Keeping commercial windows spotless is essential for projecting professionalism, enhancing visibility, and maintaining healthy indoor environments. But as sustainability becomes a global priority, traditional chemical cleaners are being replaced by eco-friendly products for commercial window cleaning — safer for people, surfaces, and the planet.
This guide explores the full range of eco-friendly tools and cleaning products used by professional cleaners today. You’ll learn what makes each product environmentally safe, how to use them effectively, and why sustainability should be at the heart of every modern cleaning process.
20 Essential Window Cleaning Products and Tools
Now we’ll go product-by-product, covering what each is, how it’s used in the commercial window-cleaning context, why it can be eco-friendly (or how to make it so), and best-practice notes.
1. Squeegee
A traditional cleaning tool: a handle with a rubber or silicone blade used to wipe off water or cleaning solution from glass surfaces.
How it’s used: After applying a cleaning solution and brushing/rinsing the glass, the squeegee is drawn down the pane to remove liquid and leave a clear, streak-free finish. In commercial settings you’ll often use larger squeegees for big windows.
Use high-quality rubber blades that last longer; ensure proper blade maintenance (replace when worn). Use with water-based or plant-based green cleaning fluids. Rinse and maintain your squeegee properly to avoid cross-contamination.
2. Safely Glass Rise Cleaner
A branded product (Glass Rise) targeted at window/glass cleaning.
How it’s used: Spray onto the glass surface, then wipe with a cloth or squeegee. In commercial use pick versions/formulas designed for high-volume or large panes.
If the Glass Rise variant is formulated with safer ingredients (low VOC, no ammonia, etc) it supports eco-friendly cleaning. Always check for certifications like Green Seal or Safer Choice.
For best results, pre-rinse heavy-soiled glass, apply the cleaner, then scrub lightly if necessary, then squeegee. Choose formulas with minimal fragrance (to reduce indoor-air chemical load).
3. Extension Poles
Telescopic poles that allow window cleaners to reach high or inaccessible windows without ladders or scaffolding.
How it’s used: Attach the squeegee or washer head to the extension pole and work external windows from ground or lower levels when safe and feasible.
Reduces reliance on powered lifts, scaffolding or repeated ladder climbs (thus reducing energy use and equipment wear). Combined with efficient tools and solutions reduces time, water and chemical consumption.
Choose lightweight, durable materials (carbon-fibre or aluminum) that reduce operator fatigue and increase efficiency. Clean and maintain poles to extend lifespan and avoid waste.
4. Sprayway Glass Cleaner
A commercial glass-cleaning spray product.
How it’s used: Spray onto glass and wipe or squeegee off. Often used for interior windows or smaller exterior panes.
Traditional glass cleaners contain ammonia, high VOCs or strong solvents. If you source eco-friendly “Sprayway” (or equivalent) formulas with lower VOCs, biodegradable surfactants, you support sustainability.
Check for compliance/certification. Use microfibre cloths to avoid lint, reduce streaks, and avoid disposable paper towels.
5. Windex Original Glass Cleaner
A well-known glass-cleaning brand.
How it’s used: Same as above—spray & wipe/squeegee.
Some Windex variants may have improved formulas (e.g., reduced VOCs). For commercial use pick the version with green credentials or pair it with methods that minimize waste.
For exterior high-rise glass, consider dilution programs and bulk refill systems to reduce packaging waste. Ensure rinse-water is captured or drained safely.
6. Dish Soap (Eco-safe variants)
Simple dish-washing liquid soap, used diluted as part of a glass-cleaning solution.
How it’s used: Particularly for very dirty or oily windows (e.g., after construction/dust) you may prepare a mix of eco-dishsoap + water + possible non-ammonia additive, apply via washer then rinse and squeegee.
Use dish soap variants that are biodegradable, phosphate-free, low-foaming, free from unnecessary dyes/fragrances. These reduce harmful chemical load and waste water impact.
Avoid high-foam formulas (makes rinsing slower). Pre-test on tinted or treated glass to ensure no adverse effects.
7. Invisible Glass
Another glass cleaner brand, often marketed as streak-free and residue-free.
How it’s used: Spray on and wipe/squeegee off. Ideal for interior partitions, large glass walls, mirrors.
Choose the version with “green” or “eco” tag—no harsh solvents, low VOC, minimal hazardous ingredients.
For commercial interior surfaces, pair with micro-fibre cloths, schedule regular maintenance to prevent build-up and reduce need for heavy chemicals.
Microfibre Cloth
A cloth woven from very fine synthetic fibres (typically polyester/polyamide) that deliver excellent cleaning, minimal lint and high absorbency.
