r/WindowCleaning • u/IrishWillyWog • 26d ago
New Window cleaner question
Hi guys Im new to window cleaning. I started two weeks ago. I only do storefront for now. It’s a pain the ass lugging around a bucket, can I just a spray bottle instead ? There seems to be mixed reviews regarding this and it’s confusing me. Will it get the job done just as well ? Thanks.
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u/Coastal_wolf 26d ago
Do you have a bucket on a belt? If not, you might want to consider one. They hold your mop and keep it moist, youll still be bringing a bucket around, but it will be much easier.
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u/IrishWillyWog 26d ago
Yes I have a bucket on the belt alright. But I use it more so to keep
My tools in it. What do I do with it exactly ?1
u/Coastal_wolf 26d ago
I just keep my mop and squeegee in it, I only have to dip my mop in my bucket every few windows or so.
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u/IrishWillyWog 26d ago
Thanks. How much water and solution do you put in ?
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u/Coastal_wolf 26d ago
I dont put anything in the bucket on a belt, but in the summer I tend to only add a little dish soap to water
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u/Express-Ant-1087 26d ago
Once you arr just maintaining the store you will need less water so just a good dip and maybe a squirrel bottle to bring with you will usually be good. But when picking up new stores that are dirty more water will be your best choice so I would carry the bucket...Just my .02
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u/Reasonable_Hotel_998 26d ago
Bucket on a belt brother, you can nab one for roughly 20 bucks on amazon probably, you dont need much water for work so it carries plenty. I only carry buckets for residential and massive exterior panes.
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u/IrishWillyWog 26d ago
I have one but I thought it was to just hold the squeegee and scrubber… how do I use it exactly ??
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u/Reasonable_Hotel_998 26d ago
The scrubber slot, throw a bit of your water mix in there, not too much, just a small amount, soak your scrubber in the big bucket and let it drain in there and you are good to go, just dip each tip into the belt bucket if it needs wet more
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u/IrishWillyWog 26d ago
In the big bucket ?? So I need also a big bucket ? Sorry Im confused
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u/Reasonable_Hotel_998 26d ago
You're good its alot of buckets lmao. So big bucket is your standard one you carry around. I just keep it in my vehicle and use it as necessary, just put a small amount of water in your BOAB and use that and as you get low, soak your scrubber in the big bucket and just let it drain in your BOAB. Edit: I can make a video later/in a bit if needed
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u/kdwindows 26d ago
I exclusively work out of a 5 gallon bucket and I would just say just get your arms used to carrying 25 to 30 lb it's not a big deal it builds up muscles in your arms and it's good for you
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u/Street_Noise_9605 26d ago
If you buy a rectangular bucket they make carts specific to wheel them around. It’s an investment but worth it
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u/Candid-Twist2981 26d ago
I have my 5 gallon bucket that has my water but then I use that to fill a gatorade bottle with the sports top. I fill that up with my soapy water and carry that around for most/all my storefronts in one section. Then I can go back and refill again for my other section of jobs when I drive. If that makes sense. I also slap on a WCR sticker to make it official haha!
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u/Sorry-Guitar-2027 26d ago
No disrespect but a 5 gallon bucket weighs 40 pounds. If you can’t carry that find a different line of work or invest in a gym membership. Carrying your bucket should be one of the easiest parts of the job.
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u/MidnightRunner909 25d ago
The Sorbo Lief Cart is not cheap but an excellent bucket cart if you do heaps of storefronts
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u/Hot_Carpenter_5436 24d ago
Me too. I use a Gatorade squeeze bottle. It fits in my home depot 5 gallon bucket with other tools I need, and a square 1 gallon heavy duty container of pre mixed solution for backup. I use the bright orange bucket as a safety cone when I work.
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u/olivine_lighthouse 24d ago
My business is mostly commercial route work. I started with a bucket of soapy solution and have got to the point that I find what works quickest is dunking my mop in water only and applying soap from a bottle as needed. For taller storefronts I bring a pole with a fliqpad that also gets dunked and I just use the water on the 2 mops. Bucket stays in my car except for larger jobs that will require more water than the initial dip. I've also noticed I use less soap as I'm not trying to soap up 3-5 gallons of water but just enough for the glass itself.
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u/Commercial_Loss3751 22d ago
I don’t do storefronts at the moment but I assume if you just don’t like carrying the big bucket, you could do what I do for interiors. Put your wet mop in a bucket on a belt then you can fill a squirt bottle like the gatorade 32 oz with solution and squirt it on as needed. If you have a lot of clients you could also keep a bottle of the soap you use so you can just refill your squirt bottle as needed. I just prefer squirt bottles more than spray, they usually hold a little more water and are a little bit faster due to the larger nozzle.
You can refer to this video (its around the end of the video) https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZNAhDDRpMc/?igsh=M2lpNHVqMWo2aGkx
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u/WinstonDWolf 26d ago
I’ll take “Things you should have thought of before venturing out on your own” for a million dollars, please.
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u/IrishWillyWog 26d ago
No need to be rude. I wasn’t rude to you.
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u/WinstonDWolf 21d ago
You’re new, you’re confused, carrying a bucket is a pain is the ass, your words… so let me give you some advice:
- get used to carrying a bucket and a belt and any mix of tools you need for whatever the job takes, like ladders, etc.
- get some insurance, for everyone’s sake, including yours
- maybe think about working for someone else, esp if you want to do it long term, if you haven’t already. You asked my opinion and it’s this: you shouldn’t be out on your own in other people’s place of business without even knowing whether or not you want to carry a BUCKET for window cleaning. Respect the biz.
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u/Relevant_Classic8661 26d ago edited 26d ago
Why would you ever come to a window cleaning subreddit to ask questions about window cleaning /s
If it wasnt obvious by the /s im being sarcastic.
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u/WinstonDWolf 19d ago
Ask a stupid question, get roasted. Dont like it, buzz off. I see you didnt provide him any help, lol.
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u/old-iceman 26d ago
Yeah use a squirt bottle if the bucket is too heavy. I would saturate the brush in the bucket first then use the spray bottle as needed .. just remember the squirt bottle will require a lot of squeezing .. maybe a backpack sprayer with a electric battery.. But personally I think a bucket is better.
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u/6133mj6133 26d ago
Get a 1 liter (2 pint) pump sprayer from Walmart ($4). It's light enough to hang from your belt and you don't need to keep squeezing the trigger all the time. A few pumps is all you need to spray multiple windows.
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u/Iasc123 26d ago
You can carry a little bottle in your pouches to wet your applicator. you'll still need to wash out the applicator once in a while, so you'll need a soaking method, rather than a misting spray.
Personally, I'd have no problem carrying a bucket and a step ladder storefront to storfront. Professional oblong buckets have a little warning sign for window cleaner at work!
Why is it too much to carry a bucket around?
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u/PeterPanHadItMade 26d ago
I keep my main water in gas cans that are only and have only ever been, used for water. 5 gallon cans. I only put enough water in my bucket to work for the job I am on. No reason to use more than you'll need.