Disgusting window problem... Please help!

[TillyTottenham]

Hi all,

I have an awning window (the type that opens from the bottom and tilts outward with a hinge on the top) in my sitting room, and a seagull has just made a horrendous mess all down it!

I'm on the 4th floor so can't clean it from the outside.

It only opens around 6" outward from the bottom so there's no way of reaching out with a pole or even a cloth to clean it.

Does anyone know any way of solving this?

The window cleaners have just been and aren't coming back for 3 months so I will be looking at it all summer otherwise!

It has been raining heavily here all day and that hasn't made a dent on the problem.

Borrow a hose?

Can you spray it / reach it from a different window?

Call the window cleaners and ask them to come for an extra appointment.

Or you could get one of those magnetic window cleaner things! Disclaimer: I've seen them on tv but don't know if they actually work!

I would borrow a hose and try and spray it up the window from inside using the gap at the bottom
Or ask the window cleaner to do a one off

Thanks for the suggestions. A hose alone won't be strong enough and the window cleaners won't come back before their 3 months are up.

I was just looking at the magnetic window cleaners. Most of the reviews say they don't work on double glazing. Shame as it's a good idea.

I was hoping there might be some magic trick to get the window to open wider that I don't know about.

Can you take a photo of the window mechanism so we can see if it can be done?

Wait for the next heavy rainfall then open the window as wide as it will go and hope there is enough rain to wash the poo off. It might just spread it about which is what sometimes happens to mine, but at least I have the option of getting the hose on to it.

Doesn't that sort of window sometimes have a latch that means you can switch it round so it opens a different way for cleaning?

Would something like this not work, spayed heavily with cleaning solution? I have one, the cloth part is removable from the long flat flexible stick so that you can wash it too. Sorry if it's unhelpful, perhaps post a pic of the window?

Would one of these work? Pump the water pressure up, poke the trigger out under the bottom of the window and aim at the bird poo as best you can. Might need to stand the pump on a chair/table by the window depending on height.

www.screwfix.com/p/sx-cs5-white-black-pressure-sprayer-5ltr/7490x

Something like this?
www.amazon.co.uk/SudaTek-Cleaning-Telescopic-Adjustable-Squeegees/dp/B01MFDZPB2?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Can't do links, sorry, but Google JML microfiber flexible duster.
You could soak it and slosh it, as best able, at bird poo.
As an aside, how would you get out in a fire?

There will be a safety catch somewhere near the side hinges.... all you do is unscrew it

Remember to put it back though!!

There will be something that prevents the window from opening more than 6 inches, you need to find that restrictor.

You can upload a photo here if you want or google window restrictor and find yours.

And be bloody careful, have someone with you if possible to stop you over-reaching.

Thanks all for the suggestions. To answer your questions:

1. It's not a "tilt and turn" window unfortunately so it doesn't swing round.
2. I would never be able to get out these windows in a fire. They only open about half a foot at the bottom and are high up also.
3. I do have a pressure sprayer but this is going to take scrubbing. I think it was a very large seagull.
4. I don't see any kind of catches or restrictor... but here are some pics.

I will check out the Amazon links pp posted. Thanks!

looks like you should be able to unscrew that mechanism at the base without any difficulty

I guess I could unscrew the bolts shown in picture 3 that attach the handle to the window sill? Then presumably the window would open as wide as I wanted it to...

I think you could unscrew the restrictive handle abs get the window further open, but will that still help? I guess it depends whether the poop is near the edge of the windowpane? A wider gap probably wouldn't help you reach the middle/top?

@HappyAsASandboy

I think you could unscrew the restrictive handle abs get the window further open, but will that still help? I guess it depends whether the poop is near the edge of the windowpane? A wider gap probably wouldn't help you reach the middle/top?

It's near the top right in the middle, unfortunately! I have closed the blinds for now until I investigate all the options. Thanks to all for your input.

Where does the window pivot?

If there is a gap between the top of the window and the frame when the window is open, stand on a chair and squirt diluted washing-up liquid, with some white vinegar in it, or diluted screenwash over the bird poo.