The winter season for window cleaning is a challenge. The wind, the snow, and cold temperatures are a formula for long, tough days. On the plus side, windows get really dirty in the winter. Between the salt, dirt in the air, and the blowing wind, windows start to become filthy. There certainly are customers who are on the market to get their windows cleaned even in the cold season.
As a professional window cleaner, this is a great formula for success in your business! The challenge is how to stay as warm and safe as possible while cleaning the windows.
Let’s look at three perspectives on this challenge:
- What can you do to plan from a business perspective
- What can you do to plan from a worker perspective
- What can you do to plan from an equipment perspective
Every time you and your team go to clean windows for customers, you are doing business. In the view of the winter challenge, this means that it is important to pay attention to the basic service industry disciplines of time.
Industry disciple tips:
- Make a plan for service of the job site:
- Look for tips from the weather, like which direction the wind is coming from. Try to see if you can alternate the sequence that you service the job in order for the coldest exposures to be broken up with less cold parts of the job.
- Schedule in 10 minute warm up breaks:
- Tactically, look at the job and break the service into time chunks. Make an effort to plan ahead for when you can warm up in pre-determined places, like in the truck or vestibule.
- Avoid trying to push through to finish! Instead stick to the plan and budget for your time that you made ahead of time.
- If you don’t think you have time to consider these things – you might want to reevaluate your pricing of the job. There is NO reason to work fast and increase your exposure for bad events because the job is underpriced by 10 or 20%!
How can the worker help to prepare for winter work? Working outside is the winter causes more stress on your body and require more of your body than normal- so listen to the advice of your elders.
Three basic words of wisdom here: Hydrate, Eat well, and Rest:
- Hydrate – Drink water. We all might like a warm cup of coffee/tea or hot chocolate. But be sure to drink water as well. This helps your body work most efficiently.
- Eat well – A good mix of fats and carbohydrates seem to be the consensus of the experts. As someone that doesn’t always have the best eating habits, I understand that this is tough, but worth it. The day before you have a long day of winter work, pay attention to what you eat. Pack snacks that are more healthy than your normal foods. Just try to feed your body better fuel so your body can help to keep you warmer while you work.
- Rest – You may find yourself more tired than usual. It is important to take time to rest. Rest more at night, and take breaks throughout your work day.
Great cold weather gear can help a lot. From the federal body of OSHA, here is an article that details ways that you can prepare for winter exposure. Scientist have spent a lot of time studying this. In today’s world, window cleaners, can benefit from the research that has been done on behalf of athletes, mountain climbers and other outdoor adventurists. It appears that all agree with the concept of layering your clothes. Whether you prefer old school materials or new tech clothing from Under Armor, Nike, and others, the agreement is to plan your winter wardrobe in three layers. While we do not sell this gear, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases when you click on this link and shop. Check out the links to see the types of gear mentioned.
Having layers is important:
- Base layer – is a traditional material like silk or one of the newer fabrics from your favorite line. This layer plays the role of keeping any sweat or moisture off of your skin. Dry skin lets your body perform at its best at creating and retaining warmth. See options from Under Armor.
- Layer 2 – is a second layer, made of a material that is designed to keep that sweat off your skin. Old school materials would be silk, wool or synthetic composition fabrics. If you check out Under Armor or a line from Eddie Bauer, you will find they layers all broken down.
- Outside/top layer – of gear helps to break the wind. In the new fabrics, pick one that is waterproof, but breathable if possible If your outer layer does not allow moisture and sweat to escape, this can quickly start to work against you.
- Finally – DO NOT NEGLECT YOUR HANDS AND FEET! A great pair of gloves, insulated socks and a great, quality pair of WATERPROOF footwear are essential.
Most window cleaners believe that dirty windows and customers that want them cleaned is a formula for business success. Cold weather, winter time work provides that exact opportunity. By considering how you can prepare and plan from a business, a worker and a gear perspective, this winter window cleaning season might be your most successful winter season yet as a professional window cleaner!
Shop our warm glove selection on our website. For any questions, please reach out to our Detroit Sponge team at (800) 535-6394.