| Scenario | Panes | Pane Size | Sides | Passes | Waste | Coverage | Solution | Bottles (750 ml) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenhouse spring clean | 12 | 0.9 m x 1.2 m | 2 | 1 | 10% | 18 m2/L | 1.58 L | 3 |
| Garden shed windows | 6 | 0.6 m x 0.8 m | 2 | 1 | 12% | 16 m2/L | 0.54 L | 1 |
| Algae removal pass | 18 | 1.0 m x 1.1 m | 2 | 2 | 15% | 14 m2/L | 6.52 L | 9 |
- Pane area = width x height.
- Glass area = pane area x panes x sides.
- Frame factor = 1 + (frame allowance % / 100) if enabled.
- Effective area = glass area x frame factor x passes.
- Waste factor = 1 + (waste % / 100).
- Chargeable area = effective area x waste factor.
- Solution needed (L) = chargeable area / coverage (m2/L).
- Bottles = ceil(solution needed / bottle size in liters).
- Concentrate (optional) = solution needed / (1 + mix ratio).
- Count panes across greenhouse, shed, and garden structures.
- Measure typical pane width and height (average is fine).
- Select one side for interiors, or two sides for full cleaning.
- Set passes to 2+ when removing algae or mineral film.
- Enable frames if you will wipe seals, mullions, and edges.
- Use waste for overspray, windy conditions, and refill losses.
- Enter the product label coverage and your bottle size.
- Press calculate, then download CSV or PDF for sharing.
Area measurement for garden structures
Greenhouse panels, shed lights, and sunroom glazing often vary by bay. Use an average pane size when variations stay within 10%, then multiply by pane count and sides. For mixed layouts, split into groups (roof, walls, doors) to keep estimates realistic and to prevent under-ordering solution during seasonal cleanups.
Coverage rate and surface condition
Label coverage assumes controlled application, low wind, and moderate soil. In gardens, pollen, sap mist, and algae reduce effective coverage. If streaking appears, a second pass is common, which doubles wipe time and increases liquid demand. Use a conservative coverage rate when cleaning textured glass or polycarbonate panels.
Allowances for frames, seals, and runoff
Frames and gaskets collect grime and require extra spray and cloth pressure. The frame allowance adds a percentage to the glass area to represent that work. Waste allowance covers runoff, overspray, bucket dilution drift, and towel saturation. For exposed garden sites, 10–20% waste is a practical planning range.
Mixing concentrate and inventory control
Concentrates reduce storage volume, but accuracy matters. A 1:10 mix means one part concentrate plus ten parts water, producing eleven total parts. The calculator converts required ready-to-use liters into concentrate and water volumes, helping you prep the correct number of bottles and avoid inconsistent strength across refills.
Time, labor, and scheduling efficiency
Productivity rates differ by access, ladder moves, and wiping method. Track one routine job and divide cleaned area by elapsed hours to set a realistic baseline. Use higher productivity for wide, reachable panels and lower productivity for tight corners. Adding labor rate turns hours into a quick budgeting figure for maintenance plans.
FAQs
1) Should I count only glass, or include frames too?
If you wipe frames, seals, and edges, enable the frame allowance. It adds a small percentage to represent extra spray and wiping. For glass-only detailing, disable it to keep estimates strict.
2) What waste percentage works for outdoor garden windows?
Start at 10%. Increase to 15–25% for windy conditions, heavy pollen, or frequent refills. Decrease for indoor-only cleaning with controlled application and minimal runoff.
3) How do I handle different pane sizes on the same structure?
Group similar panes and run the calculator for each group. Add the solution totals together. This approach is more accurate than one average when sizes vary widely across walls and doors.
4) My label shows ft2 per gallon. Can I still use metric sizes?
Yes. Select ft2 per gallon as the coverage type. The calculator normalizes the value internally, so you can work consistently even if your measurements are in meters.
5) Why does using two sides change the result so much?
Two sides doubles the cleaned surface because you treat inside and outside faces separately. For greenhouse glazing, both sides matter for light transmission, so the solution and time estimates rise accordingly.
6) How can I make time estimates more accurate?
Measure one typical session: record area cleaned and total time including setup. Divide area by hours to set your productivity rate. Update it by season, since algae and sap can slow wiping.