What is the craziest thing you have done for money as a window cleaner....?
"Jumped"
The technical term for cleaning upper floor windows without the use of a ladder (long before WFP
)
Late 60's/early 70's method: Victorian London "3-decker" schools - start at the top floor from inside - big sash windows with fanlight above. Pull down top sash as far as it will go (usually got stuck about half way down) climb up and stand on the top edge of the sash. Hold the bottom of the fanlight and duck under it - now standing on the sash and upper body outside - anything up to 40' high
. Keep hold of the bottom of the fanlight and with the other hand clean the outside (usually two rows of Georgian squares)
Drop down on to the outside window sill, grab top of upper sash with one hand. Clean the outside of the upper sash with the other hand.
Pull up the bottom (inner) sash till enough to clean the top row of panes. Push bottom sash down again and pull up top sash far enough to get at the rest of the bottom sash - clean rest of bottom sash.
Grip in the channel that the top sash slides inside and push the top sash up to closed. Pull up bottom sash - climb back inside and shut bottom sash.
Clean insides.
Repeat on all windows except ground floor.
This was the accepted method and everyone did it in those days - the only way to do it quick enough to earn any money.
All leather 'n' scrim, by the way - lots of elbow grease