When it comes to excellent window cleaning products, Kärcher is the most trusted name in the UK. Yes, the tool can be used on its side as well as upside down. oh, and store your wet cleaner in a dry place. With a 40 per cent longer run time than the WV2, the Anniversary Edition has a very decent 35 minutes' cleaning time. We recommend buying an extra bottle of Karcher’s cleaning detergent when purchasing your Window Vac, as it’s tried and tested and isn’t particularly expensive. If there’s one feature that we appreciate most in any handheld cleaning tool (especially one that we’ll likely end up using for 20+ minutes like the Karcher Window Vac, it’s a well-thought-out, smart design that blends ergonomics to reduce the strain of using it. I'd need to put in more prep to get all the stubborn marks off the glass before using the Window Vac. It’s not even the amount of elbow grease that’s needed to clean the window in the first place that frustrates us most – it’s all the work afterword trying to rid the glass of every last streak. When it comes to the cleaning process itself, the simplicity continues. You first spray the window with the detergent/water mix and wipe it with the microfibre pad to remove most of the grime, then immediately vacuum the dirty water residue from the glass with the window vac. A spray bottle set with microfibre cloth; Interchangeable suction nozzle, large or small. I had to measure it separately and pour the water in from a measuring jug. All of which begs the question as to whether Karcher's detergent (they like to use the term "surfactant," a pricey word that means "detergent") is really a better product than others you can buy for far less money. I use my window vac primarily to clean slate kitchen counters, & I do find Karcher's cleaning solution works better than Windex. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Great for cleaning the condensation and splashes in the shower, too - if you stand it outside the shower while you are in there showering, you can reach round the door before you get out and run it down the tiles walls and door while standing there. My guess is that the washer unit bottle holds just enough liquid to do a small bungalow, inside and out. That’s also true of any other method. The result is a clean, dry, streak-free window. Standard handheld: These are the size of a regular handheld vacuum but are made to suction up moisture, dust, and debris on windows without leaving smudges and streaks behind. But is it all just savvy marketing, or is the Window Vac really as good as Karcher would have you believe? Instructions for the enclosed washing liquid say you should add 230ml water to the 20ml of liquid but the washer bottle has no measure on it anywhere that I could see meaning you don’t know what the volume is. The next limitation comes from the microfiber cloth you use to clean the window before using the Window Vac. So clean!!! We think so. As such, you’ll need to wait anywhere between 2 to 3+ hours before you can reuse the vac, which may be a touch inconvenient if you want to tackle your windows and bathroom in one charge, for example. However, I'd offset this argument somewhat by saying that the Window Vac uses remarkably little water: I think I could do my whole house using less than a litre of water. However, only use the tool upside down for brief periods as water may enter the vacuum system. Can you purchase replacement blades and/or a smaller cleaning head? © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. Oil vs Oil-Free Air Compressor – Which Should You Choose? If you have condensation issues in your house, the cleaner can dry it from the windows or mirrors within a short period. Order online at Screwfix.com. The range-topping WV5, on the other hand, has about 40% more runtime than the WV2, and it’s also the only model that lets you remove the battery. For starters, there’s the dirty water tank capacity, and at 100ml, it’s probably just the right size for small to medium-sized jobs. More compact, handier and lighter. I worked with one in each hand and alternated as I went along. Firstly, it only takes a few seconds to empty the dirty water tank, which you do by popping open the cap as shown in the image above to allow emptying into the nearest sink, for example. Cons: - You still have to use a cloth/kitchen roll. Hi Lisa, I like to use the Karcher window cleaner with a little windex. The Karcher Window Vac is designed for use on smooth, moist surfaces. May need to wipe round edges, sills with dry cloth afterwards. The Upside: The Kärcher WV5 is lightweight and great for cleaning everything that is possible to reach around the home including mirrors, shower screens, windows and worktops. I need a replacement plug adaptor, where can I get one? The vacuum squeegee really works: I tried the squeegee without the vacuum to see if it was just a gimmick, and the unit is nowhere near as good without the vacuum because the vacuum takes away water from the surface of the glass and you don’t get a series of drops or a small pool on the window ledge. Does the increase in runtime justify the extra price for these models? Then I wipe down from top to bottom, before I go to wipe the next area I use an old face washer to dry the squeegee. What do professional window cleaners use to clean windows and How you can get the same results. Yes, you could opt for just using water, but this will end up leaving more dirt on the windows, and so the Window Vac’s squeegee will pull this along causing streaking. Finally, vacuum up the dirty water using the window vac to leave the surface both clean and dry. Hardly – we still think that adding one to your cleaning collection is a no-brainer, especially, if like us, you value your time and would do anything in your power to reduce the hassle of cleaning windows, all the while improving the end finish. The first is the price, and while none of the models are extortionate by any means, each is considerably more expensive than a conventional microfiber cloth and squeegee. Kärcher's Window Vac Anniversary Edition is the latest addition to their window cleaning range. Thread starter keith; Start date Oct 8, 2014; keith. Not good. The recharging process is the same regardless if you choose the WV5 with a removable battery or any of the other models with a fixed one. So some cleaning liquid is needed. Fixed 250mm cleaner head is ideal for shower screens and tiles. In today’s guide, we’re going to review the most popular karcher window vacs of 2020. Because of this, you can purchase an additional battery for the WV5 to bypass the need to wait for either 120-minutes or 185-minutes to continue cleaning like you need to do with the lower-specced models. Actually, this makes it very efficient; no constant picking up and putting down. Can the batteries