How it’s used: After applying a cleaning solution, wipe the glass with a microfibre cloth or use it to buff/polish after squeegeeing. For interior and finishing touches it’s ideal.
Reusable many times, machine-washable, therefore reduces reliance on disposable paper towels or single-use wipes. Better cleaning performance means less chemical required.
Dedicate colours or cloths by zone to avoid cross-contamination. Launder properly (without fabric softener – which can reduce effectiveness). Replace when worn.
8. Brushes
Soft- or medium-bristle brushes used to agitate dirt, grime or pollutants on glass surfaces before rinsing/cleaning. Often used in external window cleaning or pre-wash stages.
How it’s used: Apply cleaning solution, scrub with brush (especially for exterior frames, sills, corners), then rinse and squeegee.
By physically removing bulk soil before the chemical stage, you reduce the load on cleaning solutions and reduce chemical volume and re-work. Choose brushes with durable, long-life bristles (preferably recyclable handles).
Use separate brushes for exterior heavy-soil vs. interior lighter cleaning. Rinse brushes well after use and store dry to extend lifespan.
9. Cleaning Solutions
Broad term for liquids/chemicals used to clean windows. In an eco-friendly context these are formulations that adhere to “safer chemistry” principles.
How it’s used: Often a two-stage or one-stage process: apply solution, rinse (or not), squeegee/dry/finish. For commercial large windows often higher-dilution, bulk such solutions.
Look for certifications like Green Seal (which certifies cleaning products made without harmful chemicals, low-VOC, no PFAS) or Safer Choice label from EPA. These ensure safety for workers, occupants and the environment.
Use concentrate dilutions where possible (less packaging, less shipping footprint). Collect rinse-water where feasible to prevent run-off into storm drains untreated. Monitor and document chemical usage for sustainability reporting.
10. Ettore Squeegee Off Window Cleaning Soap
A specific product: soap/solution designed for window cleaning, often used in exterior window-cleaning services by professionals.
How it’s used: Mixed in a bucket with water, used with washer and squeegee to clean glass surfaces, then rinsed and squeegeed. Common in commercial high-rise façade work.
Choose the version that is biodegradable, no harsh solvents, designed for professional use but with safer ingredients. Using large-scale professional soap means one product, efficient, reducing waste.
For commercial exteriors, combine this soap with water-fed poles and pure-water rinse systems to avoid chemical residue, increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
11. Indoor Window Cleaning Kits
A bundled set of tools (squeegee, washer, extension pole, cloths) designed for interior window work.
How it’s used: Service personnel use the kit to service interior glass partitions, large glazed surfaces, office atriums etc.
Kits help standardize tools (reducing single-use items), ensure proper reusable equipment, help systemize cleaning workflows—leading to less chemical waste, faster operations, less re-work.
Choose kits where tools are made from recycled or durable materials. Train staff on eco-best practices (correct dilution, reuse cloths properly, rinse buckets etc). Label tools and maintenance schedule.
12. Ladders
Standard tool for reaching windows not accessible from the ground or via extension poles. In commercial window cleaning, often industrial-grade aluminum or fibreglass ladders.
How it’s used: Cleaner climbs safely to reach high or awkward windows (especially low-rise commercial properties) to apply solution, rinse, squeegee etc.
While ladders aren’t chemical products, choosing long-life, robust ladders avoids frequent replacement and waste. Also using extension poles or water-fed pole systems can reduce ladder use, thereby improving safety and reducing equipment turnover.
Ensure ladders meet work-safety standards (e.g., for height, non-conductive if electrical hazard present). Inspect regularly. Use ladder only when necessary; wherever possible use safer alternatives like water-fed poles.
13. Scraper Blades
Thin metal or plastic blades used to remove stubborn deposits (paint overspray, glued-on stickers, bird droppings) from glass surfaces prior to cleaning.
How it’s used: Carefully used at low angle, scraping the glass gently then applying cleaning solution and squeegee. In exterior commercial windows, this often precedes washing/rinsing.
By manually removing heavy debris you reduce the need for repeated chemical treatments or stronger solvents. It makes the cleaning process more efficient and less chemical-intensive.
Use scratch-safe blades (and appropriate technique) to avoid damaging glass or coatings. Always use protective equipment. Dispose of worn blades safely (no littering). Use in combination with water rinse to prevent loose particles from going into drainage uncontrolled.
14. Spic and Span Cinch Glass Cleaner
A branded glass cleaner product.
How it’s used: Spray or apply, wipe/ squeegee. Commercial versions often used for interior glass, partitions, windows in offices, lobbies etc.
