What Tools Do Professional Window Washers Use? | Pro Gear Guide

Curious about the gear behind streak-free glass? This guide breaks down the everyday kit, the high-rise setup, and the smart add-ons that make pros fast and consistent.

Tools professional window cleaners use day-to-day

Most work happens at ground level or from short ladders. The core kit fits on a belt and in a bucket, so hands stay free and glass stays wet while you move. Here’s the kit at a glance.

Tool	What it does	When pros reach for it
Squeegee (handle + channel)	Pulls solution off glass with a sharp rubber edge for a clean, dry finish.	All work, from mirrors to showroom panes; sizes from 6″ to 22″ fit most glass.
Replacement rubber	Fresh edges prevent chatter and lines; soft rubber grips in cold, hard rubber lasts in heat.	Any time lines appear or edges round over; kept in sleeves to protect the edge.
Strip washer / applicator (T-bar + sleeve)	Loads and spreads solution fast; microfiber, scrim, or “porcupine” fibers add scrub.	First pass on dusty or greasy glass; swap sleeves for delicate or stubborn soil.
Bucket	Holds solution and tools; rectangular buckets fit channels, round buckets ride easy.	Daily use; some carry a lid for transport and to keep mix clean.
Bucket-on-a-belt (BOAB)	Hangs from the belt to hold squeegee and washer with a little solution.	Route work where speed matters and you can’t set a bucket down.
Scraper / razor with guard	Lifts paint, stickers, or debris when used flat with plenty of solution.	Post-construction or any adhesive; skipped on tempered glass with risk of fab debris.
White pad / bronze wool	Adds safe scrub on mineral spots and film without cutting the glass.	Stains, light water spots, and ranch dust on exterior panes.
Detail towels (huck/scrim)	Wipes edges, sills, and frames; lint-free cloths leave a crisp line.	Finish work after each pull; also for quick touchups around corners.
Extension poles	Reach glass above head height; locking tips keep tools secure.	Entryways, atriums, and over shrubs where ladders are awkward.
Water-fed pole system	Brushes and rinses with purified water that dries spot-free.	Floors two to five and more, skylights, and panels where ladders add risk.
Ladders / step platforms	Short reach jobs and interiors; wide steps reduce fatigue.	Inside stairwells, foyers, and split-level homes.
Personal protective equipment	Gloves, eye protection, and non-slip footwear; harnesses where required.	Any job with chemicals, edges, or heights; required for work at height.
Holster belt	Organizes tools and keeps weight balanced on the hips.	All day route work to cut trips back to the bucket.

The squeegee setup

The squeegee is the hero of the craft. A rigid channel holds the rubber; a handle sets angle and grip. Pros keep a few channel sizes and swap rubber often. A fresh edge glides, seals, and leaves no water behind. Nickel or stainless channels resist bending. Wide-body channels stay straight on big panes and store well in a holster.

The washer and the mix

The washer loads the glass. Microfiber sleeves carry plenty of solution, while scrub sleeves bite into grime. Most crews run a simple mix that contains surfactant for slip and soil release. Fresh water is changed often to keep grit off the glass and out of the rubber.

Scrapers and glass-safe practice

Scrapers save time but only with care. The blade stays flat to the glass with heavy solution under it. The guard goes back on between passes. Many skip scraping on tempered panes with fabrication debris risk and switch to bronze wool or a pad. Test a corner first and work slow near gaskets and film.

Detailing with towels

Edges matter. After each pull, a quick pass with a dry huck or scrim cleans the line and the sill. Towels stay folded into squares so you always have a dry, clean face ready. Color coding keeps glass towels away from frames so no paint or grit touches the pane.

Buckets, belts, and balance

A BOAB rides on the strong side so tools draw and dock without looking. The main bucket carries extra sleeves, spare rubber, pads, and a small bottle for topping off mix on the go. Weight stays low and close to the body, which helps on long days.

Extension poles that feel right

Two- to eight-foot poles reach most interiors. Locks should bite cleanly so the tool doesn’t spin. A quick-release cone lets you swap from washer to squeegee without fuss. The rule is simple: if a pole reaches safely, use it before you think about a ladder.

What do pro window washers use for high-rise work

Tall glass calls for specialized gear. Crews choose the lightest safe option that reaches the work with control. That can mean water-fed poles from the ground, short ladders inside, lifts for atriums, or rope descent for drops on towers.

Water-fed poles and pure water

Pure water cleaning uses deionization or RO-DI filters to strip minerals from tap water. The pole feeds that water to a soft brush. You scrub, then rinse. The glass dries clear without a squeegee because no dissolved solids remain to spot. The IWCA water-fed pole safety module gives job-site tips on placement, overhead power line awareness, and brush control. Ground work cuts fall exposure and keeps foot traffic moving while you clean.

Filter types in brief

DI tanks polish soft water; RO-DI carts handle hard water. Meters confirm zero TDS. Brushes swap between flagged and stiff bristles to match glass and frames.

Rope descent systems and anchors

When drops are needed, teams use rope descent with tested anchors and a separate fall arrest system. The OSHA rope descent rule spells out anchor inspection, tool lanyards, and independent lifelines. Good comms, edge protection, and clear drop zones keep crews and pedestrians safe. Tool ties stop scrapers and squeegees from becoming hazards.

