So I was looking through this forum and I found a couple of window cleaners that would use mainly pure water or 100% pure water to do both exterior/interior windows. Now, I am not saying I would go 100% “squeegeeless”, but I am trying to market my business as one that is “eco-friendly” given that the vast majority of millennials (close to 75% of them) would pay more for a eco-friendly service than one that wasn’t.
Right now I am thinking about offering both a deep cleaning option and a general cleaning option to all customers. I wouldn’t force any customer into a deep cleaning option for the first clean if they didn’t want one. I know some of you have said that if the windows haven’t been done in many years then it will be difficult to pull this off. However, is it worthwhile to pull it off? Someone mentioned that you would go through so many pads that it wouldn’t be worth it, but if millennials are willing to pay more for it than I would just build that into my price (I am not going to offer a deep cleaning option until a few months or maybe a year from now or maybe not at all given that chemicals may have to be used).
I mean a real-world example of this is that my sister prefers paper straws over plastic straws even though they aren’t as good just because they are more environmentally friendly.
I never considered water-fed pole cleaning as an “eco-friendly” method. It is certainly efficient in 90-95% of what I do, but whether or not it leaves less carbon footprint is at best arguable. In fact, I’ve seen an argument that WFP is actually LESS “eco-friendly” than using a squeegee and a few gallons of solution that contains a few squirts of Dawn or GG3/4.
As for inside cleaning, using the pad and pure water cleaning is only for certain situations for a majority of us in the residential work, and we’re talking 1-2% of what you may run into in residential (maybe less as I can’t remember the last time I did this). When we say deep clean (I don’t market it this way, but if I were to), we are talking track cleaning add-on, etc. Again, with all the pads you are using and extra time you’re taking to fall short of what a few gallons of window cleaning solution can do with a squeegee, calling it “eco-friendly” would be arguable at best.
What does that really mean? Water fed Pole system? Or no soap - or - no chemicals?
“Deep Clean” is similar in cost but probably less than CCU. If windows, tracks, and frames have been neglected for years, then no amount of pure water will do diddly squat to get them cleaned. For that I am unsure of what you are trying to offer.
I use RO/DI outside and mop and squeegee inside…Mop and squeegee is far closer to being "eco-friendly’ than RO or DI.
RO wastes a shit ton of water and DI uses some seriously nasty chemicals to make those little beads do what they do. Mop and squeegee is just water and detergent.
What is your distinction between deep cleaning and regular clean?
For us, there is a base price and if the windows have not been done in years we just charge more. Same for hard water stains. We remove dirt and debris from window tracks but not stains.
I am not personally saying it is better. I agree with you and I think it is pretty hard to say that one (the squeegee) is more eco-friendly than a pure water system. Dawn was given a “D” grade from the EWG. I just want to let the customer know that it is eco-friendly. I heard the cleano worked really well. I just thought a deep cleaning would include scraping of any tough debris, and hardwater/oxidation removal. Thanks!
No. I’m considering all options. If possible, mainly pure water or 100% pure water. I was thinking of offering a deep cleaning option of frames, sills, scraping of tough debris and any removal of hardwater/oxidation.
I think an argument can be made for either. Dawn was given a “D” grade from the EWG. I would just make it known to the customer that it is “eco friendly”. I am still trying to think things through. What I was thinking was that I would give the customer the option of choosing whether they want the deep cleaning (I was thinking this would include scraping, hardwater/oxidation removal and cleaning of both sills and interior/exterior frames).
What “A Rated Chemical” would you use in place of Dawn? Deep cleaning simply by soaking with water the dirty item to be cleaned then brushing and wiping clean probably won’t do what you expect it to do. Have you done any testing on how well your plan may work? How much time and labor is involved to know a price point?
I’m going to test it soon here. I am just waiting on the supplies. I might use isopropyl alcohol which received a “B” rating. Thanks for helping me think it through. Is scraping included in a general cleaning or just deep cleaning and construction clean ups? Should I ask the customer how long its been since there last window clean and then price accordingly? How many years do you think it would take for a customer to need a deep clean? 3 years? 5 years? 10 years since their last window clean?
This is your problem.
Most of your market will be older, I have maybe one millennial as a customer most are boomers tbh with maybe 25% x gen.
I think you are trying to target the wrong people for example how often does your sister have her windows cleaned, carpets cleaned /floors polished, pest control if this is a regular thing then maybe I am out of touch but from my experience even from yesterdays job, house that is about 5-6 years old, looks almost new but the windows had never been cleaned, this couple was in there 40s most.
I don’t think those “Eco-Tests” are based upon a dime or quarter size dollop of Dawn dish soap in a gallon or two of water - arguably the most common used “chemical” in most peoples kitchen. That “D Rated” stuff is even used to clean up environmental disasters like oil spills and the animals it effects!
You do you, but do some testing of your own on yours and your family and friends windows to see how much this “Eco-Product” you seek does to earn a living cleaning windows.
You’re not only over thinking a simple start up, but you are thinking of a demographic that is just starting to purchase homes (for the most part).
Old people and the 35-50 age range are the sweet spot for quality paying customers.
If you want to reinvent the wheel, by all means go clean windows with water and vinegar or whatever the eco-friendly millennial blog is posting.
If you want quality results that you can charge a quality/professional rate then stick with what has worked for like 75 years.
I thought ammonia was a gimmick the old timers used, then I gave it a shot this season (I’ve been in this industry since 2008) and the ammonia/dawn combo was game changing for eating up the grime.
It doesn’t hurt to try. I got one more question for you here. What % of the homes you do have really high windows? Do you just pole the really high windows usually or just bring out a ladder? Thanks again!
It’s only because I am going to start offering interior here soon and I am unable to fit a ladder in my car except for a 6 ft ladder. I am planning on just asking the customer beforehand if they have high windows that would require a ladder.