be changed on any of the Karcher window cleaner models? Finally, there’s the overall battery life to consider. Regardless if you opt for Karcher’s spray bottle and microfiber combo, or use your own, you’ll likely need to give this a good wash or swap it out mid-job to achieve the best possible finish. Yes this is great for cleaning your car windows inside and out. You can buy replacement blades and a narrow suction head to increase both your window vacuum’s life and cleaning flexibility. This is important indoors. It can handle working inverted for a few swipes before choking - when upside down the water stays in the head, the machine needs to be orientated upright to allow water to drain into the tank. Karcher Suction Nozzle for... Amazon. The Window Vac is included with everything you need for a basic clean: Extras that aren't included but can be bought separately include: I was surprised to find two units in the box rather than the one I was expecting: the washer and the squeegee/vacuum. As an intelligent robot, the Ecovacs Winbot 880 can determine the best path to take when cleaning any surface. Karcher Window Vac – The Complete Buyer’s Guide, This website uses cookies. ... Today's best Karcher Window Vac deals. Not only is it time-consuming, but unless you put in the time and effort to get it right, you end up with a subpar (i.e., streaky) finish. Do they make the Window Vac more of a pain than a pleasure to live with? Very little preparation is needed; it’s like using a cordless vacuum – because it's light and hassle-free, you're tempted to do it more often. The dirty water tank can be emptied quickly and easily. The detergent can also be used manually with cloths, sponges or rubber squeegees to provide a streak-free finish as well as a pleasant aroma that won’t damage delicate surfaces. For a double glazed window is a hard surface that a steam cleaner can clean effectively but you have to do with caution not to damage or ruin them. The results largely depend on how careful you are. The Window Vac can also just as easily be used horizontally in a side-to-side motion too, although, if we’re entirely honest, this does feel a little bit more cumbersome given the size of the unit, and it can feel slightly unbalanced at times in this orientation, but overall, it’s still very manageable. As mentioned above, there is also a fourth model above – the Karcher 10th WV Anniversary Edition – which we haven’t featured in the table below as it’s essentially the same as the WV5 model, bar a non-removable battery and a slightly different color scheme. ... which meant the washer unit leaked and the squeegee couldn’t finish the down stroke, leaving a streak. You don’t use this window the vacuum itself, but rather, you can add it to to the spray bottle that comes with several of the different kits (or that is available separately here) in a mix of around one and a half capfuls to the rest clean water. Karcher window cleaner. Report. - Can save time vs using cloths/kitchen roll alone. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Wash out the Karcher reservoir bottle. The window vac can be used on all smooth surfaces such as windows, tiles, mirrors, work surfaces or shower screens. Types of window vacuum cleaners. Of course getting a window cleaner might be easier, but our old one missed more than he cleaned which became annoying when the same bit of bird mess remained on the window for 3 consecutive visits. You’ll discover the next quirk when trying to use your Karcher vac near a window sill or other horizontal surface. On some windows, you have to hold the unit sideways, which meant the washer unit leaked and the squeegee couldn’t finish the down stroke, leaving a streak. Like manual squeegee there is still some wet area around the edges that need done by hand. As a test, I tried using just water and not the cleaning fluid. ... I’m on my third karcher window vac. This meant having to hold them sideways which caused two problems: first, the washer unit leaked and, second, the squeegee couldn’t finish the down stroke in one go but needed a sideways swipe which sometimes left a horizontal streak. You see, regardless of which model you choose, all it takes is a simple three-step process to go from dirty to clean windows in around a third of the time it takes with traditional window cleaning methods. One of the best features of this whole concept is ease, speed and efficiency. Let’s get stuck in to reveal everything you need to know about the Karcher Window Vac – the good, the bad, and the ugly…. It’s an attractive product idea: easy to use, clean and neat and the results are as good as you’re prepared to make them. They are great to begin with but all stopped working after a few months. Seems odd considering this machine is used to collect water. Prime. Solution: Be aware of the angle you are using your window vac and try not to use it too much on its side and especially upside down. The latest model (correct as of the time of writing) is the Karcher. The WV5 model, however, does feature a removable battery, and an extra one can be purchased relatively cheaply, so this is the model we’d recommend if you’re looking to tackle longer/more extensive cleaning requirements regularly. Yes can be used upside down and horizontal. The WV1, WV2, and the Karcher ’10th anniversary Window Vacuum’ all feature non-removable batteries. Read my Vax VRS28WV Window Vacuum Cleaner Review to learn why you shouldn't buy it + which window cleaner gives you the best value for money. You cannot use it upside down or on the sides as it … Even better? It’s best-suited to the average homeowner looking for a quicker and easier way to clean and dry and their home or car windows, or to dry surfaces such as tiles, shower screens, mirrors, and countertops. Check out this YouTube video to see these particular steps in more detail. Wipe the surface using a microfibre cloth. Can the Karcher window cleaner work horizontally as well as vertically. Yes, it can be used on horizontal surfaces, for example, to remove condensation or moisture, and to clean up spills (up to a maximum of 25 ml). Yes, the batteries are rechargeable, but on the WV1, WV2, and the 10th Anniversary models, they’re non-removable. AU. We’ve covered all available models from high end to the cheapest karcher window vacuum so that you can select products based on your budget. View. - Can be used for spillage and other cleaning, not just windows but condensation etc. It fills up with an amazing amount of water, no wonder mould builds up on the grouting. Karcher have not got this part of their product functioning, and as it was so eloquently put to me, "it's your problem if … Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices. Key considerations. 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