Clean windows change how a whole house looks and feels, but cleaning them yourself means ladders, buckets, streaks, and screens that never quite go back in right. Professional window cleaners do it faster, safer, and usually better, and the price is often less than people expect. Here’s what’s typically included, how the pros clean, what it costs, and how to compare local companies.
Table of Contents
Why hire a professional
- Safety. Ladder falls are a common cause of home injuries. Upper-story windows, steep slopes, and skylights are best left to people with the right equipment and insurance.
- Streak-free results. Pros use techniques and tools that leave glass clear without residue.
- Screens and tracks. These collect dirt, pollen, and dead insects and are tedious to clean well.
- Hard water spots. Sprinkler overspray leaves mineral deposits that need specialized products to remove safely.
What’s usually included
Window cleaning quotes vary a lot in scope, so confirm what you’re getting:
- Exterior glass: almost always included.
- Interior glass: sometimes included, sometimes an add-on of a few dollars per window.
- Screens: cleaning, removal, and reinstallation may cost extra.
- Sills and tracks: often extra, since tracks are slow, detailed work.
- Frames: a quick wipe is common.
- Specialty work: hard water stain removal, post-construction cleaning such as paint specks and stickers, skylights, storm windows, and very high windows are usually priced separately.
How the pros clean
Traditional squeegee method
A strip washer applies a mild cleaning solution, then a professional squeegee pulls it off in smooth passes, followed by a quick detail of the edges with a lint-free cloth. It’s fast and effective on most residential windows.
Water-fed pole systems
Many companies now use extendable poles that pump purified water, filtered to remove dissolved minerals, through a soft brush. Because the water has so little mineral content, it dries without spots, so there’s no squeegee needed. It lets cleaners reach second- and third-story windows from the ground, which is safer than ladders.
What it costs
National cost guides commonly put a whole-house window cleaning at roughly $150 to $370, with many homeowners paying around $220 to $260. Per-window pricing is often about $10 to $15, or a few dollars per individual pane. Cleaning both interior and exterior windows for a whole home commonly runs about $185 to $570, depending on the number of windows and the size of the house. Some companies bill hourly, often around $40 to $75 an hour.
What moves the price:
- The number and size of windows
- The number of stories and how hard the windows are to reach
- Windows with many small divided panes, such as French windows
- Landscaping, decks, or slopes that make ladder placement difficult
- Condition: heavy dirt or hard water spots
- Screens, tracks, and interior cleaning
- Recurring service, which often earns a discount
How often to clean windows
Twice a year, typically spring and fall, works for most homes. Homes near the coast, busy roads, construction, or heavy pollen may need it more often. Many homeowners pair window cleaning with a seasonal deep clean; see deep cleaning services.
Hiring a window cleaning company
- Confirm insurance. Liability coverage is essential, and workers’ compensation matters if the company has employees, given the ladder work involved.
- Ask what’s included: interior, exterior, screens, tracks, and sills.
- Ask about their method and whether they use water-fed poles for upper floors.
- Ask how they protect your home: drop cloths inside, ladder mitts to protect siding and gutters, and care around landscaping.
- Ask about guarantees. Some companies offer a free touch-up if it rains soon after cleaning or if streaks appear.
- Get the quote in writing, listing the number of windows and services.
A note on hard water spots
White, chalky spots that don’t wipe off are usually mineral deposits from sprinklers. Ordinary window cleaning won’t remove them, and scraping can scratch the glass. Ask whether the company offers hard water stain removal, and adjust sprinklers so they don’t hit the windows. The same chemistry applies to shower glass; see how to remove hard water stains from glass.
Common questions
Do window cleaners clean the inside too?
Many do, as an option. Some clean exterior only. Ask, because it significantly changes the time and price.
Should I be home?
For interior cleaning, yes, or arrange access. For exterior-only service, many companies can work while you’re away.
Can they clean in the rain?
Light rain usually doesn’t affect results much, since rainwater is relatively free of minerals. Heavy storms or high winds may lead to rescheduling for safety.
Is DIY worth it for first-floor windows?
For easy-to-reach, ground-floor windows, a squeegee, a bucket of mild soapy water, and microfiber cloths do a good job. Leave upper floors to professionals.