What’s the Difference and Which is Better?

 

When it comes to keeping your windows sparkling clean, two main methods dominate the industry: traditional window cleaning and the modern water-fed pole system. While both have their place, each approach has its pros, cons, and ideal use cases.
At Aqua Glaze Exterior Cleaning, we’ve used both — and in this blog, we’ll break down what makes them different, and which delivers the best results.

1. What Is Traditional Window Cleaning?
The traditional method is what most people picture when they think of window cleaning: a bucket of soapy water, a squeegee, and a cloth or scraper for finishing.
It’s a hands-on approach that involves cleaning each pane manually, often from a ladder. Many still refer to it as “the old way”, but some window cleaners continue to use it — especially for inside cleans or ground-floor properties.
Pros:
• Good for small areas or internal windows
• Allows hands-on attention to detail
• Instant drying with a squeegee
Cons:
• Uses tap water, which can leave streaks or marks
• Risky for high-level windows (requires ladders)
• Dirt often transferred from one property to the next via dirty water or cloths
• Slower for larger properties

2. What Is Water-Fed Pole (WFP) Cleaning?
Water-fed pole systems are the modern solution to safer, more effective exterior window cleaning. These systems use telescopic poles to deliver purified water (via brush heads) directly to the window.
The water is purified through Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Deionisation (DI), removing all minerals, metals, and impurities. Because the water is 0 TDS (total dissolved solids), it dries clear — with no need for drying or wiping.
At Aqua Glaze, we even use hot purified water heated to 80° for an even better clean.
Pros:
• Streak-free results with no residue
• Cleans frames, sills, and hard-to-reach areas in one go
• Safer – eliminates need for ladders
• Environmentally friendly – no chemicals or soaps used
• Ideal for regular cleans
Cons:
• Not ideal for interior windows
• Some customers misunderstand the "leave to dry" method
• Setup costs for cleaners are higher (but that’s a positive for the customer)

3. Why Do Most Professional Cleaners Choose WFP?
In recent years, the industry has shifted towards water-fed pole cleaning — and for good reason. Cleaners like us invest thousands of pounds into top-end filtration systems, water heating equipment, and vehicles equipped for the job.
Why? Because it gives our customers a better, safer, and more professional service.
Traditional methods still have their place — particularly for internal cleans — but the benefits of WFP are hard to ignore when it comes to exteriors.
4. Safety and Efficiency Matter
Did you know that between 2 and 7 window cleaners die every year from ladder-related accidents in the UK? With WFP, we can safely clean windows up to 3–4 stories high — all from the ground. That means fewer risks for us and faster results for you.
5. So, Which Is Better?
Let’s sum it up:

Winner: Water-Fed Pole (for almost every external cleaning job)

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6. Conclusion: Modern Tools for Better Results

At Aqua Glaze, we’ve made the full switch to hot purified water and water-fed poles for exterior windows. It's not only safer and more professional — it gives our customers a consistently spotless finish, every time.

We still use the traditional method when cleaning inside windows, but we leave the mop-and-bucket “cowboy” jobs to others.

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Got questions or want to book a clean?
Message us directly or head over to our booking page for a free quote.