It is difficult to find a person who would admit that he loves washing windows. This especially applies to those who live on high floors. Manufacturers of household appliances met housewives halfway and created a Karcher cleaner for washing windows, which greatly facilitates this task. Is this device really as good as the manufacturer claims or is it just an advertising gimmick?
Tools from Karcher for glass
Can Karcher equipment be used to clean glass?
Karcher is a German brand that produces and sells cleaning equipment. Among the wide range there is a unique device - a manual windshield wiper.
There is an opinion that this device is intended exclusively for professional cleaning , but this is not so. It is quite suitable for home use.
With its help you can wash not only windows, but also most smooth surfaces, such as mirrors or tiles.
Externally, the Karcher sink resembles a brush from a vacuum cleaner, but larger. On sale you can find devices with and without a battery. In the latter case, the device will be powered from the mains.
Benefits of a windshield wiper
The Karcher brush is produced by a German company that has been known for decades for its reliability and quality of its products. The main advantages of this wiper include:
- Light weight of the device.
- The presence of a system that provides suction of dirty water generated when washing the window.
- A special tank with a capacity of 100 ml is made for dirty water.
- The device is suitable not only for vertical surfaces, but also successfully copes with cleaning inclined planes.
- The windshield wiper has high performance. A full charge of its battery lasts for 20 minutes of continuous operation. It’s very easy to control how much charge is left. There is a special sensor for this. It will take about 3 hours to fully charge the battery.
- The device is environmentally friendly and safe to use.
- The windshield wiper is designed as a convenient brush.
Lightweight model options
What else besides a steam cleaner?
Three types of devices from Karcher can be used to clean windows:
A manual windshield wiper that works like a vacuum cleaner. This is what is most often purchased for household needs.- Steam generator. This is a multifunctional device that is suitable for household chores: washing mirrors, plumbing fixtures, tiles and even upholstered furniture.
It can be used to steam curtains and clothes, disinfect various surfaces, and even remove bedbugs. - Mini high pressure washers . They are used for cleaning windows, but only from the outside.
All three devices can be used for washing windows, but in order not to damage the double-glazed windows, you need to follow the instructions.
Instructions for use
The manual windshield wiper is very easy to use. The principle of its operation is similar to that of a vacuum cleaner. The main function of the machine is to suck up dirty liquid from the surface.
Step-by-step instructions for use:
- Assemble the device and charge the battery.
- Apply the cleaning compound to the glass. This is done using a spray bottle that comes with the kit. It is important to properly dilute the product with water, the recommended proportion is 1:10.
- Distribute the liquid evenly over the surface. For this purpose, the wiper is equipped with a soft cloth attachment.
- Press the suction nozzle against the glass and remove water and dirt from the window. It will end up in a special tank.
- After completing cleaning, empty the container with the collected liquid and rinse the tank.
When operating a Karcher windshield wiper, you should pay attention to the following error codes that may appear on the display :
E1 – the battery is overheated or, conversely, too cold, you need to let the device cool or warm up;- E2 – the turbine that sucks in water is blocked; it needs to be cleaned to continue operation;
- E3 – the voltage is too high; to avoid damage to the device, only the original charger can be used to power it;
- Lo – battery is low and needs to be recharged.
In addition to a windshield wiper, you can use a steam generator . Features of its operation:
- Before you start processing the glass, you need to remove dirt from the frames; excess liquid is collected with a soft cloth;
- pour water into the steam generator, plug in the device and wait for it to boil;
- processing must be carried out from the top point of the glass in a downward direction - first you should wash the outside of the window, and then the inside;
- Excess water is removed with a scraper.
The advantage of using a steam generator is that it not only cleans, but also disinfects the surface, which is important for people suffering from allergies.
In this case, you can refuse to use detergents. To make the water in the steam generator boil faster, you need to pour heated liquid into it.
To clean windows with a high pressure washer, you must follow these guidelines:
- Add soap concentrate to the tank. It is necessary to use liquid from the same company as the device itself.
- Turn on the washer. Holding the tip of the spray nozzle at a 45-degree angle to the window, apply the soap solution.
- Turn on the high pressure washer and set the sprayer to general mode. Point the tip at a 20 degree angle towards the glass.
- Water from the sink from the top of the window downwards.
- Let the glass dry.
A high-pressure apparatus can only be used if the seals are of high quality, the frames are in good condition, and the glass is not damaged. This device is suitable for washing windows in cottages, private houses, and in the country.
In high-rise buildings, such a sink can be used by people living on the ground floor (provided there are no bars on the windows). They will be able to clean the glass from the outside. Inside the room you will have to resort to using a steam cleaner.
Design and principle of operation of the device
"Kärcher" works on the principle of a washing vacuum cleaner. First, the surface to be cleaned is irrigated with water, and then the device sucks up the dissolved contaminants along with the liquid. Elements of manual labor, of course, will be present, but to a much lesser extent. As a rule, the kit of such a device includes:
- spray bottle for spraying water or cleaning solution;
- microfiber cover with Velcro – the part is installed on the spray bottle, necessary for uniform distribution of the detergent composition;
- a rubberized nozzle through which liquid and dirt are sucked out;
- charging device;
- a concentrate of alcohol-free detergent that does not leave streaks and has no pungent odor; removes stubborn grease stains, fingerprints, waste products and traces of insects and birds;
- a long handle-nozzle, indispensable when cleaning high windows, is offered as an additional accessory.
When should it not be used for washing?
