Indoor vs. Outdoor Window Cleaning Kit and Making the Most of Your Investment
Whether you are evaluating an indoor vs. outdoor window cleaning kit, both options offer far more versatility than you might initially think. Given the right pole and attachments in your kit, you’re well-positioned to repurpose one of your kit’s essential components into the basis for performing other cleaning tasks around your facility. Having pole compatibility with various cleaning attachments, you can transform these poles into tools for dusting, cleaning high-access areas, and bulb changing. This adaptability maximizes the value of your window cleaning kit investment and enhances the convenience and efficiency of your overall cleaning routine.
Traditional Components of an Outdoor Window Cleaning Kit
A traditional outdoor window cleaning kit includes specialized components to tackle the unique challenges of exterior window and glass cleaning. At the heart of the kit is a pole that extends your reach to areas beyond ground level, significantly increasing the safety of window cleaning by keeping you off a ladder or lift to access hard-to-reach areas.
To withstand outdoor conditions and support a variety of compatible cleaning attachments, outdoor cleaning poles are typically more robust and sturdier than those used for general cleaning tasks. When used in conjunction with heavy-duty window squeegees, brushes and scrubbers, window cleaning poles excel at rigorous scrubbing and cleaning up to 65 feet, depending on the pole design.
Given the environmental elements that can accumulate on a building’s exterior, the cleaning solution used for outdoor window washing can be stronger than an indoor counterpart. While these cleaning agents help get the job done effectively, they potentially contain chemicals that can negatively impact the surrounding environment. As an alternative to a traditional outdoor window cleaning kit that uses a chemical cleaning agent, pure water window cleaning systems eliminate the need for any cleaning agent and rely solely on the power of pure water technology.
Typical Components of an Indoor Window Cleaning Kit
Compared to an outdoor window cleaning kit, one of the most notable differences may be the design and size of the extension pole. Typically, an indoor window cleaning pole is shorter to make it more manageable within confined indoor spaces, however, thanks to versatile pole sections, the pole could be the same as that used for outdoor cleaning.
Cleaning solutions used indoors should prioritize indoor air quality for building occupants, utilizing milder cleaning agents versus what’s used outdoors. For example, Unger Stingray’s onboard bottle’s enclosed spray nozzle prevents chemicals from becoming airborne.
An indoor cleaning kit may also include microfiber cloths, known for their excellent absorption and lint-free finish; a small squeegee that’s ideal for smaller panes; and a spray bottle that allows for even application of cleaning solutions.
Getting the Most Out of Your Window Cleaning Kit Investment
To get the most out of your window cleaning tool investment in terms of both window cleaning and repurposing it to assist with other tasks, you need to choose the right pole for the job. Selecting the right pole is contingent on factors such as the price, weight, and flexibility of the pole to determine the perfect fit for your specific needs.
If you want a versatile pole that you can use for both indoor and outdoor window cleaning, opt for a pole that you can adjust to various lengths, enabling you to use shorter lengths for indoor windows and extended lengths for higher outdoor windows.
There’s a sizable difference between telescopic poles and extension poles in terms of weight. With telescopic poles, each section collapses into another. Whether you need a long pole for high-access cleaning or a shorter pole for first-floor windows, an operator using a telescopic pole is carrying around the same amount of weight for either job. On the other hand, an extension pole is modular, meaning that the sections stack end-to-end. The benefit of this design is that the operator only carries around the length of the pole needed, decreasing the load when cleaning on the ground level and increasing the weight of the pole only when cleaning high access windows.
You should also consider the material of the pole. If you prioritize poles made from lightweight and durable materials, such as aluminum or carbon fiber, you can easily handle the same pole indoors while benefiting from its sturdy performance outdoors.
There are five main categories of pole materials:
$ Aluminum Poles
The Pros: Durable and inexpensive
The Cons: Heavy and flexes significantly from extension and use
$$ Fiberglass Poles
The Pros: Lighter than aluminum and easier to maneuver
The Cons: Flex is still an issue
$$$ Hybrid Poles
The Pros: Fiberglass pole with a carbon fiber wrap; Great price point
The Cons: Floppy and heavy when used over 30 feet
$$$$ Carbon Fiber Poles
The Pros: Extremely rigid and lightweight for high access window washing
The Cons: More expensive than aluminum and fiberglass poles
$$$$$ Hi Modulus (Hi-Mod)
The Pros: Stiffest pole you can get for high access cleaning
The Cons: Expensive
If you choose a pole with a universal connector, its versatility will lend itself to other cleaning tasks using interchangeable cleaning tool attachments. Repurposed with an attachment, your pole can facilitate:
- Dusting High Areas: Attach a duster to the pole to reach and clean high ceilings, ceiling fans and piping. A specialized cobweb duster attachment can tackle crown moldings and light fixtures that are otherwise difficult to reach.
- Cleaning Walls: Use the pole with a soft brush or microfiber attachment to clean high walls without needing a ladder.
- Changing Light Bulbs: Keep custodians’ feet on the ground and off dangerous ladders and lifts to reach heights of up to 60 feet.
This flexibility allows you to seamlessly switch between attachments, effectively transforming your pole into a cost-effective, multi-functional tool.
So Much More Than Just a Window Cleaning Kit
Both indoor and outdoor window cleaning kits offer unique advantages tailored to their respective environments. However, investing in a kit with a versatile telescopic or extension pole can significantly enhance the return on investment of your purchase and increase the efficiency of your cleaning operations.
Ultimately, the right window cleaning kit can be more than just a tool for cleaning windows; it can become a versatile, indispensable part of your cleaning arsenal.
