Tag Archives: commercial cleaning

Tips to Window Cleaning (Part 1)

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If you want professional results when cleaning windows you’ll need to acquire the right equipment and learn the proper technique. The equipment is relatively cheap for anybody considering starting a new business or even for the do-it-your-self window cleaners. The technique to cleaning windows isn’t too difficult and most will master it with a few instructions, tips and most of all experience.

With experience you’ll develop a keen eye for detail and avoid leaving marks and streaks on your freshly cleaned windows.

The equipment I use consists of:

Window cleaning bucket – these buckets are designed specifically for holding your cleaning solution, squeegee and washer. Sizes range from 10-20 Litres.

Window squeegee – for best results don’t skimp on your squeegee. Buy a good quality squeegee and replace the rubber blades often to ensure they have a sharp edge to them. Avoid using the rubber too long as they tend to become rounded and get nicks in them, this will result in poor performance leaving streaks on your window.

Washer with scrubber – this is used for applying the solution with a scrubbing pad on one side for removal of bulky and hard waste from the glass.

Handheld doodle bug – this holds a scouring pad to assist in removing grime from the glass.

Window cleaning solution – of course there are commercial glass cleaning products on the market but you can also create your own window cleaning solution from everyday household products that bring  your windows up a treat. There are many recipes available that you can experiment with that include ammonia or vinegar, however my preference is simply water mixed with a tbsp. dishwashing liquid and add a dash of methylated spirits.

Scrapper – not all debris or paint can be removed from the glass when cleaning so you will need to resort to the scrapper. Ensure blade is sharp and has no broken edges. Care must be used with this tool to prevent scratching your windows.

Ladder – *warning, beware, this is where window cleaning gets dangerous. Ladders account for many household/workplace accidents which can result in serious damage. The ladder I use has a Level-Eze Ladder Leveller.  Highly recommend as it assists in stability when on uneven ground.

Extension Pole – for those windows that are hard to reach, the extension pole is a godsend. They come in a range of sizes and can be used to attach your squeegee, scrapper, washer and brush. Cleaning windows from the safety of the ground.

Holster – the ideal holster will hold your washer, 2 different sized squeegees and a scrapper. This is perfect for ladder use with your equipment at your fingertips.

Cobweb Brush – this is a bristled brush to assist in removing cobwebs that are common around external windows. The brush can be attached to the extension pole for those places that are hard to reach.

Cloths – lint free white nappy cloths or microfibre cloths used to remove any unwanted streaks or water on your window.

Steel Wool Grade 0000 – for that added touch of class. After all is done and you stand back and admire your work, this grade steel wool will polish out most marks you discover, leaving your window blemish free.

So you want to start a cleaning business

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Take a walk through any city. Wherever you find people working or families residing means there is cleaning to be done. With the rapid pace of life these days, more and more people are delegating their cleaning to others. Rather than hiring in-house, businesses are subcontracting out their cleaning duties whilst working mums are resorting to hiring cleaners to help maintain the household. There is plenty of work to be had out there, you’ve just got to work out a way to get it.

Starting your own cleaning business means you become the boss. To become successful you will need to develop business and organisational skills, communicate with clients and staff, manage your business administration, develop marketing plans and sell your service to prospective customers. Above all else is servicing the needs of your current clients. Obtaining a new client takes great effort, so protect your base, make every effort to ensure the satisfaction of your regular clientele. This gives you every chance that they will remain loyal and you will retain their business into the future.

Whilst there is plenty of work to be had, there is also plenty of competition in the cleaning industry, an industry often regarded as cutthroat. As an owner/operator establishing a new business be prepared to work long hours, working into the nights and on weekends. Be meticulous and reliable. With hard work comes experience. You will soon develop a reputation which you can then use when spruiking to potential clients.

Whether you are looking to start anew in the industry or already employed as a cleaner but wish to branch out on your own, remember that all businesses have small beginnings. My first job in the industry came about through a family contact. Your start may come from similar means, by word of mouth, by networking family, friends or work colleagues. Other techniques may include advertising, leaflet drops, selling your service door to door and to local businesses or online marketing. Whatever your method persistence pays and when that opportunity comes your way grab it with both hands and run with it.

To get my business up and running I first had to develop a business identity. This meant registering a business name, acquiring an Australian Business Number and organising business insurance. For marketing purposes I then designed a company logo and had printed business cards, developed a website and networked with local business. It was not long before Hillson Cleaning had a steady income from regular clients across a spectrum of industries.

With focus and a willingness to succeed your business is sure to steadily grow. Don’t limit yourself to doing all the work. In order for your business to truly thrive you will need to expand your operations. This can be done by employing staff and subcontractors, however be sure to monitor their work and that cleaning standards are upheld.

Good luck on your business venture and remember the harder you work, the more luck will come your way.

The Late Night Show!

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And now, live from Melbourne, Australia, it’s The Late Night Show with Kev Wilson! Kev’s guests tonight are Kylie Minogue, Ricky Gervais, Paul Grabowsky and the orchestra, and little old me Steve Hill. And now say hello to Kev!

Thank you, thank you, you’re all too kind. Thanks Steve, we’ve got a big show tonight but before we get started, you may not be aware but as well as being a mega talk show host I’ve also had a successful career for many years now, in the cleaning industry, with Hillson Cleaning Services.

I’ve managed to do this by ensuring my clients’ businesses are reliably cleaned and done so to the highest standard, whilst maintaining a competitive price.

Of course we had to start somewhere.  In the early days Hillson Cleaning consisted of just myself, business partner Steve Hill and our wives Tania and Leanne respectively.  The four of us took on our first cleaning job at a gymnasium, our services being required 7 days a week all year round.  We then migrated into builders cleans, hard work but gained valuable experience and a good grounding for any cleaner entering the industry.

Over the years that followed, the business expanded as we took on more commercial cleaning contracts.  Our role began to transform from principally cleaning to now managing our business administration, its operations and marketing.

Over the coming weeks I’ll be giving some tips on how to get started in the cleaning industry, problems you may encounter along the way, how to go about gaining new clients and very importantly, how to retain and keep your customers happy.

Coming up next: The Top Ten Cleaning Tips – but first a word from our sponsors…

If you build it, they will come

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“If you build it, they will come”

So the voices told Kevin Costner in the ’80s film Field of Dreams. Much like Costner’s character Ray Kinsella, I too have been hearing voices to build something.

Ray felt the urge to build a baseball field on his farm in order to summon the ghosts of the Chicago Black Sox, players banned for throwing the 1919 World Series. A poignant film with rave reviews, it tells the story about a person with dreams and having the courage to go through with them.

I’m not nearly as ambitious nor romantic… or am I? My voices have urged me to build this blog in order to lure the crème de la crème of the cleaning industry, to provide advice to those considering entering the business, to give general cleaning tips to the unanitiated and to promote thought provoking discussions on issues to do with commercial cleaning.

Based in Melbourne, Australia, I have been in the cleaning service and garden maintenance industry for over 20 years with the past 10 years focused entirely on commercial cleaning. It’s my intention to share the experiences and knowledge I have gained over the years and welcome those who would like to impart there own wisdom.