FAQ


1. What’s in the bucket?
We use Glass Gleam with a small amount of dish soap. Glass Gleam is an environmentally friendly concentrated glass cleaner specially designed for use with a squeegee. The dish soap gives the squeegee added glide across the window. This combination is good for straight glass only.
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2. How do you clean leaded glass?
Soap would cause leaded glass windows to be streaky. In the past we cleaned very small French styled windows or leaded glass using only water with a little vinegar. Recently we have discovered a solution which not only leaves the windows streak-free, but it also puts a protective coating onto the glass which keeps the windows cleaner for much longer. These small panes of glass are cleaned with a scrim cloth (looks like cheesecloth), a lint-free microfibre cloth or chamois.
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3. How do you clean Plexiglass?
To clean Plexiglass we use Sani Shield, a solution that deposits a protective coat on the surface that also fills in small lines and scratches.
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4. What does it cost to have my windows cleaned by JEM?
Windows come in all different shapes, styles and sizes, so this question can only be answered with an estimate in person at your home or business.
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5. Why do my windows cost more to clean than my neighbours?
Often a person will look at the neighbour’s house and ask why their own windows cost more to clean. Unless you live in a townhouse, it’s very rare that any two homes will have the exact same windows. Varying sizes and placements of windows automatically require our staff to “adjust” their ladders, cleaning products, and/or the technique used to clean, and thus change the amount of time required, and price, for the individual job. What you also may not see is the type of windows. Are they true divided windows, and exactly how many windows does each house have?
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6. What if it rains?
Should the skies open up on the day we are scheduled to work at your house, we will still want to come. A light drizzle does not affect the job. However, if it is raining hard enough to hit the windows our efforts to provide the best in window cleaning will be compromised. Another consideration is the safety of our crew. On rainy days, a wet wood deck or cedar roof becomes very slippery, consequently, JEM will reschedule to another day at your convenience.
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7. How often should I have my windows cleaned?
Did you know that in Toronto, freshly cleaned windows will develop a dirty haze from blowing dirt and pollution in only one to three months. Many Toronto business owners with storefront windows schedule weekly cleaning to combat this haze. JEM customers have their windows cleaned monthly, bi-monthly (every other month), quarterly, bi-yearly (Spring and Fall), or annually in the Spring. Many add on cleaning for special occasions like Christmas, or a wedding.

**Special Tip** Cleaning your windows in the Fall or just before Christmas brings more light into your home during the dark months of winter.
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8. Why not just clean the windows with a hose or pressure washer?
I would highly recommend against doing this. Let’s face it, if this method worked with no scrubbing required, every professional window cleaning company on the planet would use it… but, real professionals don’t.

1. Any kind of pressure with water on your windows will force water into the window seals causing them to break and the woodwork to rot.

2. This method promises clean windows with no scrubbing. Not true. It would shatter the glass before it cleans it. A pressure washer is good to use on a stone patio or wood deck but would surely blow your kitchen window through the cupboards on the other side of the wall. Your car is another example, anybody in the know uses a soft car brush and light spray of water for a cleaner than clean vehicle.

3. Unless you dry the windows the water left will leave your windows spotty. The chemical, which is added to the water and supposed to break down the surface tension of the water so it just runs off, does not really work. These hard water or mineral deposit marks left behind are then very difficult to remove.

More about modern and effective window cleaning processes…
The idea of spraying your windows to clean them, to mimic a professional cleaning company, starts with a water fed pole and brush system which utilizies DI or de-ionized water. This is a highly purified water has less than 20 parts per million of the minerals, particulates, and dissolved ions removed. When used, the water dries clean as there is virtually nothing in the water to stain your windows. Very little, if any, chemicals or cleaning solution is required and the water is under very little pressure as it it fed though the soft brush. Oh yes, scrubbing is required; its how the window gets clean.
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9. How would you recommend I clean my own windows?
JEM’s How To Tips:

First, use a damp lint-free cloth to clean the frames. I recommend going to the automotive section of your local store and getting micro fiber cloths.

Second, clean the window, using a clean empty trigger spray bottle with Club Soda (bubbly or flat) or de-mineralized water and up to a tablespoon of vinegar. Another solution is made with 28.5 mL (1 Tablespoon) cornstarch, 250mL (1 Cup) ammonia, 250mL (1 Cup) vinegar, and 4.5 L (bucket) of water.

Thirdly, use a clean lint-free dry cloth to wipe around the edges of the glass, partially dry the window in one direction only as to not spread the dirty water back on the glass. Then wipe very lightly (almost not touching the surface of glass) over the entire pane of glass.

If the windows are very dirty you will have to clean several times. If the window is large, you may have to clean the window in several different stages. The idea is to absorb the excess water and spread the remaining water until it is thin haze that will evaporate.

**Special Tip 1**
Do not “rub” the glass. Rubbing the glass surface in an effort to “polish” the glass will create static electricity and cause lint and airborn dust to cling to your clean window.

**Special Tip 2**
Do not use ammonia on any plexiglass/acrylic surfaces as it will in time cause these surfaces to haze over.

Of course, the best method is to have JEM professionally clean your windows!
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