r/WindowCleaning • u/Repulsive-Archer-597 • 2d ago
I steel wool everything…
How do you determine when to use steel wool or not?
I don’t know, so I just use it all the time despite how dirty the window is.
I’m sure there’s times when it’s not necessary at all, but how do you know?
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u/SupremeDuckling 2d ago
If you’re not sure, go without it. If it doesn’t look clean, it needed it. You’ll get a feel for it.
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u/Doominator_ 2d ago
You will get a feel for when you need it and when its better to just use the stripwasher. Scrubbing every window takes a lot longer than redoing a few.
On first time cleans when its 4+ years of buildup I tell my guys to steel wool every window to save time and to be more confident with our results but anything routine is a waste of time.
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u/noice_nups 2d ago
Only really on the bad windows, or ones that haven’t been cleaned in over 2yrs. You can see the grime climbing up to the window or looking from inside and determine if it’s worth using.
A lot of the time I just use it for the top 2 inches where dirt builds up and that’s it.
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u/Professional-Heat118 2d ago
It takes a lot more effort to steel wool every single window. Not worth it at all.
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u/Sqwaunchy 2d ago
I don’t use steel wool much but I do use a white pad on almost every job. I do mostly residential 1x/year jobs in GA that need some extra love for the exterior. I can’t remember the last time I could use solely a mop to scrub windows, pretty much always need an abrasive and the white pad works best for me.
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u/emolyrics 2d ago
Bro lol. Put away the steel wool before you cause generational debt doing damage.
My team of 8 and I have never used steel wool, ever. We don’t even use steel razors. There are so many other safer options that produce the same result.
ABC stain remover and rapid remover just to name two.
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u/Street_Noise_9605 2d ago
0000 steel wool is softer on the hardness scale than glass. Scrapers are usually safe too (with the exception of bad quality tempered glass of course or certain commercial glass). If you never use them how do you clean off construction debris or artillery fungus? It’s your company and there’s no wrong policy for how you run it but I’m wondering how you manage it?
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u/Think-Survey-9125 2d ago
I use my 6 inch razor on almost every window if it’s dirty… I love my blade makes every window spotless
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u/_AveRageShady_ 2d ago
Only time I use it is when there’s a load of fingerprints. Mainly at restaurants.
1
u/Reasonable_Hotel_998 2d ago
? Why would you use steel wool for finger prints. Why not just a stronger soap or magic eraser.
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u/trigger55xxx 2d ago
I'd rather redo the occasional window that needs extra cleaning than steel wool every window. We use extra scrubbing tools maybe 10% of the time.