Short answer
Outside windows need cleaning for weather, road film, pollen and birds. Inside windows need it for fingerprints, condensation, cooking and pets. If you can only do one, outside makes the bigger difference to how the house looks from the street. If you want the view from indoors to be clear, you’ll want both.
What does an outside clean cover?
On the outside window cleaning service, I use a water-fed pole with pure water to wash the glass from the ground. It’s the part people see from the road and the drive. It’s also where most weather dirt builds up.
What does an inside clean cover?
On the inside window cleaning service, I come in and clean the glass by hand with a washer and squeegee. I use cloths and drop sheets to protect your floors and sills. I’d need to move to each window, so I ask you to clear the sills and the space in front of them first. What to do before the window cleaner comes has the list.
| Outside windows | Inside windows | |
|---|---|---|
| What makes them dirty | Weather, road film, pollen, birds | Fingerprints, condensation, cooking, pets |
| How I clean them | Pure water through a pole | By hand, washer and squeegee |
| Do you need to be in? | No, if I can reach them | Yes |
| How often on my round | Every 6 weeks | Every 12 weeks |
Why can’t the pole do both?
Pure water rinses to waste. Outside, it runs down the glass and onto the ground. Indoors there’s nowhere for it to go, so I use a hand method instead. It’s slower than outside but it’s right for the job.
Patio doors are a special case: cleaning sliding patio doors covers the glass and tracks. Water on the inside of the glass in winter is usually condensation: condensation on the inside of windows explains it.
How do I choose?
Here’s a rough guide:
- You mostly notice the front of the house from the street: outside.
- You notice smears when the sun comes in or marks at night: inside.
- You want a fresh start or you’re selling or moving: both.
- Your windows are hard to reach inside, like tall stairwell glass: tell me, and I’ll tell you what I can reach.
- You don’t want anyone in the house: outside only.
Do I have to be in?
Not for an outside clean, if I can get to the windows. You’ll need to be in, or arrange for someone to let me in, for an inside clean. The FAQ page covers access, gates and pets.
What about conservatories and skylights?
They can be done, but roof glass and high glass have more to think about. I’ll look at access and safety first, and I’ll tell you honestly if something isn’t something I can do from the ground or from a safe position. The HSE’s window cleaning guidance says to avoid work at height where it’s reasonably practicable, and that shapes what I take on.
How often for each?
Outside glass gets dirty faster than inside glass in most homes, so you might do outside regularly and inside less often. Your household decides. How often should windows be cleaned? goes into it.
Common questions
Will you clean the frames inside too?
Yes, I wipe the frame and sill around each window I do from inside. Anything fragile, tell me first.
What about blinds and curtains?
I don’t clean blinds or curtains, but I work around them. If they’re in the way, I’ll tie them back or ask you to move them.
Can you do just the windows I can’t reach?
Often, yes, within what I can reach safely. Tell me which windows you mean and what’s in the way, and I’ll tell you if I can do them from the ground or inside.
Do you move furniture?
Only what’s light and easy, and only if you’re happy for me to. Otherwise I’ll ask you to move it first, or I’ll work around it.
Which makes the bigger difference?
From the street, the outsides. Weather film, pollen and bird mess build up outside, and that’s what neighbours and visitors see. From your sofa, it depends on the light. Low winter sun shows every smear on the inside of the glass, and a clean outside won’t hide that. If you notice marks mostly when the sun comes in, the insides are worth doing too.
Can I do the insides myself and leave the outsides to you?
Of course. Plenty of people clean their own insides because it’s easy to reach the glass from indoors, and leave the upstairs outsides to someone with the right kit. If you do your own insides, a microfibre cloth and a little diluted washing-up liquid, wiped off with a dry cloth, is a simple place to start. Avoid letting water dry on the glass.
Do both sides need the same method?
No. Outside, I rinse with pure water and let it dry. Inside, I use a washer and squeegee, because rinse water has nowhere to go indoors.
