Window Cleaning: Surprising Statistics and facts

Percentage of People Who Clean Windows Once a Year or Less

Keeping your windows clean is an important part of maintaining your home’s appearance. According to CNN, windows should be washed twice a year. However, many homeowners and renters only clean their windows once a year. The frequency of window washing will depend on the home’s location. For example, if the home is located in a rural area near farm fields, the dust and dirt stirred during planting and harvest seasons may increase the need for more frequent window cleaning.

A survey of 2,000 Americans who own appliances found that 29% of respondents miss out on cleaning their windows. This means that almost one-third of Americans are not cleaning their windows as often as they should. Additionally, one in six Americans put off cleaning for at least a month, and half of the respondents claimed the longest they’ve gone without ever cleaning their home is just one month.

Please note that neglecting to clean your windows can have consequences beyond just an unsightly appearance. Dirty windows can reduce the amount of natural light that enters your home, which can negatively impact your mood and productivity. Additionally, buildup of dirt and grime can weaken the glass and cause damage over time.

Common Types of Window Cleaning Products for Homeowners

Homeowners have a variety of options when it comes to keeping their windows clean. Here are some of the most popular types of window cleaning products:

Microfiber scrubbers and squeegees: These are a popular choice for homeowners, as they can help get the task done more quickly and effectively. The Unger 2-in-1 Microfiber Scrubber and Squeegee and the E-Cloth Window Cleaning Kit are two highly rated products in this category.

Outdoor glass and patio concentrated cleaners: For outdoor window cleaning, Windex Outdoor Glass & Patio Concentrated Cleaner is a popular choice.

Razor scrapers: These are a must-have tool for scraping away deposits from glass. The TecUnite Long Handle Blade Scraper is a popular option.

Glass and surface cleaners: Method Glass and Surface Cleaner is a plant-based, ammonia-free cleaner that eliminates dirt, dust, and grime without using harmful chemicals. Homeowners can also make their own cleaner using distilled white vinegar and Dawn liquid dish detergent.

Overall, these are the most common types of window cleaning products used by homeowners. With so many options available, it’s easy to find a product that works best for your needs and preferences.

Falls are the leading cause of accidents among window cleaners

Window cleaning is a hazardous task that can put individuals at serious risk for falls, which can cause life-changing injuries or death. According to an analysis report compiled by OSHA, falls are the leading cause of accidents among window cleaners. Although there is no specific information available on the percentage of accidents at home caused by falls while cleaning windows, it is clear that window cleaning can be dangerous.

Common causes of window washer accidents

Based on data gathered by OSHA, the most common causes of window washer accidents are falls, ladder mishaps, and electrocution or electrical shock when window washers come into contact with power lines. These accidents can result in serious injuries or fatalities, making it crucial for window cleaners to take safety precautions.

Faulty or insufficient safety devices

Many window washing accidents and deaths are caused by faulty or insufficient safety devices. Despite regulatory reform efforts aimed at reducing fall-related fatalities, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continues to issue more citations for fall protection violations than any other category. This highlights the importance of using proper safety equipment and following safety guidelines when cleaning windows.

Common Injuries Sustained During Window Cleaning

Window cleaning is a hazardous job that involves several risks, with falls being the most common type of injury sustained. Falls can occur due to malfunctioning scaffolding, inadequate access equipment, overreaching, and leaning. In the UK, up to 30 people suffer serious injuries each year while cleaning windows. Falls from height are one of the biggest causes of workplace deaths in the UK.

Falls: Fragile roofs and external sills can also cause falls.

Electrocution: Window washers can come into contact with power lines.

Broken glass: Injuries can occur due to broken glass.

Overloading equipment: Overloading equipment can cause injuries.

Rushing jobs: Injuries can occur due to rushing jobs.

Inadequate access equipment: Injuries can occur due to inadequate access equipment.

Muscle strains: Window cleaners can suffer from muscle strains.

Ligament sprains: Window cleaners can suffer from ligament sprains.

Tendonitis: Window cleaners can suffer from tendonitis.

Herniated intervertebral discs: Window cleaners can suffer from herniated intervertebral discs.

Nerve swelling issues: Window cleaners can suffer from nerve swelling issues.

Skin trauma: Window cleaners can suffer from skin trauma.

To prevent injuries during window cleaning, it is essential to choose the proper access equipment for the job and carry out a risk assessment prior to each job to assess the risks and minimize them. Safety protocols must be in place and followed to the letter, and adequate insurance must be in place to protect workers, business owners, and the public. Proper health and safety assessments, as well as the correct equipment, can help avoid hazards.

