ISSA/Interclean is in Chicago, IL, October 16-19, Lots of huge companies involved in the maintenance field with international sales with multi-million or billion dollar companies out there. I used to get a huge book of ISSA suppliers each year when I was doing janitorial.

George C Fahrlender
On-Location Services - Levelland, TX

ISSA used to be just for distributors; BSCAI used to be just for building service contractors. Now they hold conventions at the same time and merged their trade shows. It is primarily janitorial but provides an opportunity to see all of the window cleaning products and talk directly to the manufacturers.

Ed Samson
Ameri-Clean Commercial, Inc. - Northbrook, IL

I go every 2-3 years when ISSA comes to Chicago at McCormick Place. It is pertinent to window cleaners, but the ISSA show is so big you don't notice that right away. There are probably more window cleaners at ISSA than at any IWCA trade show, but they're outnumbered by thousands of other cleaning and maintenance professionals. More window cleaning industry manufacturers are there, too, but scattered among a thousand other booths. If you want to see it all, you really need a map, a plan, and comfortable shoes. After hours networking is a little harder if you're used to smaller events based in one hotel/conference. At an IWCA show or the Picnic people are easy to find, but when the ISSA trade show closes, everyone scatters.

I'll tell you what I think is most interesting about ISSA: while you're at one of the big squeegee company booths, watch who visits. Companies you never heard of with window cleaning divisions - suppliers from all over stocking up on supplies they'll sell to cleaners you never heard of at the IWCA or on Facebook. It's like an entire other world of window cleaning - and much larger than ours.

Gary Mauer
Window Cleaning Network - Oconomowoc, WI

We wear embroidered Under Armour hoodies. (When not on rope.) We believe they look very professional, and the rest is BS.

Jeff Scott
Green Window Cleaning, LLC - Sun Prairie, WI

We use hoodies and regular sweatshirts, and the only time I really worry is around banks and childcare facilities. We do banks early in the morning before opening, and I tell the guys never to have the hood up when they are there. We have beanies to wear in that instance. I have had the police called on us in that situation before, when we were working outside. Go figure. Our sweatshirts are clearly marked with a front logo, and an extremely large back logo. People are going to make snap decisions no matter what you wear, in my opinion. I am more concerned about the guys staying warm.

Teresa Emerson
Clearview Window Cleaning - Springfield, MO

On the one hand – is there any reason to wear a hood indoors other than to project a little thuggery? On the other hand if they're smiling at everyone, who's going to worry about a hood?

Gary Mauer
Window Cleaning Network - Oconomowoc, WI

This is a concern. As far as my company goes I have issued hooded sweatshirts with company logo. BUT, the hoods are only to be worn in the coldest of weather when working outdoors. When going inside any store and especially a bank they must lower the hood so their face is revealed. It is rare that they must have their hood up, and then only outside. Our company trucks are also marked so the customer will know that it is us on their property. I do not want to have my workers represent the Gangsta attitude in any way. I believe that would not be good business.

Rick Kadletz
Mid Missouri Window Cleaning Co. LLC - Moberly, MO

The idea with soft wash is to let the chemicals do the work instead of pressure, correct?

Gary Mauer
Window Cleaning Network - Oconomowoc, WI

Some guys refer to it as a chemical process; personally the term is just used mainly because pressure cleaners caused damage. The term softwashing came about by roof cleaners and pressure washing people who capitalized on consumer afraid to powerwash. There's a ton of online communities that have free info with guys who have been doing soft wash for years. I started one 12 years ago: http://www.pressurewashinginstitute.com.

Ron Musgraves
Pro-Power Wash - Phoenix, AZ

Over the years I have offered many window cleaning customers a soft wash. I share with them that I won't use high pressure from pressure washer around their windows and on most painted surfaces. Until I bought a pressure washer I would pre soak with hand sprayer starting at bottom and then brush to agitate when necessary, then rinse from top down. Of course you water down all growing plants, grass etc. first. Sometimes my water fed pole will clean without using any chemicals. The pressure washer I bought delivers a solution up to 35 ft. or so softly then let sit, brush when necessary and then rinse with adjusted down pressure, still in the realm of "soft wash" I have 5 or 6 different types of brushes and swivel pads etc. On smaller wash jobs, like on 1 story house fronts I have simply dipped my window cleaning wand in solution and went to town, then rinsed. Wands hold a lot of solution. That's a soft wash for sure. The trick is education of the business or home owner, i.e. letting them know on bricks, driveways, walkways and different areas of the house a higher pressure will be used to everyone's delight.

Mark Ahlich
Crystal Clear Vision - New Orleans, LA

I main do commercial buildings, so using a small pump isn't going to work. We have no real mold or mildew here in phoenix, but in my California operation we deal with it. We downstream a solution just strong enough to kill mold if needed. I don't have much use for bleach. It will work good in fire restoration, though. It's worked to bring smoked building back to new.

Ron Musgraves
Pro-Power Wash - Phoenix, AZ

I don't use the term myself but I could see that it would set the customers mind at ease. To my understanding the term 'soft wash' is used when a pressure cleaning company uses a downstream injector (an attachment that draws chemical under low pressure) to wet or prespray chemicals on a surface. The most common tip used on the end of the pressure cleaning wand would the black 'soap tip' There are plenty of variations. I don't use high pressure but high volume to wash a home. In the south with plenty of mildew, that black soap tip by just softly rinsing a home with a mild bleach and detergent mixture will make a home look like new. The same soap tip when removed from mixture bucket can be used to softly rinse off the detergent, rinse windows, roofs, cars, etc.

Shawn Banach
Quality Window and Pressure Cleaning - Turin, GA

Sheila Shine should work pretty well.

David Galvas
H & B Window Cleaning - Flint, MI

Sheila Shine works great on metal. Been using it 27 years now. The best for old metal store front window frames for removal of just about anything. Leaves them looking new. Kitchen exhaust hoods, too.

Ron Musgraves
Pro-Power Wash - Phoenix, AZ

Sometimes just a lanolin based hand cleaner can be effective. Most solvent based cleaners should work. Try Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish by Weiman, or Simple Green stainless steel cleaner. Be careful with anything abrasive. Stainless steel can really scratch easily. I have seen stainless steel sinks ruined from using scouring powder or scrub pads.

George C Fahrlender
On-Location Services - Levelland, TX

OneRestore may work; Eacochem also has a product called Cleansol that may work better on painted frames. I just tested both products on older painted frames and Cleansol worked a bit better. They are made by the same company and if you call them, they can give you guidance.

Dan Lloyd
Red Wagon Cleaning Service, Inc. - NC