Planning and preparation before picking up a squeegee determines the quality of the finished result. Experienced glass cleaners spend proportionally more time on preparation than on cleaning — because errors in preparation produce results that no amount of cleaning technique can fix.
ASSESS THE GLASS BEFORE TOUCHING IT
Walk the full extent of the glass to be cleaned before opening any equipment. Identify:
- Type of glass: standard annealed, toughened, laminated, heritage / heritage-pattern, frosted, tinted, or coated (Low-E, solar control). Coated glass has specific chemical and abrasive restrictions — using the wrong product will strip the coating permanently.
- Condition: scratches, chips, mineral deposits (calcium and silica scale from hard water or sprinkler overspray), paint overspray, adhesive residue, silicone contamination, or oxidised seals. Identify these before cleaning and document them with photographs — pre-existing damage noted before work begins cannot be attributed to your work.
- Access requirements: working at height (ladder, elevated work platform), working over water features or garden beds (requires drop sheet management), or working in occupied buildings where overspray or water runoff must be controlled.
- Frame material: aluminium, uPVC, timber, or powder-coated steel. Each has chemical compatibility requirements. Aggressive alkaline solutions can strip powder coating and stain aluminium frames if not rinsed promptly.
EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST
Confirm before arriving on site that you have:
- Squeegee (correct channel width for the glass — a squeegee narrower than the glass panel requires multiple passes and leaves overlap marks)
- Squeegee rubber in good condition (no nicks, cuts, or hardened sections — replace squeegee rubber every 4 to 8 hours of active use)
- Scrubber / applicator sleeve (microfibre or lambswool — matched to the glass condition)
- Bucket with appropriate solution (diluted professional glass cleaning concentrate or a low-residue alternative — avoid detergents that leave surfactant residue)
- Scrim cloths or lint-free detailing cloths for edges and corners
- Razor blade scraper in a safety holder (for paint, adhesive, or hard deposits — only on untreated, uncoated glass)
- Extension pole matched to the window height
- Drop sheet or barrier to protect frames and surfaces below
SOLUTION PREPARATION
Mix glass cleaning solution at the manufacturer's specified dilution. In hot Australian conditions, slightly increasing the concentration prevents the solution from flashing off (drying) before the squeegee pass is complete. Cold water increases working time in summer. Never use neat washing-up detergent — the surfactants leave a residue that attracts dirt and causes rapid re-soiling.
Reference: Australian Window Association — Glass and Glazing Standards | Safe Work Australia — Working at Heights Code of Practice