Short answer
Water-fed pole window cleaning uses a long, lightweight pole with a soft brush at the top, through which purified water is pumped onto the glass. The brush loosens the dirt, the pure water rinses it away, and because the water has had its minerals removed it dries clear without spots or streaks. The cleaner stays on the ground, so upstairs windows are cleaned without ladders.
What is a water-fed pole?
A water-fed pole is a telescopic pole, usually made from a light material so it can be extended and handled from the ground. At the top is a brush with soft bristles, and running up the inside or outside of the pole is a thin hose. Small jets beside the brush head spray water onto the glass while the cleaner scrubs.
The water comes from a purification system, either carried in a vehicle or connected to a supply on site. The cleaner works the brush over the frame and the glass, then rinses everything down with a final flow of pure water and moves on to the next window. Nothing is wiped dry.
Why pure water dries without spots
Ordinary tap water carries dissolved minerals. When it evaporates on glass, those minerals are left behind as the faint spots and rings you see when rain or a hose dries on a window. That is why traditional window cleaning relies on a squeegee and cloth to take the water off before it dries.
Purified water has had those minerals filtered out. With nothing dissolved in it, there is nothing to leave behind as it evaporates, so the glass can simply be left wet and allowed to dry. Pure water also acts as a good rinsing agent, lifting loosened dirt away without the need for detergent. Using no soap means no soapy film is left to attract fresh dirt.
What a water-fed pole clean looks like, step by step
- The cleaner checks the windows, frames and anything below them, such as plants, a conservatory roof or a parked car, and notes any open windows or vents.
- The pole is extended to the height of the window and the purified water is switched on.
- The frame around the glass is scrubbed first, top section included, so dirt from the frame does not run onto clean glass afterwards.
- The glass is scrubbed with the brush, working across the pane and paying attention to the edges and corners where dirt collects.
- The sill is brushed, so muck sitting on it does not splash back up.
- Everything is given a final rinse with pure water, from the top down, so no loosened dirt is left on the frame or glass.
- The window is left to dry naturally, and the cleaner moves on.
Frames and sills, not just glass
One advantage people notice is that the frames come up clean as well. Because the brush is scrubbing and rinsing anyway, the uPVC or painted frame around each pane is cleaned as part of the same pass, and the sill below is brushed down. With a squeegee clean, frames are often wiped quickly or left out.
If frames have been neglected for a long time, the first clean may lift a lot of dirt, and stubborn marks such as old bird droppings or black streaks may need extra attention. Our guide to cleaning uPVC covers frames, sills and drainage slots in more detail.
Reaching upstairs windows from the ground
The main safety benefit is that nobody has to climb a ladder. The cleaner stands on the ground and reaches upstairs windows with the pole, which removes the risk of falls from ladders and means no ladder feet on lawns or flower beds and no ladder resting against frames or gutters.
It also allows windows to be reached over obstacles such as a single-storey extension, a porch or a conservatory, without anyone standing on them. The cleaner works from a safe position on the ground, angling the pole over the obstacle to reach the glass beyond.
Questions people often ask
Will the windows look wet? Straight after cleaning, yes, and you may see drips running from the frames for a short while. That water is pure, so as it dries it should leave the glass clear. If it rains soon afterwards, the rain will dry in the usual way, but because no soap residue has been left on the glass, rain tends to mark it less.
Can water-fed poles clean the inside? No. They are designed for outside glass. Inside panes are cleaned by hand with a cloth and squeegee, which our guide to cleaning windows without streaks explains.
Does it work on every window? It works on most domestic windows. Very old or damaged frames, leaded lights and windows with failed seals may need a gentler approach, and windows directly above a busy pavement or road may need some planning.
When to call a professional
Water-fed pole systems need a water purification unit and the equipment to carry and supply it, so this is a job most people leave to a professional window cleaner rather than buying the kit for their own house.
We already use water-fed poles, pure water and soft brushes on conservatory glass and frames, uPVC rooflines and solar panels. For your home's windows, tell us about the house, any extensions or conservatory below the glazing, and whether you want frames and sills included when you ask for a quote, and we will talk you through the approach for your property.
Rather have it done for you?
Streak-free windows, frames and sills for homes across Essex. Family-run by Jason and Lucas Prior, covering south Essex.
Frequently asked questions
What is pure water window cleaning?
It is window cleaning with water that has had its dissolved minerals removed. Because there is nothing left in the water to dry on the glass, the windows can be left to dry naturally without spots or streaks.
Do water-fed poles use soap or chemicals?
Normally no. The soft brush loosens the dirt and the purified water rinses it away, so no detergent is needed and no soapy film is left behind.
Why are my windows dripping after a water-fed clean?
Water drains from the frames and sills for a short while after the final rinse. It is purified water, so it should dry clear.
Can a water-fed pole reach over a conservatory?
Yes. The pole lets the cleaner reach upstairs glass over a conservatory, porch or extension from the ground, without anyone standing on the roof.
Related guides
- How to clean windows without streaks: why windows streak and the simple squeegee technique that leaves glass clear, inside and out.
- How often should windows be cleaned?: why there is no single right interval, and how roads, the coast, trees and the type of building decide how often your windows need cleaning.
- What affects the cost of window cleaning: the factors that change a window cleaning quote for homes and businesses, what a good quote includes and how to compare quotes.