How much does window cleaning cost?

Boost your home's curb appeal and prolong the life of your window glass with regular window cleaning services. Window cleaning is available for all types of windows and situations. Common requests include exterior window cleaning, interior window washing, window screen cleaning, window track cleaning and blinds and shutter cleaning.

Use this guide to estimate the window washing pricing for your home, and get estimates from nearby cleaning professionals.

 Here are the factors that affect professional window cleaning costs.

Some window cleaning services charge flat prices per window, regardless of the type or location. The cost per window accounts for variations in the time, effort and risk involved in cleaning each individual window. 

For example, a window cleaning company in Salt Lake City, Utah, charges $4 per window. This cost breaks down to $3 for the outside of a window and $1 for the inside. Meanwhile, Precision Window Cleaning in North Richland Hills, Texas, charges $6 per window.

Most per-window costs include cleaning both the inside and outside of the window and will typically provide a free estimate before they start the work.

Hourly rates

If you hire a window washer who charges by the hour, keep these average rates in mind:

Number of window panes

Windows with multiple panes usually require more time, energy and attention to detail than single-paned windows. The cost to clean windows with multiple panes will likely be higher than standard windows, but a window washing company may reduce fees for multi-paned windows on larger jobs.

For example, a company may charge a flat rate of $4 per pane. However, if you have a large home with many windows and the company is able to provide a discount, a 12-pane window might cost $24, meaning they only charge for half the panes in the total window frame.

Window type

There are many types of windows, all with unique washing needs. Some, such as double-hung windows with two sashes, require more expertise and effort. Some companies break out pricing by type of window, with larger windows costing more and smaller windows costing less.

Companies that charge flat rates may vary them to account for the increased labor that some windows require. Here are some examples of average pricing for different types of windows:

• Double-hung, which is equal to two windows: $8 per window
• Multi-pane: $4 per pane; a five-pane window would cost $20
• Eagles Windows Cleaning in Dallas, Texas, regular windows: $6-$7 per window
• Eagles Windows Cleaning, French window or door: $9-$11 per window

Construction rate

After a home remodel, there is likely to be dust in every nook and cranny of the house, including in your window sills and on your windowpanes. Hiring a pro to clean your windows will help ensure that your home is in perfect condition so you can show off your new kitchen or room add-on at an open house.

Window washing companies may charge more for cleaning windows after construction or a remodel because the extra dust and dirt create more labor for them. A window cleaning company that typically charges $4 per window ($1 for the interior and $3 for the exterior of each window) might charge $5 per window for post-construction cleaning.

Multiple windows

Sometimes bigger is better. Many window washing companies charge reduced rates for washing more windows because they can streamline their labor costs by already being on-site.

For example, the average Salt Lake City home is 2,200 square feet. The cost for a local company to wash all the windows in a home that size averages $220. Eagles Windows Cleaning offers a promotion of $90-$100 for cleaning the outside of 25 windows at one location in a single visit.

Extra services

Removing screens and wiping them down is usually standard practice for window cleaners, but confirm that it's included when contracting a window cleaning service. Cleaning services may charge extra to remove hard water stains or deep-clean the window tracks.

You may expect to pay $1 or more per window to have the window tracks cleaned. Cleaning window tracks is important because dead bugs, spiderwebs, pollen and dust can collect in there, which can grow mold or make your windows stick when you try to open or close them.

Accessibility

Dangerous heights and difficult access can make washing your top-story windows too daunting to do yourself. But just because you can't easily reach those high windows doesn't mean you can't see them. Dirt, dust and cobwebs that collect in high windows can create a dingy, unkempt look inside and out for an otherwise clean home.

Hiring a pro window washer to reach your skylights, ceiling height accent windows and attic windows will add polish to your entire home. Using a ladder is standard business for pro window washers, but some will charge extra to deal with hilly or uneven terrain that makes it difficult to safely place a ladder. Be sure to check with your window washing company to make sure you understand the costs.

Windows are an investment, and it pays to take good care of them. Here are the perks of hiring a professional window washing company:

• Attract potential buyers. Most real estate agents will say that clean windows make a house look cleaner and brighter. If you're selling your home, clean windows are a must. Buyers won't be lured by grimy, cobwebbed windows.
• Safety. Professional window cleaning allows you to reach windows that may be unsafe for you to access on your own.
• Save on replacement costs. Windows are expensive to replace, and pro window washing can prolong their life by removing abrasive grime. The cost of replacing a window can range anywhere from $300 to replace a single pane of glass up to $5,000 for a large bay window with specialty glass and framing.
• Catch signs of serious issues. Window cleaners can catch trouble spots early, like wood rot, dings in the glass, mineral deposits or persistent stains. In many cases, these problems can be resolved quickly and affordably by the pros before it's too late and you need to buy and install new windows.
• Stop insect infestations before they spread. Pro window washers can also see the areas of your home where termites like to burrow and can alert you to signs of infestation, so you can take action early.

If you only have your windows professionally cleaned once or twice a year and prefer to do the maintenance in between, here are a few tips.

First, use the type of cleaner recommended by the manufacturer. If you don't have any recommendations, you can make a solution. For interior windows, a safe bet is a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and warm tap water. Vinegar is proven to leave your windows free of streaks, while alcohol- and ammonia-based solutions are prone to streaking windows.

You may have grown up using old newspaper to clean your windows, but the chemicals used in the printing process can actually damage your window glass over time. Use a lint-free cloth to avoid leaving paper residue on the glass.

If you have low-E coated glass, pros recommend that you don't use a squeegee, as it could damage the coating. For a streak-free window, don't scrub the windows completely dry with your lint-free cloth, but leave a thin layer of moisture.