Reasons Why People Neglect Cleaning Their Windows Regularly

People do not see it as an immediate problem

Cleaning windows can be time-consuming

Benefits of Clean Windows

Prevent glass degradation caused by acid rain and hard water

Increase the longevity of the glass in their windows

Allow more light to penetrate inside, making the interior brighter and more pleasant

Improve indoor air quality for those with breathing sensitivities

More energy-efficient, reducing the need for artificial lighting

Many people tend to neglect cleaning their windows regularly for several reasons. One of the most common reasons is that people do not see it as an immediate problem. Unlike a dirty floor or a messy room, dirty windows are not always noticeable, and people tend to put off cleaning them. Another reason is that cleaning windows can be a time-consuming job, and people may not have the time or energy to do it.

However, there are several benefits to keeping clean windows. Clean windows prevent glass degradation caused by acid rain and hard water, which can cause a build-up of debris on windows, sills, and frames. By taking the time to keep windows clean, people can prevent much of this damage and increase the longevity of the glass in their windows.

Clean windows also allow more light to penetrate inside, making the interior brighter and more pleasant. Additionally, people with breathing sensitivities might even notice a difference as windows are clean. The dirt covering windows can get in the air inside of a home and be an issue for those with allergies or asthma.

Finally, clean windows are more efficient. If windows are cleaned consistently and properly, they can be more energy-efficient, as they allow more natural light to enter the home, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

The Window Cleaning Industry Revenue

The window cleaning industry is a lucrative business that generates billions of dollars in revenue each year. According to the IBISWorld report, the revenue for the window washing industry in the US is expected to rise at an annualized rate of 2.2% to $1.9 billion over the five years to 2021, including an increase of 6.9% in 2021 alone. The report also states that the window cleaning industry in the UK is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 4.6% over the next five years, reaching £283.8 million in 2023.

The Average Revenue for a Window Cleaner

The average annual revenue for a window cleaner ranges from $19,000 to $38,000 annually, depending on the state, according to Zippia. Several factors will affect the potential a business has for yearly revenue, including location, competition, and marketing strategies.

Professional Window Cleaners’ Earnings

Professional window cleaners can earn a substantial income. The job site Shoestring Profits suggests that professional window cleaners earn somewhere between $35 and $50 per hour, and assuming a forty-hour work week, gross earnings would be around $72,800 to $104,000 per year.

Starting a Window Cleaning Business

Starting a window cleaning business can be a profitable venture. According to Booking Koala, the annual revenue for an individual window cleaner ranges from $19,000 to $38,000. The job site Upflip.com reports that most window washing business owners are paying themselves a salary, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics would count under facility management and is approximately $100K per year.

Unusual and Surprising Things Window Cleaners Have Witnessed

Window cleaners have seen it all while on the job, from bizarre and unexpected situations to funny and entertaining stories. Here are some of the most unusual and surprising things that window cleaners have witnessed:

People doing bong loads, secret staffers in store dressing rooms, and a woman exposed.

A mansion with round-the-clock staff inside, but the wife never talked to any of them.

A single black dildo suspended from the ceiling, a room full of cardboard-boxed drinks, and a Christmas tree in July.

A woman taking a shower while they were cleaning outside the bathroom window.

Walking into a classroom and realizing anyone was in there, or walking into the bedroom of one of the teenagers who was doing bong loads with his brother.

High-end houses and celebrity homes with bizarre things, such as British Royal vomit at the Wynn where Prince Harry was staying, or a room with a stripper pole and a sex swing.

Funny stories, such as someone being mesmerized by the cleaners cleaning the windows of a high-rise building, or a window cleaner leaving all his stuff at a customer’s house and never coming back.

As window cleaners, they never know what they might encounter on the job, but these stories certainly make for interesting and entertaining conversations.

The Benefits of Regular Window Cleaning for Longevity and Efficiency

Window glass is porous and exposed to contaminants daily, which can reduce their lifespan and efficiency.

Professional window cleaning services can improve the appearance of windows and increase their durability by removing dirt, dust, and grime.

Regular cleaning can prevent the accumulation of contaminants that can cause corrosion and damage to the glass frames and sills.

It can also help to prevent damage to the seals of windows caused by the accumulation of dirt, grime, or moisture on the window screens.

Neglected windows can become damaged or deteriorate over time, leading to costly repairs or replacement.

Regular maintenance and cleaning can help prevent this damage and extend the life of windows.

Regular cleaning can also improve the energy efficiency of windows by allowing more light to enter the home and ensuring their energy efficiency remains at its peak.