Safe cleaning for
windows
Gadgets on the market allow you to clean
the outside of windows without the risk of falling
out
A popular
magnetic window cleaner by local home appliance brand Maier is
selling well at DIY shops after the spate of maids falling to their
death while cleaning windows.
The Maier
Innovative Window Cleaner, which was first made available here in
2002, allows it user to clean the exterior of windows without
having to open them wide and lean out precariously, as is often the
case in high-rise buildings.
Its secret
lies in the use of magnets in two rectangular cleaning devices.
When you move one on the inside of the window, the one on the
outside follows due to the magnetic attraction. In the process, the
devices pick up dirt and dust on the cleaning mats and squeegees at
their bases.
About 100 to
200 units are sold monthly, says Maier, which supplies them to
about 20 shops including do-it-yourself chain stores Home-Fix and
Selffix. The Product sells for $29.90.
Maier sales
manager Peter Chan has seen an increase in sales of “about 15 to 20
per cent” in recent months, each time there is a case of a maid
falling from a high-rise building.
Eight maids
have fallen to their deaths this year, most of whom were apparently
cleaning windows when they fell. Between 2007 and last year, 24
maids fell to their deaths.
“In previous
years, whenever there is newspaper report about a maid falling
while cleaning, there will be more awareness and interest about
safety in window cleaning,” says Mr Chan.
“Only this
year, the increase in sales is much higher because on average,
there are two cases involving maids a month. Previously, the
increase was only marginal.”
Home-Fix sells
an average of 60 units a month, while Selffix sold 15 last month.
Two out of Selffix ‘s 10 outlets are sold out of the product and
three are running low on stocks.
However, some
customers have found it unsatisfactory.
Mrs Elise Teo,
54, shelved it after using it twice three years ago. “It is not
very smooth-moving on the window, and it is also not very efficient
in cleaning,” says the assistant vice-president in global
transactions at DBS.
There are
alternative gadgets around, including extendable window cleaners
such as the 3-in-1 Window Wiper by German home appliance brand
Leifheit. The cleaner works like a mop, with an extendable pole and
bendable and detachable cleaning head.
However at
$98, it is not as popular as the cheaper Maier one. DIY shop
Handyhouse sells ‘’not more than 10.” Leifheit cleaners a month,
while Zener D.I.Y Store sells “about one” each month.
LifeStyle
asked Filipina maid Florabel Gepulango, 34, to put the Maier
Innovative Window Cleaner and the Leifheit 3-in-1 Window Wiper to
the test.
LEIFHEIT 3-IN-1 WINDOW
WIPER
What: An extendable mop with a detachable
head lined with a removable microfibre cleaning cloth and squeegee,
from German brand Leifheit. The microfibre cloth, which is attached
by Velcro, can be washed up to 100 times. The pole can be extended
up to 2m. The cleaning head can be tilted up to 180 degrees. The
user may have to lean out the window a bit to reach some corners,
but not much.
Where to buy it: Zener D.I.Y Store, 1
Glaymore Drive, Orchard Towers, 01-07/08/09, tel: 6735-8439;
Handyhouse 1 Fifth Avenue, tel: 64667800
Price: $98
The Verdict: “It can reach the higher
places and remove the dirt properly.”
“You can also
remove the head to use separately, so you can use it in many
ways.”
“I think
it is safe to use. You can adjust the handle so you can reach the
higher parts of the window without leaning out so much.”
MAIER INNOVATIVE WINDOW
CLEANER MHI-500
What: This comprises two sections of
plastic embedded with magnets. Each section has two strips of
cleaning cloth attached to it.
One
section has a handle. You put this inside the window and the other
section outside the window. The action of swishing the one inside
across the window pane causes the one outside to follow due to
magnetic attraction.
The outside
section has a drop-prevention cord you can attach to your wrist in
case it falls off the window.
Suitable for
using on standard windows that are 3 to 7mm thick. Comes with
one-year warranty.
Where to buy it: Home Fix, 24 outlets
islandwide including Thomson Plaza (301 Upper Thomson Road,
01-85/86 Thomson Plaza, tel: 6457-8038) and Tampines 1 (10 Tampines
Central 1 , B1-20 Tampines 1, tel: 6544-2736); Selffix, 10 outlets
islandwide including VivoCity (1 Harbourfront Walk, B2-20 VivoCity
, tel: 63769072) and The Centrepoint
(176 Orchard Road, The Centrepoint 03-42, tel: 67356274)
Price: $29.90
The verdict: “It’s not easy to use. You
cannot reach the higher parts of the window. Sometimes, it cannot
catch the dirt properly. ”
“When you move the cleaner, the parts will
stick together because of the magnet. But you cannot move it too
fast or else the piece on the outside can drop off.” (The external
unit fell off once during the test.)
“It‘s not very comfortable to
use.”
lifestyle, hot,
Pg 2, The Sunday Times May 6, 2012
