Cleaning The Outside Of The Window From The Inside

Just to prove that I’ll post an idea about anything, I give you this elaborate means to wash windows. I know you’re completely riveted about the prospect of reading all about cleaning. In fact, you are probably procrastinating right now, avoiding that stack of dishes or pile laundry! That lecture will have to wait. After the jump, I break this image down. I work in a fairly new Skyscraper in downtown Vancouver. A very state-of-the-art building that makes the Nakatomi Plaza look obsolete. Imagine my surprise to see signs warning of crews overhead cleaning the windows. Those brave souls dangling high above street level so we can enjoy a clean window - must we still go through extremes in 2011?

I propose a system that is linked to each window in a skyscraper/high rise/condo or even the upper floors of a house, which would be as commonplace and as functional as venetian blinds. How it works:

A. - The squeegee! In fact, about several redundant squeegees mounted onto a fixture outside the window. This external fixture is installed in a frame containing rails which guide movement. In order to move this squeegee up and down the window, an internal fixture with a handle (also embedded in a rail system) directs the movement. How? Either magnets or a rope pulley (like opening/closing a venetian blind) - we could use an electrical motor, but I’d rather go for a manual approach. It would be nice to directly connect the fixtures, but insulation is of the up-most importance.

B. - A pump would be used to spray the window cleaning agent from the external fixture, much like you’d find on a car. I prefer the old fashioned squeeze pump, as I loathe aerosols (seriously, can’t we ban those? Everyone is able to squeeze a pump for a few moments, but I digress). A small hose feeds the external fixture.

C. - The window cleaning solution reservoir. You can top up a wall-mounted bottle, or even place your Windex bottle here and attach to the hose feed.

D. - A place to store the internal fixture so it’s out of the way. On second thought I should have put this at the bottom of the window, just like the…

E. - External trough for the external fixture to park when not in use. Plus it would be a handy catch if the system were utilizing magnets, for when you move too fast, the external fixture will break away and sink into the trough, where you have to sync up with it again.

F. - The external fixture will never fall off the building just to be clear - it is affixed to guide rails located on both sides of the window. The Internal fixture is also fastened to a rail system.

Is this feasible? In terms of safety it is a compelling alternative. Not that we’re losing Window Cleaners left and right, but for the average Joe who wants to clean the third floor windows of his house, this would be appealing.

But the cost of these systems would have to be as inexpensive as blinds make them even remotely worthwhile.

There would be maintenance, as replacing the squeegees is inevitable. That’s why I recommended a redundant squeegee system to ensure efficient cleaning, even after the blades have been subjected to harsh weather conditions. Also to prolong the lifespan of the squeegees.

This may be just ideal for homeowners seeking an easier means to keep the windows in the upper floors clean. Though for them I would recommend another system which I will post soon. Hurray! More cleaning posts!