Editing Squeegee (section)

==Window cleaning==
[[File:Rakel (fcm).jpg|thumb|upright|A window squeegee]]
The best-known of these tools is probably the hand-held '''window squeegee''', used to remove the cleaning fluid or water from a [[glass]] surface.  A [[soap]]y solution acts as a lubricant and breaks up the dirt, then the squeegee is used to draw the now water-borne dirt off the glass leaving a clean surface.  Some squeegees are backed with a sponge which can soak up soapy water from a bucket for application to a dirty window.

Squeegees were in use for cleaning windows by 1918 when an American book on navy jargon explained that a deck-cleaning tool called a squeegee was "used in civil life to clean windows".<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/001622736|title=The navy explained.|first=Logan Elsworth|last=Ruggles|date=February 3, 1918|publisher=E. N. Appleton, inc.|via=HathiTrust}}</ref> This is the earliest written reference to a window cleaning squeegee given by the [[Oxford English Dictionary]]. (For earlier uses see "floor cleaning" section below.)

With the development of the [[skyscraper]] in the 20th century, a more efficient tool for the cleaning of window exteriors was needed.  Professional [[window washer]]s began using the '''Chicago squeegee''', a bulky tool with two heavy pink rubber blades.  Changing the blades required the loosening of twelve separate screws.  The modern single-blade window cleaning squeegee was patented by Ettore Steccone in 1936, who dubbed it the "New Deal".<ref name="Meet-Ettore">{{cite web
|url=http://www.ettore.com/professionals/about-us/history-part-2/
|title=Meet Ettore Steccone.
|website=Ettore
|access-date=31 July 2016
|quote=After much trial and error, he patented his innovative new squeegee in 1936 and dubbed it the NEW DEAL.}}</ref> It was made of lightweight brass with a very flexible and sharp rubber blade.<ref>{{cite web|last=Howser|first=Huell|title=Squeegee – California's Gold (5002)|url=http://blogs.chapman.edu/huell-howser-archives/2003/01/08/squeegee-californias-gold-5002/|work=California's Gold|publisher=[[Chapman University]] Huell Howser Archive|author-link=Huell Howser|date=January 8, 2003}}</ref> Steccone began a manufacturing process and sold the product in his garage.<ref name="Meet-Ettore" /> The Ettore Products Co. is still the leader in the squeegee market today.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.italystl.com/ra/1333.htm |title=The Ettore story |publisher=Italystl.com |access-date=August 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215163228/http://www.italystl.com/ra/1333.htm |archive-date=February 15, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Squeegee kits can include a telescoping pole to extend the washer's reach.

Simple squeegees are made in various shapes for household use, including the cleaning of shower doors, bathroom tile, and garage floors.

There is a double-sided squeegee model. On one side is the classic squeegee, on the other side is a soft sponge for applying the detergent.<ref>{{Cite web|title=11 Best Car Windows Squeegee for Streak-free Shine. Expert's Guide|url=https://www.bestnetreview.com/best-squeegee-for-car-windows/|access-date=2023-10-18|work=www.bestnetreview.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=How to Use a Squeegee Properly?|url=https://bestcleanertools.com/how-to-use-a-squeegee-properly/|access-date=2023-10-18|work=bestcleanertools.com|date=March 28, 2023 }}</ref> The squeegee is usually sold with a short handle.

Companies produce squeegees for home use, as well as professional squeegees for use by cleaning companies and private glass cleaners who provide services to the public.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cleaning Windows With A Squeegee – Tips From The Pros|url=https://nickswindowcleaning.ca/2017/how-to-clean-a-window-with-a-squeegee/|access-date=2023-10-18|work=nickswindowcleaning.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=A Comprehensive Guide to Skyscraper or High Rise Window Cleaning System|url=https://jobs-amst.com/blog/a-comprehensive-guide-to-skyscraper-or-high-rise-window-cleaning-system/|access-date=2023-10-18|work=jobs-amst.com|date=September 23, 2021 }}</ref>

Professional squeegees are made from:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Everything You Need to Know About Squeegee|url=https://www.mrwindowcleaning.com.au/everything-you-need-to-know-about-squeegee/|access-date=2023-10-18|work=www.mrwindowcleaning.com.au|date=March 13, 2023 }}</ref>
*plastic;
*stainless steel;
*sometimes a rubber non-slip coating is applied to the handle.

Tools can be equipped with swivel mechanisms - which is convenient if you need to reach the farthest part of the window or the surface has a rounded configuration.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What equipment does a window cleaner need?|url=https://skyswc.com/what-equipment-does-a-window-cleaner-need/|access-date=2023-10-18|work=skyswc.com|date=October 21, 2019 }}</ref>

===Techniques===
The  "swivel method", or "fan method" as it is referred to by professionals, uses a series of strokes combined with turns that hold the water away from the leading edge of the squeegee; when the turn is completed in the opposing direction, there is no water and no dirt left isolated. Straight strokes, either horizontally or vertically, are normally much more efficient than “fanning” when using fixed handle squeegees; however, this method leads to more streaks and missed spots. If a few spots are missed, a [[chamois leather]] cloth works better for touch up than a towel of cloth or paper.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pacific Window Washing|url=http://pacificwindowashing.com|page=3 |access-date=26 Aug 2017}}</ref>

In 1992, Willie Erken invented the pivoting handle squeegee.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1997-07-21|title=Plenty of ideas, short of money|url=https://www.afr.com/companies/plenty-of-ideas-short-of-money-19970721-kb2af|access-date=2020-11-17|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en}}</ref>

Using a squeegee for window cleaning may sometimes produce run lines. These are caused by cleaning fluid being pushed up into the top edge of the window, or by fluid flowing from under the rubber blade into the dry area of the glass. The latter of these cases may be prevented by holding the squeegee at a slight angle relative to the direction in which it is being moved, directing fluid flow towards the wet area of the glass.

Worn-out squeegee rubbers and damaged equipment will negatively affect cleaning results.<ref>{{cite web |title=ISN’T WINDOW CLEANING SIMPLY CLEANING WINDOWS? |url=https://torontoclearview.com/services/toronto-window-cleaning/ |access-date=February 6, 2014}}</ref>

Another method used by window cleaners is to tap the blade on an already wet area of the glass to remove any excess water on the rubber blade.<ref>{{cite web|author=dontwc |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU6X8Vg8Nao  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/wU6X8Vg8Nao |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Window Cleaning Video | date=October 15, 2007 |publisher=Youtube.com |access-date=August 19, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Alternatively the rubber blade can be dried with a towel, although this method is slower and not practical when using extension poles.

According to [[Guinness World Records]], the world's fastest window cleaner is Terry Burrows of [[South Ockendon]], Essex, England, who cleaned three standard {{convert|114.3|x|114.3|cm|in|0|adj=on}} office windows set in a frame in 9.24 seconds at the [[National Exhibition Centre]] in [[Birmingham]] in March 2005. He used a {{convert|11.75|in|mm|-1|adj=on|order=flip}} squeegee and {{convert|2.37|USgal|l impgal USgal|0|order=out|abbr=off}} of water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/fastest-window-cleaner?fb_comment_id=855974881091083_879195075435730|title=Fastest window cleaner|publisher=Guinness World Records|access-date=April 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fastestwindowcleaner.co.uk/terry.htm |title=The World's Fastest Window Cleaner |publisher=Fastestwindowcleaner.co.uk |access-date=August 19, 2012}}</ref>