Mop and Squeegee vs. Water-Fed Pole: How We Clean Windows
Customers ask us all the time: “Do you use a mop and squeegee?” Yes. The classic mop and squeegee is how we clean windows. Here’s how it compares to a water-fed pole, and why we still reach for the squeegee.
The classic: mop and squeegee
A window cleaner’s “mop” is a soft scrubbing sleeve on a handle, also called a strip washer. Here’s how we use it:
- Scrub. We wet the glass and scrub it with the mop to loosen dirt, pollen and buildup.
- Squeegee. Smooth, continuous strokes pull every drop of cleaning solution off the glass.
- Detail. We clean and detail the frames, edges and sills.
Why we like it:
- Crisp, streak-free glass. A good squeegee stroke leaves nothing behind.
- It works inside and out. Inside your home, a water-fed pole isn’t an option. The mop and squeegee is.
- Hands-on detail. Working right at the glass, we see and handle the edges, corners and sills.
“I waited until the next morning to post this. I wanted to see if there were any streaks coming in the windows from the morning sun. Nothing. No streaks at all. Terence was very professional, courteous, and efficient. And his skills washing windows are impressive. …”
What’s a water-fed pole?
A water-fed pole is a long, light pole with a brush on the end that sprays purified water. The cleaner scrubs the glass from the ground and rinses it, and because the water has its minerals filtered out, it can dry without spots.
- Good for: high outside glass that’s hard to reach with a ladder.
- Trade-offs: it’s outside only, frames and sills can drip for a while afterward, and stuck-on buildup like hard water spots still needs hands-on work.
Which is better?
Both work when they’re done right. For most windows, the mop and squeegee gives the crispest finish and lets us detail every frame and sill. On some second-story glass, you may see us use a water-fed pole too. Either way, the goal is the same: glass so clear your neighbors do a double take.
Then there’s RainBlock
RainBlock is our pure water rinse: water filtered down to zero minerals, so the glass dries spot-free with no soap or residue left behind for dirt to cling to. It comes free with our Monthly and Quarterly memberships.
Want to see the difference? Get a free quote or call or text (208) 484-5207.