A telescopic pole assists in cleaning tall windows without a ladder.
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Let the sun shine bright in your home with fresh, clean windows. Don't let your skylight or picture window over your front door keep you from this do-it-yourself project. A telescopic pole will give you the extra reach you need to clean away the dirt and grime that clings to windows. Say goodbye to that dull sheen and hello to bright sparkle.
Telescoping poles give you the extra reach you need to get professional cleaning results. Windows that are taller than your arm can reach are perfect candidates. Height, however, is not the only reason you may need a telescopic pole. Bushes, fences and other obstacles can make it difficult to reach windows that may be at your height. An extended pole allows you to reach over the obstacle without climbing through a small jungle or scaling a fence. And you'll do so without a ladder's safety risks.
Do not use your telescopic pole during an electrical storm. If your pole is made out of aluminum, you will become a giant lightning rod. Also, pay attention to the location of low-hanging electrical wires on the side of your house. Other utilities like cable television and phone service may not pose an electrical threat but can easily be knocked down by a wayward telescopic pole.
The basic telescopic window cleaning pole is made of aluminum or fiberglass, with a handle at the bottom and cone at the top. The cone allows you to push on and pull off accessories such as squeegees, applicators, clamps and other items unrelated to cleaning, such as paint rollers. Squeegees allow you to easily pull water and grime off a window; applicators are thin, 12-inch to 36-inch cotton or wool mops that allow you to scrub the window with cleaning solution. Clamps hold sponges or towels that you can use to either wet or dry more detailed sections of a window.
Attach either an applicator or clamp with a sponge to the cone of the telescopic pole. Dip it into a pail of window-cleaning solution. Adjust the height of the pole for the specific window you are cleaning. Thoroughly wet the window. Pull off the applicator or clamp. Push on a squeegee. Starting at the top of the window, press the squeegee blade against the window and pull down. If space permits, back away from the window enough to hold the squeegee at a 45-degree angle. Wipe the squeegee blade clean with a towel and repeat until the entire window is cleaned. Attach the clamp with a clean, dry towel to detail-clean the edges and sides of the window.