One difficult to answer question when on the phone with a customer always proves to be telling them what product is “best.” Why? The answer to this question more often comes down to personal preference and the customer’s application than what brand or sleeve is “best.”
All the major brands are good quality and give good results.
Such questions are especially difficult in regards to window washer sleeves, since there are so many choices available. Perhaps that is what makes them such a common question area.
So here is a quick run down of the major window washer sleeves available.
Unger
Original – The Unger Original Stripwasher sleeve is made of thick, white fibers. Being a non-microfiber sleeve, it tends to be more suited to heavy-duty soils. It also has a scrubbing pad at one end of the sleeve, for particularly stubborn spots.
The Pad – The Unger The Pad Stripwasher sleeve is the same sleeve as the Original, only with a non-abrasive scrubbing pad that covers the entire length of one side. This allows for scrubbing with one side and washing with the other. It is good for heavily soiled windows.
Microfiber – The Unger Microfiber Stripwasher sleeve is a green, super absorbent sleeve. This allows it to retain water longer, for less trips to the bucket. It also has a scrubbing pad at one end of the sleeve, for particularly stubborn spots.
Monsoon – The Unger Monsoon Stripwasher sleeve is made of a blended fabric – alternating regular fibers and microfibers, giving it the alternating green and white stripes. It combines the best of both types of sleeves – heavy duty cleaning and super absorbency. It also has a scrubbing pad at one end of the sleeve, for particularly stubborn spots.
Ninja – The Unger Ninja Stripwasher sleeve is also a blended sleeve. It is heavy-duty regular white fabric with alternating stripes of grey non-abrasive scrubbing stripes, making it good for a wide variety of applications. It also has a scrubbing pad at BOTH ends of the sleeve, for particularly stubborn spots.
Ettore
Durasleeve – The Ettore Durasleeve is a tough and durable white sleeve made of thick, heavy-duty fabric. The Durasleeve is also more absorbent than most non-microfiber sleeves and can hold a lot of water. It also has a scrubbing pad at one end of the sleeve, for particularly stubborn spots.
Golden Glove – The Ettore Golden Glove sleeve is made of yellow and white microfiber. It is a highly absorbent sleeve. It also has a scrubbing pad at one end of the sleeve, for particularly stubborn spots.
Microfiber – The Ettore Pro+ Microfiber sleeve is made of premium blue and white microfiber and is super absorbent. This allows it to retain water longer, for less trips to the bucket. It also has a scrubbing pad at one end of the sleeve, for particularly stubborn spots.
Porcupine – The Ettore Porcupine sleeve is made of white fabric and has interwoven blue bristles throughout the sleeve for extra tough jobs. Please note, because of the bristles, this sleeve is not for Mylar coated glass.
Pulex
White – The Pulex white sleeve is made of thick, white fibers. Being a non-microfiber sleeve, it tends to be more suited to heavy-duty soils.
Pad – The Pulex pad sleeve is the same as the white sleeve, only with a non-abrasive scrubbing pad that covers the entire length of one side. This allows for scrubbing with one side and washing with the other. It is good for heavily soiled windows.
Microfiber – The Pulex Microfiber sleeve is made of premium blue and white microfiber and is super absorbent. This allows it to retain water longer, for less trips to the bucket.
MicroTiger – The Pulex MicroTiger sleeve is also a blended sleeve. It is heavy-duty regular white fabric with alternating stripes of red non-abrasive scrubbing stripes, making it good for a wide variety of applications. It also has a scrubbing pad at the end of the sleeve, for particularly stubborn spots.
Microfiber Versus Regular Fabric
One big debate is the question of microfiber versus regular fiber. There are a few things to consider here.
As the picture above shows, microfiber is more effective at capturing particles of dust, dirt, lint, etc. than regular fiber. It is also more absorbent. These can both be a pro and a con. Capturing more dirt is good, but it means a sleeve that can get dirtier quicker than a regular sleeve. Microfiber being more absorbent means less trips to the bucket, but it also makes for a heavier tool. This can become fatiguing after long use.
As I mentioned above, it really comes down to personal preference and the application. All of the major brands have good products to help you get the job done quickly and successfully.
Which sleeve is right for you? That is a good question!
Do you have additional questions about choosing the right window washer sleeve? Comment below or email us from the About Page!
Or… Shop for sleeves now!
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