Window Helpers: The best devices to make your windows sparkle

Need a hand for an epic shine? We have you covered with our choice of mechanised window washers

Karcher are renowned for their window vacuums which suck off the moisture created during washing ensuring a streak-free finish. €129.99, with basic models from €59.99. kaercher.com (Ireland). YES, their website spelling is odd.

Window washing. It’s a spring ritual for all of us. Taking up blinds and throwing back heavy window dressings, reveals the murky deposit of a winter rain, and a fug of floating particle pollutants. Framed out with spider webs, bird scat and atrophied mossy slime, this is not a pretty picture. 

Still, few things are more deeply satisfying than the end result of a good window wash and buffing off those French and sliding doors. If you want to try something other than the classic 1:10 white vinegar/water wash down (my guide here: irishexaminer.com/property/homeandgardens/arid-41097367.html), there are a few techie shine cheats. Some of these innovative helpers actually wash the window glass (the frames remain your problem I’m afraid). Others neatly sipping off the dribbling and potentially staining water from a manual job. Let’s see what’s out there if you don’t want to waltz out with the sponge, chamois and T-bar.

Robot future

First up are robot cleaners. Polishing windows to a diamond shine, a teaser demonstration of EcoVacs new Winbot W2 Omni was the toast of the Las Vegas CES in January. You can think of these as robot mop/vacuums with the added ability to suction to the window and clean it edge to edge. 

Robot washers at their finest can work indoors and out. EcoVacs new Winbot W2 Omni was the toast of the Las Vegas CES in January (not quite at launch here). Buy window robots online, with prices for quality systems from €210 - €500.

Right away, you can see that there is a manual set-up – don’t stir that martini yet. Using just a little water, these energy-efficient gadgets (800w would be typical) are priced between €210 and €500. A robot is useful if you have ceiling-high glazing upstairs or down, where you don’t want to swing around on a ladder. Check the specs, as heavier machines will require at least 3mm depths of glass to hold their suction. Operated by a smart app (a sensible application for remote operation this time) – you attach your robot to the window, key in a few instructions, and stand back while it beetles about. Most units feature intelligent mapping (used in floor robots), edge-to-edge cleaning and safety lines to ensure they don’t crown someone relaxing on the patio.

Budget

A typical Chinese-made model, the Xiaomi Hutt DDC55 defies gravity with a quiet brushless motor, dirt-intensity recognition, and a 100ml tank. With no-nonsense features, the kit includes 12 washable cleaning pads. Pay attention to the battery run. 30 minutes is typical in these cheaper cordless machines under €220, which could prove frustrating with a lot of glazing to cover. €190. techpunt.nl. 

EvoVacs was the first company to introduce a serious domestic window-cleaning robot. Their current top European machine, the 2018, W1 carries regular 5-star ratings from Amazon buyers and a solid 2-year warranty. Almost 5kg in weight, the W1 has added talents for a larger spend, including mains power for uninterrupted service, a forward-reverse motion in three adaptive modes: quick cleaning, deep-cleaning and spot-stain removal, plus a unique cross-spray. Vocalising its progress, it has a backup safety battery ensuring it’s not left bleating on a second storey window if there’s a power issue. From €407. Various online suppliers.

Vacuums

Window vacuums are just that. They are not intended to clean your windows, but suck up the moisture and mess, making the legendary streak-free shine actually possible. Think of them as a wiper without the dribbles associated with a squeegee. I’ve used Karcher machines here for the last five years and would weep at the prospect of doing the glazing without a quality vacuum beside the buckets. They are also fantastic for sprucing up shower panels and dealing with condensation in cars, caravans and campers. Cordless, with a small rechargeable battery on-board, window vacuums are priced between €40 and €90, with branded models from Karcher, Titan, Beldray and Bosch. They include a tank which carries the water pulled off the window by the rubber blade. Most offer microfibre cleaning tools matched to a spray bottle for light cleans – a useful little tool in itself.

The Karcher WV 6 Plus is my next buy. These machines have always been top-class, but Karcher has now introduced a “liquid silicone” lip to chase off any chance of streaks when working right down the length of a window. There’s 100 minutes of run on a full charge (300m2 of glazing) which should be enough to do the house, the car, even the shed windows. The water tank has also been increased from previous models by 50% to 150ml, great if you have the muscle to hold one. I especially like the minute-by-minute LED battery indicator display and the inclusion of a 170mm Narrow-Suction nozzle for odd little windows like those in the front door. €129.99, with basic models from €59.99. kaercher.com (Ireland).

Steam clean

So, what about your steam cleaner, sulking under the stairs? Well, yes, with care you can use it to clean windows within easy reach. Karcher offers the following advice. “If you have a steam cleaner at home, you can not only use it to clean mirrors and glass surfaces – you can also use it to clean your windows. Step 1: Steam the pane with the hand nozzle and a microfibre cleaning cloth and loosen the dirt by rubbing. Alternatively, you can also steam the dirty window pane with just a dedicated detail nozzle or optional window nozzle. The steam can also be used to loosen stubborn marks. Step 2: Remove the water residue using a squeegee or a Window Vac. You can also use a soft cloth to dry edges and window frames. The water that escapes as steam from the steam cleaner, is demineralised and therefore acts like distilled water. If stripes or streaks unexpectedly occur after cleaning, this is usually because detergent residue has not been removed. Be patient and wipe over the pane a few more times until all of the residue is removed.”

Steam cleaning and the use of window vacuums is environmentally friendly as it reduces your reliance on any chemical ingredients making it perfect for cleaning indoors. Ensure you read the instructions for your steam cleaner and use the correct attachment to spread the steam evenly. Using too high a temperature or training the head on one area of window glass could potentially damage frail, single-paned windows. My choice is the Shark Floor & Hand-Held Steam Cleaner (S6005UK) with its Lift-away design that allows you to transform a brilliant floor steamer into a window cleaner and more. Best price €199.99. irwinsmegastore.ie