There are several different types of window cleaning squeegees out there.
They come in different sizes, shapes, colors, and materials.
When cleaning windows professionally you want to be sure you purchase a professional grade squeegee, not some cheap knock off from your grocery or hardware store.
Some of the professional brands include Ettore, Unger, Pulex, and my favorite Sorbo.
When I first started window cleaning I started with Ettore, this like the others is a very reputable brand with great products, however as time went by I tried other products and now use only Sorbo.
However there are new squeegee products coming out all the time so who knows I might switch again.
One thing to know about squeegees is that they are made up of two main parts, the channel and the handle.
When it comes to the channel it is very important to look down the channel and make sure it is completely straight, if not it's going to give you all sorts of problems.
A bent channel is no good and should be tossed, so pay attention to detail when you are buying new ones.
A bent channel will streak your window and fail to take all the water off the window.
The other thing about the channel is that the rubber will have end clips to hold it in the channel, so that the squeegee does not slide out.
The end clips also give the squeegee a certain degree of taught-ness.
If the end clips are missing, you can expect more streaking of the window when you go to clean, once again creating a nightmare situation.
The handle is also very important, there are different types that clap down on the channel in different ways and that also can swivel and bend.
Some are very basic and others more complex.
Depending on your budget and what type of window cleaning you are doing, the right handle can make your job easier.
A handle that bends at the end is for cleaning windows with deeper ledges.
If the handle has a swivel action, this allows for you to fan the squeegee faster and easier and is great for large panes of glass.
Handles that are completely straight are better for store fronts where often the straight pull method is used.
In the end however you can use any handle and do any type of window.
So lets talk about some pros and cons of the channels and handles, I will talk mainly of Ettore vrs.
Sorbo since that is my main experience.
You can then compare similar products from the other brands.
The Ettore channel is great in that it is very inexpensive and the end clips should almost never come out on you.
They will hold your rubber very well.
The channel is thin and strong.
The clips however are a little tough to pull out and you have to then open the clips to take the rubber off.
The Sorbo channel is a little thicker which I had to adjust to, however the end clips slide out easier and allows for a quicker switching of the rubber, especially if you are simply flipping your rubber to the other side.
One down fall is that the clips can come out easier and if you don't have some back up clips this can be problematic.
The other nice thing about the Sorbo channel is that the ends are at 45 degree angles to prevent scratching the frames of the windows and some models come with plastic ends as well.
The Sorbo channel is very light weight.
The other aspect is the handle which also has a very important role in your choice of Squeegees as the Ettore and Sorbo products are not compatible.
You cannot use a Sorbo channel on Ettore handle and visa versa.
The Ettore handles come in different styles.
Some are complete brass and require a screwdriver to get the channel out.
Others have a quick release which have some pointy ends that have cut me a few times.
Also the clamp on some of the handles have little jagged teeth which has usually created a wavy motion in my rubber which has caused streaking on my windows.
So I recommend getting a Ettore that has a flat clamp if you go with that brand.
The Sorbo makes up for any short comings in its channel clips with its handle in that its comfortable to hold and better yet the channel quick release is a simple lever that allows you to pop different size channels in and out quickly, as where the Ettore you have to slide the channel out and depending on how tight your handle clamp is it can be a little difficult to slide a new channel in.
For now I am sold on the Sorbo, they also make the longest channel I have seen which is 78 inches.
Which is pretty cool for cleaning windows in a single swipe.
I recommend having several different lengths on you.
With the Sorbo you can switch them out rather quickly, especially if you carry them on you as you work.