DIY Window Squeegee

You can purchase window squeegees almost anywhere but making one is a simple project, can save you money and can be made of items you already have around your home.

Preparation

The most important element of a squeegee is the rubber strip. This piece is typically made of rubber and is pressed against the window to draw liquids away. Rubber is an ideal material for a squeegee because its shape can be contorted when you apply pressure so that it grabs every bit of fluid as it is swiped across glass. Aside from its flexibility, rubber is safe for glass and glides across the surface without scratching it or harming it in any way.

Choosing to select a piece of rubber from around your home is a good way to save a little money and works just as well as if you were to purchase one, as long as it is clean. A section from an inner tube or inside of an old tire is suitable. The strip can be any length you desire but you can clean larger windows quicker with longer strips of rubber on a squeegee. Selecting a piece from around your home that is at least a few inches tall will help you create the simple homemade squeegee.

Design

A thin, stiff strip of plywood or metal will hold the rubber in place. When you fold the piece of rubber in half, the stiff strip of material should rest in between the two rubber flaps up against the inner fold. When the two flaps are pulled back tightly so each rubber piece touches the stiff strip between them, the stiff strip should be as long or slightly longer than the rubber ends. This technique allows the handle piece to grip the ends of the solid materials tightly and expose the folded end of rubber for use against a window.

A piece of wood as long as the strip of rubber and wider than the folded piece of rubber with the stiff material in the center is sufficient as a handle. The opening in the side of the wood to fit the rubber strip and stiff middle material should be the same size or just slightly smaller than the width of the two. A nail or screw works well for holding all the materials together, but if you used metal between the rubber you may need a power tool to insert the hardware.