Great squeegee rubber is essential to successful window cleaning. Period.
Simply stated, a professional squeegee rubber is a must have in order to clean windows. Compromises may be made on many other items in the window cleaning industry. However, to get professional window cleaning results, the best quality rubber is essential!
Scrubbing and washing will get the process of cleaning a window started. Removing ALL of the residue of the cleaning solution and the dirt and grime that was on the glass is the job of the squeegee rubber. Professional window cleaning squeegees are all designed with “s” shaped, larger “bead” of rubber at the base and the precise, crisp edges at the top. The rubber slides into the channel and is held into the designed grove of the squeegee by the bead at the base of the rubber.
Dating back to the original patented design of the squeegee by Mr. Ettore Steccone, one of the key design elements is that the rubber has a little “float” when inserted in the squeegee channel. The float helps to allow the squeegee to lie true and straight in the channel. By having a small amount of movement, the rubber can be sure to lay flat on the glass, allowing it to come in complete contact with the surface. Glass is a unique kind of a surface to be cleaning. While hard and transparent, glass is not perfectly and equally flat. Add the flex of a large pane of glass and it is easy to see why the squeegee blade is made of rubber. The rubber allows flexibility and allows the rubber’s edge to ride in direct contact with the glass surface.
The edge is where the work is done. Professional window cleaning squeegees glide on the glass. Watch a Day one window cleaner and compare what you see to a seasoned veteran of the window cleaning world. You will see that 99% of the time the rookie will press way too hard when running the squeegee across the wet glass. Watch the professional and you will notice that the squeegee is held with a light touch. The light touch helps to allow the rubber edge of the blade to stay in the right position to swipe the glass surface clean. Curious about that? Try it for yourself. The right amount of pressure is what makes the cleaning process work!
There are only a few manufacturers of squeegee rubber that the professional window cleaning market have embraced over the decades. Stop and look in most any window cleaner’s squeegee and you will see a blade from Ettore, Unger, Sorbo, Pulex, IPC Eagle, or Moerman. There are plenty of other varieties out there. However, in the 80 years that Detroit Sponge has been providing tools to the window cleaning trade, these lines have been the brands of choice.
Each manufacturer has its own, proprietary formula for their squeegee rubber. Think of it like cola. There are many varieties of cola soda around. Each has its own unique flavor and taste. Squeegee rubber varies slightly in feel and performance. Occasional squeegee operators would be well served to keep it simple and stick to the big brands! Professional window cleaners will want to experiment to find the brand that matches their technique the best.
It is true that recent years have seen the development of “hard” and “soft” rubbers. Formulations have been created that can further reflect the choice of the individual window cleaner in the field. In a professional niche like professional window cleaning, it is true that performance of the tool drives the day. Best tip is to experiment and find what product works best for you. For example, cleaning windows in the cold or in the heat can make a difference in the blade you prefer. Also, the type and amount of solution used in the bucket can make a difference. Even the length and style of the squeegee channel can influence your favorite choice.
While there are choices in the professional window cleaning squeegee rubber market, do yourself a favor and stick with the brands of choice of professional window cleaners around the world! Do not save a small amount of money on a rubber just to be frustrated with streaky, imperfect performance in the field. Quality and performance are what you need from your squeegee rubber.
One final thought – YES. Make the squeegee rubber last as long as you can. However, know when it is time to change the blade. Pay attention to how hard you are pressing on the glass and how much detail work you have to do on each pain. Often, these can be key things that will tell you when it is time to change that squeegee rubber for a fresh one.
See all of the choices, sizes and quantities of rubber on our website today! If you have questions about the different rubbers and manufacturers, call or email our team at Detroit Sponge.