Pure water window cleaning is often described as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional window cleaning.

But is that really accurate?

The answer is more nuanced than simply saying yes.

Pure water window cleaning has some environmental advantages, particularly because routine cleaning can be carried out without relying on conventional window cleaning detergents.

However, like almost any service involving vehicles, water and equipment, it still has an environmental impact.

At PurePort, we prefer to explain how the system actually works rather than make claims that window cleaning somehow has no environmental footprint.

What is pure water window cleaning?

Pure water window cleaning uses water that has been filtered to remove dissolved minerals and impurities.

The purified water is pumped through a water fed pole to a specialist brush at the window.

The brush agitates dirt on the glass, frames and sills before the surface is thoroughly rinsed with more purified water.

Because the dissolved minerals have been removed, the water can then be allowed to dry naturally without leaving the same mineral marks associated with ordinary tap water.

For regular window cleaning, this means the cleaning process can usually be completed without conventional window cleaning detergent.

Does pure water window cleaning use chemicals?

For normal maintenance window cleaning, PurePort uses purified water and the agitation of the specialist brush rather than relying on detergent for every clean.

That is one of the main reasons pure water cleaning can have environmental advantages.

Traditional window cleaning commonly involves adding cleaning solution to the water.

With a pure water system, routine exterior window cleaning can generally be completed without that step.

There may still be unusual situations where stubborn staining or contamination requires additional treatment, particularly on a first clean, but that is different from routinely applying detergent to every property.

Why can using less detergent be beneficial?

Anything applied to the outside of a property has the potential to end up elsewhere.

Water from exterior cleaning may eventually reach paths, soil, drains or other surrounding areas.

Reducing the amount of detergent required for routine window cleaning therefore has an obvious advantage.

Pure water systems allow the physical action of the brush and the purified water itself to do the normal cleaning work.

That does not make the process completely impact-free, but it does mean routine cleaning can be carried out without continually adding cleaning chemicals to the water.

Does pure water cleaning use more water?

It can use a noticeable amount of water because the windows need to be brushed and then thoroughly rinsed.

The amount required will depend on the property, equipment and cleaning technique.

It would therefore be misleading to suggest that pure water cleaning has no environmental cost simply because detergent is not normally required.

There is still water being used.

There is also energy and equipment involved in producing and transporting purified water.

For us, the more sensible approach is to use the system efficiently while maintaining a proper standard of clean.

Doesn’t the water have to be purified first?

Yes.

Normal tap water contains dissolved minerals and impurities, so it needs to go through a filtration process before being used for pure water window cleaning.

Different professional systems can use different stages of filtration.

That process itself has an environmental footprint, as does storing the water and carrying it in a vehicle.

Again, this is why we would not describe pure water window cleaning as having zero environmental impact.

The advantage is that once the purified water reaches the property, normal window cleaning can generally be completed without adding detergent.

Can professional equipment reduce the need for ladders?

One practical advantage of water fed pole window cleaning is that many upper-floor windows can be cleaned from ground level.

Telescopic poles allow the brush and purified water to reach windows several metres above the cleaner.

This means the system does not require a ladder to be repeatedly positioned at every upstairs window on a typical property.

The main reason this matters is safe and efficient access rather than environmental performance, but it is one of the reasons water fed pole systems have become so common in professional exterior window cleaning.

Why do local window cleaning rounds matter?

One area where a local cleaning business can operate more efficiently is travel.

Driving a significant distance between every customer wastes both time and fuel.

PurePort is building concentrated window cleaning rounds throughout Portishead.

If several properties on the same street or in the same neighbourhood are cleaned during the same visit to that area, the amount of unnecessary travel between jobs can be reduced.

There are commercial benefits to that as well as environmental ones.

The closer together our customers are, the more of the working day can be spent cleaning rather than driving around.

Does regular cleaning require less work?

Generally, maintaining windows regularly is easier than allowing years of dirt to build up and then trying to restore them in one visit.

Once the glass, frames and sills have been brought up to a good standard, each regular clean is about removing the relatively small amount of dirt that has accumulated since the last visit.

That can make the cleaning process more efficient and reduces the likelihood that heavily neglected areas will require more intensive treatment later.

Is pure water window cleaning better for plants and gardens?

Pure water itself does not contain the conventional detergent used in many traditional cleaning solutions.

That is useful when working around homes, gardens and external surfaces.

However, we would still avoid making a blanket claim that window cleaning can never affect anything around a property.

The water still needs to go somewhere, and professional cleaners should always work carefully around plants, outdoor furniture, electrical equipment and other items surrounding the building.

The absence of routine detergent is an advantage, but sensible working practices still matter.

So, is pure water window cleaning environmentally friendly?

We think the most accurate answer is:

It can be a more environmentally considerate way to carry out routine window cleaning, particularly because conventional detergent is generally not required.

But it would be wrong to pretend there is no environmental impact at all.

Water needs to be treated.

Water is used during the clean.

Equipment needs to be manufactured.

Vehicles still travel between customers.

For us, the aim is to use professional equipment efficiently, build compact local rounds and provide a cleaning system that does not require detergent for normal regular window cleaning.

That is a more credible environmental argument than simply labelling the service “green”.

Pure water window cleaning in Portishead

PurePort uses professional pure water window cleaning equipment for our regular residential window cleaning service across Portishead.

Our regular cleans include the exterior glass, frames and sills.

If you are looking for a local window cleaner and would like to know what we would charge for your property, you can request a quote online.

Get a PurePort window cleaning quote

Tell us a little about your home and we can provide a price for your first clean and ongoing regular window cleaning.