As with other brand options, select the variant with lower VOC, fewer hazardous additives, recyclable packaging, certification where available.
For larger panes, consider diluting in bulk if allowed by the manufacturer, to reduce packaging waste. Use microfibre cloths instead of paper towels.
15. Squeegees & Washers
Washer (a head with fabric or mesh sleeve) used with a solution to scrub glass, followed by squeegee to remove liquid. Combined tool system.
How it’s used: For exterior windows, you often wet the glass with washer, scrub, then squeegee clean. For interiors you might wet, then wipe off.
Using a proper washer + squeegee system reduces chemical consumption (you apply solution efficiently, reuse the water/sleeve) and avoids disposable wipes. Durable equipment means fewer replacements.
Maintain washer sleeves—rinse and launder regularly (with eco-safe detergent) to keep cleaning performance optimal. Replace when worn. Use methods that rinse away dirty water into appropriate drains, not stormwater.
16. Unger Easy Glide Glass Cleaner
A professional glass-cleaning tool or system (brand: Unger). “Easy Glide” suggests a tool with smooth action; may also be a cleaning fluid in their line.
How it’s used: In professional/window-cleaning-service context, this helps speed the cleaning and improve finish.
When combined with low-impact cleaning fluids and efficient tool design, you increase productivity (less time per window) and reduce waste and chemical use per surface cleaned.
Invest in good quality tools like the Unger system; train staff in efficient technique (one pass, optimal angle) to reduce re-work. Choose compatible eco-safe fluids.
18. Water-Fed Pole Systems
A professional window-cleaning system where pure (or deionised) water is pumped through a telescopic pole to a brush head; the brush agitates the glass and then the water rinses, leaving the glass to dry spot-free. Often used for exterior high windows where no squeegee is feasible.
How it’s used: Attach the water-fed pole, brush the glass surface (with the water flow), allow the water to carry away the dirt and then dry naturally (or use squeegee for final touches).
This system reduces or eliminates use of chemical cleaning solutions (sometimes just pure water is used), thus reducing chemical runoff, fewer packaging/transport of chemicals, safer for operators (no strong solvents). It’s one of the most “green” options for large-scale commercial façades.
Ensure water is appropriately filtered (and disposed of or drained safely). Use the water-fed pole within safety guidelines (especially height and fall protection). Rinse the system after use. Document water use and chemical minimization for sustainability reporting.
19. Window Cleaning Buckets
Buckets used for mixing dilutions of cleaning solutions, holding rinse water, etc. In commercial operations often large, robust, reusable plastic or composite buckets with measurement marks.
How it’s used: One bucket may hold a cleaning solution, another clean rinse water; sometimes a separate one for dirty water, to avoid contaminating the clean solution.
Choosing durable, reusable buckets avoids single-use containers. Proper bucket-management avoids waste water cross-contamination and reduces chemical carry-over.
Use colour-coded buckets (clean versus rinse) to avoid mistakes. Use graduations to ensure correct dilution (which reduces chemical over-use). After finishing, rinse buckets and let them dry for next use.
20. Streak-Free Glass Cleaner Zep
A commercial glass cleaning product from brand Zep, marketed as “streak-free”.
How it’s used: Spray or apply, wipe or squeegee off, ideal for interior windows, glass partitions, storefronts.
Select the variant with green credentials (low VOC, less packaging, certified). By ensuring streak-free finish, you minimise repeat cleaning – that indirectly reduces chemical/water usage.
Use in areas of high visibility (lobbies, storefronts) where finish quality matters. Pair with microfibre cloths to ensure polish and longevity of appearance.
Why Cleaning Products Matter for Different Spaces
The impact of traditional chemicals on health and environment
- Many conventional glass-cleaning solutions rely on harsh solvents, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ammonia, or other chemicals that may pose health risks to workers (via inhalation, skin contact) and occupants (via indoor air quality).
- Dumping or rinse-off of these chemicals can also negatively affect aquatic life, local waterways and ecosystem health, especially in high-volume commercial cleaning operations.
- From a regulatory standpoint, workplaces must consider occupational health and safety (e.g., SafeWork NSW provides guidance for cleaning services under work health and safety obligations).
Benefits of switching to sustainable alternatives
- Improved indoor air quality, safer working conditions, and reduced risk of chemical exposure for cleaning staff and building occupants.
- Lower environmental footprint: less toxic run-off, reduced VOC release, packaging choices that favour recycled or reusable materials.
- Brand reputation and alignment with ESG (environmental, social, governance) goals: for example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Safer Choice label helps identify products that meet rigorous health & environmental criteria.