Lifts and swing stages

Articulating or scissor lifts handle atriums and hard-to-reach glass with stable platforms. For wide façades, suspended stages bring two workers and a full kit to the pane. Crews check load charts, tie-offs, and ground conditions before moving a wheel.

Ladders that pass a safety check

Portable ladders still see use for short reaches. Rungs, feet, locks, and labels get checked before a climb. The OSHA ladder standard outlines placement and handling so no one rides a shifting rail. Many interior jobs swap to step platforms to keep stance solid and knees happy.

Cleaning solutions, blades, and rubber care

You don’t need fancy chemistry to win on glass. A mild surfactant in clean water gives glide and breaks surface tension. Too much soap leaves residue and drags the rubber. Hard water can slow you down; a small DI tank for mixing solves that and keeps towels cleaner. Keep it simple.

Ratios that work

Crews mix by feel, yet they track what works. A common starting point is a couple pumps of soap in a five-gallon bucket. Indoors, less soap keeps edges crisp. In heat, a wetter mix buys time before the pull. The goal stays the same: wet glass, smooth glide, and a dry finish in one pass.

Rubber selection and storage

Soft rubber seals on cool days and older glass. Hard rubber stands up to hot sun and big panes. Store strips flat in sleeves, away from grit and UV. Flip the blade when a side dulls, then swap in a fresh one. Keep a small trim tool handy to square a nicked corner on site.

Blade safety

Razors live with their guards on. Blades change before they tear film or drag grit. Used blades go in a sharps tube, not a pocket. A flat angle and lots of solution protect coatings and soft glass.

Smart add-ons that boost speed

Small upgrades save steps. Quick-release handles speed channel swaps. Swivel handles tilt into corners without twisting your wrist. Angle adapters on poles hit transoms and overhangs. A compact drill with a pad driver rescues stained glass when a hand pad stalls, as long as you keep the speed low and the slurry wet.

Brushes and sleeves by job

Flagged brushes glide on tinted film. Stiffer bristles bite grime on vents and frames. Porcupine sleeves lift bugs and pollen fast outdoors. Microfiber sleeves shine on interiors and mirrors. Carry at least two so one stays wet while the other scrubs.

Frames, tracks, and screens

Clean frames first so mud doesn’t run across fresh glass. A small vacuum or a track brush and bottle pulls out grit before you rinse. Screens rinse well with a light detergent and a soft brush. Shake dry, wipe the frame, and set it back with the logo in the same corner each time so the client knows you cared.

Job type	Packed gear	Why it works
Storefront route	BOAB, 12″ and 18″ channels, two sleeves, scraper, towels, pole.	Fast draws, tight spaces, and repeat panes all day.
Residential inside	Short pole, small bucket, microfiber sleeves, detail towels, step platform.	Drip control, safe reaches, and tidy finishes on sills.
Post-construction	Fresh blades, pads, bronze wool, tape for edges, extra sleeves.	Adhesives and dust need safe lift without gouging glass.
Mid-rise exterior	Water-fed pole, RO-DI or DI cart, stiff and flagged brushes.	Reach from the ground with spot-free results.
High-rise drops	RDS kit, independent fall arrest, tool lanyards, edge guards.	Controlled descents and secure tools protect everyone below.
Solar and skylights	Water-fed pole, soft brush, rinse bar, harness points where needed.	Delicate surfaces clean with pure water and light pressure.

Safety, training, and care

Gear lasts when you treat it well. Anchors get inspected and logged. Lanyards, harnesses, and lifelines retire on schedule. Ropes stay bagged and dry. Ladders travel clean with caps on the feet and tie-downs over the rails. On site, you set cones and mind pedestrians. Crews talk hand signals and radio checks before any lift or drop.

Daily checks

Before the first pane, run a quick loop. Rubber edges, channel screws, pole locks, ladder feet, and BOAB clips. Dump murky mix, refill, and mark the bucket with the day’s recipe. Sharps tube empty? Towels sorted? Small habits keep the work smooth and the glass safe.

Ergonomics that save your shoulders

Light handles reduce grip strain. A neutral wrist with a swivel handle cuts fatigue. Switch hands on long pulls so one side doesn’t carry the week. Step platforms let your hips take the load when you reach. Take short stretch breaks between panes and you’ll work faster by the afternoon.

Buying and maintaining your kit

Pick tools you can service. Standard channels fit common rubbers. Handles with replaceable springs and screws save money. Poles with available sections beat sealed tubes when a lock wears out. Keep a repair pouch with spare rubber, clips, blades, cone, screws, and a mini driver.

Care between jobs

Rinse sleeves and pads in clean water and hang them to dry. Empty the bucket and wipe it out so grit doesn’t ride to the next site. Wipe channels and handles, then store them dry. Coil lanyards, inspect stitching, and log any damage you find.

Pure water upkeep

DI resin changes when the meter reads above zero. RO membranes flush after work and sit with caps on. Hoses drain and store on reels so fittings last. Keep a spare quick-connect set and brush jets in the box to cut downtime.

Final tips you can act on

Carry two squeegee sizes on your belt and one larger in the bucket. Swap rubber at the first sign of chatter. Keep towels sorted by task so glass towels never touch frames. Reach with a pole first, then climb only when the job truly needs it. Follow the OSHA rope descent rule, pair it with the OSHA ladder standard, and review the IWCA water-fed guidance before you scale up. Stay sharp, tidy, consistent.