For as long as glass has been used in window systems, it has required cleaning. The first modern development in window cleaning was the squeegee. The first squeegee was used by fishermen, it was a wooden blade tool called a squilgee that was used to clean fish guts, etc. from the decks of their ships. This was probably the inspiration for the first squeegee blade called the Chicago squeegee.
The Chicago squeegee was used in the early 1900s by cleaning professionals. It was a bulky tool with 12 screws that needed to be loosened to change the two pink blades. In the United States, an Italian immigrant named Ettore Steccone patented the modern squeegee in 1936. Initially, he had to give them away to sell the concept. People quickly realized that this tool was superior to the Chicago squeegee and the Ettore company was born. Ettore is still considered the leading manufacturer of window cleaning equipment today, with an annual turnover of millions of dollars.
Until the early 1990s, window cleaners continued to use the squeegee as their preferred option, until the advent of pure water powered pole cleaning systems. These systems use deionized and purified water fed through long poles that brush and rinse dirt, drying naturally to avoid streaks, stains or stains. The posts are generally made of fiberglass or carbon fiber, which can reach heights of 70 feet, allowing operators to clean tall buildings from the safety of the ground. These systems are not only much safer, but they also keep windows cleaner for longer and are now considered the superior choice for many different applications within the industry. Most commercial cleaning companies prefer to use this system, especially since the introduction of stricter health and safety laws governing stairways.
Some companies are currently developing robotic window cleaning systems, but these are not very widespread today and I think it will be some time before we see them in common use in the industry. Self-cleaning glass has been developed by Pilkington and other glass manufacturers. A thin layer of titanium oxide is applied to the surface of the glass that has a photocatalytic reaction with the UV rays of the sun causing the decomposition of dirt. This reaction also makes the glass hydrophilic, which means that the rain does not form water droplets on the glass, but instead creates a curtain effect that helps to remove decomposed dirt particles more effectively. This technology certainly ensures that your windows stay much cleaner, but it is not a substitute for a proper window cleaning service that will leave your glass crystal clear and sparkling.
