Window Vacuum Cleaner - How Does it Compare?

It seems there are vacuum cleaners for just bout every cleaning job - including windows! The key to evaluating these devices is to understand that they are simply vacuums designed to clean residual water off the glass after you've cleaned them using their prescribed spray on solution and microfibre attachment. This is not a simple one step process, however the vacuuming does give you a streak free finish when using good technique.

 

Using a window vacuum cleaner

Most domestic battery powered window vacuum kits will come with the vacuum unit itself, plus a spray bottle with a microfibre mop attachment, detergent, and the recharger.

 

You first spray the window with the detergent/water mix and wash the window with the microfibre pad to remove most of the dirt, then immediately vacuum the dirty water residue from the glass with the window vacuum. For a streak free (sometimes) finish we found it it took some time to know how much pressure to apply to the blade to suck up the liquid correctly without marking the windows.

 

The Karcher model we tested required 2 hours to charge and ran for approximately 20 minutes on a full charge, almost enough to clean the interior windows of a small 3 bedroom house with a single glass door.

Our experience

If you don't like cleaning windows and find the regular spray and wipe method leaves streaks then we found the product could be helpful, although the claims of "streak free" window cleaning done "in no time at all" are optimistic at best. We found the following issues;

 

(1) The micro-fibre mop and cleaning solution simply didn't cut it on the outside windows. Most professional window cleaners need to use abrasive micro-fibre mops, elbow grease, and even scrapers to remove dirt and grime that gets baked on in the harsh Australian sun.

(2) The reservoir in the vacuum itself needed to be emptied often as it would fill up after half a dozen large windows.

(3) The battery life and charging time means you simply won't get your windows clean in a day of chores, but if you have a full weekend to spare, it's possible.

(4) Professional window cleaners spend a lot of time detailing the edges of the windows, where the water hides around the window seal. We found we still needed to do this even after using the vacuum.

 

Finally, our key thought is that this product simply will not save you any time and if you have a two storey house forget it! You simply do not want to be climbing ladders whilst holding both the vacuum and the spray bottle/mop attachment.

Comparing it to professional window cleaning

It's like comparing apples with oranges. If you have the spare time and don't mind putting in some hard work, then a window vacuum may be a preferred option to using Windex and microfibre cloths. Remember, you still need to wash the windows, the vacuum only provides the mechanism to remove the dirty water from the glass.

 

If your local window cleaner helps you save time, money and hassle then a window vacuum will likely be relegated to the gadget cupboard. Some jobs are better left to the professionals.