Let's face it, damaged squeegee rubber is the #1 cause for glass streaks, smears and hazing. even if you have the best window cleaning skills, you still can not produce absolute window glass clarity if you don't have good quality rubber in your squeegee.

here's 4 helpful tips on how you can get the best results from your squeegee rubber and reduce streaks:

1. Replace squeegee rubber often

the rubber edge that makes contact with the glass should be as square as possible.

squeegee rubber will dull and it's edge will round with continued use. this is o.k.... for a while but, a rounded edge will require you to add more contact pressure to glass in order to completely remove window cleaning solution.

and, will leave "rubber smear" when in contact with dry glass. like when you are using overlapping squeegee strokes.

i've examined some of my diy customer's squeegee rubbers who have asked me about why their window cleaning attempts were leaving so many streaks.

usually, i'm shocked to see how round their squeegee rubber is... they should have replaced the rubber much, much earlier!

to get the best window washing results, examine squeegee rubber edge and replace at the first sign of:

• rounding
• abrasions
• worn corners

in my window cleaning business, i will replace my squeegee rubber as much as once or even twice a day. my reputation depends greatly upon achieving the highest quality window cleaning clarity for my customers.

simply put, i don't ever risk using worn or rounded squeegee rubber on the job.

after all, an 18" squeegee rubber only costs around $2. if you earn $500 during the day using 1 rubber edge, it's no big expense out of your pocket.

not to mention, you can...

2. Flip your squeegee rubber. there's 2 usable sides!

that means, you're out a buck a side. or approximately a ($500 : $1) profit and loss ratio.

to flip or replace squeegee rubber:

a) stretch squeegee rubber out end of channel (if you have a squeegee handle that holds rubber in place with "teeth", then you'll have to remove channel completely off handle before beginning)

b) remove clip from one end of rubber and save it in your tool box

c) turn over squeegee rubber or replace

d) insert rubber into squeegee channel with new or unused edge facing glass

3. Remove 1 of the 2 channel clips or plugs... permanently!

unless it's a "clipless" design, your squeegee will have either brass, stainless steel, or plastic clips / plugs at each end of the squeegees channel. squeegees come with 2 clips. you can get rid of 1. this will allow squeegee rubber to lay more naturally in squeegee channel and will produce a better window cleaning result.

an exception to the 1 clip rule: if you are using a sorbo squeegee channel with 40 degree ends instead of a standard 90 degree channel end, you might want to continue using both clips due to the nature of it's design.

the problem with using 2 clips or plugs is it's difficult to get the squeegee rubber to lay flat... it either gets stretched too tight and will "bow-up" at ends or will be too loose and have a "warble" in the middle. either way, you'll have a greater chance of leaving streaks on glass.

to solve this problem, get rid of 1 channel clip. save the clip. clips and plugs will eventually wear out and you'll be glad to have your saved spare clip handy.

4. Cut off torn squeegee rubber ends

depending on the abrasive quality of the window framework, the squeegee rubbers' "tip and tail" will wear at different speeds. and since tips and tails will wear much faster than the rest of the squeegee rubber, you'll want to consider fixing the tips rather than throwing the squeegee rubber away...

here's how to cut off rubber ends:

a) stretch squeegee rubber out end of channel (if you have a squeegee handle that holds rubber in place with "teeth", then you'll have to remove channel completely off handle before beginning)

b) remove clips from rubber ends

c) place rubber flat on an appropriate cutting surface

d) use glass scraper or razor blade and cut off damaged ends. make sure to cut rubber ends to a square 90 degree edge. and, don't cut off too much; squeegee rubber must still have enough length to fit entire length of squeegee channel.

e) place 1 clip back on 1 end of rubber.

f) insert rubber into squeegee channel. finish by placing channel back into squeegee handle

Final Thoughts

with proper maintenance, you can get a lot of mileage from your squeegee rubbers by trimming rubber ends and flipping rubber when needed. but, when main rubber edge becomes worn and optimum window cleaning results can no longer be achieved, it's a smart move to replace squeegee rubber to give your customers the 100% satisfaction of picture perfect windows they deserve.

in my quick start guide to window cleaning profits business system, you'll see on video how to repair and maintain your squeegee rubber for best window cleaning results.

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