to appear around this time of year when the sun is low and shows up any imperfection.
For the majority of the year the scratches are probably not obvious.
I would assume that the scratches were most probably there before you ever started cleaning the windows and that you have not caused them.
If the customer has not mentioned it then carry on as normal and forget about it would be my advice.

Title: Re: Can a Microfibre cloth scratch glass?
Post by: Spotfree on March 05, 2019, 07:18:50 pm
Low winter sun does no favours for window cleaners.
Title: Re: Can a Microfibre cloth scratch glass?
Post by: dazmond on March 06, 2019, 08:47:19 am
I have been traditionally cleaning the windows and doors on this property for about 1 year, outside and inside.
On one of the inside double glazed units there are some scratches that I have not noticed before.
The customer has not said anything.

I clean the outside first and then for the inside I change the water, rinse the mop, clean cloths and clean microfibre.
I never use anything else or other tools such as a scraper.

I am sure if there is dirt on the applicator or microfibre this coud cause a scratch on the glass but can a clean microfibre cloth scratch glass?

lots of glass is scratched....we only notice when the sun is shining .....nobody can prove whether it was you or not so dont worry about it....if your using clean cloths then it probably wont be you....
Title: Re: Can a Microfibre cloth scratch glass?
Post by: Dry Clean on March 06, 2019, 09:02:26 am
When it bought a Dragonfly indoor cleaning system ( wet behind the ears newbie but its still embarrassing that I bought one ) it stated that you should only clean the pads with a liquid detergent as the powered stuff can contain grit which could scratch the glass, its is possible to scratch the glass but that doesn't mean that you did.
Title: Re: Can a Microfibre cloth scratch glass?
Post by: Clean Cloth on March 06, 2019, 04:56:45 pm
Dry Clean, interesting point.
After each job I put my used cloth and microfibre in a container and at the end of each day put them all in a bigger container in the garage, Friday night I wash them all without any detergent.
I do use liquid detergent for my clothes laundry though.

Thanks all for the replies and insight, I will see how it plays out.