We used a system that is hooked up to a hose and then filters the hose water with reverse osmosis filters, which is then forced out a brush on an extendable pole. No soap is used for this since the dirt particles are "sucked" into the purified water. My favorite use of this device was cleaning the inside of the windows of the pool at the YMCA.
When should I get my windows washed?
After the spring pollen season is over. And make sure you do any planned power washing beforehand, because it will get the windows dirty again.
What kinds of places do you typically clean?
It depends on the season. In the spring through fall private houses and large facilities want to get a yearly clean done. These are usually one day jobs but some will take a team multiple days. Throughout the year businesses want their storefronts cleaned, which is called "route work." This will typically involve traveling from one strip mall to another (each business contracts individually, only rarely did we have a contract with a whole facility). During the winter route work is essentially the only work
What are some interesting places you've cleaned?
A horse farm
A private Catholic school including the church and monks' quarters
A mausoleum
A YMCA (a gym facility with a pool)
How are you paid?
At the place I worked, it was commission based; you get a percentage of the job and the rest goes to the company. You get a set of jobs to do in the morning and it's up to you to finish them.
What are the good parts of the job?
Fresh air and exercise.
Getting to see interesting places from an angle you would not normally have access to.
Work is usually finished by 1-3 p.m.
Even when working with a team, you typically get to strike off on your own and work by yourself, which can be quite meditative.
Due to the commission based pay, no one is micro-tracking your actions. Taking breaks is no big deal as long as you aren't shirking. And if you're by yourself, nothing is stopping you from taking an hour break except that you'll get home an hour later.
A lot of driving that you have to do in your personal vehicle. Some people love driving but it's always a source of tension for me.
Working outside in the winter is not fun.
There is a risk of repetitive motion injuries.
If you are afraid of heights you will not enjoy occasionally having to climb up a ladder or walk out onto a roof. Although usually there is someone else to do it if you are really not comfortable.