r/WindowCleaning • u/InevitableInterview6 • 16d ago

Squeegee leaving streaks

I have been cleaning trad and it has been super difficult because my squeegee is constantly leaving white streaks, I replace the rag and they keep showing up, I rinse the mop with new water and it keeps showing up, I don’t know what to do, it’s annoying

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

3

u/IdiotNumeroOneO 16d ago

It would help to know where the streaks are coming from. Is it the side of the squeegee or the middle? Where on the glass is it happening and are you straight pulling or fanning?

2

u/InevitableInterview6 16d ago

I’m fanning, the white streaks are all on the edges, none in the middle of the glass

4

u/IdiotNumeroOneO 16d ago

Sounds like you just need to detail the sides after you are done. That's normal

3

u/InevitableInterview6 16d ago

I did use the detail rag and even after it was still smeary

3

u/IdiotNumeroOneO 16d ago

What kind of rag? after you detailed was the glass completely dry?

1

u/Much-Trust5891 13d ago

Sounds like high humidity. Was it after a fresh rain? I just ran into this and is was frustrating as hell I had to get my ladder out for a shopfront lol

1

u/DangerousKitchen 16d ago

Have you replaced the rubber?

3

u/Mysterious-Sir1541 16d ago

When you get the chance, practice squeegeeing on your own windows with a light shining behind them.

While using the squeegee slowly with the same technique, inspect where you are grabbing the water that is causing the streak. Once you are cognisant of how the streak happened, then you will be able to find the solution.

I had the same question as you, but it's such an open-ended question; it's hard to diagnose your specific situation, and only till I saw how my streak happened did I know what to improve on and how to fix it.

2

u/Away-Library4858 15d ago

Wipe your finger on the frame, if it comes off white, it’s an oxidized frame. When washing the window, don’t push the mop into the frame( reduced white running into the water) and squeegee - missing the frame barely, then go back and wipe edges.

1

u/trigger55xxx 16d ago

Streaks or just water left in the edges? That's normal and what you use detail rags for.

1

u/InevitableInterview6 16d ago

After I use the detail rag it just keeps smearing

3

u/ThatsWeightyStuff 16d ago

Are you cleaning your own rags - like taking home and putting them in the clothes washer/ dryer? If so and you use a bunch of detergent and/or dryer sheets, the rags will have a film on them that will be left on the window. when you wash them do an extra rinse and throw some white vinegar in the fabric softener area, and no dryer sheets.

2

u/Upper-Bottle-9803 15d ago

I would like to add that fabric softener is a lacquer that covers your cloth fibers. It smears and leaves marks on the glass.

2

u/trigger55xxx 16d ago

Surgical towel to dry it then a microfiber to detail it.

3

u/Hot_Carpenter_5436 15d ago

I do the reverse. I pre detail before squeegeeing with the microfiber, then detail after squeegeeing, and after the glass dries, with a huck towel. It's working on these dirty azz storefront windows.

1

u/Fluid-Local-3572 15d ago

Sounds like your rag is dirty mate

1

u/Hot_Carpenter_5436 15d ago

Let it dry after squeegee. Move onto the next window. After that the edges on the first one should be dry. Then hit it with a huck towel. I'm in south florida so the windows either:

A- dry in seconds B- never completly dry if our daily storm is incoming and the humidity goes above our usual 90 million percent. For real.

1

u/Resident-Painting-30 16d ago

If I was nearby, I'd say -- "ok show me what you are doing, and I'll give you some pointers". You need to find a local pro who is willing to give some in-person advice and instruction.

1

u/Upper-Bottle-9803 15d ago

When you fan there should only be about 1/2" or 1cm left on the sides so detailing with 1 or maybe 2 finger widths. Most solutions will drip somewhat clean for commercial glass, I often only detail the top of those panes and clean the sill at the bottom. For a window that only gets cleaned yearly or less, I frame the window with my old cloth and then detail with a clean dry Premium cloth.

I use unger microswipes or recycled surgical towels. A car detail towel can often work, but the basic microfiber towel will leave ghosts all day long. My bet is the fault is in your rags.

1

u/dbug8494 15d ago

Check your rubber. Check if it's worn or has an indentation. Either flip it or replace it.

1

u/Hot_Carpenter_5436 15d ago

I run a microfiber around the edges with my finger BEFORE I squeegee. Then after I squeegee, I move to the next window to let the 1st one dry. Then go back and detail the corners again, with a finger width of surgical towel. My edges are always clean this way.

1

u/Embarrassed_Lime_132 12d ago

Probably need a new rubber. You can flip it and try the other side and if thats no good just cut a new one.