Diss-based traditional window cleaning business is aiming to deliver sparkling services

Offering a blend of traditional hand-cleaning methods and filtered water to avoid mineral deposits, a new window cleaning business is tapping in to a gap in the market.

Rodwell Window Cleaning, run by Andy Rodwell, from Fair Green in Diss, was set up in August and is run by Mr Rodwell alongside his full-time role as a firefighter.

With his shift patterns giving him days off during the week, setting up a business became the perfect solution to fill his free hours, and a way to plug a perceived gap in the market, as Mr Rodwell explained.

“Prior to setting the business up, I’d spent a short time window cleaning for a friend in another village and saw a gap in the market locally for someone to clean windows traditionally here in Diss,” he said.

“Having never run my own business before, it’s been a steep learning curve but I’m really enjoying it. After a busy shift at work, window cleaning really helps me to mentally offload.

“Because I work four days on, four days off, I wanted something to do on my days off to keep me busy, and also allow me to stay on call with Diss fire station.

“Traditional window cleaning is done by hand, as opposed to the water-fed pole method. Cleaning by hand allows the entire window, including frames and sills, to be cleaned, wiped down and dried, so the finish is far better.

Mr Rodwell also uses filtered water, which leaves no mineral deposits and is softer than the hard water straight from the tap.

“The challenge has been managing the window cleaning and also doing a full-time job,” said the 38-year-old.

“Early on, I took on quite a lot of work on and left myself with no days off, which was tough. But I’ve found the balance and have become mindful of giving myself a little down time.

“I’ve had a lot of help and support from friends who run their own small businesses, so that has been helpful.

“Even so, I have some plans to grow the business, and I am quite happy keeping things small.”

If you want to find out more, go to Facebook and search for Rodwell Window Cleaning.