Window Cleaning Solution

Home and garden news and notes

Q&#38;A: WAX IN CLEANERS CAN LEAVE STREAKS</p><p> Q: Is there a way to wash windows without streaks? I use glass cleaner with paper towels, washcloths or clean rags, and I wipe the windows in one direction. They look fine at first, but when the light changes or the sun shines through, they look awful.</p><p> A: Some commercial glass cleaners contain wax, which can leave a streaky residue. Washing windows on a sunny day or using hot water can also cause streaks, because the cleaner dries too quickly on the windows.</p><p> Many pros recommend washing windows with plain soap and water and a squeegee. A small squirt of liquid dish detergent in a bucket half-filled with cool water should suffice.</p><p> Apply the cleaning solution with a sponge or window scrubber. Using a clean cloth, dry a small strip down one edge of the window to create a dry place for the squeegee to start. Then remove the cleaner by pulling the squeegee straight across the window, drying the blade between strokes.</p><p> Another method comes from window maker Jeld-Wen, which recommends cleaning with a solution of either 1 tsp. baby shampoo or 1 1/2 cups vinegar in a gallon of water. Apply with a clean, soft cloth or sponge, rinse with clean water and then promptly and thoroughly dry the glass.</p><p> Other people swear by equal parts rubbing alcohol and water, perhaps with a tablespoon of vinegar added. I've even heard that plain water and a microfiber cloth work well, although I've never tried it.</p><p> Regardless of the method, check the manufacturer's literature that came with your windows, if you have it. Certain cleaners, particularly ammonia, shouldn't be used on some types of windows.</p><p> ON THE SHELF: GARDENER OFFERS HERB GARDEN IDEAS</p><p> Garden writer and lifelong gardener Judy Lowe makes her gardening an inventive endeavor in "Herbs! Creative Herb Garden Themes and Projects."</p><p> Lowe offers ideas and guidance for creating herb gardens with purposes ranging from practicality to pure fancy. Among her ideas are gardens devoted to specific culinary needs, such as pickling or grilling; gardens that are fun for kids; and gardens filled with references to Shakespeare or the Bible.</p><p> For each garden theme, she suggests plants to grow and offers other tips or tidbits. A section of the book is devoted to specific information about favorite herb plants, and Lowe also provides ideas for preserving or using the herbs you grow.</p><p> "Herbs!" is published by Cool Springs Press and sells for $19.95 in softcover.

Robinson-Solutions Professional Window Cleaning: Two Window ...

What is your typical day like? I come to your home or business and assess the position of the sun to determine the best place to start. I pull all the screens and brush the debris and cobwebs from around the windows and in the tracks. Using a highly concentrated, professional product, I apply the solution and squeegee it off. I then go around each window with a micro fiber cloth to catch any remaining water or smudges. I repeat the process for both sides. After the windows are perfect, I clean the screens and replace them. I also do on-site screen repair. Outlook : "There new so many homes around here with vinyl siding. Every three, four years, those houses need to be cleaned." Mike Manno likes being his own boss. He is also the lone employee of the house-washing business. He washes siding, decks, fences and more for metro-east home owners. He recently talked to business reporter Will Buss about his service: How did you get into this line of work? "There so many homes around here with vinyl siding. Every three, four years, those houses need to be cleaned. It needs to be done. You need to clean vinyl siding as well as the gutters, the soffit and fascia. Before, I was working for a food company. I was a driver and salesman. But I wanted to have more flexibility that goes with self-employment." Are you looking to expand your business? "That's a good question. This business usually goes pretty well for about eight to nine months of the year. December, January and February are the main months when I have kind of tried a few ideas. One business idea I tried last winter was grocery delivery. I didn't really promote it a lot or put too much effort into it. I also tried garage cleaning and organizing. Sometimes, you see these two-car garages and there are no cars in there because there is no room because there is so much stuff stored in there. I advertised it and got a few calls. I also work for IDOT plowing snow. That's not something to count on, and I wanted some regular income during those three months, so I've tried other little businesses.

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