Karcher windshield wipers cannot be used in the following cases:
the device is dirty, the water from the last cycle has not been drained;- Do not use a windshield wiper to collect dust;
- You should not treat surfaces on which there are particles of large debris - they will clog the nozzle and the device will fail;
- There is no original detergent available.
If the device was used for other purposes and failed, the manufacturer will not be held liable for the damage caused.
How to use the device
The process is not difficult; one wash cycle is enough to acquire and consolidate the required skills. The sequence of work using a Karcher washer consists of the following steps:
- Assemble the device according to the attached instructions.
- Charge the battery.
- Dilute the concentrate with water, observing the proportions recommended by the manufacturer, and pour into a spray bottle.
- Spray the glass with cleaning solution.
- Use a microfiber pad to rub away dirt.
- Change attachments - now you need a washing head.
- Turn on the button on the device body and collect dissolved contaminants first with vertical movements and then with horizontal movements (or vice versa). Treat especially carefully the areas near the rubber bands of the glass unit - dirt and dust accumulate there the most.
- At the end of the work, pour out the dirty water from the tank, rinse the tank and brush in clean water. Place the device to recharge. Proper care will significantly extend the life of the device.
Pros and cons of using
Advantages of using a Karcher windshield wiper:
- ease of use;
- high-quality window cleaning without streaks;
- small sizes;
- high reliability of equipment;
- low power consumption with high performance;
- versatility of use - the device can be used for cleaning around the house and washing different surfaces.
The main disadvantage of the Karcher windshield wiper is its high cost. However, all the equipment from this company is not cheap. People value the brand for its reliability, durability and practicality.
Another disadvantage is the wear and tear of napkins and rubber bands . The more often you use the device, the faster they will become unusable. However, the components are sold separately and are not as expensive as a new windshield wiper.
Characteristics of Karcher brand window cleaning devices
The basic package of the Karcher cleaner includes:
- Spray bottle. Its volume is 250 ml. It has brackets for fixing the napkin.
- A microfiber cloth that evenly distributes the product over the treated area.
- Water collection nozzles – narrow and wide.
- Charging device.
- Concentrated window cleaner. Requires dilution with water in a ratio of 1:20, so it is used very economically.
- Documentation.
The purifier has the following characteristics:
- weight including battery – 700 g,
- length – 130 mm,
- width – 90 mm,
- height – 355 mm,
- maximum nozzle width – 280 mm,
- water collection container – 100 ml,
- Full charging time – 3 hours,
- The maximum period of operation before recharging is 20 minutes.
Where and for how much to buy?
You can purchase Karcher equipment in retail stores. This is a well-known brand, which has representative offices in most localities. If the model you need is not in stock, you can order it online on online platforms.
The price depends on the type of device , the average cost of classic windshield wipers for household use:
- Model WV 6 Premium – 8500 rubles.
- Model WV 5 Premium – 6500 rubles.
- Model WV 50 Plus – 3900 rubles.
The price of steam cleaners starts from 7,500 rubles and can reach up to 33,000. High-pressure washers cost at least 22,500 rubles. All equipment is guaranteed for 5 years.
"Kärcher" with long handle
The manufacturer has provided a special additional accessory for the cleaner - an extension nozzle. It is not only useful, but also indispensable for those who have high windows.
The nozzle consists of telescopic tubes that can be folded out and thereby increase the length of the handle. One tube has a hinge for fixing the cleaner. Thanks to the hinge, the structure can bend at different angles. The second attachment is used for a microfiber brush.
Extension tubes for the Karcher cleaner make it possible to clean high windows not only in the house, but also in offices, as well as windows outside the premises - greenhouses, verandas, balconies, etc. The maximum length of the tube reaches 2 meters.
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The weight of a windshield wiper with a telescopic tube doubles to more than 1 kg. This design is difficult to maintain for a long period of time. For convenience, a special bag is sold. It is attached to the belt and helps distribute the load, and all parts of the device will be at hand.
The handset is not included in the standard kit and must be purchased separately. Before purchasing, be sure to check the compatibility of the existing model and the purchased attachment.
Helpful information
Tips for using Karcher windshield wipers:
- Do not allow detergents from other manufacturers to enter the device. Their composition is not designed for a proprietary device. Failure to comply with this rule may cause the sink to break down.
- If the windows were installed less than 2-3 days ago, you should not wash them with a glass cleaner. During installation, the joints are filled with construction foam; if it is not completely dry, its particles can get into the device and damage it.
- It is necessary to remove all foreign objects from the window sill so as not to touch them with the windshield wiper handle.
- Dirt clogged in the drainage holes must be removed manually using cotton swabs.
- It is convenient to clean the joints between the frames with an old toothbrush. There is no need to try to do this with a Karcher apparatus.
- You can put the device away for storage only after it is completely dry.
You will find a lot of important and useful information about fast and effective window cleaning in this section.
Safety of using Karcher windshield wipers
In order for the Karcher washing machine to be safe and effective during operation, it is recommended to adhere to certain rules when using it:
- Don't give it to children.
- Periodically check all ventilation slots, which could allow foreign objects to get into them and cause damage.
- To charge the battery, use only original accessories.
- Do not direct the spray into the eyes or other parts of the body.
- If you need to clean a delicate surface, then when using for the first time, test the operation of the cleaner on an inconspicuous area.
Those who have already become acquainted with such an assistant for washing windows note that with Karcher, washing windows turns into a real pleasure.
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