[paul alan]

Been doing a couple of first cleans today, I know its Sunday and all but wanted to get them done so I don't have many first cleans left for next week.


It took me an hour and 20 minutes to first clean a £20.00 bungalow!!! That's an extreme example, I'm not always that slow but you get the picture.


No matter how I approach first cleans they just seem to take me too long, I think the problem is I try to get them to the point where I can be sure the next clean is a straightforward maintenance clean.


Do you guys try to get them ready for maintenance first time, or would you get them "clean" dry the frames and give them a good thorough clean on the next one? I know if I were to just clean the frames and then dry them I would be done in half the time, but then on the next clean, I wouldn't be sure if I was to just "maintenance" clean them.

How long do others spend on first cleans?

Any tips, tricks, wisdom or opinions welcome.

[Stoots]

I used to spend ages.

Doing all windows then waiting for frames/vents to dry or drying the with a cloth then going over glass etc.

If they are paying double then all this fine but the way I do it now doesn't take much longer than a first clean, I just tell them they might gets some runs on first clean, clean and scrub top frame well then clean rest of window as normal then onto next window.

I've started to give less of a poop in general and am now working much faster, I have been guilty of going overboard and ocd in the past when really most of the time its overkill for a ten quid house.

I've got 5 first cleans tomorrow along with about 25 other jobs on my own so I better get my skates on.

[paul alan]

Its like some kind of mental block for me. Annoying.

[Cookie]

If the windows are minging (ie: algae covered UPVC frames) you need to charge more for first cleans. For these sort of first cleans it genrally takes me at least twice as long as a maintenance clean.

I use virisol in a spray bottle diluted roughly 1:20 concentrate on the vents/frames/sills then do the glass last of all. I don't bother drying the frames.

[paul alan]

I've done around £300 in first cleans over the weekend, would have rather had it done in one day though.

it's defo a mentality thing.

[paul alan]

If the windows are minging (ie: algae covered UPVC frames) you need to charge more for first cleans. For these sort of first cleans it genrally takes me at least twice as long as a maintenance clean.

I use virisol in a spray bottle diluted roughly 1:20 concentrate on the vents/frames/sills then do the glass last of all. I don't bother drying the frames.

You can get them to a great standard in x2 time?

[paul alan]

I used to spend ages.

Doing all windows then waiting for frames/vents to dry or drying the with a cloth then going over glass etc.

If they are paying double then all this fine but the way I do it now doesn't take much longer than a first clean, I just tell them they might gets some runs on first clean, clean and scrub top frame well then clean rest of window as normal then onto next window.

I've started to give less of a poop in general and am now working much faster, I have been guilty of going overboard and ocd in the past when really most of the time its overkill for a ten quid house.

I've got 5 first cleans tomorrow along with about 25 other jobs on my own so I better get my skates on.

The image of runs on a customers windows, especially new ones is painful to me.

[Cookie]

If the windows are minging (ie: algae covered UPVC frames) you need to charge more for first cleans. For these sort of first cleans it genrally takes me at least twice as long as a maintenance clean.

I use virisol in a spray bottle diluted roughly 1:20 concentrate on the vents/frames/sills then do the glass last of all. I don't bother drying the frames.

You can get them to a great standard in x2 time?

It obviously varies job to job but generally speaking yes.

[AuRavelling79]

I generally clean everything on a first pass; top frame glass sills together.

Then I go back to the start and do the glass again.

[Stoots]

I used to spend ages.

Doing all windows then waiting for frames/vents to dry or drying the with a cloth then going over glass etc.

If they are paying double then all this fine but the way I do it now doesn't take much longer than a first clean, I just tell them they might gets some runs on first clean, clean and scrub top frame well then clean rest of window as normal then onto next window.

I've started to give less of a poop in general and am now working much faster, I have been guilty of going overboard and ocd in the past when really most of the time its overkill for a ten quid house.

I've got 5 first cleans tomorrow along with about 25 other jobs on my own so I better get my skates on.

The image of runs on a customers windows, especially new ones is painful to me.

I agree that's the old ocd kicking in.

I don't get any complaints or call backs though, I just tell them that to cover my arse. I explain how really dirty vents can hold dirty water and there is potential to get a drip long after I have gone.  If that happens which I tell them it probably won't give me a call and I'll call back to rectify.

