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Interior vs Exterior Window Cleaning

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Whether you live in the East or West Valley of the Phoenix metro area, maintaining clean windows in your home or office, is an important consideration when it comes to aesthetic appeal and functional purposes. That’s because when windows are crystal clear, they let in more natural light that brightens up your space, improves visual clarity and enhances the overall ambience of your home or office.

That said, the process of window cleaning begs a familiar question, “interior vs exterior window cleaning, which is more important?” Thus, we’ll explain the benefits and considerations of each approach to help you decide how best to care for your windows.

The Importance of Clean Windows

First, let’s discuss why dirty windows are not a good thing to begin with. So, the obvious answers would be that dirty windows can obscure views, reduce the transmission of natural light and create a less appealing environment.

If you work out of a commercial building, poorly maintained windows can make a bad first impression with your customers. Thus, cleaning your windows on a regular basis can be a great way to reduce the accumulation of dirt, dust and other contaminants. It can also extend the life of your windows and maintaining their clarity.

Benefits of Interior Window Cleaning

Improved Air Quality

Interior window cleaning helps remove allergens, dust and other pollutants that can accumulate on surfaces. This can lead to healthier indoor air quality.

Aesthetic Appeal

When your interior windows are clean, they enhance the visual appeal of your indoor space. They do this by enabling more light in, thereby creating a more inviting environment.

Extends Life of Windows

Regular interior window cleaning can prevent the buildup of debris that can lead to scratches, blurred glass, or even permanent stains. This can extend the life of your interior windows.

Benefits of Exterior Window Cleaning

Enhanced Curb Appeal

Clean exterior windows greatly improve the appearance of your property, making it look nicer and well-maintained.

Prevent Damage

Over time, contaminants like dirt, pollen and bird droppings can damage window exteriors, if not properly cleaned. Regular maintenance can prevent the need for costly repairs or replacements.

Better Visibility and Natural Light

Exterior window cleaning helps maximize visibility and allows more natural light to enter, optimizing your enjoyment of the view.

Weather Considerations

Choose the right time of year for exterior cleaning. Mild, dry weather is usually best, as rain or extreme temperatures can interfere with the cleaning process.

Interior vs. Exterior Cost

Interior window cleaning is often cheaper as it requires fewer resources and less time. By contrast, exterior window cleaning might become more costly, especially when professionals are involved, due to the labor and equipment needed.

Time and Labor

Interior window cleaning is usually quicker and can sometimes be completed by homeowners themselves. Exterior cleaning may require special equipment and is often more labor-intensive, which is why many opt for professional services for this task.

Frequency

Interior windows can be cleaned more frequently due to visibility concerns, every month or two is typical. Exterior windows, depending on environmental factors (like living near trees or in a dusty area), may only need cleaning a few times a year.

A Balanced Approach

At the end of the day, both interior and exterior window cleaning should be considered important when it comes to maintaining the health and appearance of your windows. Therefore, you may want to take a more balanced approach, which should result in better a outcome. Homeowners should assess their situation, including location, window condition, and personal capacity for cleaning, to determine the right frequency and methods for each type of cleaning.

Whether you are a homeowner wanting to improve your living space or a business owner aiming to make a good impression, understanding the differences and benefits between interior and exterior window cleaning is essential. Prioritize both to ensure your windows remain pristine, prolong their lifespan and create a welcoming atmosphere for all who enter your home or office.

If you would like to learn more about how interior window cleaning differs from exterior window cleaning, contact the Phoenix/Scottsdale window cleaning professionals at ClearPro today!

Window Cleaning Tips for Arizona’s Monsoon Season

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If you live here in the Valley of the Sun, you probably know that monsoon season runs from June through September, each year. That said, we’ve had many customers over the years, ask us for window cleaning advice during Central Arizona’s monsoon season.

While the monsoon storms provide much-needed moisture and a break from the relentless heat, they can also leave behind a dirty mess on your windows. Dust, debris and rain can all contribute to less-than-clear views from the windows of your home or business. To help you maintain sparkling clean windows during and after the monsoon season, we’ve compiled some essential window cleaning tips if you’re planning to clean your windows yourself.

Timing is Everything

As you may know, Arizona monsoon storms can be quite unpredictable, with sudden downpours following days of intense heat. Understanding the weather forecast can help you plan your cleaning schedule. Ideally, consider cleaning your windows just before a rainstorm. The rainfall can wash away some of the grime, making your cleaning efforts more effective. Conversely, it’s best to avoid cleaning your windows immediately after a storm, as moisture can trap dirt and dust, making it more challenging to achieve spotless glass.

Get the Right Tools

Having the appropriate equipment is vital for effective window cleaning, especially during the monsoon season.

Here’s a list of must-have supplies:

A Squeegee

A squeegee will enable you to achieve a streak-free finish. Look for one with a rubber blade to ensure efficient water removal.

Microfiber Cloths

Using lint-free, microfiber cloths to wipe off and dry up residual water after squeegeeing from window frames and glass panes should prevent scratches from occurring.

A Clean Bucket

Using a clean bucket is important when mixing your cleaning solution and/or rinsing your cleaning tools.

Natural Cleaning Solution

Use of warm water mixed with white vinegar or a few drops of dish soap can offer an effective and gentle way to clean your windows.

Extension Pole

If you need to clean windows high up (second story), then utilizing an extension pole can make the reaching those windows easier and safer.

Clean in Sections

Sounds obvious, but believe it or not, some people would not thing to clean their windows in sections. Why do this? The primary reason you would want to do it this way is to prevent water streaking on your windows. First, start by using a cleaning solution on the window. You then want to squeegee it off starting at top and then work downward from there. This should help to ensure that filthy water won’t travel down onto previously cleaned sections further down. Keep in mind, that it’s a good practice to clean off the squeegee blade with a microfiber cloth after each pass.

