How Well Do You Know Your Squeegee?

When you think of window cleaning especially on glass windows, you would surely picture a squeegee. A squeegee is an important element in window washing, especially when you need to remove the excess suds and water. It is something that many window washers cannot do without. However, it might be interesting to know about the origins of this vital and ever popular gadget.



A squeegee is a cleaning device with a flat and even rubber blade with smooth edges. The modern cleaning tool we know today is derived form a wooden blade with a long handle and part of a fisherman’s tool. It was first used to remove fish blood and scales. It was also used to remove the water on the deck of the boat.



However, by early 20th century, glass windows were widely used not only in buildings but in most homes. Many people needed an effective cleaning device that will replace rugs and cloths, which only leave water marks on the glass surface. The very first squeegee came into existence. The first one was known as the “Chicago squeegee,” a hefty gadget with two heavy rubber blades and with as many as 12 screws to hold it together. It was mainly used by professional window cleaners and washers. By 1936, one of the most effective squeegee was invented by an immigrant from Italy. Ettore Steconne, migrated to the US shores in 1921. He joined the ranks of window cleaning professionals and made a mark in the business with his version of a squeegee, which is still used as of present time.



Like its early versions, Steconne’s gadgets were also quite bulky and hard to handle. This prompted him to develop lighter and much improved squeegee. He used a brass handle instead of wood and utilized just one sharp rubber blade. He called his creation “New Deal,” but after several years of enhancement, changed it to “Ettore Master.” There are actually many variations of squeegees out in the market. However, credit is due to Steconne for inventing the very first squeegee from which all others based their creations.



The squeegee come in varying types and uses with the window squeegee by far, the most widely known. Did you know that there are also squeegees for the floor? This is often used in hospitals, where strict hygienic requirements cannot be accomplished by your ordinary mopping of floors. A squeegee easily scrape any blood on the operating room floor with a few quick strides. There are also squeegees for silk screens and for horse’s mane, to remove sweat from the animal’s coat. A specialized squeegee with stiff blades is used in putting grouts between tiles.



For sure, a squeegee is very effective and easy to use too. You can employ different motions as long as there are no streaks left on the surface. The usual method is to use a fan motion. In between wipings, you may use a lint free cloth to clean the rubber blades. Make sure that the rubber in your squeegee has not been eroded or else the plastic frame will scratch your glass windows and you end up replacing the entire frame. In addition, a squeegee will not remove the dirt, it is primarily used to remove the excess water or soap suds. You will still need to sweat it out if you want your windows sparkling clean, or better yet, hire a window cleaning company to do the job for you.