Unless you are charging double then you need to work faster

[dazmond]

I spend longer on first cleans for sure but 80 mins on a bungalow seems slightly excessive....this is where hot water helps a lot....I will charge double on really dirty first cleans....I'll also dry off the top seals/frames on ground floor windows if I think they may cause me problems with a fresh dry scrim(runs/spotting etc)....

[nathankaye]

I spend longer on first cleans for sure but 80 mins on a bungalow seems slightly excessive....this is where hot water helps a lot....I will charge double on really dirty first cleans....I'll also dry off the top seals/frames on ground floor windows if I think they may cause me problems with a fresh dry scrim(runs/spotting etc)....

I generally clean everything on a first pass; top frame glass sills together.

Then I go back to the start and do the glass again.

Same as these guys.   Daz has a point with Hot water, as it does make a huge difference on a first clean, especially if they are really bad.
But, I use the same method, go to town on the frames and vents (which I flush (pending the type of vent) until clear water comes through), then I clean the windows. Once I'm back at the begining, I will state again but miss all the frame work etc so I'm ensuring the glass is clean and streak free.
I will then explain to the customer, that some seals may trap in the dirty water n leak it out later and if this happens, let me know and I will return. Its my 24hr guarantee.
(however, If this is a first clean within the area of my rounds ie, same street, I have been known to double back and check all the glass work to ensure. This has proved me well for two reasons. The first, the customer sees that I offer a great service and I ensure their windows are clean. The second, it reconfirms to me that my technique works and that I do a fantastic job. Yet more nowadays, I just walk round once I'm finished and check the windows whilst they are still wet, you kinda know which water bead types are going to dry not so good and this has served me well, as to date, I've not had one call back

[Walter Mitty]

I generally clean everything on a first pass; top frame glass sills together.

Then I go back to the start and do the glass again.

Pretty much how I do things, Malc.  I'll add something to this though: on that first pass, I can save a little time by not concerning myself so much about the order in which I clean.  It's often the case that I'm cleaning under windows that are still dripping heavily.  It doesn't matter so long as the order is right on the second pass.  It saves a little effort (time) with moving the hose.

[bobplum]

i always use a backpack, TFR or similar, then a pure water clean, 3 bed semi about 30 minutes maybe

[zesty]

I charge double on first cleans,

 and I always say after ‘they will get cleaner and cleaner as we go forward’

I say this to cover any little runs or marks that may be left. I’m far too impatient to be there for an hour!

I’ve never had a problem with this way of dealing with first cleans.

I think it depends how fussy you are yourself...

[cleaniac]

Its so funny, the ammount of abuse i got from this forum when i posted up my experience of a customer who wanted a price for window cleaning, but wouldn't commit. So i gave her a 1st clean price of £160 and moving forward from there a regular clean i think of £55, can't remember exactly now. Anyway the frames and sills were absolutely minging, it would have taken at least 3 hours to do the 1st clean, and the abuse I got from here was extraordinary. And here we have an example of a 1st clean taking ages for £20. Now you can understand why i charge what i charge, especially on 1st cleans, it has to be perfect, especially when your cleaning million quid detatched houses.

Just thought that was ironic

[dazmond]

i never ever mention there could be runs and spots or the windows will take a few cleans to be really clean.......if i was paying double for clean windows thats what id want.....

[JandS]

If they have an outside tap I will rinse the frames and seals out with a hose reel and gun first then 2 cleans but I always charge double and most accept when I tell them what is involved.
Getting a few now that want the first clean to include the soffits, gutters and conservatory including roof which I prefer.
It makes it all look nice and it's a lot more money.

[Stoots]

i never ever mention there could be runs and spots or the windows will take a few cleans to be really clean.......if i was paying double for clean windows thats what id want.....

Absolutely if they are paying double then you can take double the time and they need to be perfect.

If they are not then I'm not taking twice as long.

I'm just sat having my dinner, off to go do 3 first cleans now, will see how long they take...

[zesty]

i never ever mention there could be runs and spots or the windows will take a few cleans to be really clean.......if i was paying double for clean windows thats what id want.....

I can’t say anyone has ever called me back, my point is, I say ‘they’ll get cleaner and cleaner as we go’ just as a safety in case (key word here is in case) they do happen to not dry 100% perfectly.

It works for me