Pay Attention to Tracks and Frames

When cleaning the glass on your windows, it’s imperative that you pay attention to the window tracks and frames. Why? That’s because after a rainy and windy, monsoon, you’ll usually find a gritty, muddy residue covering the window tracks and frames. By utilizing something like a toothbrush, you can remove stubborn debris from window tracks. When done, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe dry and clean.

Not Interested in Cleaning Your Own Windows? Consider Professional Window Cleaning

Of course, not everyone has the time, skill and tools to properly clean their own windows. That’s completely understandable, thus, you should leave monsoon window cleaning to the professionals.

This is especially true if your home’s windows are high up and difficult to safely reach. Attempting to clean windows that are two stories or higher up, is simply not worth the risk to your health.

Regular Maintenance

Finally, regular window maintenance is key to keeping your windows looking their best throughout the monsoon season. Aim for at least two thorough cleanings during the season, once at the beginning and again after the bulk of storm activity has settled. This will help reduce the build-up of debris and make each clean easier.

Though the Arizona monsoon season has its challenges, maintaining clean windows is entirely achievable with a little preparation if you choose to do it yourself, or even more so, if you decide to hire a window cleaning professional.

If you would like to learn more about how to effectively clean your windows during Arizona’s monsoon season, contact the Phoenix/Scottsdale window cleaning professionals at ClearPro today!

How to Clean Your Skylights

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To take advantage of our approximately 300 days of sunshine that comes from living in the Valley of the Sun, many homebuilders have incorporated skylights in the kitchens, hallways and even bathrooms of their floorplans.

Skylights not only bring additional natural light into certain areas of a home, they also create a greater ambience and enhance a home’s value.

That said, just as with any window in your home, for skylights to look and perform their best, they should be cleaned and checked for any wear and tear, on a regular basis. The problem for most homeowners is that skylights are difficult to clean because of their elevated location.

So, without further ado, here are a few skylight maintenance tips we recommend as it pertains to how to clean your skylights.

Clean Dust, Dirt and Other Debris from Exterior Surfaces

It’s should come as no surprise that skylights are notorious for their accumulation of dust, dirt and debris. That is because skylights are cut through the roof of a home and face upward into the sky. As such, Monsoon rain, bird droppings, dirt, dust and environmental debris (e.g. from leaves and tree branches) can collect on the skylight’s external glass or plexiglass surface.

Therefore, it is strongly recommended that along with your home’s windows, you have your skylights cleaned on a regular basis.

Clean Dust, Dirt and Other Debris from Interior Surfaces

Did you know that the interior surface of skylights should be cleaned regularly? That is because dust, dirt and grime can also accumulate on the skylight’s interior surface. So, to avoid any potential damage of obscuring of light transmission, it is wise to main a clean interior surface for skylights.

Cleaning Various Types of Skylight Materials

As mentioned earlier, skylights can utilize glass or plastic (acrylic) in their design. Plastic tends to scratch more easily that glass, so it’s important to know which you are cleaning before hand.

Check Your Skylights for Damage

Before, cleaning your skylights, you should have a qualified professional examine them to assess their condition. That’s because you should know whether or not they are leaking, due to cracks or holes, and then determine if they need to be repaired or replaced. No sense in cleaning your skylight if you determine they need to be replaced, right?

Hire Professional Window Cleaners

Hiring a team of trust window cleaning professionals is the best way to effectively and safely clean your skylights. That’s because window cleaning professionals have the experience, training and proper equipment to do the job correctly.

If you would like to know more about cleaning your skylights the right way, contact the Arizona window cleaning pros at ClearPro today!

Why Get Professional Solar Panel Cleaning for Your Commercial Building?

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With the continued advancements in sustainable energy, more and more commercial property owners have opted to install solar panels. That’s because they see the value in solar panels as a viable option for not only reducing energy costs, but for making a positive contribution to the environment.

However, did you know that the efficiency of solar panels can degrade over time, due to the accumulation of dust, grime, and other debris? This in turn, can significantly reduce the cost saving benefits from solar panel usage.

Benefits of Professional Solar Panel Cleaning

As a leading, professional window cleaning company in the Phoenix/Scottsdale metro area, ClearPro understands the importance of keeping your solar panels clean to maximize their efficient production of energy while reducing energy costs.

Here are just a few excellent reasons why you should hire ClearPro to clean your Solar Panels:

Improves Efficiency

The fact is, when your solar panels are clean, they are able to more efficiently absorb sunlight, which can then be converted into usable electricity.

Dirty solar panel surfaces reduce the amount of sunlight that can reach the solar cells. Less sunlight reaching the solar cells means less converted, energy (electricity) for your commercial building to use.

Professionally cleaning your solar panels on a regular basis ensures that your solar panels can work at peak performance, thereby maximizing the amount of sunlight that can be absorbed through them.

Extends Lifespan

Over the months and years, your solar panel can accumulate dirt, bird waste and other debris, that can cause corrosion of your solar panels. This in turn, can result in irreversible damage to your solar panels, thus reducing it’s useful life and leading to costly repair and/or replacement of parts.

Protects Your Investment

Professional cleaning not only removes such harmful residues from your solar panels, it also helps to mitigate your long-term operational costs, thereby protecting your investment. The bottom line, professional solar panel cleaning is good for your bottom line.

Is It Time to Clean Your Panels?

When was the last time, you had your building’s solar panels professionally cleaned?

Can’t remember? Several years ago? Never?

If you answered yes, to any of the above, we highly recommend that you contact our solar panel and window cleaning team at ClearPro to get your solar panels cleaned on a regular schedule. In so doing, your solar panels should be operating at their peak capacity, thus maximizing the savings on your electricity bill while doing your part in creating a more sustainable future.