- In commercial contexts, using certified “green” cleaning products can support sustainability certifications (e.g., LEED O+M) and can be a differentiator for facility management companies.
Safety and Environmental Compliance
Ensuring that your eco-friendly window cleaning operations are compliant with workplace health & safety and environmental standards is crucial — particularly in commercial settings.
Occupational health & safety
- According to SafeWork NSW, cleaning service workers are covered under work health and safety regulations; duty-holders must provide safe systems of work, training, supervision.
- Ensure Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available for all chemicals used, and workers are trained in correct handling.
- Use of ladders, extension poles, height work must comply with regulatory codes, risk assessments must be carried out (for example, precaution for falls).
- Choosing eco-friendly products often results in fewer hazards from fumes, but safety checks are still required (e.g., slipping hazards from water, run-off).
Environmental standards & certifications
- The EPA’s Safer Choice certification sets a high bar: every ingredient is reviewed, packaging is sustainable, and VOC content is restricted.
- Green Seal–certified cleaning products meet requirements such as low-VOC, no PFAS, and safe for aquatic life.
- Ensure cleaning operations manage rinse-water, don’t discharge untreated chemicals into storm-water or environmentally sensitive areas.
- For commercial cleaning providers aiming to demonstrate green credentials, using certified products + documenting usage + minimising water/chemical waste can support building sustainability certification or procurement requirements.
When to Hire Experts
Some window cleaning jobs are simply too complex for DIY methods. Large commercial buildings, high-rise façades, or structures that require special access systems—like rope access or water-fed poles—demand trained professionals. These experts have the tools and certifications to handle difficult angles, fragile glass, and safety risks efficiently.
If your cleaning needs involve after-hours scheduling or busy commercial zones, professional cleaners ensure minimal disruption to daily operations while maintaining safety and compliance. Businesses seeking reliable, large-scale services can explore our Commercial Window Cleaning Services — designed for precision, safety, and lasting results.
Final Thought
Eco-friendly commercial window cleaning isn’t just a passing trend — it’s a long-term investment in sustainability, safety, and brand reputation. Clean, well-maintained glass reflects more than light; it mirrors your company’s values and attention to detail.
By choosing certified green cleaning products, using durable professional tools, and partnering with experienced window cleaning specialists, businesses can achieve spotless, streak-free results that demonstrate both clarity and conscience.
If you’re ready to elevate your property’s appearance with sustainable, high-quality results, get a quote today and see how professional eco-friendly cleaning can transform your building’s image and performance.
FAQs
What is the best eco-friendly glass cleaner for commercial windows?
The best eco-friendly cleaners are those made with biodegradable ingredients, plant-based surfactants, and low-VOC formulas. Products labeled as “Safer Choice” or “Green Seal Certified” are reliable options for commercial use.
How can I clean large office windows without streaks?
Use a professional squeegee with a clean rubber blade and work from top to bottom. Combine it with microfiber cloths and filtered water to prevent mineral spots. Avoid cleaning in direct sunlight, as it causes streaking.
Are microfiber cloths environmentally friendly?
Microfiber cloths are more eco-friendly than paper towels because they’re reusable and require less cleaning solution. However, they should be washed in a garment bag to reduce microfiber shedding into wastewater.
What cleaning solution is safe for tinted commercial windows?
Use ammonia-free, pH-neutral, and alcohol-free window cleaners. These are safe for tinted or coated glass and won’t damage window films or protective coatings.
Can I make a natural window cleaner at home?
Yes. Mix distilled water with white vinegar and a few drops of eco-safe dish soap. This DIY cleaner works well for smaller office or home windows but might not be suitable for large-scale commercial cleaning.
What tools do professionals use for window cleaning?
Professionals use squeegees, extension poles, microfiber washers, scraper blades, ladders, buckets, and water-fed pole systems. These tools ensure efficient, streak-free cleaning while reducing chemical use.
Is vinegar safe for commercial glass surfaces?
Vinegar is safe for most standard glass surfaces, but avoid using it on tinted or treated glass. Always test a small section first before applying it to large commercial windows.
How often should commercial windows be cleaned?
Most commercial buildings schedule window cleaning quarterly or biannually. However, high-traffic or coastal areas may need monthly cleaning to maintain a professional appearance and prevent buildup.
What are the advantages of water-fed pole systems?
Water-fed poles use purified or deionized water to clean windows without detergents. They’re safer, allow ground-level access for high windows, and leave a spotless, streak-free finish without chemicals.
How do eco-friendly cleaning products reduce environmental impact?
They minimize water and chemical pollution by using biodegradable, non-toxic ingredients. They also reduce waste through concentrated formulas, refill systems, and reusable cleaning tools.
