Our Cleaning Expert Tested a Window Vacuum Squeegee – Wow, Was She Impressed
“It took me about 3 minutes to clean my 6' x 10' picture window.” Read what else she said about how Karcher's power squeegee made it easier and quicker to get windows, tile and glass shower doors clean, spotless and streak-free.
Cleaning windows is far from one of my favorite chores, but it’s one I’m tasked with frequently. Between fingerprints on the glass porch door and dog nose boops on the bottom of every window (Squirrel TV, you know), it’s a regular item on my to-do list.
- Works on many surfaces
- Easy to use
- Good battery life
- Doesn't leak
- Doesn’t get into corners perfectly
The only routine I’ve ever had for window cleaning involves a spray bottle of window cleaner and a trusty, absorbent cloth. I never loved using a traditional squeegee as part of my routine, which is why I wasn’t sure how the Karcher WV 1 Plus Window Vacuum would compare to my usual method when it arrived for me to test and review.
If you read no further, let this be your takeaway: This $79.99 product is super good. Simple to use. A truly enjoyable cleaning experience. I am very impressed.
Emily Fazio
This window vacuum makes easy work of glass cleaning, indoors and out.
What is a Window Vacuum?
It's a great two-in-one cleaning system. I knew what I was getting into when I opened the package, or so I thought. One thing I didn’t expect to love as much as I did was the spray bottle with an attached cloth scrubber. The packaging itself really undersells the convenience of this little tool. Instead of juggling a separate spray bottle and cloth, I was able to spray cleaner and scrub the glass all in one motion. It made the whole process smoother.
Emily Fazio
Using the spray bottle with attached cloth makes it easy to pre-treat spots and dirt on your windows.
The vacuum itself worked really well, too. Fitted with a plastic bottle in the handle of the squeegee, the vacuum collects the cleaner deposited by the spray bottle as it leaves a streak-free finish on the glass. I cleaned all of the windows in my home without needing to empty the canister.
The squeegee size feels just right — it’s wide enough to reach tricky spots, like the glass behind door handles and it can clean large areas quickly. The handle length was also a big help. I could easily reach the top of the window behind my sink, a spot I usually avoid because it means climbing onto the counter.
Emily Fazio
The handheld vacuum has a thick rubber squeegee edge.
Cleaning Performance
I tested this on more than just windows. My bathroom mirror? Flawless. The glass shower door? So good (the whole household has been using the vacuum to keep the glass spot-free after bathing). My quartz kitchen backsplash? What a treat! The doors to my microwave and oven? Well, clearly I don’t clean those often enough. Nicely done, little vacuum.
It took me about 3 minutes to clean my 6' x 10' picture window. Another three minutes to clean the panes of glass on my patio door. It takes less than one minute to remove the water droplets from the shower door after use. It’s quick and easy to use.
Emily Fazio
I tested the tool on large picture windows, small panes of glass, indoor mirrors and backsplashes.
What I Liked and Didn't Like About the Window Vacuum
- Great suction. I challenged it to keep up with “fast cleaning,” and it kept right up with my pace, leaving the window clean and streak-free.
- It has a large dirty water container. As I said, I cleaned a bunch of windows before needing to empty it.
- Works horizontally and vertically. No liquid escaped when tipped, not from the cleaner in the spray bottle or the dirty water in the vacuum’s canister.
- Quick to assemble. Took just a minute to put together.
- Good battery life. I didn't encounter any issues with charging the vacuum or using it for an extended time.
Emily Fazio
The dirty water tank on the window vacuum can hold a lot of dirty water.
The only real downside is that it doesn’t get into corners perfectly. But, does any squeegee? I wiped over those edges with a cloth, and it wasn’t a big deal.
I wasn’t sure if this would replace my old method, but after using it, I don’t see myself going back. It’s faster and easier and requires way less effort. For what it’s worth, my kids really enjoy using it too, so I may never have to have this chore on my to-do list again.
Why You Should Trust Our Tester
Emily lives in the northeast, so icy mornings are a regular part of her life. She has been a contributing writer to HGTV.com for over 12 years helping homeowners with home improvement, cleaning, gardening, crafts and more. She's an expert on a variety of topics including how to thaw frozen pipes, the best way to clean an electric blanket and how to keep kids busy on a snow day.
Why You Should Trust HGTV Shopping Experts
HGTV Shopping Experts believe the best method for testing products is based on how our fans are going to use them in the real world. In each of our Tested and Reviewed stories, products are not tested in sterile laboratory settings that don't mimic real life. Instead, we test products in real homes that reflect our readers' real lives, which can also include pets, kids, partners and more. Our goal is to choose the best products for our readers.
