Alright, so here goes my first post. I am doing my research about starting a window cleaning business. I will start out doing commercial accounts. Most likely store fronts and medical offices. 2 story max. I was also thinking that gyms are a good prospect. Most have a lot of large windows and mirrors. I live in NY and with the winter I am unsure if I can clean outside in the cold temps. Can someone tell me what the lowest temp to clean outside is? Are there any tips for cold weather cleaning? Thanks
First off, welcome! You will not regret getting into window cleaning if you soak up and apply what you learn on this forum. Plus, youre close to the WCR store! North of you in Montreal we clean windows down to any temp. Ive personally cleaned down to -15 Fahrenheit. We use methanol, aka, methal hydrat, or wood alcohol, 99.9% pure. …as well as thick waterproof gloves!
Yep I’ve cleaned down to -15 or so
Neoprene is your friend.
Don’t work in the cold it’s bad for your health! You’ll probably get a cold. You’re hands will crack from getting dried out. Your kidneys will have to process more amounts of alcohol from the methanol seeping through your clothing. You might wrench your back slipping on ice. It’s hard on your knees because you’ll have to wear heavy snow boots or water proof boots to keep your feet dry, adding weight to your knees. Did I mention the driving conditions, poor lighting by late afternoon? Working in the winter is all bad news!
Do you hear that South Jersey competitors…It’s time to vacation in Florida…stay healthy… Forward calls to 888-601-4257. Although its rough we will work through the dangerous unhealthy winter!
Thanks for all the input. So if I understand correctly, I should use straight methanol with no water?
DNEFox - If youre in NYC Im right by you in NJ, the temps are fine to clean in. My rule of thumb is 25 degrees before you have to start adding additives.
I have a job coming up that has large panoramics, the outside of which I have to clean from the inside of the apartment. It’s pretty awkward and the water stays on the window longer than usual. It’s supposed to be about 35. Will I still be okay w/o alcohol? Tx.
[quote="“Brett in NYC,post:8,topic:21933”]
I have a job coming up that has large panoramics, the outside of which I have to clean from the inside of the apartment. It’s pretty awkward and the water stays on the window longer than usual. It’s supposed to be about 35. Will I still be okay w/o alcohol? Tx.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, 35 is a heat wave in KS right now. I would love some of that warm weather! 
You’ll be fine without additives at 35. We have been working in single digest temps for a couple weeks.
2 degrees windchill at 8 this morning and we did a 50/50 mix in our solution.
Should be OK at 35 degrees, I was at 31 degrees a few weeks ago… the water tool forever to evaporate but it never froze.
How high up? I never realized how much wind and temps change with height til i cleaned my GF’s windows 11 stories up in BK. That may play a factor.
Not too high, 7th floor. In the winter the higher floors can actually be warmer because of all the heat rising from the radiators.
I usually don’t work much in Jan, but this customer just had the place renovated and everything looks great except the windows.
A little tip for the newer guys. if you see renovation taking place on a house, they’re gonna eventually need windows done and they’ll probably be willing to pay for it.
I clean down to 15 degrees without gloves or additives. I have a single burner propane camp stove that I use to keep my solution warm. I use a pan that I keep on the stove and rotate out the hot solution in the pan with the warm solution in my bucket. I will rinse my stripwasher and soak my hands in the warm bucket as needed. I find that if I don’t let my fingers get too cold, I can go at least 10 min without a trip to the warm bucket. If it is below 25, of course you have to go fast before the warm solution freezes on the window.
If it is below 15, then I will use gloves and additives, but am more likely to reschedule for a warmer day. Most customers are understanding.
Ladder work can be tricky in the winter. Don’t be afraid to say no if you can’t do it safely. If the snow is more than a foot deep, I will put the ladder where I want it and jump up and down on the bottom rung until it sinks to the ground.
If the snow is light or there is ice, I will dig or chip through it until I get to the ground. Then I will chip out depressions for the ladder feet to sit in. If it still looks slippery, I will drive concrete form stakes at different locations and strap the bottom of the ladder to them.
If the snow or ice is on concrete or a deck and I can’t strap the bottom of the ladder so it can’t slip out, I will not do the windows until I can do them safely.
