Out in the cold - window cleaning at a local bank, Hamilton, Ontario

Hello Readers,

You don’t need to wait until spring to have your windows cleaned. A professional window cleaner is capable year round.

Here is a pic of me at a recent job. I’m cleaning the windows at a local bank, here in Hamilton, Ontario.

It really can be a lot of fun.

Please check out my website: www.famousmaintenance.com
Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoy it.

-Nick

>> Famous Maintenance
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Window Cleaning Painting

Hello Readers,

In my last post, I discussed the advantages of using graphic artwork to promote your small business.

Here are a few more of my paintings. (Please click on the images for a larger view.)

Please check out my website: www.famousmaintenance.com
Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoy it.

-Nick

>> Famous Maintenance
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Janitorial Artwork - Small Business Using Graphics

Hello Readers,

I hope the following is helpful, not just for window cleaning businesses, but for small businesses alike.

As most operators of small businesses know, many tasks cannot be contracted out. Budgets are limited. The entrepreneur must be versatile. Among other tasks, he must promote the business, provide services and handle clients.

One way I managed to save money was to produce my own graphic artwork. Using acrylic paint, I painted some pictures related to the services my business provides. Then I scanned them to my computer. (For a larger view, click on each picture.)

I’ll let you be the judge of whether the artwork is “professional” enough. In the least, I had fun painting them.

Ultimately, I decided against using these images on my website. However, I have used them on my business cards and flyers.

There is one aspect of my paintings that I think is attractive to customers. You don’t need to read a whole lot. At a glance, it is obvious what services the business provides:

-      window cleaning

-      pressure washing

-      grounds keeping

-      floor waxing

-      mopping

-      painting

-      construction site clean-up and,

-      eaves (gutter) cleaning

 Such a range of services also hints at more. The customer feels he can contact us for many types of work. This means more business, and we never had to explicitly state our services.

My point, photographs or paintings eliminate reading.

Please check out my website: www.famousmaintenance.com
Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoy it.

-Nick

>> Famous Maintenance
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Admixture of Antifreeze and Soapy Water

I have been asked: do most window cleaning business use antifreeze and soapy water during freezing temperatures?

Based upon my experience, I can confirm the following. Many window cleaning businesses use windshield washer fluid (the type used for automobiles). It’s cheap and readily available. The skull and crossbones hazard symbol appears on virtually every brand of windshield washer fluid (antifreeze). It’s poisonous. However, a careful window cleaner can make efforts to avoid contact. Hot water tends to produce more vapours; extra care should be taken to avoid inhalation.

An observation I’ve made is that antifreeze is quite effective for achieving shiny, “sparkling” windows. I speculate this is because antifreeze is formulated for windshields and contains additives beneficial for achieving a nice shine.

When adding the antifreeze to the soapy water, an effective ratio seems to be one part water, to one part antifreeze. An effort can be made to use less water, therefore reducing the need for costlier antifreeze.

I do not condone the use of antifreeze. However, in my opinion, its use for window cleaning is prevalent during freezing temperatures.

From what I have seen, using this same antifreeze mixture on the inside of the windows is unnecessary. Indoor heating is warm enough to prevent freezing on the inside, at least in Southern Ontario temperatures.

Please check out my website: www.famousmaintenance.com

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoy it.

-Nick

>> Famous Maintenance
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Window Cleaning in the Winter - Whiskey might work, but it’s expensive.

It’s the middle of winter. It’s cold. It’s snowy. Jack Frost is nipping at every part of you. Like everything else, aside from pouring an ice rink, window cleaning becomes a bigger challenge. Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius. (You already knew that. I know.)

At freezing temperatures, your soapy water will freeze on the windows. So, what can you do? The short answer – mix antifreeze into the water.

Still, the answer is a bit more complicated. For instance:

1.    Are certain types of antifreeze additives harmful to the environment?

2.    Are these additives harmful to people?

3.    Are these additives harmful when inhaled, ingested or contacted with skin?

4.    What quantity is harmful?

5.    How much antifreeze do I put in the water?

6.    Where can I purchase these additives?

7.    Are these additives controlled by the government?

8.    Should I use the same solution (with antifreeze mixture) to clean the inside of the windows?

9.    Can I use windshield washer fluid (the type used for automobiles)?

Here is a very well-written article I'd like to share. It addresses most of the above:

The link is: http://www.awcmag.com/archives/using_alcohol.html

(Supposing the link does not work, just Google “Gary Mauer USING ALCOHOL”)

Thank you reader for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoy it.

Please check out my website: www.famousmaintenance.com

-Nick

>> Famous Maintenance

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

First Post!

Hello Thoughtful Reader,

Welcome to my blog, Window Cleaning Hamilton, Ontario.

As you can tell by the title, this blog is all about window cleaning. (I live and work in Hamilton, Ontario, hence the inclusion in the title.)

I’d like to share my experiences in the industry. I’d love to hear what others have to say too.

Window cleaning is a great job. Everyone appreciates clean windows. It can be a lot of hard work. However, a thorough window cleaning makes a dramatic difference. As a window cleaner, this is very rewarding.

Clean windows make people happy.

I own and operate my own window cleaning business in Hamilton.

My website: http://www.famousmaintenance.com/

Please check it out.

Most of all, thank you reader for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoy it.

Nick

>> Famous Maintenance

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada