There’s a reason you still see window cleaners across the UK wheeling out telescopic poles and barrels of pure water. It’s not nostalgia. It’s not stubbornness. It’s because, even after all the high-tech options thrown at the industry over the past two decades, nothing beats the Reach & Wash system. It was launched back in 1998, and a full quarter-century later, it’s still king of the trade.
So, why is that? Why hasn’t it been replaced or improved upon? Because it works. Simple as that. It’s effective, affordable, safe, and sustainable – a rare combo in any trade. You don’t need an engineering degree to understand it, you don’t have to splash out on expensive cleaning chemicals, and you don’t need to climb a ladder four storeys high to get sparkling results. Window cleaners know what they’re doing, and they keep choosing Reach & Wash for a reason.
Think of it like this. If a car from 1998 could still compete with modern models on fuel economy, safety, and reliability, we’d all be queuing up to buy one. Reach & Wash is the Ford Focus of window cleaning. Built for purpose, trusted by professionals, and still turning heads all these years later.
Let’s break down what’s kept it at the top for 25 years – and why it’s likely to stay there for 25 more.
Simple Always Wins: Why Overcomplicating Cleaning Just Doesn’t Work
There’s a strange habit in the cleaning world – trying to reinvent the wheel. Over the years, we’ve seen fancy robotic window cleaners, drones with microfibre pads, and even water-repellent sprays that promise to keep windows clean forever. Most of them disappear faster than they arrive.
Meanwhile, Reach & Wash just gets on with the job.
At its heart, the system is simple. You’ve got a telescopic pole, a soft brush, and a stream of purified water. That’s it. No motors, no electronics, no need to dismantle anything. You turn it on, scrub the window, rinse it off, and walk away. The water dries without leaving streaks, because it’s been filtered of all impurities – no spots, no smears.
And you know what? Clients love it. They don’t care how ‘innovative’ your kit is. They want clean windows. Reliable cleaners. Reasonable prices. That’s what Reach & Wash delivers, and it does so without fuss.
The best part? Any professional can pick it up and use it in minutes. Training someone new doesn’t take weeks. You don’t need a manual the size of a phone book. You don’t even need a ladder. That sort of ease is worth its weight in gold.
Trusted By The Pros: Why Window Cleaners Still Swear By It
Speak to ten experienced window cleaners, and at least eight will say the same thing – Reach & Wash is still their number one tool. That says a lot, especially when so many trades are shifting to newer, flashier tech.
It’s not just about results, though those are consistently excellent. It’s also about how well it fits the day-to-day needs of real workers. Cleaners need to move fast, carry minimal gear, avoid risky climbs, and handle a variety of buildings. Whether it’s a tiny café front or a six-storey block of flats, Reach & Wash adapts easily.
There’s a reason it’s become the gold standard. Some pros have used the same system for over a decade, just replacing parts as needed. The build quality holds up, and there’s a solid support network for maintenance and upgrades. You’re not left chasing down obscure parts from companies that folded five years ago.
And let’s be honest – it’s not often you get a piece of kit that earns genuine loyalty. But go to any window cleaning forum, Facebook group or trade event, and you’ll hear it again and again. “I’ve tried others, but I always come back to Reach & Wash.”
The Green Cleaner’s Dream: Water Only, No Chemicals
One of the unsung heroes in the eco-cleaning movement? Reach & Wash. It was ahead of its time without even trying. Back in the late ‘90s, nobody was talking about zero-chemical cleaning. But this system nailed it from day one.
It doesn’t rely on detergents. There are no harsh chemicals. You’re not sending anything harmful down the drains. It uses nothing but pure, filtered water. That means it’s gentle on plants, animals, and the environment. You won’t upset local councils with runoff issues, and you won’t damage paintwork or seals with aggressive solutions.
It’s become a favourite for green-minded businesses and schools. Clients who want eco-friendly services look for cleaners who use Reach & Wash. It’s a quiet selling point, but it works.
Plus, you can point out that there’s no plastic waste from bottles or buckets of detergent. No transport emissions from chemical deliveries. Just water, straight from your own supply, filtered and used on-site.
In a world that’s trying (and sometimes struggling) to go green, this system just ticks all the boxes without breaking a sweat.
No More Price Shock: Stability In A Shaky Economy
Let’s talk money. The cleaning trade isn’t immune to price swings – just look at what’s happened with petrol, electricity, and cleaning supplies in recent years. One month a bottle of detergent costs £5, the next it’s £9. That’s hard to absorb when your rates are already tight.
Reach & Wash sidesteps all that. There’s no detergent bill. Once you’ve got your filtration system set up, you’re just paying for water – and even that’s filtered and stored in bulk. It makes pricing far more predictable.
That’s a huge win for solo cleaners and small firms. You can offer stable prices to clients, without getting caught out by supply chain issues or inflation spikes. Your costs stay steady, and so does your income. No awkward price-rise conversations. No sudden cuts to your margin.
And if you’re bidding for commercial contracts, it gives you a serious edge. You’re not going to be undercut by someone who suddenly slashes their product costs. Your gear isn’t reliant on niche brands or short-shelf-life stock. It’s the same clean, every time.
You’d be amazed how much peace of mind that brings – both for the cleaner and the client.
Safety First: Keeping Cleaners And Clients Out Of Danger
Ladders. Love them or hate them, they’re still one of the most common causes of workplace injuries in the UK. And not just falls – we’re talking strains, knocks, window cracks, tile damage, even broken flower pots. Every cleaner’s had a near-miss. Some have had much worse.
Reach & Wash takes that danger out of the picture. You keep your feet firmly on the ground. No scrambling up shaky ladders. No leaning out of windows. No balancing acts on uneven driveways.
It’s not just safer for cleaners. It’s safer for the buildings, too. Older windows, delicate frames, sensitive seals – they all stay untouched by boots, ladders, or clumsy scrubbing. The brush is soft. The pressure is gentle. The water does most of the work.
Insurance companies love it. Property managers breathe easier. And cleaners go home without a sore back or a twisted ankle. That’s not just convenience – that’s serious long-term value.
Some councils and housing associations now require Reach & Wash or equivalent systems for work over a certain height. Not just to follow health and safety rules, but because it simply makes more sense.
Why It’s Not Going Anywhere Soon
If you’re expecting a shiny new system to knock Reach & Wash off its throne any time soon, don’t hold your breath. The truth is, it’s still the best blend of performance, cost, safety, and sustainability on the market.
It hasn’t lasted this long by accident. It’s lasted because it works. It keeps clients happy, keeps cleaners safe, and keeps the environment cleaner too.
Sure, some might be tempted by flashy new tech, but when the brush hits the glass, reliability always wins. That’s why you’ll still see those telescopic poles rising above the streets of London, Manchester, Cardiff, and everywhere in between. And that’s why, 25 years on, Reach & Wash isn’t just surviving – it’s still leading the way.
So next time you spot a cleaner calmly scrubbing a fifth-floor window from the pavement, you’ll know exactly what’s keeping them up there: not magic, not marketing – just a system that’s stood the test of time.
