Here’s a demonstration of how we go about cleaning commercial glass in a post-construction setting.  Window cleaners often complain about the greasy residue that is found on the rubber seals and glass of this type of window.  Here you can see the most effective and efficient method to achieve a sparkling, perfect final product.

This demonstration was filmed at a post-construction window cleaning in Bloomfield job we recently completed in Bloomfield Hills.  We are often in and around Bloomfield Hills performing window cleaning services for the top builders in the area.  If you have a project in Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham or anywhere else in Oakland County, and you are in need of expert post-construction window cleaners, look no further.  Lake State Cleaning is the clear choice.

Post-construction Window Cleaning for Commercial Style Glass

Cleaning windows after a big home improvement project is different from cleaning windows during the year since you’ll often need to remove construction dust, glue, paint, and other debris from windows that have just been built in a new home.

When cleaning windows after construction, never use standard cleaning tools and methods, as you could damage the window glass and the window frames if you do!

Using abrasive tools or simply wiping away construction dust, and other debris with paper towels can result in the debris being rubbed into the glass, scratching and nicking it. Suppose you don’t know how to get those windows sparkling clean. In that case, you might waste time and cleaning supplies attempting to remove thick construction dust and other debris from window glass using standard household tools and materials.

To clean windows after renovation, you need to understand that you need to first learn about post-construction cleaning in general and how it differs from regular household cleaning or even cleaning after a simple remodeling project better. We’ll go over the debris that’s always left on your home’s windows after this work is completed, as this will help you better understand how to clean windows after renovation and how to keep your new windows clean all year.

What is Post-Construction Window Cleaning?

Post-construction can leave a tremendous amount of dense and heavy dust—one of the significant differences between post-construction cleaning and regular cleaning. Staff cut and polish the wood framework for a new house and sanding drywall in preparation for paint, producing this dust.

This dust is much thicker and abrasive than regular household dust because it is made up of drywall and wood residues. This is vital to note during any form of post-construction cleaning, as rubbing dust off with a cloth can easily scratch new drywall, aluminum blinds, and window glass. If you clean drywall dust with a wet rag, it will disappear, leaving an unsightly white streak behind!

It’s also not uncommon for construction work to leave behind paint splatters that splatter all over the place, even on window glass! You can also see splotches of caulk, grout, or other adhesives on window glass that need to be washed or trimmed; as with drywall, cleaning these materials with a wet rag will leave streaks and stains, making your post-construction cleanup much more difficult and time-consuming.

Post-Construction Window Cleaning

Now that you have a better idea of what you’ll be dealing with after new construction and what materials you’ll need, here are some pointers on how to get started on your window cleaning post-construction cleanup.

• Begin by gently removing any dust or debris accumulated on the windows with your shop vac. Holding the vacuum hose directly on the glass, or even using a brush attachment that runs over the mirror, will scratch the windows. Instead, keep the hose about an inch away from the glass and slowly run it over the window surface to remove as much construction dust as possible.
• Rather than attempting to clean away caulk or other adhesive residue and parts with a rag, use the shop vac to remove them. This is to avoid scratching the glass surface when cleaning and to get rid of all the big bits of adhesive as quickly as possible with the vacuum.
• Using your shop vac or a broom to sweep away any dust that might be stuck to the walls and crevices at the top of the window frame, so it doesn’t settle on your freshly cleaned windows!

If there is some paint, caulk, or another sticky residue on the glass surface after dusting, use your glass cleaner to scrape it away gently. To scrape over the bottle’s surface, keep the blade at an angle and slide it under the sticky materials. You may also use this blade to trim caulk or adhesive around the outer edges of the bottle, just inside the case.

Since windows are likely to be coated with dust that a shop vac can’t wash, as well as paint droplets and traces of caulk and other adhesives that can’t be scraped away, you’ll want to get the glass as wet as possible to remove the remaining debris.

At this point of cleaning, avoid using a damp rag; as previously mentioned, this may leave streaks and other traces. Instead, thoroughly soak the surface of the container with your water bottle. Make sure you saturate any paint or dust that your straight edge couldn’t clean.

After that, gently wipe away the water and any debris with the rubber side of the squeegee. Wipe down the squeegee’s rubber edge with your shop rag after each swipe across the glass to remove any water or residue.

Continue to wet the glass when required to produce a large amount of moisture for the squeegee to wipe away. If there are some very dense areas of dust that the rubber side of the squeegee cannot remove, use the ragged side or your shop rag to remove the debris with very gentle pressure.

Repeat this process as needed, making the glass saturated and then wiping it clean with the squeegee. Don’t worry if it’s not clear; your next move will assist you in completing the process!

Complete the Cleaning of Newly Built Screens.

If you’ve ever tried to clean windows with regular glass cleaner and rags only to be left with unsightly streaks and watermarks, try this easy tip for streak-free window cleaning. Use crumpled newspaper pages instead of rags to wipe off your glass cleaner after it has been applied to the window wall!

Since newspaper pages do not absorb cleaner in the same way as cloth does, they do not leave behind wet marks or stains when cleaning glass without streaks. Newspaper is very soft, so it won’t leave a scratch or crack in the glass while also thoroughly removing any leftover glass cleaner, dust, dirt, fingerprints, and other marks.

How to Clean the Outside of Windows Post-Construction?

It’s difficult enough to clean the inside of windows after construction; cleaning the outside of those windows can be even more difficult! Renting a power washer is a good idea for removing thick construction dust from the outside of new windows, particularly those on second floors, since cleaning up after construction while balancing on a ladder can be risky, if not outright deadly.

When cleaning the outside of windows after renovation, begin with the lowest pressure setting on your power washer to avoid scratching or even shattering the glass. To remove dust and other debris that would otherwise accumulate on the window glass, start by cleaning the roof eaves and areas above the windows.

Get the outside glass wet with the power washer, much like the inside windows, and keep moving the wand back and forth to wash away as much dust and traces of paint and adhesive as possible. After that, you can finish the job by adding some glass cleaner to the water in your pressure washer to get the windows sparkling clean.

You may also use a telescoping handle on a window squeegee to eliminate any traces of dust and dirt and give the windows an extra gloss by using a telescoping handle on a window squeegee. This also keeps you safe when cleaning those windows on the ground!

Cleaning Windows during Construction

After you’ve cleaned your new windows after your house is built, you’ll want to keep them clean! Even if the windows have caked-on dirt, cooking grease or oil, or other such residue sticking to the glass, make sure you use the same tips and techniques when cleaning them regularly; avoid scrubby sponges or wire brushes. Instead, saturate the glass, brush away the residue with a squeegee, and then finish the job with your glass cleaner and newspaper.

Clean the outside of your windows with your power washer regularly to keep them clean throughout the year, particularly after a strong storm that may have caused dust and other debris to settle on the glass. If you live in an area where hurricanes are common, consider installing shutters or roller shades on the outside of your windows to keep the glass clean and secure!

Remember that not all window glass is created equal; some may have a higher concentration of plastic to avoid cracking and breakage and help with noise insulation. More metallic elements can be applied to some glass to reflect sunlight and keep a home cooler.

Since every type of window glass is different, make sure to ask your window manufacturer or installer for detailed instructions on how to keep that type of glass cleaner, mainly if it’s unique to your region. Your window manufacturer or installer can suggest a specific glass cleaner, specific tools to use for your home’s window glass, or other tips and pointers for keeping those new windows clean all year.