[Jacqueline Kerr]

HI Guys, I am just about to add window cleaning to our current services. Just wondered if any of you guys employ women window cleaners and wanted to know how they get along. Is there any advice that you can give me as I will be very much hands on lol.

[Roy Cauldery]

I will be very much hands on


So much I could say,but decency and all that
Good luck with your business
Roy

[Pete10]

...my wife gets a brilliant response from the elderly and wimmin in general when she leaflets.....and theres a lady window cleaner near me....does very well...i think wimmin like talking to wimmin....more approachable is my guess...best of luck to you....knock em dead.

[Jacqueline Kerr]

Thnak you Roy and Pete. I know its goign to be really hard work. I will be involved in leafleting, cavassing and the window cleaning itself both with ladders and pole system. Can your mrs give me any tips on cavassing. I will keep you informed on how it goes.

[Pete10]

....sorry we dont canvass only leaflet, which as you know is pretty straightforward. I'm a newbie too and where I've got to on leafletting / canvassing & building a round is basically this....my only target with leaflets is to get a single house in both ends of any street....If it doesnt happen first time I'll keep going. If you talk to people they usually know their neighbours four or five doors around them....so like little clusters you have to keep leafletting to open up new ones. Then when I'm in the street i like to talk to everyone, put in extra work for free and ask for recommendations...offer free inside/ outside cleans for referalls....it is working for me...but takes time.

I like to clean new areas on Saturdays and price in the evening when most people are about and see the van....all free advertising, and usually if its after a leaflet drop this prompts them to say hello.....

[Tom White]

Wor Lass has been window cleaning for about 10 years now.  She's okay, but tires easily (she's not unfit, she's a marathon runner), but even with an SLX she still finds it physical work.  I do all the 'tough stuff'; the awkward reaches or anything that requires a longer pole than her 18 foot SLX.

I don't ask her to load or unload the hose reels too; she's only about 8 stone wet; she'd put her back out or something.

Personally, if I was to employ someone, I'd employ a healthy fit male, though I'm not disputing that a strong healthy woman couldn't do what a bloke does. 

[Londoner]

Not wishing to appear sexist but women don't stand up to the cold. I know I will get slaughtered for saying it but what the heck

[bobby p]

ive a middle aged lady work for me, only been onboard a month or 2 ,but is very particular and  has been getting plenty of tips  

[tacky]

my wife been with me on windows 15 yrs .like said in previous post .she does feel the cold more than me .n i send her home if too cold .but see does bottom windows n collects money .i think id be lost with out her .( may be last bit was over the top ) but shes a big help .

[simon w]

I think there's plenty of Female window cleaners who work in partnership with there husbands/boyfriends etc but as Tosh has said I think that the physical side of the job is not truly shared 50/50.

If you were employing then whether the person is male or female you would expect them to be able to handle all tasks that are involved with this job, doing this job full time is very demanding physically and for this reason I'm not sure a female would be my preferred choice when employing, I think they'd actually do a very good  and make good employees but would soon want to leave due to the wear and tear this work has on your body.

I do get regular applications from females asking for a job, in-fact I've had two this week, but due to not having any experience of what is really involved in doing this job full time I'd be inclined to employ males

An employer has to invest time, money and effort into any new employee so as a small business you really have to try not to make a mistake by taking on the wrong person for the job.

That said I have had plenty of 20yr old lads who are physically not suited to this kind of work.  

[A & J Owen Window Cleaning]

Well I am a lady window cleaner (just under 3 years) and I work with my husband.
I am also 8 stone soaking wet but I manage just fine, and I don't feel the cold any more than the other half!
I tend to do mainly trad bottoms but can manage water fed tops no probs also.
Other half is happy I pull my weight (he'd certainly tell me if he wasn't) and some female customers particularly the elderly prefer it.
Also, having a lady contact on leaflets definitely seems to produce more calls 

[Susan Dean (1stclean)]

you go for it , i am a female carpet cleaner running truck mounted , most of the guys run glides in my trade so it helps the backs and makes the jobs easyer

not me , 5ft tall , size 10 , and can clean with the best of them , oh and i can park my jumbo transit anywhere 

your female custys will love you and you will get loads of work from the old people

[Jacqueline Kerr]

Thanks all for your comments. When I said earlier that I am going to be hands on Guys I did say that it was an add on to our current services. Throughout the week I can be jetting drains, filling skips from a gross filth property, pressure washing, which includes lifting, pushing and pulling our 21 litre 12  stone plus  piece of metal about and that is on top of all the girlie duties a good wife has to perform. lol and my leisure time includes cage training, kick boxing and mountain walking with my husband. Understandably, it probably is alot more physical than they are used to in their everyday girlie life but some of us girlies are as strong (if not stronger) than you guys 

thanks girls for all of your positive comments and A and J Owens it was very interesting to hear your comment about the elderly liking the women cleaners as we weren't sure whether to put myself as main contact on the flyers/buiness cards or my hubbies (as he has the experience), I think after your comments and the comment from Susan I will  definately be the main point of contact.

Susan... I know just how hard carpet cleaning is as my brother in law does it. Well done for keeping up with  the guys.

[Jacqueline Kerr]

Hi Pete and Bobby
Pete thanks for the tips about the end houses. Will try that one myself

Bob - it seems that the older generation get on well with the female cleaners. Thats nice to hear.

[dazmond]

judging by that last post jacqueline window cleaning will be easier!!!

[Londoner]

Harder having a pee in a customers drain though.

[H S and Son]

Youve never been to India have you 

[Londoner]

Youve never been to India have you 

Round here is not far off

[andrew hamshare]

Easier having a pee in a customers drain though.

Fixed.

[mrs scrim shadey]

hi,im a lady window cleaner,used to work with my other half for 7 years...weve now split and im back to square 1...i do find housewives the elderly and stay at home mums find it easier to approach a female window cleaner,and a tight vest top in the summer always helps with the tips from the blokes!!;O)