I tried window vacs to get rid of condensation and prevent mould – a bargain version was better than Karcher’s
WASHING windows is a chore but a window vacuum will banish condensation and mould in a jiffy.
They are designed to remove dust, dirt and water from your windows in an instant, leaving them squeaky clean and streak-free.
But which is the best for the job?
Lynsey Hope, 41, from West Malling, Kent, gave some best-sellers a test run.
Here she shares her verdict:
Tower Cordless Window Cleaner
- £31.99, amazon.co.uk
Lynsey says: “Great for cleaning windows, mirrors and shower screens and it soaks up spills.
“It could have had a smaller head for hard to reach areas and the on/off button is on the handle so I kept accidentally turning it off.
“Other than that, I thought it was good value and worked well.”
- CLEANING: 7/10
- EASE OF USE: 7/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 8/10
- OVERALL SCORE: 7/10
Salter Window Cleaning Vac
- £24.99, therange.co.uk
Lynsey says: “Brilliant for keeping big patio doors clean but tricky to use on smaller windows.
“It sucks up any dirt and condensation and was convenient, light to hold and easy to use.
“Battery life is 30 minutes and it does take a while to recharge, but windows and mirrors were left sparkling and streak free – great for the price.”
- CLEANING: 9/10
- EASE OF USE: 8/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 10/10
- OVERALL SCORE: 9/10
Beldray Cordless Window Vac
- £25.99, robertdyas.co.uk
Lynsey says: “Cheaper than most of the models on our list, but also less powerful.
“It did a reasonable job of cleaning and drying condensation but the design made it hard to clean the bottom of windows and it can’t do spills, worktops or grimy skylights.
“The water tank is small and had to be emptied repeatedly but it has a 30-minute battery life, it’s cheap and lightweight and I found it handy for a quick fix.”
- CLEANING: 6/10
- EASE OF USE: 5/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 6/10
- OVERALL SCORE: 6/10
Karcher WV Black Edition
- £73, ao.com
Lynsey says: “Heavier than others with a 35-minute run time.
“It did a great job leaving windows, tiles, worktops and mirrors sparkling.
“It can also soak up liquid spills, the tank was easy to empty and it didn’t drip like some of the cheaper models.
“At £73, it’s pricey so I’d probably go for one of the cheaper models unless I was planning to use it a lot.
- CLEANING: 10/10
- EASE OF USE: 10/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 6/10
- OVERALL SCORE: 8/10
Vileda Windowmatic Power Vac
- £45, dunelm.com
Lynsey says: “About half the weight of the Karcher and the only vac we tested with an additional turbo power level.
“If you switch to max mode, you get a 50% power boost which was a real help when cleaning especially grubby surfaces.
“It has a flexible neck which was useful for hard to reach places, the tank is easy to empty and can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
“The battery runtime is 40 minutes – better than most – and it promises to clean 120 square metres on a single charge.
“It’s a bit noisy but otherwise a real powerhouse for the price. My favourite.”
- CLEANING: 10/10
- EASE OF USE: 10/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 10/10
- OVERALL SCORE: 10/10
Henry Quick Stick Vacuum
- £249.99, myhenry.com
Lynsey says: “If you’re after a vacuum that can also clean the windows this could be perfect.
“The hand-held attachment was great for getting rid of dirt and dust off high skylights but it won’t deal with condensation.
“A handy tool if you don’t want loads of gadgets clogging up your cupboard.”
- CLEANING: 9/10
- EASE OF USE: 8/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 6/10
- OVERALL SCORE: 8/10