"Cleanin' in the Rain"

Can you clean windows in the rain?

Logic may say no but in reality it is sometimes possible. I'll explain. We have established that rain is not the major culprit in making windows dirty (see previous post Rain and spots on your windows). The rule of thumb we find safe to use is that the inside of a window can be cleaned rain or shine; and if not being splashed by rain the outside of a window can also be cleaned - more on that below.

Two examples of windows that can be cleaned even while it is raining are Depalmas on the Eastside or Transmetropolitan in downtown Athens, Georgia. Because the windows on both of these businesses are set back under a cover we can clean them even when it is raining.

Transmetropolitan downtown Athens, Georgia. Notice that the windows are covered.

The windows at DePalmas on Athens' Eastside are behind this covered outdoor seating area.

Ok, back to the issue of cleaning the outside of a window that is not covered even while it is raining.

Here it gets a bit tricky. In order to avoid leaving streaks, the windows need to be completely dry after cleaning. One of the cleaning agents we typically use aids in drying the window - so no problem. The tricky part is when the rain is actually hitting the window. Then it is time to get in out of the rain and clean the outside of those windows a little later.